Mason and Risch 1895 Upright

[justholgate]

Hi Piano lovers
 Have enjoyed many discussions on this forum about piano buys and repairs.
Need some advice.
Have found a Mason and Risch upright about 1895.
Have to go and look at it yet.
Apparently plays but may need refinishing.
If this piano was worth the effort i would consider doing as much of the rebuilding as posible.
Have friend who is retired tuner. Is away right now
Appreciate Pros and cons of purchasing this piano.
Thank you
MGH

https://images.craigslist.org/3Fa3J43Hb5L25H75Mdd1hfa74773dd99b1f75.jpg

[silverwoodpianos]

Mason & Risch was one of the top five Canadian companies. They did, however, like all other manufacturers experience weakness in some of their design features.

Mason & Risch had a series of instruments built with a design called the interlocking pin block. This was the traditional build in the upper framework, but instead of the lag bolts that run through the pin block and out the back plank, they had a series of wedges interlocking the back plank and pin block together across the top of both planks.

Unfortunately over time the tremendous weight of the instrument at concert pitch gradually began to pull the upper framework apart. I began to see pin block/ rear plank separations in the mid nineteen eighties and by this point in time very few of the pianos built with the interlocking pin block assembly will be stable.

 One clue is the series is mostly in the five digit serial numbers beginning with number 1XXXX.
The second clue will be the decal work on the plate inside with will state; “Patented Interlocking Pin Block Assembly” or something like that.

The third clue will be loose tuning pins in the upper part of the block.

There will also be the usual statement M&R had on their plates which was “Great is the Privilege of Achievement.”

If this instrument is one in that series then I would recommend removing the top bi-folding board to inspect for a separation there. If there is the remedy is to clamp the top end together, remove the six inch screws one by one and drill through to the back with a long bit or bit and brace, then install 5/8 lag bolts with a nut on the backside.

Or ditch that one and find another.

Nice cabinetry on that one with the detailed front board and the double legs which are called Corinthian columns.

[justholgate]

Thanks so much for the reply Dan silverwood.
Some more information i was able to get from owner.

Mason & Risch
Toronto
11109 (serial number)
Equi- Tempered
Equi-Sonant Seale and Interlocked
Patented Pin Block

Is this one of the serial numbers you were talking about to avoid. Looks like it fits the description you gave.  
This piano really caught my eye. Not overly ornate but very tasteful appearance in my humble opinion. My wife loves the look also. Putting appearance aside though if the it doesn't Play well then its just nice looking furniture taking up valuable space for a good piano.
Dan  would you recommend ditching it or look further and if not separating then bolt as you stated above. I am a carpenter with 30yrs experience in renovating houses, boat rebuilding, and  have rebuilt cars also so don't really see repair as a problem. Kind of like the idea of trying to rebuild a piano.  Hate trying to make silk purse out of sows ear though.

Thanks again for allowing others to gain from your experience, much appreciated.
Mike

[silverwoodpianos]

The first thing to do is find a local technician of your choice, preferably one that does restorative work.  Your tuner friend that is away at the moment may be able to assist or know of someone who would.

Have the instrument inspected for present mechanical condition. If the tuning pins are low torque rating then the top board will have to come off for sure to see if there is a separation there.

 Forget the local market financial value because there won’t be any UNLESS the instrument has had restorative work completed previously. Any tall older upright in original condition will require a lot of restorative work, so the value is very low.

If the owner wants any more than a couple of hundred bucks then walk.

 Personally I don’t pay any money for these older tall uprights because the price of the move often exceeds the present day financial value.  Not sure where you are located but if you are in a major Canadian city then pay nothing.

If you are more remote you might consider the cost of transporting another piano to the same location and that will give you a value.

Example: here in Vancouver I can get ten of those uprights by next weekend all for the cost of moving them.

BUT to get one shipped to the Gulf Islands would cost about $400.00 dollars so that is the value for an old upright on the Islands in working condition.

So if you manage to get through all of that successfully then come back when you have the instrument in the shop and you can do step two…..

[justholgate]

THANKS Dan
 Really appreciate you being frank. I decided to pass on this one.
I really hate to see these old Piano's get scraped, what a shame.
I'm curious though what step 2 is. 
Live on Vancouver Island and the Piano is on mainland. close to where my father lives so could visit at same time. Still to much just the ferry cost.
Been a learning experience.
Mike

[silverwoodpianos]

I am over on the west side in Kitsilano close to Alma/Broadway. If the piano is close by I could pop by to have a quick look.

There is a mover on Vancouver Island who I would recommend calling about transport. They travel regularly to the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland.

 Contact Jim James at James Enterprises and ask him how much it is to transport a full size upright to Vancouver Island.  250-857-1136 This number is better than sending email. Tell him you were talking to Dan the Piano Man. If you get onboard one of his loads the cost could be different then my estimation.

Here is the web site.

https://www.james-ent.com/

Step two? That would be repairing the pin block if there was a separation in that one.

 There are lots of older tall uprights around Vancouver that can be had for the cost of the move.

[justholgate]

Had a Heintzman 54" as a child. Had lessons on that for awhile. Can remember dad trying to tune it. Had good sound, better than alot i hear today.  There should be a few of them around still.
I wonder how many homes have Piano's in them today that never get played. When i was a kid in Ontario seemed almost unusual for someone not to have a piano, not that many played but there were a lot more of them still around.
The piano is in Delta, and its in storage and has been there for 5 yrs. Ex-wife insisting very valuable piano. He paid storage. If you want it go for it. If i lived closer i would. Other piano's will fill the bill for me. Wasn't best of time either but i loved the look of it.
https://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/msg/3531679898.html

Mike

[silverwoodpianos]

There was a time period in Canada where every third home had a piano.

On the M&R, I am not interested in that one even free.

There are still a lot of the vintage Heintzman products around if you want one. There is a transposing Heintzman for sale in Burnaby for $1500.00. That one has had a lot of restorative work completed. Jack Houweling is the tech on that one if you are interested.

https://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bnc/msg/3546754240.html

Should be lots of vintage uprights on the island too.