Mason and Hamlin BB Versus Steinway B

[thalberg]

Okay everyone, I'm really curious about this one!

[gkatele]

You know [/b][/u][/color] what my choice would be!

[Waldszenen]

Hamburg B =)

[gfiore]

 Hamburg

[thalberg]

Yes, George--in fact, I thought of you when I created this thread.  I voted for the Mason, too.  They really are marvelous.

[thalberg]

Come on!  This thread has been up a long time. Let's get some more votes!

[dicke]

I guess if I vote I should take the time to say why.  Many years ago I had the opportunity to visit a showroom in southern california.  When I traveled I would always take a break and spend time looking for that special steinway.  There were several beautiful examples on the floor.  However next to a b steinway was this not so pretty used M&H bb.  It was temporarily positioned and looked somewhat out of place.  However, when I plunked on it, I was shocked by its sound. It approached perfection.  The amazing thing was that the b next to it was a new well prepared piano. Yet the difference between the two pianos was significant.  From that day on, my quest included the M&H bb.  Over the years I have experienced excellent  to awesome bb's.  I never really have seen a bad one.  At the same time I have played on b's that ranged from miserable (new on showroom floor) to outstanding. I presently own a M&H cc though many of the bb's that I ran across were very close in performance.  BTW I did not buy that first bb since it was already sold.  It had been brought out of the back so the new owner could hear how it sounded in the same setting as the steinways.