In 2001, the Baldwin Piano Company filed for bankruptcy. That same year, the Nashville-based Gibson Guitar Corporation purchased Baldwin’s assets and began a major restructuring plan. Their strategy was to reposition Baldwin from the shrinking luxury piano market (where it competed with companies like Steinway and Mason & Hamlin – who were also undergoing major restructuring around this time) to the broader mid-priced piano market (where it would compete with companies like Yamaha and Kawai). Gibson moved Baldwin’s headquarters to Nashville and began promoting Baldwin pianos at their 18 offices around the world. In 2006, Gibson opened a new Baldwin factory in China and, finally, in 2021, Gibson introduced the world to its new, state-of-the-art piano factory in Zhongshan, China (where all Baldwin models will be produced for global distribution). As you might imagine, such a significant restructuring of a beloved American brand created quite a stir. Unfortunately, it also created a storm of misinformation. Baldwin’s competitors used this opportunity to denigrate the brand. Technicians who loved working on a handcrafted American piano panned the decision to modernize the instruments. Americans mourned the loss of yet another American product… and the internet did what it does.
Today, it’s actually quite difficult to find truthful information about Baldwin pianos… so that’s exactly what I am here to do. As a Baldwin piano expert and a piano industry veteran of over 30 years, I’m here to help you learn the truth about today’s Baldwin pianos.
An American Company

The Gibson Guitar Company now owns Baldwin Pianos. Gibson and Baldwin are based in Nashville, Tennessee.
First and foremost, Baldwin is still an American company. For 113 years, Baldwin built their pianos in the US (winning countless awards across the globe for their quality and rich, expressive sound). …but even though their pianos are now built in Baldwin’s Zhongshan, China factory, Baldwin is still wholly owned by Gibson Guitar Corporation and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. As with many companies who used to build pianos in the US (including Yamaha, Wurlitzer, Kimball, Chickering and many more), production locations change with shifts in global economics and supply.
In fact, many of our favorite “American brands” today are made in China. Companies like Levi Strauss, Ray-Ban, Apple and even “American League” baseballs make their products in China. You’d probably be surprised to find out how many “iconic American” products are now made in other countries. Globalization gives businesses the chance to maintain their high standards of quality without pricing themselves out of the market. As much as we’d love to have everything made in the US, we have to accept the new global reality. For consumers, it’s a good thing!
Made The Way They Used to Be

Dovetail joinery is the hallmark of fine wood craftsmanship. Baldwin continues to use this joinery technique in all its modern grand pianos.
The truth is – MOST things aren’t made like they used to be. Advancements in manufacturing and design have improved the way virtually everything is made. Computers and modern machinery have actually made piano building more precise and consistent, which benefits everyone! …but that doesn’t mean Baldwin pianos don’t receive a ton of “hands-on” work by master technicians. They do!
Baldwin is an iconic global brand. Gibson will not dilute their brand by producing anything but the highest quality instruments for their intended price point. Most companies use automated production lines to manufacture their pianos. American-made Baldwins were built the “slow way” with a lot of work being done by hand. Modern Baldwins are made with the same attention to detail. In fact, several models (like the BP-211, BP-190, the B-252, the Hamilton Studio and the Acrosonic) are updated editions of time-tested models. Baldwin still uses their iconic American Spruce soundboards, Wisconsin Maple pin blocks and inner rims, and custom-made soft felt hammers for that traditional Baldwin tone. Baldwin is also the only piano line with a working center pedal on all of its pianos. Most manufacturers today use the middle pedal as a “practice pedal” which mutes the strings and makes the volume significantly lower. Baldwin uses a “practice lever” switch on the left side of the piano which lowers a felt strip in front of the hammers. This gives players the full functionality of their piano and the modern “practice rail” feature! Some of the newly-designed Baldwin pianos (like the BP-1, the BP-3 and the BP-165) fill gaps in Baldwin’s old line – meeting the needs of modern piano players in ways Baldwin never could before. Truly, though Baldwin pianos are made differently today than they were 10 years ago, they are still made very well – especially when compared with other pianos in the mid-priced piano market.
A Fantastic Value
Baldwin made its name by designing and building the best pianos in the world. Yes, American-made Baldwins are superlative instruments, but – when you play them side-by-side with modern Baldwin pianos – you might be surprised to discover which piano you actually prefer. When the Arkansas factory closed, Riverton Piano Company purchased all the remaining American Baldwin pianos and – today – our stores are the ONLY stores in the US that can offer new American Baldwin pianos side-by-side with modern Baldwin pianos. …and – believe it or not – when folks play both pianos, they often prefer the Chinese Baldwins! The truth is, when most people play a modern Baldwin, they love it. In fact, moving production to China has been a great thing for the brand AND the consumer. It means you can still buy a traditional, American-designed piano for a fraction of the price you would have to pay if it had been built in America. You can own a new Baldwin 52” professional upright for less than a fourth of what you’d pay for a 52” Steinway or half of what you’d pay for a 52” Yamaha. …and once you play one, you’ll wonder why anyone would ever pay so much more!
The truth is – most of today’s piano shoppers are looking to spend less than $40k. It just doesn’t make sense to design pianos with a lot of hand work or features that put the piano out of reach for most consumers. Most people simply want a good-quality piano that sounds beautiful, plays well, looks great, and will last for many years. Moving production to China gave Baldwin a much needed competitive advantage: the power to build a world-class piano for the mid-price piano market.
That American Sound

Modern Baldwin Pianos feature Alaskan “Sitka” Spruce soundboards – the same wood Baldwin has used for generations. This is what gives brands like Steinway and Baldwin an authentically “American” sound.
Probably the hardest thing in the piano industry is helping clients understand the individual nature of piano sound. If ten people listen to a piano and five say it sounds good and the other five say it doesn’t sound good – which group is correct? Whether a piano “sounds good” is impossible to measure. It’s a just product of personal taste.
Modern Baldwin Pianos have the same warm, deep, “American sound” that made Baldwin “America’s Favorite Piano.” Thanks to the careful watch of Baldwin’s master craftsmen (some of which have been with the company for decades), that is one thing that really hasn’t changed. Today’s Baldwin Pianos still have that iconic American sound. It isn’t as dark as some European pianos and isn’t as bright as many Asian instruments. It’s a unique tone all their own. There is no harshness or “brassy” sound in the lower register. Baldwin Pianos deliver a “creamy smooth” rumble that seamlessly blends to a clear, singing treble as your hands move up the keyboard. The combination of updated scale designs and traditional American woods work together so that even their smallest baby grand will have the tonal quality to compete with pianos a foot or more longer. This is the unique sound made Baldwin the choice for pianists like Liberace, Ray Charles, and Billy Joel. This is the sound that still inspires today’s players every day!

Today, artists like Ben Folds (pictured), Linkin Park, Evanescence, Justin Beiber, Jamie Foxx, Miley Cyrus and many more perform with Baldwin pianos on stage.
The truth is this: things change. Every major piano manufacturer in the world has either had to re-imagine their instruments or change something about their production in the last decade. Globalization has changed how every product in the world is made – from cell phones to concert grand pianos – and, whether it’s an American-made Baldwin or a Chinese-made Baldwin, you can count on a fantastic musical experience. …but don’t take my word for it. Come on in and see a modern Baldwin Piano for yourself. You can compare it with its (more expensive) American siblings and decide for yourself which piano has the ideal sound, touch, look and price for your home, church or school. …because – in the end – there is only one opinion that matters: yours. …and that’s the truth!
I love my 1903 Baldwin baby grand but a small house at the beach doesn’t allow me to keep her. She still looks and plays great but I no longer have room for her. Any interest?
Hi, James. Thanks for reaching out to us. If you could complete this form: https://www.rivertonpiano.com/form-donate-your-piano.php, we’ll be happy to take a look for you!
Looking for info on my Baldwin Baby Grand piano. #M 137140. Can you assist me with this or refer me elsewhere? Piano is in good condition with original keys.
Hi, Ruth! What information are you looking for? Your piano is a Baldwin M (5’2″) baby grand built in 1957 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Thank you for your article. I ordered a Chinese made BP-190 in 2015. I was very skeptical but was assured the quality was on par or exceeded pre-Gibson standards.
Couldn’t be happier. The piano gets played daily and has held up very well.
Hi, Mike and thanks for your comment! Congrats on the BP-190! We were skeptical too when we heard they based it on the L1 scale design, but – sure enough – they are really great pianos! I definitely think these are the best Baldwin pianos we’ve seen since they were made in Cincinnati. Thanks for the feedback and have fun with your Baldwin!
This was a very interesting article for me. I really appreciated the information and your insight on modern day Baldwin. I have a Yamaha P150 digital, but took 18 years of lessons on a 1979 Baldwin upright (can no longer remember exact model). It was frankly a pretty fantastic piano for the upright models.
I am wanting to get an acoustic in the near future, but knew very little about the last 10 years of so the history of Baldwin. Good to it’s in good hands with Gibson.
Anyway, thank you again. A super helpful and informative article.
Hi, Darren! Thanks for reading and for your comment! I think a bunch of folks have a misconception about today’s Baldwin pianos. From a construction standpoint, they are built quite well… and most people select a modern Baldwin when given the choice (We bought all of the remaining Baldwin pianos in the Truman, AK factory so we are the only dealership in the world to have both the US Baldwins and the modern Baldwins side-by-side)! Glad you enjoyed the update and we wish you the best in 2024!
Hi James,
Hello and thank you for the response! I wish you and everyone the best in 2024 as well!
Took me a minute but finally remembered. It was a 1979 Baldwin Hamilton upright. If memory serves me correctly, it was a Walnut finish. Spruce soundboard I think, but not for sure on that.
Again, it was a super interesting read. I will make sure to work my way through the rest of the blogs.
