Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Does Baldwin still have a bit of glory?

I always heard that Baldwin was once the best piano sometime ago, but then went into bankruptcy and got bought by a Chinese company.

I recently saw a Baldwin M1 Artist Series that had been used for about $14,500. The owner said he couldn't find the papers or any results on-line relating to the age.

Is this Baldwin just an Asian piano with a Baldwin name? I heard that this piano is one of the more popular baby grands.

Thanks to everyone!

Seriously, what? I know from your recent posts you are buying a grand piano. Why don't you just play the instrument and decide for yourself. Unless you are buying it based on a brand name, don't, cause your non-musician friends won't know any better and won't give a damn. (Do you also have some bias against Asian piano makers. If so I will disapoint you now and tell you they make some fine pianos, at the high end and the other end where they would be great value for the money for those lacking it).

Now if you play and cannot tell the difference between pianos then ask yourself what are you spending the extra money for, cause surely as a young man you can spend it towards other things in life.

(And for the story about the used Balwin, if it sounds fishy then don't risk it, there are thousands of used pianos out there, the one you are considering with that special story isn't that "special". Don't get swindled. I am only saying this cause from reading your posts you sound like a clueless teenager. And I don't mean all teenagers are clueless. Just you.)

Well, I guess I just like hearing others opinions, I'm so indecisive I rely on others for decisions.
I guess this is one of those situations where I have to decide myself.
Nvm then, this thread is aboandoned :P

And don't be such a push over. No need to abandon the thread, just wait and get a couple of more opinions. You might learn something new. A grand piano is an expensive purchase for most, best have all the info and get what you want.

Pretty obnoxious as was your first post in the thread.

Baldwin was never, by any means, "the best piano". There is no "best piano", and if there were, it would not have been Baldwin.



No. It is an American company, and went into Bankruptcy twice. The last time, it was purchased by Gibson. Baldwin did purchase a factory in China, but still built pianos in the US until 2008.



No. The M1 Artist Series was always a US-built product. You can differentiate Chinese-built from American-built based on whether or not there is a "c" over the "i" in Baldwin.

Every post Adak makes is obnoxious.

Jason -

There should be a serial number clearly visible inside the piano. If you can get the serial number - you can find the piano's approximate age (see link).

http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/serial1.htm#BALDWIN

Adak,

I’m actually not familiar with you as a member on the piano forum… you must hang out mostly on another forum here on PW.

Anyway, I’m inclined to agree with others that your post here is over the top in terms of being rude and obnoxious. I would caution you to be a little more considerate in regards to the tone of your posts.

Rickster

The impression I've gotten is the US made Baldwins (the Artist series later on) had a pretty good reputation right up to the end. It seems like they more or less maintained that "Baldwin sound" throughout, but did have some quality issues the later you get making it particularly important to get a thorough inspection by an independent tech. Someone here (or on the tech forum) can probably give you a better idea about specific things to have checked carefully. I seem to recall one of the concerns was changes made to the bridge, which can be problematic over time on some of them.

FWIW I think its smart to gather as many opinions and information as you can regarding a purchase this significant. Ultimately what matters most is how it sounds and feels to you (and the backing of an evaluation by a tech you trust is like a little insurance against a big disappointment), but it certainly doesn't hurt to go into it as educated as possible

Best of Luck!

Rob

If I could help a young boy who is vulnerable and inexperienced be better off, then I feel it is worth it. That is how I see it, I do consider him when I write my responses, he only deserves honest advice and nothing less.

@adak: I don't know. On one hand, yes, your posts did have some real advice in them. And if you truly believe that you're trying to help the guy, that's great. On the other hand, you can do it without sounding like an Internet hooligan. I don't really care what you post/do at the end of the day - that's your choice - but it's not hard to be less offensive. At least you stand by what you say.

OT: I was just playing a Baldwin grand the other day. I don't know if it's U.S. made or Chinese, or the year, or the exact model (unfortunately). But it played like a dream. The sound was superb and crisp and the key action was light and responsive. For comparison/reference: I'm used to the crappy, cheap GHS action of my Yamaha P85 digital, and I've owned a Wurlitzer Spinet before. So I'm used to a very light action on my digital and a very heavy clumsy action on the Spinet. But the Baldwin was a dream! I would buy it in a heartbeat. The only caveat is that the sustain pedal was strangely difficult to depress. I've never had that problem with, say, the Yamahas or Petroff uprights I've played. If it's any help/indication about the model, on the fallboard was printed "...designed by Steinway and Sons" on the right-hand side.

Dwscamel,

It would seem that you were playing a Boston, rather than a Baldwin.

I just thought about it. You're right. Oops!

This should give you an overview of Baldwin history

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS4JmhpgOJw

I will be the devil's advocate here :-) I found much sense in adak's post.

Jason, I did a very extensive passive research on pianos last year when I was looking. I did not ask questions of PW as you are doing, but gosh, I read up everything I could find on PW that seemed relevant. Between PW and PB, I wrote charts with price ranges, and brand positions, blah blah ... I looked at eBay and CL to get ideas about used piano prices. When I finally went to the stores, it all went out the window. The research was still a good set of guidelines for the purchase process, but its no substitute to going and playing the pianos. Comparing pianos across stores is hard enough (likely impossible unless you are an expert who knows exactly what they are looking for regarding touch and tone). Comparing them in the cyberspace is good for developing guideline, but please don't make a decision based of this process.

I think American Baldwins can be some of the best pianos out there, they have a wonderful "dark" American tone. However, 5'-2" is very small and I recommend you consider larger used grands. The tone improves significantly with size. Baldwin L's (6'-3")are very nice and you may find an older used one for 15K or possibly even less. Always have the best independent piano tech you can find check it out.

It's the horrendous tone of the post, arrogant put downs, and unnecessary insults that posters have objected to... and rightly so.

A well made Baldwin M will outperform a Steinway S in dynamic range, and clarity across the compass.

In todays market a GOOD baldwin M, R, L, or F is among the best used piano bargains you will find. The recent company turmoil has tarnished the brand even back to when they were well made.

Have any particular prospect inspected by a Tech skilled in tone regulation to know what you are buying.

And many of the newer designs out perform both of them!