I can see why you would want a concert grand Ampico.  I think it would
be a great project.  I may do it to my Knabe concert grand, someday.

However, just forget about the Mason Hamlin.  It was a special order
item -- it is not a run-of-the-mill Ampico; they are not making any
more of those.  Even though there are pianos with that name on them,
they are not making them like that any more.  Modern Mason & Hamlins
are not near what that one of yours is, or can be if it is not
restored.

If you were to completely restore this Mason & Hamlin piano, I
seriously doubt you would prefer the tone of the Yamaha concert grand
over it.  I suggest that if you cannot get $4999 for your Mason it is
either in bad need of restoration or you have not used the right forum
for selling it.  I have seen several Mason & Hamlin Ampicos sell and
they all sell for more than that unrestored.

If you want a Yamaha Concert grand, (and who would not?), by all means
purchase a $1000.00 Franklin, Haines Bros. or Symphonique and gut it.
It will bring more money gutted, unfortunately, and help pay for some
of the project.

I am not putting anyone down, I am expressing my opinion as you asked
us to do.

By the way, if you do the concert grand, install a second pump,
possibly a Duo-Art pump, and run them together to get concert hall
pressures.  The touring concert reproducers all had up to four pumps,
often using two at once.  Often there were a variety of motors to fit
the various local electrical currents.  In those days some towns had
direct current, some had odd ac voltages.

DL Bullock, St. Louis
http://www.thePianoWorld.com/

 [ Generally I secretly agree with pianists who whisper that the
 [ Yamaha grands sound like "a koto on steroids!"  But I was amazed
 [ to hear a Yamaha C7D studio piano which sounded just like a vintage
 [ big Mason & Hamlin.  An expert technician had worked all day on it,
 [ needling the Yamaha hammers to soften the felt.  It was an
 [ unbelievable transformation.  -- Robbie