Thank you again.
I’m looking to buy a 2008 Baldwin R HLE Eiffel Tower “art case.” A truly beautiful piano. It’s a a reputable dealer who says it’s never been owned. I can’t find any info online about these pianos. I was told this is one of a kind. Do you have any knowledge about these?
Hi, TJ, and thanks for writing us! Unfortunately, I don’t see anything in Baldwin’s literature about an “Eiffel Tower” piano. I know they made several unique cabinet pianos over the years, but I don’t have any info on that particular one. If you’d like to give me more info, just click on the web chat button and tell me about the dealer you’re working with. We may know them. I’m happy to do some research for you. Thanks again for reading!
I have a Baldwin upright and would love to know the year produced. The serial # is 1418317 just in case anyone happens to know. Great article
Thanks!
Looks like your piano was built in 1987. Thanks for stopping by and for your words of encouragement!
Thanks James, I appreciate the help.
My pleasure! Thank you for visiting and best of luck with your piano!
I was wondering if there was still technicians in Cincinnati that knew how to work on the older Baldwin’s? Thank You
Hi, Jodi! There’s nothing left in Cincinnati as that’s three factories ago. Baldwin hasn’t had anyone there in decades. There are still some folks that know how to work on the old Baldwins, though. Many of the more seasoned technicians had Baldwin training and should be able to help.
Does the simple midcentury Continental Baldwin style produce good delicious tones like a full upright?
Hi, Mike. Thanks for stopping by. Your question is a bit harder to answer than you might think. First of all, the piano’s appearance has almost nothing to do with its performance. Secondly, a larger piano will always sound better than a smaller piano of the same quality level. Finally, everyone has a different opinion of what “good sound” is. You might be very happy with a console piano where someone else will demand a bigger instrument. It’s a personal choice. That said, Baldwin makes some lovely upright pianos in a variety of sizes and we well a ton of them… so there’s a good chance you will like one. Thanks again and best of luck to you!
I have an old upright Baldwin piano. I think the serial number is 72131. I was wondering what year it was made and what a comparable model would be today.
Hi, Lara. If that is the serial number, it’s from 1934. Here’s a list of current Baldwin piano models: https://www.rivertonpiano.com/peoria/pianos/baldwin/index.php#american-upright-pianos Take a look and see if one of these looks similar to yours. If not, contact us via the web chat and we’ll see if we can provide you more information. Thank you!
Hi, I am looking tomorrow at a one owner Baldwin that is about 30 years old and hasn’t been tuned in 15 years. The measurements given don’t seem normal 55x35x22. Any advice for me ?
If the piano hasn’t been tuned in 15 years, I would probably pass on it. That means the owner has not taken care of it at all and it’s not in good shape. If you still want to check it out, make sure you have a reputable piano technician look it over from top to bottom. I’d be VERY cautious about a piano that hasn’t been cared for. They need to be tuned once a year! As for the dimensions, I would have them send photos. Most pianos are 58″ wide. If it’s smaller than that (and that short), it’s probably a spinet. Look what we have to say about those here: https://www.rivertonpiano.com/peoria/pianos/downloads/buyers-guide.pdf
I have a Baldwin baby grand model M #229074 in a black satin finish. I purchased it new in the 1970’s. It is in excellent condition, sounds & looks great. What year and where was it made? What is the value of this piano today?
Hi, Diane, and thank you for visiting us online! It looks like your piano is a 1979 Baldwin Model M (5’2″) baby grand in ebony satin. This is one of the most beautiful baby grand pianos ever made and would easily stand up against (and quite often beat) a Steinway. It’s hard for me to give you a value without having the piano looked at, but – in perfect shape inside and out – the piano should sell for right around $18,000 today. Thanks again for stopping by and for your question! Best wishes!
Great read James, I am looking at buying a 2007 BALDWIN M 5’2″ GRAND PIANO BLACK that sounds great. What is difficult is knowing what it is worth. As a 2007 build, it would appear from this article that it was one of the first to be manufactured in China. That could be a good thing if Gibson labored over the training and quality control or a bad thing if they struggled to get their manufacturing mojo turned in. What is your take on all this?
Thank you, Sir! I appreciate you stopping by. I am afraid I may have confused you, however. Baldwin never built a Model M in China and the Truman, AK, factory didn’t close until 2008. The factory Gibson opened in 2006 only built vertical pianos. …so the piano you’re considering is a “Made in America” Baldwin Model M. If it’s like the other 2000s-era Baldwin Ms I have seen, you should absolutely love it. Best of luck to you!
I can’t find information about a Baldwin parlor grand. No model number or date I can find. I found this (serial #.-maybe?) H38254. Does that reveal anything about this old instrument. Thanks
Hi, Mike, and thanks for stopping by! If your serial number is 38254, that points to a manufacture date of 1921. Does that sound right to you? The model number will likely be a letter (like M, R, L, etc.). I hope that helps!
Thanks so much! I am considering purchase. Sounds and plays great! I will want to refinish as is scratched up but appears as mahogany and underlying beauty. You think I’m foolish to buy for $2000? (Sorry to ask if that’s not your mission here. ) Cheers
Greetings from Stratford, Ontario Canada.
I own a Baldwin Hamilton Grand Piano (that I purchased in 1970). The piano was built in 1940 (serial number 89715). I purchased it as a refurbished piano after trying out a whole warehouse full of pianos before settling on this particular one. I still love the sound and the action of this piano!
When the piano was delivered, I was provided with a bottle of oil to rub on the wood finish periodically. This bottle is almost empty and as it wasn’t marked (just a clear plastic bottle with no label), I don’t know what to purchase to replenish my supply. I wonder if you could shed some light on what product I should buy in order to keep caring for the finish on my piano. The piano is a walnut wood finish – I think as I don’t really know for sure what the type of wood is.
Kind regards,
Nick
Hi, Nick! Thank you for reaching out to us. Sounds like you have a great relationship with that piano! Back “in the day,” it was common to clean and polish your piano with lemon oil. That might be what is in your bottle. You don’t want to use any waxes or compounds that leave residue/build-up on your finish. Today, we know that lemon oil attracts dust – so it does a good job cleaning your piano, but it can also be part of the problem. These days, I recommend “Satin Sheen” from Cory. It’s not expensive and it does a great job cleaning your piano without attracting dust or leaving a thick residue. I would give that a try. Good luck with your piano and thank you for stopping by!
Thank you very much James! I will purchase the Satin Sheen from Cory for polishing my piano.
Your expertise and recommendation is very much appreciated!
Kind regards,
Nick
Hi, Nick! I am glad we were able to help. Thanks again for your question and for stopping by our blog! Best wishes!
Hi James, I am seriously considering a Baldwin. I live in a cottage by the sea. Do you think that would be a problem?
Many thanks
Hi, Paul, and thank you for your question! I can see why you might have a concern about owning an acoustic piano by a large body of water. It’s important to keep the humidity levels consistent or your piano will struggle to stay in tune. However, the operative word there is “consistent.” Here in Arizona, we experience dry weather almost all the time. …so – even though the air is dryer than recommended for a piano – it’s almost ALWAYS dry. Once a piano acclimates to that, it’s not a problem at all. The same will happen for you. If you get a Baldwin piano (or any other high quality piano), it will acclimate to the moist air in your home. What you don’t want to do is leave your windows open all the time, vary the temperature wildly or do anything else that will cause the air in your home to vary in temperature or humidity. Keep it steady and you’re in good shape! Thanks for a great question! If you want more information on this topic, check out this blog: https://blog.rivertonpiano.com/2019/12/01/should-you-put-a-humidifier-system-on-your-piano/ Best of luck to you and your piano!
Hi James, your the 1st website and person for that matter who is actually helping people with their Baldwin questions. Thank you for being who you are 🙂 Could you help me as well? The serial number of my Piano is: 202248. It says Hamilton in the center (NOT Baldwin)…Most of them say “Baldwin” in the CENTER and Hamilton on the right side… Do I have an inferior Baldwin Hamilton model? Could you shed some light on this? And the year it was made? Your work and knowledge is impressive, thank you for your help!
Hi, Damion, and thank you for your question (and your kind words)! We certainly try to answer every question we get. Before I can answer your question in depth, I need to know what kind of piano you have. Howard was a sub-brand in the Baldwin family and – depending on whether you have an upright or a grand piano – it could have been made by a variety of companies (Kawai, Samick, Baldwin, etc.). The serial number you posted makes me think it’s not one of the Baldwin-made Howard pianos (made in Conway, Arkansas between 1595 and 1968). I am thinking it was probably built in 1965 by Kawai and marketed under the Baldwin-owned “Howard” brand. Does that sound right to you? Is your piano a grand?
Thank you for your information regarding Baldwin pianos.
I have an opportunity to purchase an 80 year old Baldwin Baby Grand built from Cincinnati, Ohio. I noticed your comment on June 10th about some seasoned technicians still around that had Baldwin training. Would it be pretty difficult to find a technician to work on an 80 year old Baldwin?
Regards,
Ryan
Hi, Ryan! Thanks for stopping by. I think most technicians (whether or not they were specifically trained on Baldwins) would be able to tune and maintain your piano. The only time you really have a problem is when you’re rebuilding your piano or adjusting those “Acu-just Hitch Pins.” Those have to be set at the proper height, etc… and that requires someone who knows what they are doing because that was a Baldwin exclusive feature. Still, you’re probably ok using a non-Baldwin tech as long as (s)he is certified, experienced and well reviewed. I wish you the best of luck! Thanks for the question!
Thank you very much for your expertise, James!
Hello James;
I am looking at a Baldwin grand, serial # A54914 on Craigslist. Any information you can provide would be helpful. It appears it was likely built in the 1920s. If it has been maintained (apparently so, as was supposedly owned by a piano teacher), is there any concern about buying a piano of this age?
