My 1977 Baldwin L has been in the family since new and has been in two homes and had 3 kids learn to play on it. It always sounds great, holds its tune even from season to season and will probably outlast the house that was built around it.

Last summer I purchased a Baldwin L made in 1970 - you are right, it’s a solid and affordable instrument. Your review is spot on! I’m recently retired and taking lessons to pick up where I left off as a kid - it’s a pleasure to spend time with it every day.

@mightymint4521

3 жыл бұрын

You're living my dream.

I had the opportunity to play a 6' plus Baldwin from the 1990s that had seen hard use in a Pentecostal church. It was thrashed but it had a thundering bass and a sparkling treble that was more powerful than any other piano I've ever heard in person.

I seriously love the treble on that piano, I could die happy playing that thing. Gorgeous grand, my oh my. Thank you for the video.

We have a Baldwin in our living room. My wife played it when she was a kid and sent for it after we go married in the sixties. It's a delightful piano.

Hi James. I am a church organist and we also have a Baldwin concert grand in the sanctuary which is a delight and joy to play. From your description of the logo font, it might have been built in the '70's. Our Baldwin's timbre is darker than this one, but the treble sparkles - as you say - and the bass is thunderous.

It was a goal to have a SD-10 at the house. Its the first Concert grand i ever played in a Studio . It still holds the title as my favorite Concert grand of all time. Harder to find now, the really good ones that is. Incredible Jazz piano. warm rich mids and not too bright in the upper octaves. love them

I've been wishing you would cover an older Baldwin. I enjoy watching KZread clips of Liberace playing his Baldwin's, especially in his earlier years. NOBODY, but NOBODY controls a piano like that guy did !

Lovely playing. Nice to still have some beauty in these bizarre times. Thank you.

We purchased a new console Baldwin in 1976. It had a Howard action rather than the Baldwin Accusonic. We loved it and it sounded so much better than many costing 3 or more times than ours. Sadly terrible arthritis led to its sale to a very worthy adult student. She loved it!

Thanks for a great review of an older piano. I have a Baldwin model L (6'3") from 1958, in original condition. It looks nearly identical to this one, although it still has the Old English name decal. I'm don't think that they were using the Renner action at that time. The bass strings have gotten a little dull but still have authority and clarity. It could use some rebuilding, but I still love playing this piano! It hold tune extremely well, even in this dry Colorado climate. I bought it some 25 years ago for $5000... and still smile every time I play it.

James, Your right, the sound is bright across the range but I personally prefer less brightness because you then their is fatter sound. Played softly the brightness isn't overwhelming especially the low end. Cheers, Rik Spector

Also I suspect Liberace contributed to Baldwin's success during the 60's, 70's and 80's - I remember he pretty much exclusively used Baldwins on his TV appearances.

Thanks for another great video, it is nice to find out about different brand pianos and their history. And of course their sound!

I just got a Baldwin Babygrand supposedly from 1905 and I gotta say it has massive presence despite its diminutive 5"2 size.

James, I always watch literally every review you post. You have taught me so many aspects of the various piano and keyboards you’ve reviewed, and what key elements to look for in a quality instrument. This review was another facet of the great learning experience. I have a brief question, based on something mentioned in a recent prior review. If you had to choose between a Yamaha p-80,(which you say you once owned), and a Yamaha KX-8, which would u choose first, and any counsel concerning the two instruments. Ex. The keybeds, the various options, etc. THANK YOU SO MUCH!💎💎💎. I would be playing all forms of music, from gospel to top 40, but watching you play makes me now have a desire to play classical music.🕊🕊🕊 James, u might even keep them both for different reasons, or could it be you would advise me to keep the kx8 for studio use, and choose between keeping the P-80, and finding a P-121, or P-125 due to your recent reviews. Your counsel would be highly respected.🌞

Lovely piece.........I shut my eyes and thoroughly enjoyed your playing ...as usual!.....cheers

Thanks for uploading, my prized possession is my 1957 Baldwin baby grand. Just had it regulated about a year ago too. Plays like butter. Also just a heads up my Baldwin has the “cartoony” lettering with the oval over the “I” and it’s from the late 50’s. I’ve also seen some Baldwin’s with the “Old English” lettering that came after mine, so I don’t believe the lettering is a very precise way to date the pianos. The ones with the all caps like you have here we’re used all the way until the 90’s and I think even later. I’ve done as much research as possible to learn as much as possible about My piano because frankly there’s just not that much info out there about Baldwin’s

@ThePianoforever

4 жыл бұрын

Interesting information!

