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I'm a Baldwin artist. :-) I've had my Baldwin L for 20+ years now and it has never let me down. I bought it because at the time it was all I could afford, but I genuinely love the way it sounds. I think part of playing a piano is learning how to get the best sound from the piano you have. I once heard Jerome Lowenthal play a Chopin nocturne (Op 55, No 2) on an absurdly beat-up little Baldwin Hamilton (a school upright) in a rehab center where a mutual friend of ours was recovering from a stroke. It had been painted (probably by kids) sky-blue, with rainbow, clouds and bird motifs. Not a Bösendorfer, to say the least! I remember thinking, "OMG, Jerome Lowenthal is going to play on THAT?!" He sat down without a care in the world and from the first note, it sounded simply amazing! He found a way to make that little piano sing. People were actually crying. It was the best piano lesson I've ever had. Did I tell this story already? It's been a while since I visited Tonebase.
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Amy Lamborn The L has a wonderful scale design. They respond really well to the right hammers and a good regulation. If I had had more knowledge at the time, I would have looked for an older one and had it rebuilt, but no regrets...
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I loved my old Steinway upright grand from 1896, but she needed so much work that I retired her and opted for a Shigeru kawai. The base is deep and resonant like my old Steinway and the treble is ethereal.
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I have had my Baldwin grand model R since I was in the 8th grade. It was built in 1967. I have loved it, especially the rich, resonant bass register. Though I’m not sure if I could ever part with it, I have dreamed of owning a Steinway, (and now thinking of other brands after reading all of your responses!)
After decades of having it tuned and regulated yearly, my tuner is saying that, after 52 years, it needs a some major work.. a new set of hammers from Germany to start. Have any of you ever done this? Is it worth it?
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Kakie Roberts I had my hammers and shanks replaced a few years ago on my 1985 Hamburg Steinway with Renner Blue hammers. Yes, a bit expensive, but my action felt like a brand new piano again. Worth the investment.
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Kakie Roberts
Definitely worth it… The R is a wonderful piano and Baldwin was at its peak in the 1960s. I had the action on my L completely rebuilt with all Renner parts and used Renner Blue Point hammers, and I’m very happy with it. In that same size, the S&S O is a very nice piano, but a good one will cost 5X the amount of an action rebuild and would sound somewhat tubby in the bass compared to your R.
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John Goodman Thank you, John. The thought of the action being like new again is exciting! It hasn’t been right for some time now. I guess there is only so much you can do with 50+ year old hammers!
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Charlie Thanks, Charlie. This is very helpful. It has been a fantastic piano, and will be again. And no tubby basses allowed here!
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Kakie Roberts If you’re a serious pianist, which undoubtedly you are
, I think you’ll be very pleased if you go ahead and overhaul your action. Overtime you’ll forget the expense, but will continue to enjoy your instrument for a very long time. -
John Goodman yes, amateur, but definitely serious. Thanks for your encouragement!
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Kakie Roberts Hi Katie. My piano is a 1915 Mason & Hamlin AA that was fully restored. I am very happy with it's look, sound, and action. That process in the hands of experienced crafts people is really impressive. You have more control of the details (action, hammers...) and much lower cost. I did this as alternative to buying new. But bringing a piano you love back to life would be another level of joy. I'm happy to discuss more if you would like details. Hope your NYC time is going well and you are connecting with Seymour this time.
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Thank you for that encouragement, Jack! I am getting more and more excited about bringing back my Baldwin, for myself and for my family to have for years to come.
Unfortunately, Seymour came down with Covid and couldn’t be here in person, but we had 2 lovely days with him on zoom. The intensive has been a wonderful experience, just as Adamant was. I’m sorry we missed each other here, but hope you have a great experience during your stay. Enjoy that Yamaha CFX… it is a dream!Jack vreeland
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Kakie Roberts Oh no! So sorry you missed Seymour. Yes, I hear great things about the CFX!
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Kakie Roberts Absolutely worth it! Baldwin was right up there with Steinway in the era in which your piano (and my Baldwin L) were built. Hand crafted (with excellent craftsmanship). I find I like these pianos more than most Steinways. Find a good technician/rebuilder!
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I have a 1985 7’ (mod. B) Hamburg Steinway and absolutely love it! That said, I envy golfers as they have a whole bag of clubs for different kinds of shots, if only pianists had that selection. Yes, I love my Steinway, but perhaps if I was collaborating with a singer I might prefer the round mellow sound of a Bosendorfer for instance.
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