Hi, Barb, and thanks for stopping by! That’s a great question. When the wood in a piano ages, it starts to lose its strength. That’s not a problem so much with the big, strong parts of the piano, but the small action parts start to become brittle and fragile. If significant work hasn’t already been done (hammers replaces, whippen assemblies replaces, new strings, tuning pins replaced or resized, etc.), then you will have some significant maintenance expenses ahead of you with a piano that old. Most pianos are built with a maximum 30-40 year lifespan. This piano is 100 years old – well past “end of life.” I’d definitely have a piano tech look it over before taking the risk. I hope that helps!
Hello James,
I have a Baldwin baby grand that was purchased new in 1978 and we are downsizing and I’ll not be able to accommodate it. To sell it I cannot find any serial or model number at all. The only letter on the inside metal part is an M.Does that identify it? Are there any other numbers or letters I need?
Thank you for your help.
Nancy
Hi, Nancy, and thank you for stopping by! I am happy to report that you have found your piano’s model number! It’s a Model M 5’2″ baby grand piano. There should also be a number on the cast iron plate (near the tuning pins and underneath where you place your music) that can identify which Model M you have. It’s called your serial number. We can use that number to determine your piano’s age, etc. …but it looks like you’re on the right track! Best of luck with your downsizing and your lovely Baldwin piano!
Hi James, I’m investigating buying a used Baldwin 9′ concert grand. I most often seem to see these Baldwin concert grand pianos from the early 1960’s which have a letter D in their model numbers. Are there differences between the various Baldwin concert grands? What are they? thanks!
Hi, jp, and thanks for reaching out! The Baldwin 9′ concert grand is the model SD-10. If that is what you’re looking at, you should contact us on our website. We have a few! As with all pianos, the instrument’s value is based on its age, condition and performance. Especially if you are considering a 9′, you should play it and have it evaluated by a registered piano technician before you buy. That way you know you’re getting a good instrument. Best of luck to you!
Hello James, I’m looking to buy an upright Baldwin and wanted to know the year this piano was built. The serial # is 127127. Thank you for your time.
Hi, Melissa! Thanks for stopping by. It appears the piano you are considering was built in 1954. That’s a pretty old piano! Make sure you have it checked out first and get a good price! Best of luck to you!
I’m so thankful to have found your blog and all of the information you have been willing to share! We are in the process of looking for a new piano for our family. We were made aware of a 1977 5’8″ Model R. It was recommended to us by a technician that has been tuning it. He was aware that the owner was looking for a new home for it (he will be looking at it afor us to verify condition). It has apparently been well maintained, mostly as a showpiece for the majority of its life and is now with a concert pianist. Our children (they are the pianists in our home) have played it and love both the action and sound quality. My husband and I are wanting to make sure that we are getting something that will continue to serve the kids well and allow them to progress to where they would like. What have you found the life of these grand to be? How well do they hold up to an intense player? Would you consider $4,000 to be a reasonable price point? Are there any issues to be expected with a piano of this age? Any specific recommendations for maintenence and care of a grand? I never realized all of the nuances within the piano world. While I’m not a pianist or very musical I’m trying to learn to be able to support our kids who are. It is fascinating!
Hi, Hillary, and welcome to our discussion! Thank you for your kind words. We’re thrilled to be able to help! That said, it sounds like you’re doing all the right things with this Baldwin R. A 1977 R in good condition could be a wonderful long-term investment. Have your tech check it out and make sure it’s in good condition inside and out. Once he confirms that – and you know that your players like the instrument – I would definitely recommend this piano for you. $4000 is a fair price and – as long as your tech is happy with its condition – I can’t imagine any major (ie – expensive) repairs in the piano’s future. Just make sure to tune it properly and you should be in great shape! If the piano is in perfect shape, it could have another 30 – 50 years of life left before any major repairs are needed. Just keep it in a climate-controlled room away from vents, fireplaces, direct sunlight and any other items that would cause dramatic changes in temperature and humidity. Here’s some more information on the maintenance expectations you face: [click here] Best of luck to you and your family! I hope you have a wonderful time with your new piano!
Hello, we have a concert grand model D ser # 105627. This piano was owned by Jose Iturbi and sold to wife’s Aunt Rosa Rio in New York in the 40s. Rosa was a professional organist and played for radio shows and silent movies. Is there any way to confirm this by serial number? It’s not one that is signed by Jose. I’ve already checked with the archive people.
Thanks in advance and for this website. Very informative.
Hello, Robert. Unfortunately, you are out of luck on this one. The corporate entity that owned Baldwin back then is no more. Sadly, their records are gone with them. In fact, the company has changed hands three times since then and there’s no way to verify past owners. I wish I could be more help. Thanks for stopping by and best of luck with that piano!
My former piano faculty has retired and given me her Baldwin Parlor Grand model R #179873. I am curious as to its value. She bought it new in 1967 and it is in great shape. All ivories are still there and a black satin finish. It plays wonderfully.
Hi, Charles! It’s difficult to put a value on a piano without looking at it. The cabinet may be in perfect condition, but how is the interior? Your best bet is to have a piano tech look at it and let you know what is going on inside the piano. Assuming everything is perfect, the piano is 55yrs old so it’s past the standard “end of life” projection for a handmade piano. That said, the “end of life” figure is based on normal play. If it was played heavily before, it might be in worse shape. If it was barely played, it might be in much better shape. A technician could help you with that as well. Have someone look at the interior and go from there. I hope that helps!
I am shopping for a new or newish BP190 (I played a lovely one at a Baltimore Baldwin dealer yesterday), but when I called the listed Baldwin Company phone number to get a list of serial numbers by year of the Chinese manufactured pianos, I got the Gibson headquarters and they told me while they still own the name Baldwin, they are no longer being produced, not even in China. Is this true? I thought Parsons Music Group just opened up a new manufacturing facility in Zhongshan.
Hello, Sheldon, and thank you for visiting our site! I am shocked you got the information you did because I can assure you that Baldwin pianos (including the lovely BP-190) are very much STILL in production. Maybe the person you spoke to was confused because Baldwin is shifting production away from Parsons and into their own (brand new) piano plant. The Baldwin uprights are being made there already. Now, Baldwin has a brand new facility to make their own grand pianos as well. Maybe that is what the Gibson employee was thinking? Hard to say. All I can say is that we are still ordering them and they are still being made. I hope that helps!
I hope not to be off topic but I have a serious technical problem. I own a 1993 L in red mahogany purchased from an out of state private owner one year ago. The touch and tone are awful.It has been tuned 3 times and techs will not even work on it. A major reputable dealer will”take it away” if I buy a new piano there..with NO trade value. I watched all the videos on the Bal L, Estrin, Cavel, and all rave about the tone, workmanship and classic American tone of this model. I even looked ata new 190 at the nearest authorized dealer and all he did was denigrate the Chinese made models. I’m stuck in a bad spot here, cannot get it fixed, cannot sell, cannot even buy a new one. Anything you can recommend?
Hello! I am sorry to hear about your problems. I can’t even imagine what the techs in your area are thinking. A 1993 L should be a lovely piano. What about the tone and touch do you not like? As for the dealer who will “take it away,” that’s very suspicious. Unless the piano is completely destroyed inside, it is worth some money! Even worse, the new BP-190 is a magnificent piano. Did the dealer tell you what was wrong with it (other than the fact that it is built in China – like about 80% of the pianos built today)? Sadly, I often see dealers willing to criticize the new Baldwin pianos without any specific knowledge of their construction or overall quality. I feel like you’re running into a number of not-so-great folks over there. Let me know what you’re experiencing and maybe I can point you in the right direction. Hang in there!
Thank you for such great information about the new Baldwins made in China. I am considering buying a new 247 or BP1. They sound great and I love the practice pedal. At 48”, they are taller than my 1969 45” sohmer studio piano. How much louder could these new 48” Baldwins be in my 10 x 16’ living room? And besides a carpet in the room and beneath the piano footprint, do I need a technician to lower the volume? I’m in an apartment. Thanks
Hi, Adrienne! Sorry about the delay. It’s been hard to keep up this Holiday Season! We’re glad you enjoy our blogs and we hope we can help! The new Baldwin pianos are truly fantastic instruments. I think everybody likes to give them a hard time because they aren’t made in the US anymore, but lots of great pianos are made overseas… so I always encourage people to research an instrument’s construction. That is the best way to determine it’s quality. I think the BP-1 would be a great option for you (so would the B-243!). You can leave the lid down, place them on rugs and even use foam baffles if they are too loud for your space. That said, a good technician can “voice” the hammers on your piano “down” so they have a softer attack. You also might consider a Genio system. Those are fantastic for piano lovers who live in apartments. Best of luck to you and thanks for stopping by!
Considering a purchase of a Baldwin-Howard C155 baby grand. Just started looking. Retired and hoping to re-ignite my interest in playing. Always enjoyed playing but life got in the way for 40 years – LOL. Beyond simply playing the piano, what do you consider the key characteristics to focus on as I evaluate various options. The piano I am considering is an original owner and was purchased new in 1989 so there should be plenty of life left in it before major renovation, right? Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give me!
Hi, Mark, and thank you for contacting us. I will start out by addressing the Baldwin-Howard relationship. Baldwin owned the Howard brand and built Howard spinets and console pianos in Cincinnati until about 1968. After 1960, all Howard grands were built by Kawai. …so – though Howard was a Baldwin-owned sub-brand, the pianos are closer to Kawai than Baldwin in design. Later on, Baldwin hired Samick to build Howard pianos for them… so the quality of the Howard piano very much depends on when it is built. Get the serial number and we can give you more info on that later on. As for the condition of the piano, we always recommend having a piano technician look over any used piano before you buy it. This just ensures you don’t miss something that will cost you a bunch of money to fix later. I hope that helps! Thanks again for visiting!