This is an excellent Baldwin L 6' 3" made in mid to late 1969. If it's all original, the hammers would obviously be hard by now giving it the bright tone. If there is sufficient felt on the hammers it can be made warmer without losing power. The Renner actions were only used in the 7' SF-10, introduced in 1972, and the 9' SD-10, introduced in the late 1960s. Even so, the regular Baldwin action when in good condition and properly regulated is very very responsive. This piano sounds great as is, and has potential to sound and play even better. The quality in construction and materials in a piano this size would be hard to match in pianos made today, with the exception of a few extremely high end small all handmade builders.

@judysilver3044

4 жыл бұрын

I have a Baldwin Acrosonic spinet style that I’ve had since 1957. It still sounds great and is a perfect apartment size piano.

@juliesczesny90

3 жыл бұрын

I learned to play on the Baldwin SD-10, at 9, and never found anything else that I wanted. Steinway & Sons all sound too, "Churchy," for me. This one sounds nice and bright! And nice and crisp, yet deep bass.

Sparkly is a good adjective for this piano. Very friendly. Back in the day (60’s), I recall a lot of jazz performers favored Baldwins.

Good video James 🔥

Thank you. Baldwin was once great.

@ThePianoforever

4 жыл бұрын

I still love love my 1977 SF-10 that I received for my 12th birthday.

I think another of my piano classmates just got a Baldwin! My mom says they’re really good pianos. Their actions feel great! I’m getting a Yamaha upright this coming Wednesday! I love Yamahas, they feel great!

@13:47 - I have guitars that naturally "compress" due to overwhelming (playing too hard) the top woods...are pianos the same? This was really informative. I am learning so much from your channel. Thanks for giving us guitar players the "low down" on acoustic pianos!! Rock on, man!🐰❤️🎸🎵🤝✌️

Brilliant!

In 1989 I bought a 1915 6'2" Model L, which is slightly smaller than this later one. It had a lousy 50's refinish but was in good solid condition. I had it delivered straight to a piano rebuilder to be professionally refinished. Total investment including purchase price, about $5500. I have it to this day, and it's probably the smartest five grand I've ever spent. I've been a Baldwin fan primarily because of their excellent bass, and I can really hear that in your video as well. I'm not much of a pianist and I'd never be able to give it a workout like you, but I enjoy its sound and its feel. And now that I've had it 31 years I can attest to its durability as well. I agree with you, sub-$20K for this piano seems like a solid deal.

Great Baldwin Review !! I really enjoyed your playing, and hearing your opinion about too bright piano sounds. I wondered if I am too critical, because I don't like the overly bright tones of many Asian built pianos. In another KZread, a Seller/ Historian/ Pianist said that although Baldwins are now produced in China, the Owners of Baldwin still own the original Baldwin factory, intact but closed. It would be a dream if they opened up the American Baldwin Factory and found skilled builders to make them just like the legendary historical Baldwins that Liberace adored. Thanks for reviewing !

@ThePianoforever

4 жыл бұрын

It is true that Gibson ( a guitar maker ) owns the Baldwin name and retains the factory where many Baldwins were made, but uses it as a warehouse. Gibson has made many bad decisions both with their guitar company and also with what they have done to Baldwin. The great Baldwins of the past will never return as long as Gibson owns the rights to the name.

There was a used Boston grand at my local piano store that had unbelievable sound selling for under 20k. Sounded better than some pianos that were selling for twice as much or more.That was the day I learned that every piano sounds different and I had know idea. Very new at this piano thing .

@ThePianoforever

4 жыл бұрын

I have always thought that one would be better off buying a nice Kawai rather than a Boston that is made by Kawai. I have heard of late that not all Bostons are even made by Kawai in Japan. EDIT: I just did a little research online and found out that now some Boston pianos are in fact made in Indonesia.

I bought a Baldwin upright piano 10 years ago and just bought a Baldwin organ. Really good instruments.

