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Just recently I played a Baldwin concert grand, built in the late '50's and was simply bowled over by its beauty. It is in a private home, has had little use but regular care over the years.

I remember playing many such pianos at Interlochen (The National Music Camp) when I was in my early teens. Although I accepted them as BIG pianos, at that age I only had ears for Steinways (with the exception of the rare, vintage CC).

How very short sighted ! These pianos were fine, noble instruments and I wonder now how we dismissed them so quickly, so easily.

I don't think many people around here dismiss concert grand Baldwins, however, since they don't make them anymore (at least in America) they are off the table as far as being able to buy a new one. Vintage Baldwin concert grands are phenomenal instruments. I have played some that have blown me away. Interesting enough, at least half of the vintage 9' Baldwins I have played have been in private homes.

I agree, Karl. They can be really great pianos.

Baldwin was a tremendously innovative builder of concert grands, active in the concert scene and really loved by their roster of artists. Jack Romans name still evokes praise.

We have had great success with Baldwin concert grand pianos. There are a fair number of them in service in our area and The Philadelphia Orchestra had one placed in the '80s which regularly sold and was switched out.

The result is a number of private homes, churches, etc. who have them and enjoy them in our area.

We currently have one in stock which is a beauty of an instrument.

they sold a lot of them in kc.. you regularly see them peeking out in the used salesrooms.

gorgeous pianos.

Hi Rich, your website has both a Baldwin 7' and a Schimmel 7'. How would you compare the two? I've tried both but never in the same store...

I rebuilt a 1912 Baldwin 9' and it was a marvelous instrument. Of all of them I have heard I tend to prefer the sound of an SD6. I have reduced my hurricane Katrina SD10 to component parts. The soundboard is removed and I am starting on the beams. When submerged, all of the glue leached out causing all of the problems one could imagine.It goes back together piece by piece and ever so slowly given all of the other projects underway. Curiously, the soundboard is in great shape, though the bridge is decrepit. Baldwins continue to be the value leader in used quality pianos.

I hope you're documenting this in photos, and plan to share it with us!

gnuboi,

These are very different pianos. The Baldwin is more of an American sound and the Schimmel is decidedly European.

Which have you preferred when auditioning them? (Even though they were in different showrooms?)