Hello James! I was so happy when I stumbled onto This article while searching for replacement legs for my Baldwin upright. I was lucky enough to be at an auction and acquired this beautiful instrument sight unseen, for $6! As soon as I got it home, I called the piano technician to have it evaluated and tuned. He did the same that you mentioned many do…he talked down the newer China made pianos, but assured me this is one of the American made ones, and said it was worth about $5000. I love everything about it, except for the damaged legs. I’ve searched the internet and have not been able to find replacements. Can you point me in there right direction?
Hi, Valerie, and thanks for stopping by! Sounds like you got lucky with that grand piano! Unfortunately, since Baldwin’s American factories are gone and the piano building division has changed hands a number of times, there’s no way to get replacement parts. You might see if Schaff Piano Supply can help you. They make grand piano legs (unfinished) and they might be able to make you something that will work. You’d have to have someone finish them for you, but at least you’re headed in the right direction! Best of luck to you!
We have bought a Baldwin Model M with serial number 193688. It was owned by one family prior to purchase and a tuner has come out to check it and says it’s mint. Everything is extremely clean, tuned nicely and really no scratches anywhere on the piano. Can you tell me the year and where it was made and the finish of the piano and an approximate value?
Hi, Kristi, and thanks for stopping by. No. We can’t tell the finish color of your piano via the serial number. We’d need to see it (or some good photos) to do that. As for value, that is a product of its condition (internal and external), age, brand, model and the market in your area. I’d recommend having someone local do an appraisal. You’ll pay a little fee for that, but you’ll get all the info you need. I can tell you, however, that your piano was built in 1971. Hope that helps!
Hi James, a lot of good information on this blog. I am currently looking to invest in a Baldwin Grand Model L, built in 1997, based on the serial number. I currently have a Sherman Clay purchased in the 80’s and looking to upgrade, since I am now retired. I’m told the Baldwin was previously owned by one owner and in outstanding condition. Can you offer any insight on this particular model? I love my Sherman Clay 5’8″, but looking for a broader sound and this Baldwin (6’3″) is in my price point. Thank you.
Hi, Jess, and welcome to the conversation! As a general rule, I always recommend having a piano technician evaluate the piano before you make a purchase. That protects both of us in case there is a hidden flaw or subtle issue we don’t know about. That said, the Baldwin L is a gorgeous piano! I think you will be very impressed with its warmth, depth and emotive range. Very good choice! …and 1997 isn’t that old for a handcrafted American piano. I say GO FOR IT (assuming your tech blesses the piano) and enjoy! Thanks for stopping by!
I am the sole owner of a Baldwin Professional Grand serial L224579 Baldwin piano. Any interest?
Hi, Steve, and thanks for your message. As with all the folks I have advised here, I’d need to have a technician look at your piano and give me a report. Your Baldwin L (6’3″) grand was built in 1979. If you’ve tuned it every year, kept it in a climate controlled environment and maintained its finish well, it should have some good value. You’ll have to show photos, be prepared to discuss the service record and have a “bottom dollar” price in mind before you offer it to a retail store or third-party buyer. Remember that retail stores buy at wholesale and sell at retail. If they can’t make some money on the sale, they’d rather sell one of their own pianos… so if you want to use a dealership or a reseller, you’ll have to be prepared to take less for the piano. Of course, there’s always PianoMart (website) or Facebook Marketplace, etc – if you’re comfortable with those services. Just beware of scammers! In short, anyone would probably be interested in your piano if it is truly in good shape (inside and out), but they’ll need a tech to confirm this before they make an offer. Hope that helps! PS – If you’d like to tell us more about your piano, you can do so here: https://www.rivertonpiano.com/form-donate-your-piano.php
Where can I find information on the Model E. It was made in two different sizes. When did they change it and why. I own a vintage 1909 and nothing else compares when I play them side by side. (5 f 8) to the more modern chinese version Model R.
Craftmanship is just not the same
Hi, Robert! Unfortunately, that info is no longer available. Baldwin has changed ownership three times since then and none of the records, etc. survived. Also, the Model R is not a Chinese-built Baldwin piano. It was last built in the Truman, Arkansas plant in 2008. Baldwin does not currently produce a 5’8″ piano. The closest would be the BP-178, which is a 5’10” piano. There are many reasons you might prefer your piano to a different one – from changes in construction to the way it was tuned. There is no way to know for sure. I can tell you that the pianos Baldwin builds today are the best Baldwin pianos we’ve seen since they were building them in the Cincinnati factory. You might be surprised! Best of luck with your Baldwin piano!
James – An acquaintance is considering the possibility of purchasing a Baldwin M2 built in 1996. He is having the piano inspected by a piano technician. Each of us assumed that the only M model built in the 1990s was the M1. Do you have any knowledge of how the M2 might have differed from the M1? Thank you.
Hi, Phil! Thanks for dropping by. Unfortunately neither I – nor any of the other Baldwin experts I asked – know anything about a Model M2. We knew about the Model M and the more recent M1, but no M2. Sorry we can’t offer any more info there!
Hello James, I wonder if you could tell me the age of my Baldwin upright piano with Model # K-107, & serial # of ILK00474. Where do you think this piece had manufactured? Does it worth keeping this model? Thank you so much for your time, I valued your response so greatly.
Sincerely,
Sanny
Hi, Sanny, and thanks for your question. Unfortunately, the model number and serial number you sent me don’t correspond to anything in Baldwin’s records. If you want to send us some photos via text chat, we’d be happy to research this further with Baldwin. Thanks!
hello James, Greeting from Victoria Canada.. ive recently found a used Bladwin in great condition it is the E140B Model Serial number 1477803. I’ve attempted to find more information on the model with little success. my question is “is this a low, middle or high end model and was it made in the USA” assuming a condition of 8/10 what would you suggest a market price to be. thank you in advance. marek
Hello, Marek, and thank you for stopping by! It looks like you’ve found a 1988 Baldwin continental console piano. Because of their small size and simple cabinetry, these pianos are not in high demand. I would definitely have a technician check it out before I purchase it and I would try not to spend more than $1500. Best of luck to you!
your an amazing resource. thank you kindly. cheers. marek
Hi James – I’m considering purchasing an R built in ‘97. Which struck me as being in mint condition and my technician agreed. The seller is asking $8K. My technician however is pretty negative about Baldwins from this period claiming that many corners had been cut and they’d become generic sounding. Your opinion on that? I’m also looking at a ‘64 L which sounds great and certainly deeper and bigger for around the same price but I’m concerned about the age and what’s in store repair wise. Assuming both pianos are in good condition and sound as you would expect would you lean towards a ‘97 R or a ‘64 L priced the same?
Thanks!
Hi, Mike! Thanks for your question. No doubt, I would go for the R. Even your technician agreed that it is in great shape and it is far newer than the Model L. I know there is a romance surrounding the Baldwin pianos that were built in Cincinnati vs. the one built in Truman, AK, but I’ve never heard anyone complain about their ’90s era Baldwin pianos. If you like the sound and the tech agrees it is in good shape, that price is a steal. I don’t see any way you can get hurt buying a handcrafted American piano for only $8000. Best of luck to you!
Thanks so much for your response. VERY helpful!
I have a Model M with an unusual serial number: 101024
I’ve verified with Gibson that the number shows it was built in 1942 (during WWII) in Arkansas just before the factory shut down to make wooden aircraft parts for the “duration.”
I have a suspicion it may have been some sort of special “Victory” edition of that particular model but Gibson has no further records.
I have some specific questions about brasses used as such was a tightly regulated commodity during the war and there may be some anomalies.
Before I ask a lot of questions, can you possibly help? One thing I have found is what I believe to be the pianos internal production number. Or perhaps the “real” serial number of Model Ms alone? Anyhow it is on hinge beds, hinges themselves and other places. It’s both die stamped and hand written. The number is 31464.
Oh. Sound is luscious and the action seems perfect. My literal neighbor is a piano expert (dealer–tuner–player) and says this is a “good one.” They (the neighbors) are unsure about my questions regarding the brasses as they don’t often see Modem Ms of this general age because in a world where nobody wants pianos there seems to be plenty of demand for that special “baby.” It has a PianoForce player and the staccato it does seems positively unhuman in intensity and stroke. It was used as a student piano at a university for at least a couple decades but amazingly I’ve been able to restore the original satin black finish to a state that could be called, “nicely patinated” and everything is technically reversible because I’ve intentionally used and incompatible paint for “camouflage” and the “gloss modification” I’ve used on the camouflaged areas will just wipe away should someone decide to strip off the wax with a light application of turpentine in the future.
Thank you.
Hi, Mike. Thanks for your question. I can confirm that Gibson got the year right for your piano, but Baldwin didn’t move production to Arkansas until the 1960s… so your piano would have been built in Cincinnati. Keep in mind that Gibson is the third company to own Baldwin since Baldwin’s own umbrella company went out of business. None of the people at Gibson are likely to have an accurate history of the Brand. None of the documents survived and nobody really knows the answers to your brass questions at this point. I wish I had better news, but the only guess I can give you is that Baldwin had enough parts on-hand before the shortages to finish a limited number of pianos. This is what happened with Steinway during the same time period. Thanks for stopping by and best wishes with your Baldwin piano!
Thank you very much for the information. Were “stage” produced with factory tripod? casters that go into sockets in the legs? Or are the cast iron plates on the bottom of legs standard? The lyre is at the perfect height when in the casters.
Do you ordinarily see production numbers hand written on each leaf of the main lid hinges?
Thanks again.
