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Marcus,
I will send you a 'private' message as well and let you know anything that would be important for you.
I'm truly am not serious about swapping pianos.
My Steinway A is truly a sweet piano, everyone who sees it and hears it says so.

But I will keep you especially posted on the piano.

brdwyguy (Joey)

Joey - We've all been waiting for SOMEONE to try one of these. So glad you will finally have the opportunity. Looking forward to your impressions.

Carey

I'm going to go over twice.
I want to try the piano, right out of the box
and then go back and try, after it has been prepped.

They have been so wonderful - Levi calls me whenever an anticipated piano comes in.
I've been able to try some amazing pianos.

The wonderful M&H VX CC and a new BB I got to play out of the box
will play this week after it has some prepping done.

They have a wonderful, older Bluthner Upright that would be wonderful for someone on a budget.
and they got in a half dozen M&H Uprights, also in Artist & Classic series as well.

J

https://freeburgpianos.com/used-pianos-for-sale/bluthner/

here is the link to the Bluthner Upright I was talking about.

Why do they GOTTA put new though!

I don’t think it matters if the piano is almost 100yo

Update: Artist Grand may be 'out of the box' by Friday!
will head over and give everyone a report on how it plays & sounds
BUT this is only the raw playing - prepping won't be completed til June 23rd

brdwyguy

Joey - what's the latest?

Hi - they just unboxed the piano on Friday
I will be going over on Wed. Morning and playing
Don't think there will be anything done to it yet
But I wanted to play it new and after set-up

I will post my FIRST reaction on Wed the 15th
I believe the set up will be completed around the 27th?

Will keep you all posted!

They also have a Classic 5' 4", a Model A which I have played and a BB that I played 'out of the box'
hopefully that will be set-up and I can do a comparison.

brdwyguy
Joey

Hi Everyone!

Ok just got back from trying the Mason & Hamlin Artist 188.
It's probably one of the better pianos in the $25k range I have ever played.
If you are looking for a piano in that range - this will probably be the nicest one for that price range.

On a scale of 1 - 10 for Tone & Touch

Tone is a 5.5 or 6 (it was more on the darker/rounded side but probably could be adjusted somewhat)

Touch is a 4 (which I really liked - I like more of a light glistening feel)-probably the WNG Composite Action.

The more brand new / out of the box pianos I have been playing the more I feel they need to be broken in to get a true
feel, esp for the tone.

brdwyguy

What is 1 and what is 10 on this scale? Doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement.

Recently restored? How did it sound/behave?

TONE:
1 is brightest - 10 is mellow/darkest


TOUCH:
1 is lightest - 10 is heaviest

sorry I wasnt more specific!
please, don't read into things too much.

I thought the Artist Grand is a Great Piano.
but it was right out of the box.

I have been playing pianos of $50k calibre and much higher - $200k

I didn't realize I was also rating the Bluthner Upright!

However: it is the ideal Upright for someone who wants the very best in Uprights to 'restore'
I say it needs new strings/pins and wonder if Hammer Heads can be refelted? rather then replaced.
Cleaning the keys to match a little better, some yellowing.
It is not a prestine Upright but can be an incredible instrument with some restoration work done on it.
but it plays like a player piano/honky tonk piano at this point.

(if you are that concerned about my explanation of these pianos - you should get over there to try them out for yourselves as well.)

If I had the cash to have an additional piano I would purchase this one as a 2nd piano and have it worked on a little
at a time.

And just so there is NO Misunderstanding:
If I was looking for a new piano at this point - I would have put a down payment on that Artist Grand - ON THE SPOT
with a stipulation of coming back after it is prepped in a week or so.

is that clearer?

brdwyguy

Thanks Joey!

Thank You dogperson

Got it, you mean it's 5 out of 7, a perfect score

Gombessa
not sure I understand what the 5 out of 7 means
my scores were for Touch and Tone

a 1 would be the Brightest Tone and Lightest Touch
a 10 would be the Darkest Tone and Heaviest Touch


Touch was a 4 on the lighter side probably because of the WNG Composite Action
Tone was a 5.5 - 6 was on the darker side of tones.

I hope that makes sense.

brdwyguy

There is something else I would like to add.

If anyone is looking for a Great New Upright.
They had a row of 6 Mason & Hamlin Artist & Classic Brand New Uprights

It is very very rare that someone would be able to sit down and play different pianos down the line to compare
which they liked the best.
They also have a M&H Model 50 as well at a higher price point.

So if anyone is looking for a NEW UPRIGHT - I would get over there to Freeburg in Hendersonville NC.
You would not get this type of opportunity in many other Showrooms.

We joked about, it sort of like going to the Steinway Factory - having 6 Grands all lined up to compare.

Just thought I would tell you all this - in case someone is looking for a NEW UPRIGHT.

brdwyguy

brdwyguy I was just poking a little fun with an obscure meme, no worries!

Uh yeah...

My kawai is a 4.3/8.6 though...

(Not an actual ranking)

I thought you were serious Gombessa
Duh, Im an idiot! Brdwyguy needs to 'lighten up'
and not take every comment as a serious statement LOL

J