What is the name of the song at 9:57? I like that song very much, but I couldn't find its name.

I was going to ask you if you catch a cold when I realizes that you just had the Namm show. Ooo that makes sense. 😀. Beautiful Baldwin. Just that little to bright to my taste but when you started to play it was a little more brighter then later. Funny. And indeed beside the little bit to bright it’s a very good and big sound. And out of that timeframe for with such a low price. It’s a winner. Thank you for sharing and playing.

Excellent review as always, James. Your videos are a joy to watch. Can I ask what piece you're playing around the 10 minute mark?

When you want to unleash a pianos capabilities only one composer will do ....LISZT of course.

@stephenfiore9960

3 жыл бұрын

Please “list” the reasons

I always liked their high-end upright pianos.

Davies here: My 1956 Baldwin SD-6 also sounds amazing.

I got a 1909 Gaveau Model 2 Parlor Grand, made in Paris in 1909. I would take it over any modern entry level grand.

The baby grand my piano teacher had (at her house) in the 70s was Baldwin.

Had to run this through my house stereo, love the 'power' it projects when you play that song at the 14 minute mark, (what is the name of it btw? sounds so familliar, but not sure if I've heard it somewhere else, or if you've just played it enough times . . . And thank Mr Kim for letting you record these for us.

@ThePianoforever

4 жыл бұрын

@Jim Gerlinsky, the song is titled Speechless.

@The_Smith

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThePianoforever Thankyou, you did a beautiful job of it and worked that Baldwin to it's best.

David Paich has a Baldwin SD10 and it sounds great. It doesn't sound like any other grand piano outhere.

Very nice performance of the Bach, etc. it seems like there were a lot more Baldwin pianos scattered across the landscape than Steinways. Obviously the price since they were in schools and churches. There’s a high level of quality here. Thanks for another great review. Performances also!

@ThePianoforever

4 жыл бұрын

If you find the right Baldwin it's going to be hard to beat for the money spent.

@Modeltnick

4 жыл бұрын

ThePianoforever . Agreed. You mentioned the Baldwin Acrosonic in an earlier video; they were a good quality piano for the money and were quite popular. You would be successful with a piano store of your own. With your keen knowledge, you could move a variety of quality pianos through the door; many happy customers!

Much appreciate the review! Stumbled upon your channel whilst looking up Fazioli pianos. What's your opinion on Howard grands built by Kawai for Baldwin? Comparable quality? We have one, original from the mid 1970's. Thank you for the informative video!

If I'm interpreting the serial number chart correctly, it looks like this piano was made in 1969.

I am from Cincinnati and always played Baldwins. Fortunate to have also played several Steinway grands. An oversimplification, but I feel the bass of the Steinway's have a richer tone (best of any pianos) but the Baldwin's have a brighter treble and are extremely well balanced overall. Both are world class, believe it is a matter of player preference.

@ThePianoforever

4 жыл бұрын

I own a Steinway D, but no longer consider Steinways the number one piano manufacturer available today. I would place them behind any Fazioli, Yamaha CFX, C. Bechstein, Shigeru Kawai SK7 or SK-EX, Bosendorfer 280 VC and likely others. Steinway is lost and falling behind quickly.

@michaelhensley8203

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThePianoforever like so. My reference is very dated and the Steinway's I played were all pre 1972 vintage when the quality decline nose dived after the sale.

lookup says between 1969 and 1970

Mr. Shawcross, any chance you can share the score of your test composition for a beginner? It sounds great!

@ThePianoforever

4 жыл бұрын

It's not a completed piece.

Quick note about the fallboard decal: my L from 1972 had that same style of decal, which lends to the idea that they continued it into the early 70s. In the later 70s, they definitely switched to that new font :)

@auscub213

4 жыл бұрын

I think the new font is tacky.

Great used piano at affordable price. I would buy it.

What's the song at 14:00 ?

@albertleonhart3093

4 жыл бұрын

Came here to ask this.

@studiosnch

4 жыл бұрын

Would be chorus part of James' arrangement of "Speechless" from the 2019 Aladdin movie.

@ZeldaZelda-RichesToRags

4 жыл бұрын

I'm still stuck on @7:40 so there ya go!