My pleasure. Unfortunately, I have no idea what you are asking. Stage? Tripod? I don’t understand. Baldwin pianos were built with casters that go into sockets in the legs. They do have brass ferrules around the “feet” for added stability and strength. The factory castors have to be removed before the piano can be placed onto a grand piano dolly or the lyre will be too high. As for production numbers, yes. That is normal for handcrafted pianos. They do that to keep all the parts for a single piano together. Best wishes!
And I like to identify myself something of a “hand craftsman” but it just seems wildly excessive to write a specific long number on each hinge when it’s certain to be hidden and therefore not useful had the lid and body had “final assembly” in separate areas to be brought together —
–wait–shipped with lids off and that was the final assembly in the “piano salons” that sold them and they may well be ordering more than one and those hinges had been individually fitted before disassembly for shipping.
I’m presently removing dents in legs from “moving accidents.” It’s amazing how that old finish never broke nor that surprisingly soft but strong wood underneath it. Some barely hot heat compresses followed by a “freeze pack”–repeat–is already pulling up the deep one that I thought could never be fixed and I’m only on the 2nd cycle!
Well, I can tell you that – in the piano business – handcrafted pianos are assigned a “case number.” That case number is then added to all the parts assigned to that specific piano. Steinway does it. Baldwin did it. It’s quite common. The case numbers are used to keep the parts for a specific piano with that piano until the piano is finished and assigned a serial number. Most manufacturers can’t take a part from one piano and exchange it with another because the parts are custom-fit to their assigned piano. Very few manufacturers (like Yamaha) can swap parts among models without fitting problems. That is why they do that. Then – once the pianos are assembled – the case numbers are purposely obscured because they are no longer necessary. Best of luck with those legs and take care!
May I ask another question please? It’s a bit more general.
Let me describe the piece I’m referring to. With the grand piano fully closed, open the first thing–the “foldback cover” if you will. There’s a “foldback bar” across it–when closed it was the very top of the keyboard area cover. It has four screws and three wide (by comparison) rubber bumpers.
Were those screwheads originally chemically blackened? I believe they were. I’m almost positive that the screws retaining the lid prop support sockets were as the one for the lone one in mine was distinctly blackened while the short one was almost polished brass.
I blackened all of these screws and believe it looks far more “natural” with the piano open for playing. From my experience with the blackening agent it is quite easy to “polish away” the black or perhaps just think that it wasn’t supposed to be that way to begin with as the edges were really hard to get black and you can’t do it by dipping–at least not with the rather nasty chemicals I used.
About the only compromise of excellence I’ve found in craftsmanship is that the screwheads retaining the lid hardware did not [appear] to have been lacquered originally. The main hinges clearly were and all I had to do to “restore” them was to clean a nice clear lacquer finish–ithey never saw a touch of brass polish as I used on the [seemingly] forever unlacquered pedals of what seems to be a wildly different brass alloy. This could of course be completely normal as there are two general qualifications of brass–“red” and “yellow” and these would clearly seem to be excellent examples of how to distinguish between the two. (I have awareness of this from work in the hydronic/steam heating/plumbing industry.)
Thank you again.
Hello again. No. The screw heads were not chemically blackened. Baldwin chose brass screws specifically because it knew you would see them. It’s a design choice, but there is nothing wrong with making those screw heads black if you choose to. It won’t change anything about the piano but its look.
re: Baldwin Company Records
See this Cincinnati Inquirer article from 2017. It concludes, “What remains
Anne Shepherd, the reference librarian at the Cincinnati History Library and Archives, was Lucien Wulsin II’s personal assistant for two years, until his death at age 74. She was tasked with taking all the company notes, correspondence, mementos, records, press clippings, drawings, photographs and patents and putting them in order.
“It was all in boxes, in his house, and it came up from the coal bins, from all over the company. We had a huge room on the fourth floor of the Baldwin building, and I put it in order,” she recalled.
The collection is vast – with some 341 boxes covering the history of the family and Baldwin, from 1820 to 1981.
Shortly after Wulsin II died in 1964, a spectacular fire at the Baldwin factory on Gilbert Avenue made national news. Fortunately, it was the building that only held wood for the pianos.
“My mother and I ran down to watch. It was at least a five-alarm fire,” Shepherd said. “I was afraid when the tower fell, that it would fall on the main building, and we would lose everything.”
But it didn’t. None of the company records that Shepherd had worked so hard to organize were lost.”
I’m still curious about my Model M with serial number 101024
That article also says (I paraphrase a bit), “During the peak of manufacturing Pearl Harbor caused an IMMEDIATE shutdown of production to produce aircraft parts and it was no small deal to return to piano production after the war.”
Hi, Mike. This is all very interesting, but Baldwin has been through three different factories, three different owners and a host of different employees since Anne Shepherd assembled those boxes. The information has been lost. We purchased all the pianos from the Truman Arkansas Baldwin factory. We were there. We saw the state of the building and the parts department, etc. I can assure you we did not find any company records and, therefore, have no information for you on this. I don’t know if Anne is still around, but she would be the last person we know of to see that documentation.
Thank you again. This is fascinating research. For some reason the link to the article did not go through before. Here it is again:
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2017/04/15/sound-baldwin-piano-gave-world/99412426/
It’s about the daughter (Peggy Wulsin Kite) of the company president (Lucien Wulsin II) who, not unsurprisingly has two Baldwin’s in her living room (both model “M” it would seem) and is, perhaps, still alive. Perhaps she would know if those record still exist. Perhaps they made it to the Cincinnati public library system?
My neighbor (a general piano/organ expert) tells me stories of how things died. Like the piano action factory (I can’t recall where–was it Cincinnati also) that made the actions for nearly everyone–Baldwin and Steinway certainly included–for decades. Supposedly after death and inheritance the kids just emptied everything out–all of those one-of-a-kind machines gone forever.
I’m still wondering how it is claimed that “old” pianos have no value–especially any that don’t have the Steinway name. It reeks of snobbery and/or “making a market for what I prefer to sell” to me.
I can understand how pianos in general have an “expected” lifespan but I’m not getting how only one maker can have any that will ever be worth anything more than “shell value” when restored/rebuilt–typically by the very same company that is offering valuation and says that the only old American piano that will ever be worth anything are they ones they are presently selling. Hmm…
From research Baldwin was most certainly a maker of “high grade” pianos. The foremost American maker of such in fact. Their philosophy was that it was possible to make such available to a far wider segment of the population than ever before. The “other” major maker of high grade pianos seems to have always had the philosophy of, “Make it fancy for the rich and claim that makes it the “best.'” Of course being in NYC instead of Cincinnati, Ohio made a difference I’m sure–it still does–particularly to New Yorkers and they love to think they set the price for everything
Hello, I’ve enjoyed reading all of these comments and appreciate the civility and kindness so much. Our family is seriously considering purchasing a used Hamilton piano. It was made in 2008 and the model is H360. I understand Hamiltons come from the Baldwin company, and I’ve read your article about how Baldwins made in China are still very good pianos. I’m hoping that is the case with this one! We found it at our local piano store, and they are willing to give it to us for 2K. It seems to be in good shape. Our sons will practice on the piano daily. It seems like a great option–does it sound good to you?
Good morning, Abby, and thank you for visiting our blog! I am glad you have found the info here so helpful. That’s our goal! As for your question – yes. I think a 2008 Hamilton piano (made by Baldwin) should be a good piano for your family if you can buy it for about $2000. As always, I recommend having a piano tech look it over to make sure there aren’t any hidden problems. …but – assuming all is well – you should be able to enjoy that piano for a very long time. Best of luck to you and your family!
Hello. Have you heard of a piano called “K. Meyer & Sons”? Our friends have one that they are looking to move on. It’s a black baby grand that they thought was manufactured under that name by a large manufacture, possibly Baldin. Thanks for any information.
Hi, Chris. Unfortunately, I have no information on a “K. Meyer & Sons” piano. The closest I can get is Conrad Meyer & Sons, which vanished in the 1870s. To my knowledge, Baldwin never made pianos under that brand name. Are you sure that is the correct brand name?
Hello,
Thank you for this article. I am curious about this sentence:
“Baldwin is also the only piano line with a working center pedal on all of its pianos. Most manufacturers today use the middle pedal as a “practice pedal” which mutes the strings and makes the volume significantly lower.”
What do you mean by “working center pedal”? I have an upright Baldwin Piano (a player piano originally) and the last time I had a technician tune it he reattached the middle pedal to a spring inside but he was not sure what it did.
Is it fair to assume it probably served the (now removed) player piano function? What would the middle pedal do on other Baldwin models if it is not a practice pedal? When the piano came to my family ~45 years ago the player function was already removed from it.
I assume my model is from early 20th century (1910-1930) as there is a reference inside to the company’s 1900 and 1904 awards and the patent list goes up to 1900. I suspect they were not making many players after 1930.
Thanks, Ada
Hi, Ada, and thank you for visiting our blog! The “true middle pedal” is called a sostenuto pedal. Typically found on grand pianos, most baby grand pianos, and very few upright piano models, the sostenuto mechanism’s job is to sustain any notes played before the pedal is depressed and none of the notes played after. To use it, you’d play some notes, press the pedal down, listen to those notes sustain while you play other notes that do not sustain. When you release the middle pedal, everything will be dampened (quieted). Since very few upright pianos use this expensive (and seldom used) feature, most upright pianos today feature a bass sustaining middle pedal or the new “practice pedal” mechanism. The bass sustainer pedals do exactly what you would think – only allow the lower-end notes to sustain while the pedal is depressed and not the upper. The “practice pedal” middle pedals are lockable. You press them down and lock them (either to the left or at the bottom of their travel) and the mechanism lowers a piece of felt between the piano’s hammers and strings. The hammers then strike the felt before hitting the strings – significantly reducing the piano’s volume. It’s the acoustic piano’s answer to the volume knob/button/slider on a digital piano. Now that you know all of this, you can test your piano to see if it is a bass sustainer (unlikely), a sostenuto pedal (also unlikely if your piano is an upright) or a practice pedal (also unlikely due to your piano’s age). Being that your piano was a player piano, it’s possible that your middle pedal was used in the player system’s operation, but there would be no way to know for sure now that the player system has been removed. Your tech should be able to take the front panel (under the keys) off of your piano and explore the middle pedal’s mechanism. That will tell him (and you) what the pedal is designed to do… if the parts are still there. I wish I could give a more definitive answer, but at least you know your options! Thanks again for visiting with us and have a wonderful week!
