About Us • Mason & Hamlin Piano Company

The Birthplace of the Modern Piano

Henry Mason

Emmons Hamlin

In 1854, Henry Mason and Emmons Hamlin founded Mason & Hamlin in Boston, Massachusetts, driven by a shared vision to craft the finest musical instruments. Mason inherited a passion for music from his father, Lowell Mason, a renowned hymn composer and music educator. On the other hand, Emmons Hamlin, a skilled mechanic and inventor, introduced innovative methods for voicing organ reeds that continues to be employed today. Emmons Hamlin relentlessly pursued a fuller and more expressive sound, aiming to produce the finest reed organs available.

The collaboration of Henry’s passion and Emmons’ innovation established Mason & Hamlin’s reputation as pioneers in their field, and they began the quest to make the World’s Finest Piano. In 1881, Henry Mason began a meticulous journey, collaborating with leading concert pianists to weave their expert insights into Mason & Hamlin’s piano designs. Since that defining moment, the company has adhered to a philosophy of using only the finest materials and craftmanship to create pianos that meet the exacting demands of passionate musicians and committed audiences.

By the turn of the century, Mason & Hamlin pianos stood as the first choice of virtuosos, and epitomized the pinnacle of craftsmanship, catering to the sophisticated and demanding palates of the world’s leading concert pianists.

1620

The Mason lineage arrives in Provincetown, Massachusetts on the Mayflower.

1838

Lowell Mason, father to Henry Mason and known as the “Father of American church music”, introduces music education to public schools.

1854

Henry Mason follows in his family’s commitment to music and founds Mason & Hamlin with co-founder Emmons Hamlin in Boston Massachusetts.

1920

Mason & Hamlin pianos earn the endorsement of virtuosos such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Harold Bauer, and Maurice Ravel, who chose these instruments for their compositions, performances, and recordings.

1986

Mason & Hamlin pianos relocates from Rochester, New York to the industrial mill town of Haverhill, Massachusetts, setting up shop in a historic six story factory.

2024

Mason & Hamlin continues its legacy as a USA-made, family-owned company that remains committed to limited production to ensure quality, handcrafted pianos.

1620

The Mason lineage arrives in Provincetown, Massachusetts on the Mayflower.

1838

Lowell Mason, father to Henry Mason and known as the “Father of American church music”, introduces music education to public schools.

1854

Henry Mason follows in his family’s commitment to music and founds Mason & Hamlin with co-founder Emmons Hamlin in Boston Massachusetts.

1920

Mason & Hamlin pianos earn the endorsement of virtuosos such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Harold Bauer, and Maurice Ravel, who chose these instruments for their compositions, performances, and recordings.

1986

Mason & Hamlin pianos relocates from Rochester, New York to the industrial mill town of Haverhill, Massachusetts, setting up shop in a historic six story factory.

2024

Mason & Hamlin continues its legacy as a USA-made, family-owned company that remains committed to limited production to ensure quality, handcrafted pianos.

1620

The Mason lineage arrives in Massachusetts on the Mayflower.

1838

Lowell Mason, father to Henry Mason and known as the “Father of American church music”, introduces music education to public schools.

1854

Henry Mason follows in his family’s commitment to music and founds Mason & Hamlin with co-founder Emmons Hamlin in Boston Massachusetts.

1920

Mason & Hamlin pianos earn the endorsement of virtuosos such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Harold Bauer, and Maurice Ravel, who chose these instruments for their compositions, performances, and recordings.

1986

Mason & Hamlin pianos relocates from Rochester, New York to the industrial mill town of Haverhill, Massachusetts, setting up shop in a historic six story factory.

2024

Mason & Hamlin continues its legacy as a USA-made, family-owned company that remains committed to limited production to ensure quality, handcrafted pianos.

Sergei Rachmaninoff 1 • Mason & Hamlin Piano Company • Made in the USA

I desired to play Mason & Hamlin pianos because I believe they would be the most satisfactory to me in my work. In my opinion, these instruments must satisfy all musicians and artists of first rank, as well as musiclovers in general. I feel that if I have succeeded in making even the slightest impression upon the public by my playing, a great part of my success is due to your instruments.

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Franz Liszt 1 • Mason & Hamlin Piano Company • Made in the USA

“What a magnificent instrument! It is worthy of all praise and admiration!” 

Franz Liszt

Maurice Ravel 1 • Mason & Hamlin Piano Company • Made in the USA

“The Mason & Hamlin pianoforte serves magnificently the composer’s concept by its extensive range in dynamics, as well as quality of tone, not short of being a small orchestra, in my opinion the Mason & Hamlin is a real work of art.”

Maurice Ravel

Arthur Rubinstein 1 • Mason & Hamlin Piano Company • Made in the USA

“One of the most beautiful pianos I have ever had a chance to play.”

Arthur Rubinstein

From Legacy to Legend

In 1996, brothers Gary and Kirk Burgett purchased Mason & Hamlin Piano Co. in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and inherited the esteemed legacy of Henry Mason & Emmons Hamlin. Gary, a celebrated pianist and instructor, and Kirk, an innovative inventor and piano technician, shared a dedication to music and innovation that mirrored the company’s original founders in 1854. Together, they dedicated themselves to preserving and elevating Mason & Hamlin’s goal of making the World’s Finest Piano—merging time-honored designs, meticulous material choice, and traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and innovation.

Inspired by Henry Mason’s dedication, Kirk Burgett endeavored to meet the demands of modern virtuosos by spearheading the Virtuoso X Series Concert Grand piano. Recognizing the desire for enhanced dynamical range, control, sensitivity, and responsiveness, Kirk integrated premium, innovative design elements into this flagship model. The success of these elements led to their integration across Mason & Hamlin’s entire piano line, establishing the Virtuoso X Series: The Premier American piano and a new chapter for Mason & Hamlin.

Kirk 01 opt • Mason & Hamlin Piano Company • Made in the USA
Kirk 02 opt • Mason & Hamlin Piano Company • Made in the USA

A Message from the Owner

When Gary and I acquired Mason & Hamlin back in ‘96, we didn’t know the direction our business would take, but we knew for sure that we wanted to continue the legacy of Mason & Hamlin as the World’s Finest Piano. At the time, I had been a registered piano technician for seventeen years [now approaching forty years] and my brother was an accomplished piano teacher. We both respected the traditions of the piano industry, but over time we saw ways that we could uniquely innovate, improve, and contribute to it. We feel we have done that over the years with Mason & Hamlin—especially after we launched Wessell, Nickel & Gross and exclusively started using their composite actions in our pianos. A Mason & Hamlin piano of today captures the unique story of Henry Mason and Emmons Hamlin, while also including a new chapter that Gary and I are part of—a chapter that includes creativity and innovation and goes back to the fundamental vision and passion that first inspired Mason & Hamlin to create the finest pianos possible.

— Kirk Burgett, President, RPT

MH Seal Button 2 • Mason & Hamlin Piano Company • Made in the USA

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  • Mason & Hamlin Piano Co.
  • 35 Duncan St.
  • Haverhill, MA 01832
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