Feb 19, 2009 I have a Mason & Risch piano which I'm told is from around 1909. The serial #is 18543. Can anyone tell me more about it? Ie: value, actual age, who does appraisals etc? I know the company was in Toronto and that the company went downhill after the 1950's. I'd like to sell the piano but don't know its value. Thanks, Handel fan.
GRADINGSCALEDEFINITIVEDESCRIPTIONCONDITIONAAAR & R'LIKE NEW'AAREFURBISHEDBETTERWORSEARECONDITIONEDA-EXCELLENTB+VERY GOODBGOODCFAIRDPOORAAA MINT - R&R A Rebuilt and Refinishedused piano that has been disassembled, inspected, repaired asnecessary with replacement of all worn or deteriorated parts,reassembled, tested and approved to at least the tolerances of anew piano of like manufacture is said to have been rebuilt andrefinished. A grading of R&R is designated.The labor-intensive work required to rebuild a piano properly is notinexpensive.
Therefore, a rebuilt piano should be purchased because of itsmerits, not purely as a money-saving measure compared to a new instrument.AA LIKE NEW A Refurbishedinstrument rating means that the instrument looks great,plays great is in excellent mechanical condition andneeds no reconditioning. It should pass all inspections. Free of any blemishes, nicks orscratches; original condition throughout; very littlesign of use.A RECONDITIONEDA Reconditioned used piano that has been put back in good condition by cleaning,repairing and adjusting for maximum performance with replacement partswhere specifically indicated is said to have been reconditioned.' A grading of Reconditioned is designated.A- EXCELLENT An excellentinstrument rating means that the instrument looks great,is in excellent mechanical condition and needs noreconditioning.
It should pass all inspections. Thestring compartment should be clean. The finish is free ofany wear or visible defects. There is no rust.
Minute nicks or scratches; no dentsor rust.B+ VERY GOOD A verygood rating means that the piano is free of anymajor defects. Many pianos owned by consumers fall intothis category.
The finish will have only minor blemishes(if any), and there are no major mechanical problems. Few scratches; exceptionally clean;no dents or rust.B GOOD A goodpiano rating may need some reconditioning to be sold at retail,but any major reconditioning should be deducted from thevalue. Scratches, small dents, dirty.C FAIRA fairinstrument rating means that the piano probably has somemechanical defects, but is still in operating condition.The finish and/or interior usually need professionalrepair to make the instrument salable. Well-scratched, chipped, dented,rusted or warped condition. This informationis provided 'as is' without express or implied warranties.
Whileevery effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of theinformation contained in this article, the maintainer assumes noresponsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resultingfrom the use of the information contained herein.Copyright © 2015 Bluebook ofPianos.
Contents.Mason & Hamlin Serial Number Locations 1. Model B, A, AA and BB grand pianos. First, sit at your piano like you are playing it. Then look into the piano plate and to the left of the centre of the piano. There should be a serial number stamped under the letters.
The letter will depend on which Mason & Hamlin model you are looking at.2. Model 50 Upright Mason & HamlinYou need to lift the lid of the piano and look for the serial number.
This will be stamped on the plate of the piano. If you do not find the serial number in this location look for an oval opening in the plate, just left of the centre of the piano. This opening will be backed with a piece of wood. The number stamped in the wood will be the serial number.