Thank you! As unlikely as it is, I think it is a sostenuto pedal. After I read your reply I tried it out and I can hear it sustaining the notes sounding just before I depress it and none after. I love that after four decades of having this piano I just discovered something new about it!
Hi, Ada. That’s great! You solved the mystery! Thanks for updating us and good luck with your piano!
Hello. What is/are the origin(s) of the initials and number ” SD 10″? I have played only once on an SD 10. Though I was never more than a good piano student at university I still remember the power of this instrument ……though my teacher , a former concert pianist/child prodigy, thought the tone too sharp for her Steinway-conditioned ears!!
Hi, Stan! Sadly, the folks who would know the actual answer to that question are long gone, but I can venture a guess. At its peak, Baldwin and Steinway were fierce competitors and it’s likely Baldwin chose their model numbers to be similar to Steinway’s models. For example, the SD-10 used to just be called the “D” (which is the same name Steinway uses for their concert grand). We don’t know why the “S” and “10” were added later, but something similar happened to their 7’piano (the “SF-10” used to be called the Model “F”). Hope that helps! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!
I just recently purchased a Baldwin stand-up piano. Would you be able to tell me the year is was made? serial number 1161812 model 331 finish B
Hi, Jennifer, and thank you for stopping by! The best information we can find on that serial number is that it may have been built in 1938-1984. Does that sound right to you?
Thank you so much for the quick response! I wish I could tell you for sure if I thought the dates sounds right. Looking at the piano itself, to me looks like late 70’s or early 80’s. I did however find the original mail in registration for it, and the seller
How many special action functions for a grand Model M were available in 1945?
Serial number 101024, production number 31464
Presently equipped with PianoForce player.
Known “special” functions:
Damper lift rail “auto hover.” With left on pedal properly rail returns to just below the damper levers where it can be silently raised (and lowered).
Selectable “una corda.” This is separate from the shift mechanism. When the sustain pedal is pressed to the proper level (and the sostenuto is in the proper position?) when keys from the D below middle C through high soprano are pressed after the first strike they can be played from an alternate position significantly closer to the strings until the sustain is released (and perhaps the sostenuto pedal is not positioned properly again.) I cannot replicate this function with my foot because the adjustment of the manual pedal is far less honed (at present) than the automated player.
Again, I cannot replicate this with my foot especially since the sostenuto linkage is no longer installed but I believe that the player can “hang” the bass on the ordinary sostenuto tabs at the same time that the tenor and alto can be played (with sustain) from a higher “rest” level resulting in a softer strike while the soprano is free to play ordinarily at full strike force. (Well–“ordinary” is relative as the soprano very much seems to be weighted with the if not a specific right human hand in mind.
The action brackets are gold plated on the outer face. The outer brackets bear casting number 131½ G while the inner brackets are 131¼ G.
I’ve recently and very thoroughly cleaned the action and it performs wonderfully. The calculation for friction yields 4 as the quotient. I was told that the previous 6 (approx.) was very good. Down- and upweights are still nailed across the keyboard as is the rest of the regulation it seems. I’d never touched a piano action before and this thing appears to be a gem that I meticulously cleaned*.
*The hammers received a thorough brushing and a steam (true steam) massage that so far has yielded only benefit. The original voice I adored is intact but the brassiness is gone and it can now whisper as well as it thunders.
Forgot to mention that the date stamped on the action (presumably when it was constructed) is April 2, 1945 now three years in to the Baldwin Cincinnati factory “transitioned” to making aircraft parts (wings). April 2, 1945 can be said to be near the climax of WW-II.
One last question. Sorry.
One of the keys (off the top of my head #40) has the production number 101024 written on it beside a name. Is this likely to be the name of the builder/regulator or in the case of a custom job the name of the owner/job?
And one more observation. In a seemingly meticulously balanced, adjusted and regulated action for some reason the weighting of Middle C was wildly different. High C is also different–the only key with a weight behind the pivot but perhaps that just because of its unusual shape and the fact that some of the upper soprano keys are unweighted.
I am so happy I stumbled on this website! Reading the comments was reassuring that my Baldwin piano has value! I inherited my baby grand Baldwin from my Dad who was a beloved pianist of the family & church community. I would like to know what year it was made & what is its value today? I believe the model # is R234222. There is a mark in the inside edge of the piano: “Grand Prix Paris 1900” “Grand Price St. Louis 1904”. What do they mean? Again, MANY THANKS for your valuable knowledge of BALDWIN pianos!
HI, J, and thanks for stopping by! Your piano appears to be a Baldwin Model R (5’8″) grand piano with serial number 234222 – making it a 1979 build. As for its value, that would depend heavily on its condition. Have your local piano tech take a look at it and let you know what work it needs. That – plus finish color and condition – will determine what the piano is worth if you decide to sell it. The final two things – Grand Prix Paris 1900 and Grand Prix St Louis 1904 – are dates of pride for Baldwin. On these dates, Baldwin pianos won ribbons in what would later be called “The World’s Fair.” These awards made Baldwin a household name and confirmed their reputation as “America’s Favorite Piano.” Hope that helps!
Hi James – this is amazing – love your depth of knowledge, including the history. I’m new to all of this, have stumbled into Baldwins (have learned to distinguish the sound, etc.) and am trying to roughly gauge value/price. I’ve found an American made artist grand model R (5′ 8″), which has been fully refurbished inside, perfect satin black finish, etc. so it is as close to new as it can be, according to the well regarded piano professional. I don’t know the year, but can find out. Could you venture a guess (even if a range) on what this might be worth?
Hi, Matt, and thank you for stopping by! …and for giving me this opportunity to tackle one of the hated “R” words in the piano business. What does “refurbished” really mean? Was the piano “refinished?” Was it “restored?” Was it “rebuilt?” Do any of us know what ANY of these words mean? Sadly, no – because they mean different things to different people. Whenever someone says a piano was refurbished or restored or rebuilt… or whatever… you need to demand one important service from the person who did the work: give me a written list of what they replaced, what they repaired and what they didn’t touch. A grand piano is made up of over 12,000 parts – most of them wood. What did they replace? What did they repair (and how)? …and what did they leave in its original state? The only way to establish any kind of value here is to know exactly what was done. I’ve seen piano techs rub out the piano’s finish, sand the hammers down and sell “restored” pianos for three times their real value. I’ve seen folks completely rebuild a piano with all new parts and sell it for 80% the price of a new one. I’ve seen it all… and I have seen how important it is to get a transparent and detailed list of the work done BEFORE you invest in an “r-word” piano. It seems like you trust this tech, but I would still demand a written explanation of the work done in terms of what was replaced, what was repaired and what was ignored. Once you have that – and the piano’s serial number – we can help you determine a value. The Baldwin R was a LOVELY piano (we still have a few new ones left) and it’s definitely worth some money, but we’ve got to know what is “under the hood” first. Thanks for stopping by and for asking a great question!
I’m looking for the date (year) of manufacture for a Baldwin C152, SN 55562.
I cannot find it anywhere on the internet.
Thanks!
Charles Gibson, piano technician for 41 years
Hi, Charles, and thanks for stopping by. Your piano is an interesting case – which is why you’re having such a hard time finding the exact age. The C152 was not build by Baldwin. It was part of an OEM agreement with Samick. Samick built the pianos for Baldwin as a lower-priced alternative to US-built Baldwin pianos. Thus, you’d probably have an easier time getting the exact age of your piano from Samick. Are you sure the serial number is only five digits? If there were a sixth digit, I’d say it’s a 1985 (which is when that model was in production), but with only five digits, I am having a hard time getting the exact age.
I have a 1975 Parlor Grand that was assessed at around 18,000 20 years ago. It is a family piece and I intend to keep it, however, because I negligently put a plant on it a few years ago, water got on it and some of the paint is pealing. Can I refinish this myself?
Hi, Sara! Sorry to hear about your piano’s finish problem. We definitely don’t recommend putting anything on pianos – especially plants, fish tanks or coffee/tea pots. I assume your piano wasn’t an ebony polish piano (the black polish finish is really hard to damage – even with water), so I’m going to answer your question in the best way I can without actually seeing your piano: CAN you refinish it yourself? Sure. …but you will not get the professional results you might want. It will be virtually impossible to match the finish to what you have so you’ll end up having to refinish the entire piano. This will take time, equipment and experience that most folks don’t have. It’s not a simple DIY project. That said, if you are ok with your lid not matching perfectly, you can remove it and refinish it yourself (assuming you have some basic wood finishing skills). Just remember that no stain perfectly matches another – especially one that old – and HOW you apply the stain can affect how closely it resembles the rest of the piano. We always recommend a professional piano refinisher, but that can be pricey. Best of luck to you!
Hello, I am currently considering purchasing a Dwight piano. Inside it is marked “Made in America”. Could this piano be a division of Baldwin? Or currently made by Gibson? Any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, Diane, and thanks for your question. We don’t have any information on a “Dwight” brand piano. Dwight Hamilton Baldwin founded the American Baldwin Piano Company, but – though they made (and still do make) Baldwin Hamilton models – the other Baldwin sub-brands have all been discontinued. That said, we have no records of a “Dwight” brand. Best of luck to you!
