Mason and Hamlin vs Steinway
Many people do not realize that Steinway and Mason & Hamlin have shared much in their history. Not only are Steinway and Mason & Hamlin last surviving companies of the hundreds that once populated American shores, but they represent two of the three pianos still being built there.
Both Mason & Hamlin and Steinway boast being the highest calibre with long histories, tremendous playability, and heirloom-class longevity. Many say that the Mason & Hamlin, with its technical innovations such as the crown retention system, tunable aliquots, composite action, and extra-heavy duty construction are even superior to the Steinway. While both products compete at comparable levels of quality, there is one area where the Steinway piano is the clear winner: Marketing.
Steinway is one of the few names that is universally known outside of the piano world and their reputation of quality and performance is undeniable – but this brand recognition comes at a cost. Steinway is publicly traded and in addition to a heavy marketing budget, they are inevitably driven by profit.
Mason & Hamlin, on the other hand, is privately owned by the Burgett brothers and operated independently under the careful guidance of a master piano builder.Purity and dedication to crafting beautiful instruments are the driving forces.
Mason & Hamlin is the piano player’s piano.It is for the discerning person who is not caught up by advertising and brand.
It also comes at a significantly lower price point than the Steinway for a comparable model. Below are some basic comparisons of the Steinway and Mason & Hamlin pianos. As with any instrument, to truly appreciate the sound and the experience you have to play them for yourself.
Get to know them and understand them – whether Steinway or Mason & Hamlin, this instrument will be a part of your family for generations to come.
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Mason & Hamlin B |
Steinway & Sons M |
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Length: |
5 feet 4 inches |
5 feet 7 inches |
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Width: |
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Weight: |
750 lbs. |
560 lbs. |
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Rim: |
hard rock maple |
hard rock maple |
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Rim thickness: |
3 inches |
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Pinblock: |
7-ply hard rock maple |
7-ply hard rock maple |
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Soundboard: |
Eastern White Spruce |
Sitka Spruce |
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Soundboard size: |
1816 square inches |
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#1 bass string length: |
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Ribs: |
sugar pine |
sugar pine |
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Bridges: |
hard rock maple |
hard rock maple |
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Action: |
Wessell, Nickel & Gross |
Steinway (Renner in Hamburg only) |
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Tension resonator: |
Yes |
No |
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Manufacturer’s warranty: |
LIFE on rim & action, rest 12 years full warranty. 4 star rating in The Piano Book |
5 years limited. 3.5 star rating in The Piano Book |
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Mason & Hamlin A |
Steinway & Sons M |
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Length: |
5 feet 8.5 inches |
5 feet 7 inches |
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Width: |
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Weight: |
860 lbs. |
560 lbs. |
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Rim: |
hard rock maple |
hard rock maple |
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Rim thickness: |
3 inches |
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Pinblock: |
7-ply hard rock maple |
7-ply hard rock maple |
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Soundboard: |
Eastern White Spruce |
Sitka Spruce |
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Soundboard size: |
2016 square inches |
1816 square inches |
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#1 bass string length: |
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Ribs: |
sugar pine |
sugar pine |
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Bridges: |
hard rock maple |
hard rock maple |
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Action: |
Wessell, Nickel & Gross |
Steinway (Renner in Hamburg only) |
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Tension resonator: |
Yes |
No |
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Manufacturer’s warranty: |
LIFE on rim & action, rest 12 years full warranty |
5 years limited |
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Mason & Hamlin AA |
Steinway & Sons A |
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Length: |
6 feet 4 inches |
6 feet 2 inches |
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Width: |
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Weight: |
900 lbs. |
695 lbs. |
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Rim: |
hard rock maple |
hard rock maple |
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Rim thickness: |
||
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Pinblock: |
7-ply hard rock maple |
7-ply hard rock maple |
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Soundboard: |
Eastern White Spruce |
Sitka Spruce |
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Soundboard size: |
2129 inches |
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#1 bass string length: |
||
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Ribs: |
sugar pine |
sugar pine |
|
Bridges: |
hard rock maple |
hard rock maple |
|
Action: |
Wessell, Nickel & Gross |
Steinway (Renner in Hamburg only) |
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Tension resonator: |
Yes |
No |
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Manufacturer’s warranty: |
LIFE on rim & action, rest 12 years full warranty. |
5 years limited |
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Mason & Hamlin BB |
Steinway & Sons B |
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Length: |
6 feet 11 inches |
6 feet 10.5 inches |
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Width: |
58 inches |
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Weight: |
1020 lbs. |
760 lbs. |
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Rim: |
hard rock maple |
hard rock maple |
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Rim thickness: |
||
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Pinblock: |
7-ply hard rock maple |
7-ply hard rock maple |
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Soundboard: |
Eastern White Spruce |
Sitka Spruce |
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Soundboard size: |
2745 square inches! |
2271 square inches |
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#1 bass string length: |
59 & 3/8 inches |
59 & 1/4 inches |
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Ribs: |
sugar pine |
sugar pine |
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Bridges: |
hard rock maple |
hard rock maple |
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Action: |
Wessell, Nickel & Gross |
Steinway (Renner in Hamburg only) |
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Tension resonator: |
Yes |
No |
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Manufacturer’s warranty: |
LIFE on rim & action, rest 12 years full warranty. 4 star rating in The Piano Book |
5 years limited. 3.5 starrating in The Piano Book |
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Mason & Hamlin CC |
Steinway & Sons D |
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Length: |
9 feet 4 inches |
8 feet 11.75 inches |
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Width: |
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Weight: |
1500 lbs. |
990 lbs. |
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Rim: |
hard rock maple |
hard rock maple |
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Rim thickness: |
||
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Pinblock: |
7-ply hard rock maple |
7-ply hard rock maple |
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Soundboard: |
Eastern White Spruce |
Sitka Spruce |
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Soundboard size: |
3187 square inches |
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#1 bass string length: |
||
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Ribs: |
sugar pine |
sugar pine |
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Bridges: |
hard rock maple |
hard rock maple |
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Action: |
Wessell, Nickel & Gross |
Steinway (Renner in Hamburg only) |
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Tension resonator: |
Yes |
No |
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Manufacturer’s warranty: |
LIFE on rim & action, rest 12 years full warranty |
5 years limited |