@-._.-._.-

4 жыл бұрын

Its called speechless

@eugenest6079

4 жыл бұрын

I believe it's from Aladdin movie, James has a separate video performing Aladdin

It sounds almost like a harpsichord! :-)

to Mr Piano Forever - What upright piano can i buy that sound as good as a baby grand and or grand piano regardless of the price?

What!? This is under 20 grand? Oh my god. I would SO buy this if I could haha

@russd.522

4 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately the demand for Baldwin pianos isn’t nearly as high as it was. You should be able to very easily find an L in good shape under $10,000. I bought one for $5,000 a few years ago and new bass strings and new hammers/shanks/flanges in. The SF-10 and SD-10 are much more sought after. After I sold my L, I was able to get a 1969 SD-10 (in amazing shape) for $8500 and no work needed beyond soundboard cleaning. Just have to shop around!

Have you watched KZread's April 15 2016 published video of Liberace doing a medley of Frederic Chopin on a Baldwin concert Grand? Isn't that piano fabulous for this very touching depiction of these works by Chopin? And wasn't Liberace a master at those deep notes? Love watching it over again..

You said that Baldwin Ls from 1965 have Renner Action? I was told otherwise... correct me please? I am under the impression my 65 L does not have Renner. My Schultze Pollman upright has Renner... I can't see any labelling on the action... How would my tech know? Thanks!

Quick look up - 1969-70.

@PeterCarrero

3 жыл бұрын

Serial number list is at www.total-piano-care.com/baldwin-pianos.html

James - What was the name of the last passage you played?

I'm originally from Cincinnati Ohio. Is there a difference in the sound of their pianos from after the 1964 fire that destroyed the building? I lived about 1.5 miles from the factory up on a hill,and the fire could be seen for miles.

Do you have any plans on reviewing the Roland FP-60?

I know you don’t talk much about pricing , but how much does a piano like this cost ( rough range)?

@ThePianoforever

4 жыл бұрын

Under 20k.

@JitinMisra

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThePianoforever OK. LOL, I think I'm going to be in the digital land, for a LONG time . Ha. I tried other cheaper alternatives like u1 ..I think I rather stick to digital until I can afford grand

@Melna2024

4 жыл бұрын

@@JitinMisra I picked up a Baldwin piano in Goodwill for under $40.

What are your recommendations for a piano the categories of under 20k and under 30k?

@ThePianoforever

4 жыл бұрын

I would think I would be looking for a high quality used piano in that price range.

I have a 1941 Baldwin, and it's physically ugly, but I love it.

@cathieproffitt6432

4 жыл бұрын

Why is it ugly in your opinion? Shape? Patina? I also have a 1941 Baldwin R and love everything about it. I think both of us are very lucky to have something pre-WWII! Age comes with cosmetic sacrifices, but oh that history and sound❤️❤️❤️

Seems odd that they wouldn’t just put the date inside somewhere.

Okay, I have been watching a lot of your videos.. can you or anyone answer this: what is the digital keyboard with the best ACTION? I don’t care about the sound - which one is it? Am I going to have to invest in a really pricey stage piano?

@ThePianoforever

4 жыл бұрын

These are one ones I would recommend in the different price points. Kawai es110 $599.00, Yamaha P515 $1,495.00 Kawai MP11se $2,799.00

@Beastonn

4 жыл бұрын

ThePianoforever thank you! Will watch your videos on each of those

@Beastonn

4 жыл бұрын

ThePianoforever did you mean $699 on the first one?

@Beastonn

4 жыл бұрын

Ok one more question - what would you choose for action between the Yamaha P515 and Yamaha MOXF8 Synthesizer? They are the exact same price

Pianoagecalculator.com says it was manufactured in 1969-1970

baldwin was bald. and also a win

What's the piece at 13:12?

@volkanorh

4 жыл бұрын

Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, "Moonlight": III. Presto agitato

@johncip

3 жыл бұрын

@@volkanorh thank you!

Baldwin brand I only think of Baldwin Fantasia Oregon.

Was? Mine is amazing I love it

@ThePianoforever

3 жыл бұрын

When Baldwins were made in the states they were some of the best pianos in the world, but now they are just a piano with the Baldwin name attached made in China.

I like their grands but I never liked Baldwin up-rights for some reason.