Restoring California Heirloom 1913 Mason & Hamlin Grand Piano – Full Rebuild & Custom Work
Brigham Larson Pianos
We just finished a 1913 Mason & Hamlin grand piano restoration here at the shop, and I wanted to highlight this one because it had a pretty unique story. The piano originally sat in a garage in California, partially disassembled by a well-intentioned family member who planned to restore it himself. After years of sitting unfinished, it was passed on to a brother who reached out to us for a full rebuild—and I’m so glad he did.
Mason & Hamlin is one of the best names in American piano history. Alongside Steinway and Baldwin, they were building incredibly high-end instruments during what I call the “golden age” of piano manufacturing. This 1913 model had great bones, but it needed serious attention to get it back to its original potential.
Bringing This Heirloom Back to Life
When this piano arrived, it had been buried under multiple coats of thick black lacquer. The client wanted to return it to its original natural veneer—and I absolutely agreed. Once we stripped it down and brought the wood back to life, the finish turned out stunning.
We also did a full rebuild:
Complete action restoration with new hammers, shanks, and dampers
Soundboard repair and shimming, plus a replica decal
Plate refinished with automotive-quality paint
All keys resurfaced
Custom-built lyre assembly—since the original was missing entirely
Hardware replacements, researched and matched to the 1913 period
This project combined all the skills we’ve honed over the years, and the final result is a powerful, responsive, and gorgeous instrument. It plays beautifully and sounds exactly like what you’d expect from a golden-era Mason & Hamlin.
Watch the before & after full restoration videos —1913 Mason & Hamlin
Before & After Photos
We Offer National Piano Restoration & Moving
One of the most common questions I get is: “Can you restore my piano if I’m not in Utah?” The answer is yes! We regularly handle national piano restoration and offer national piano moving services to bring heirloom pianos to and from our shop here in Orem, Utah.
Whether your piano is in New York, California, Texas, or anywhere in between—we can schedule professional pickup, bring it here for full restoration, and deliver it back to your home, fully rebuilt and ready to play for the next generation.
If you have a family heirloom piano that needs restoration, or if you've inherited an older piano and you're wondering if it's worth saving, I’d love to help you evaluate it. We specialize in heirloom piano rebuilds, particularly from the golden age of American piano craftsmanship.
FREE Family Heirloom Piano Evaluation
