Wessell, Nickel & Gross
The Most Responsive
Piano Action
Exceptional Skill and Mastery
During the Golden Era of pianos, Mason & Hamlin’s finest instruments were equipped with the era’s premier Wessell, Nickel & Gross actions. In 2005, Mason & Hamlin undertook the revival of Wessell, Nickel & Gross, driven by the ambition to forge a piano action that deepens the connection between pianist and piano. This effort resulted in the worlds most advanced action, crafted from composite materials, offering a discerning pianist an exceptionally consistent, remarkably responsive, and distinctly sensitive playing experience.
What is a Piano Action?
The piano action, the vital interface between pianist and piano, is an elaborate mechanism encompassing more than 2,000 moving parts and seven leverage points, intricately connecting the artist to the instrument. This sophisticated mechanism is crucial for accessing and mastering the full expressive capabilities of the piano. Regular practice on an exceptional action that provides detailed feedback empowers pianists to master a vast array of tones and dynamics. This leads to the precise and graceful execution of challenging passages and fosters an interpretative depth that brings a distinctive voice to every performance.
Materials Matter
100 years ago, golf clubs, tennis rackets, airplaines, and action parts were all made out of wood. What changed?
The past 30 years have witnessed remarkable advancements in material science, introducing new materials that render these items faster, lighter, and more durable. Currently, Wessell, Nickel & Gross, in collaboration with Mason & Hamlin, stands unique in embracing these extraordinary advancements. Together, they have pioneered the development of an iconic, fully composite piano action, utilizing modern, cutting-edge materials to set a new standard in piano performance.
Compared to the very best wooden actions, our composite action are:
%
More Consistent
Longer Lasting
Universities
Enhanced
Artistic Expression
Silky Smooth Playing
The unique design of our composite repetition moves the center of gravity toward the center pin, creating an exceptionally responsive, silky smooth feel every time you play a note.
Consistently Consistent
Our exclusive composite shanks are exceptionally uniform in their strength and flexibility, creating remarkably consistent tonal quality and controllable volume
Performs Perfectly in All Seasons
Composite materials are nearly non-hygroscopic which makes them nonreactive to humidity, resulting in dramatically reduced maintenance and a high-performing action through all seasons and climates.
Designed for Rigorous
Practice Environments
Our exclusive composite bushings allow our actions to keep extremely stable touch and feel—even after being tested at 18 million strikes per key—a feat impossible for traditional felt bushings.
Personalized Touch
Unlike immobile wooden actions, our customizable action allows technicians to adjust the heel size and location to personalize the touch and feel of the action to exactly your liking.
Minimized Maintenance and Expenses
WNG’s modern composite actions are incredibly durable and highly resistant to heat, humidity, and friction, dramatically reducing maintenance, repair, and regulation expenses.
Trusted by Piano Technicians
Why Composite and not Wood
Where Wood Falls Short
Wood Strength Is Inconsistent
From piece to piece, wood strength is extremely inconsistent. Wood is a natural, organic material that grows in an unpredictable fashion and cannot be precisely created or controlled. If you try to bend a set of 88 wooden hammer shanks you’ll find that roughly 10% of them are strong, rigid and ideal, while the remaining 90% are weak and flexible.
Wood Will Twist, Move, and Change
Wood will Expand and Contract with Humidity
vs.
The Iconic Black Composite Material
Uniform. Precise. Enduring.
Boasting an impressive strength-to-weight ratio, composites are the ideal materials to meet the unique stress, precision, and reliability requirements in a piano action. The end result is an incredibly responsive and reliable playing experience throughout the entire year for the pianist.
A Consistent Material for Consistent Playing.
An Action for Every Season
Upgrade Your Action
The past 30 years have witnessed remarkable advancements in material science, introducing new materials that render these items faster, lighter, and more durable. Currently, Wessell, Nickel & Gross, in collaboration with Mason & Hamlin, stands unique in embracing these extraordinary advancements. Together, they have pioneered the development of an iconic, fully composite piano action, utilizing modern, cutting-edge materials to set a new standard in piano performance.
Next Steps
Interested in a Mason & Hamlin piano for your college or university? Fill out this contact form and a Mason & Hamlin representative will be in touch.
Request More Information
- Mason & Hamlin Piano Co.
- 35 Duncan St.
- Haverhill, MA 01832