We have a Baldwin Model M with serial number 197489 – there is also a number 226 above the serial number. Not sure what the “226” means. Unfortunately we are downsizing and are not able to take the piano with us. It is in great condition and we have had it well maintained over the years. I have no idea what its value might be to list it for sale and was hoping you might be able to help me with valuing the piano and also clarifying the year it was made and possibly where it was made. Thanks!
Hello and thanks for stopping by. It looks like you have a Baldwin Model M226 (with French style) 5’2″ baby grand piano. It was built in 1972 in Conway, Arkansas. If the piano is in excellent shape inside and out, it’s worth some money. I would have your piano technician take a look at it and let you know what it will sell for in your area. The piano’s condition will play a big role in establishing that number and we just can’t diagnose it online. I hope that helps, though! It’s a lovely piano I am sure!
Thank you for sharing so much of your knowledge here! I’ve loved reading through all the comments! I didn’t see the answer to my questions and wondered if you may have any insight as to why my Baldwin doesn’t have a model number (at least that I can find). The serial number is: 113120. I purchased this piano a few years ago (very inexpensively) as a piano to tide me over until I was able to buy my dream piano. It’s a beautiful piano, but was being stored in a non climate controlled storage unit, was out of tune and had some water damage to the lid. I had the lid refinished and have had the piano tuned but it doesn’t hold its tune for long. Nevertheless I have very much enjoyed having it over the last few years. Its such a beautiful piano and I love things with history so I don’t want to let it go, but it’s time for me to decide if I should invest in restoring or just purchase a new one. Are there some things you would recommend considering?
Hi, Tiffany! Thanks for stopping by! Unfortunately, my advice is let the piano go. It costs alot of money to rebuild a piano (about $5000 for the “belly”, $5000 for the action and $5000 for the finish as a rule of thumb)… and you would still have an old piano (after about a year of restoration time)… so I don’t think it’s worth it unless you really have a sentimental connection to the piano. I think you’d be better off with a new piano – just make sure you find one you love! Hope that help!
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond James. I really appreciate your advice!
Hi James,
I am considering purchasing a Baldwin serial number #1348432, style 341C. Am I correct in dating it to the mid 1980’s ?
I think the tuning is remarkable not having been tuned for 15 years. I do hear a quiet clicking sound on many of the keys when released.
Also the middle pedal does not seem to change any volume. The sustaining pedal seems fine.
Inside looked great except 3 hammers in the lower keys were not quite lined up with the others. Just a tad further back.
The piano is 36” in height, 22” in depth and 57” in length.
Does anything mentioned sound like a major problem that tuning alone would not solve ? I would be purchasing from an individual whose children used the piano some years ago.
I would appreciate any input while recognizing that you cannot diagnose from a distance.
Thank you in advance,
Mrs. Stevens
Hi, Mary, and thanks for stopping by again! Yes. According to your serial number, that piano was built in 1984. Keep in mind that very few people can hear how badly a piano is out of tune unless it’s out of tune with itself. This means that the entire piano could be flat, but you wouldn’t know that until you compare it to something that is in tune. It’s the old “frog in a boiling pot.” …and, again, after 15 years, it will need work to be playable. The tuning won’t be all that’s wrong (as you’re already starting to see). This piano has been neglected. It’s also a spinet piano (at 36″) which means it has not street value. It’s not worth putting any money into it as you’ll never be able to get that money back out of it. If it were me, I’d keep looking. Best of luck to you!
Thanks so much James. Yes, I will keep looking.
Mary Alice
Hi James! Thanks for all the great information!
Wondering if you could help me out with a baby grand we are considering buying! It’s a Baldwin Model BD146 Serial #40209. I have searched this model # online and cannot find any information about it (only the BA146). We did talk to the piano store that it was originally purchased from and they did tell us it was made in China but that’s all they can disclose. I am planning to go look at it in person and play it (still owned by the original owner). The piano store thinks the owner is asking too much money for it ($5,000) however I really would like more information on the model but cannot find anything! Any information you would have on this would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Hi, Erika! Welcome! Unfortunately, I have never heard of a BD146 Baldwin piano and I would make them show you photos of the model badge on the piano to prove it. Did the piano store sell it new? Did they confirm the model number? The BA-146 is made in Indonesia, but the BP-148 is made in China. Still, $5000 is a GREAT price for a BP-148 (new ones are around $16,000). None of this makes sense. I’d get a piano tech involved and get to the bottom of the situation. Something is wrong here. Best of luck to you!
Hi! I’m wondering if you can share any detail on a piano we are looking at. It’s model # 3013 and the serial number looks like 1281071.
Also wondering if the music stand is an item that is replaceable and if so where can it be purchased from.
Many thanks,
Bryant
Looks like you’re considering a Baldwin spinet. Is that correct – less than 40″ tall? If so, I wouldn’t pay anything for it unless it is in perfect condition. Spinet pianos have little street value and – if they need any work – they will cost you more than they are worth. The music rest is a good example. You can find generic ones online that you can try to stain match with your piano… but there is no place to buy a matching replacement. It will be far more trouble than it’s worth. Hope that helps!
Hi James,
Yes, it’s under 40” and was not sure of the category. Good to know the info and detail provided.
Many thanks,
Bryant
Hi James,
I am the owner of a 6’3″ Baldwin K series serial number 46994. I believe it was built in 1924. We are not the first owners, however we have had it in our family for over 50 years. I am looking for advice about restoring it. It still plays well…we keep it tuned…but it has some old age showing for a 99 year old piano.
I LOVE this piano…want to keep it in the family for many more year and pass it down to my kids and grandkids.
Big question….due to the history and age of the piano….do we spend the $$ to restore it back to a “like new” feel? What’s your thought? Would love to hear your feedback. Thanks in advance!
Hi, Bill. Thanks for stopping by. I always tell folks that there is no financial reason to restore a piano that old. It’s going to cost you more to rebuild the piano than the piano will ever be worth again. That said, most people who have their pianos rebuilt do so for sentimental reasons and I can tell you love your piano. If you love it enough to spend between $15,000 and $20,000 for a professional rebuild that will take about a year to complete, then I just recommend you take great care in choosing your rebuilder. So many folks claim they can “restore” a piano, but you need a list (in writing) of what they intend to do to your piano. Which parts will they replace? What technique do they use to refinish the piano? Do they warranty their work? Which parts do they use? These are all vital questions for a rebuild of this type. Finally, realize that – no matter who rebuilds your piano – it won’t be the same after the work is done. This work will change the way the piano feels and sounds. There’s no avoiding that. …but that doesn’t mean you won’t like it. Yes, it’s a risk. Yes, it’s an expense. …but you can decide if it’s worth all that… and – if it is and you find a good rebuilder – you can be very happy with the results and your piano will live for another 100 years! I hope that helps!
Hi James,
My daughter inherited a Baldwin baby grand piano when she recently bought a new home. The previous owner didn’t want to move it. The piano is marked with an M 95848. I am wondering if you can tell me anything about it’s age and quality. It definitely needs tuning and I have no idea about it’s upkeep history.
Any information would be helpful.
Thank you!
Hi, Wendy, and thank you for reaching out. The Baldwin Model M is one of my favorite pianos in the world. It was handcrafted in the US in 1942 according to the serial number, so it will likely need a ton of work besides basic tuning as it’s more than 80 years old. That said, it would be a $50,000+ piano if it were made new today. It’s worth putting some work into it. Also, at 5’2″, the Baldwin M is one of the warmest, richest sounding baby grands money can buy. If you can get it into shape, you’re going to have a lovely piano! Best of luck to you and your daughter!
Hi, Someone is giving my daughter, 9 years old, a Howard upright Piano for free. Says house of Baldwin on it with Serial Number 80707. Is that any good for a beginner piano.
That’s a 1964 Howard upright (made for Baldwin by Kawai). It was designed as a more entry-level instrument. If it is in good internal condition, it could be a fine starter piano, but we have no way of knowing that without having an experienced piano technician tune and evaluate the instrument. Before you accept any free piano (or any free car, etc.), you will want to have it checked out. Otherwise, you’re just accepting a money pit someone couldn’t sell or give away. Hope that helps!
Thank you for your help!
I was the Warehouse Manager for Baldwin Piano in Trumann AR (Arkansas) from 1980-1985, where we made the 36″ Spinet and the 40″ Console and were just starting to take over the manufacturing to the 50″. We also made the Rims and Lids for all the Grand’s, which were sent to another plant located in Conway AR (Arkansas). We received all of our wooden parts from the plant located in Greenwood, MS (Mississippi). I seem to recall the models that seemed to sell the best back then as the 322, 334, 341. Also, at the time I worked for Baldwin they Owned the Kustom Company, that handled Drums and hardware, and Amps.
Hi, Nick! Thanks for your thoughts! Sounds like a neat operation back in the day!
I purchased a storage unit online which had a Baldwin Grand piano. The piano was wrapped, strapped and covered on a piano sled I was told the elderly man died and it has been in the unit since 2009. The unit is dry and never had water issues. The serial number is stamped 6684 on the body and all the legs. It looks great, but worried it will cost a fortune to get it up and running. Any thoughts?
Is the unit climate controlled? If so, have a crew set it up and have a technician look at it to determine what it needs. If you’re lucky, it will just require a couple of tunings and some adjustments to be playable again. If it has serious problems, it will just cost you a consultation fee to find that out from a technician on-site. Hope that helps!
Excellent article. I’m doing my research on Baldwin pianos. I’ve been searching for a solid midline piano that I can grow a bit with. Recently a Baldwin E140 surfaced in my area. I contacted the seller who sells quite a few pianos on the local page. He also works on them. He says the E140 is a 1983. He’s currently asking $1550, I do believe he includes delivery and ensures it’s in tune. My budget was topped at $1,000. Should I try and stretch a bit more and see if he will meet in the middle? Of course, I would play it first. I just don’t want to waste his time. or is there a better piano out there in my budget?
Thanks for stopping by! Unfortunately, I am not sure how much help I can be. $1000 is a pretty restrictive budget for a piano – especially if you’re looking for something that performs well and looks good. You can see more about this here: https://blog.rivertonpiano.com/2020/03/21/piano-essentials-faq-what-you-need-for-lessons/ I’d wait to purchase a piano until you have $2000-$3000 to spend on a good quality instrument. Anything less than that would attract my scrutiny. Definitely have an independent technician evaluate it before you buy. Hope that helps!
My wife is looking at purchasing a Wurlitzer C173 to replace her Yamaha U3M upright. It looks to be in excellent shape and the current owner thinks it is under 20 years old. Embossed near the pins it says “Scale design is by Baldwin USA” and has the number 73906 printed above that but I’ve been unable to determine its age or where it was made based on this information. It’s my understanding that Baldwin made and sold Wurlitzer’s until 2009. Is there a way to find out this C173 piano’s age and origins?
Hi, Gregory. If your wife really likes the Wurlitzer, then I am sure she will enjoy playing it. That said, the piano was built for Baldwin by Samick and it’s definitely over 20 years old. That may be why you’re having a hard time finding information on it. I can’t tell you the piano’s exact age as the number you gave me doesn’t line up with Wurlitzer serial numbers of the era, but I can tell you that the piano was built between 1996 and 2001. Samick took over production of Wurlitzer pianos in 1996 (from Young Chang) and used the letter “C” in front of their model numbers until Baldwin itself was purchased by Gisbson (the Nashville-based guitar brand) in 2001. I don’t see any information about Gibson producing pianos under the Wurlitzer name and Gibson took over. Personally, I don’t think someone used to the quality of a Yamaha U-Series piano would enjoy playing a Samick-built instrument for very long, but what matters most is that your wife really likes the piano. As usual, have it checked out by a reputable third-party piano tech before making the purchase and you should be ok. Thanks for your question!
Hi. Im in the process of pricing my mom’s 1952 Baby Grand. It has a gold medallion on the inside with a beautiful gold stamp that reads ” Grand Prix Grand Prize, Paris 1900, St Louis 1904″
Is this stamping unique to specific Baldwins? If so, does it have any weight ot the asking price for the piano. It was recently appraised in VERY GOOD/LIKE NEW condition, as it has been maintained very well over the years. Im trying to figure out an asking price with this as well. Thank you
Hi, Jody. I know we discussed this in webchat, but just so everyone else can see this: The badging you’re seeing there is typical of most brands. They highlight some of their historic achievements on the piano’s plate or soundboard. It doesn’t mean anything for that specific piano. You’d find these same medallions on several Baldwin pianos.
Hi James: I have a Baldwin piano Serial #1035919. Can you please tell me what year this was made and also if this is an upright or spinet piano? I can’t find any information as my dad bought this for me when I was young. Appreciate any information. 🙂
Hi, Michele. I am not sure if your serial number is correct. Are you sure it’s right? If so, the closest I could find is 1984, but I am not confident of that date at all. As for the designation, that’s a question of height. How tall is the piano? If it’s less than 40″ from floor to top, it’s a spinet. I hope that helps!
It’s 41″ from floor to top. That is the correct serial number as I have a picture of the inside. It also says Made in the USA inside. It’s in EXCELLENT condition and has always been on an inside wall. Moving this year, so I’m thinking about selling it.
41″ makes it a console piano. That’s good news as it has more value. Ok. If your Baldwin serial number is correct, your piano is a 1975. I found another list of serial numbers from Baldwin that confirms this. You have a Baldwin console piano from 1975. Best of luck to you!
THANK YOU!!
Any reason to recommend a 1958 Baldwin M (which I believe makes it a Cincinnati Baldwin) over one built in the late 80’s (1987/88)?
None that I am aware of. The 1958 piano is 30 years older so it’s well past “End of Life” now. Depending on their condition, either could be a good rebuild candidate… but there’s no reason to pursue the older piano just because it’s older (or built in Cincinnati). Best of luck to you!
who made Baldwin’s piano actions during the Cincinnati era?
Baldwin.
I’m thinking of buying a Kranich & Bach piano made in 1997. I have a piano tech scheduled to check it over but it appears to be in excellent condition and well taken care of. It’s about 43 inches tall, glossy cherrywood finish and doesn’t have legs in front. I understand that Kranich & Bach pianos were made by Baldwin in this time period, but can’t find much info beyond that. Do you know much about the quality of these pianos? The seller is asking $800. Thanks!
Hi, Abbie. Let me help clear some of the confusion up for you. Kranich & Bach was first acquired by Wurlitzer. Then – when Baldwin acquired Wurlitzer – Baldwin also took ownership of the Kranich & Bach name. They never built Kranich & Bach pianos, however. For a very short time, they had them built in China by a third party. Now, Gibson owns Baldwin, Wurlitzer and Kranich & Bach. That would mean that the late 90s era K&B pianos were very entry-level instruments. $800 is probably a fair price, but feel free to negotiate as these pianos are not in high demand. Best wishes!
Nice article!
I’ve just bought a Baldwin Hamilton with concertmaster system, model H401.
The serial number is MR8031, and I would like to know the piano year. Is that possible?
The dealer informed that it is a Baldwin piano because there are 2 decals in the front : Baldwin Hamilton but, I don’t know if it is true…
Thank you in advance
Thank you, Paula! We’re glad you enjoyed it! Unfortunately, your piano is quite a bit more challenging. This piano was built in China in Gibson’s first Chinese factory. That factory no longer produces pianos and Gibson doesn’t publish serial numbers from that era. The piano is likely from the early 2000s, but it’s impossible to pinpoint an exact date. Wish I had better news!
We are thinking of buying a model M serial # 361498
is this a 1999/2000?
Are there any concerns with Baldwins being made during the transition time?
Owner is asking $5,500, is this a deal or asking too much?
Thank you!
Hi, Jill. That seems like an excellent price for a handcrafted, American baby grand piano. Of course, I would have a piano technician take a look at it before you make the purchase, but it sounds like a great opportunity. Best of luck to you!
Wonderful! Thank you so much for the quick reply!
I am looking for information on Baldwin Upright #385008
Hi, Dan. Thanks for stopping by. I can tell you that your piano was built in 2006. If you can get me the model number, I might be able to tell you a bit more. Hope that helps!
I recently purchased a Baldwin M serial 85851 in ebony. 1938, never refurbished. Sounds great, pins are still tight and the soundboard has no cracks. Paid $6K. In your opinion and experience, do you think I overpaid for such an old piano? I realize Baldwin’s were made better back then, but nevertheless it’s still 86 years old and never refurbished.
Also, I noticed that the dampers are brown, not black, which I found curious, since the piano is black. Is it a sign that the piano was originally brown and perhaps painted black?
Hi, Lisa. I have to say that I’ve done this for more than 25 years and I have never seen a 86-year-old unrefurbished piano that doesn’t need a lot of work. If the piano is that old (and it is – I verified the construction date), then someone has replaced some parts on it at some point. I have a very hard time believing 86-year-old tuning pins are still holding the proper torque. I hope you had an independent piano technician evaluate the piano before you purchased it. That’s really the only way for someone to tell you whether or not the piano is worth that price. The brown dampers don’t necessarily mean anything, but an independent technician can verify that for you. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a reliable, third-party tech check the piano out prior to purchase.
Hi James! I enjoyed reading your article. I have an Acrosonic made by Baldwin which is given to us by our neighbor (original owner). Serial number 601171- what year is this model made? I’m amazed that it sounds amazing, and no parts have been replaced or repaired per previous owner. We’ve had it for a year and a half now and had it tuned up twice. My kids practice on it everyday.
Thanks,
Grace
Hi, Grace. Thanks for your visit. Unfortunately, that serial number does not correspond with anything in Baldwin’s history. Are you sure the number is correct?
Hello James, I have a Baldwin model R grand piano serial number 153696. Can you tell me where and the year of construction. I really appreciate the quality of this piano.
All the strings were replaced with Mapes International Gold Series 6 years ago and the sound is wonderful.
I am thinking of changing the hammers soon. What brand and type of hammers do you recommend I choose? I don’t want to make a mistake and find the warm and precise sound of Baldwin pianos.
Thank you for the exceptional support you provide to the pianist.
Jean-Claude
Hi, Jean-Claude. It looks like your piano was a Cincinnati-built 1962 model R. As for the hammers, I recommend Renner. They have a great sound that is easily adjusted to suit the piano. Best of luck to you and thank you for your question!
Hi, James,
Thank you for your quick response.
1) What model of Renner hammer do you recommend?
2) The Renner company says:
a) “We have all the standard factory boring specifications for Steinway, Baldwin, and Mason & Hamlin pianos, and do not require hammer samples for those instruments.” Do you recommend it? b)For the ultimate in “out of the box” convenience the hammerheads can also be pre-filed and pre-voiced. Do you recommend it?
Thanks again for your help.
Hello James, I was given a Chickering built by Baldwin – CH162 – 76673 for the serial number. I can’t find much information about it and was wondering where it was made and how old it is. Thanks for any info you can provide.
Hi, Ashley. The CH162 was a 5’4″ Chickering grand built by Baldwin after Gibson purchased the company. This means the piano was likely built in one of Baldwin’s Chinese factories. For some reason, however, Gibson did not publish the serial number history for these pianos. This means your piano was likely built between 2002 and 2010, but I can’t “zero in” on it more than that. I hope that helps!
James, thank you so much for the information. I appreciate the reply! My tech was able to come out this week and evaluate some of the problems I’m having (sticky key and squeaky pedal). He told me he believes it is a Samick Korean-built piano, and said the problems I’m having are common with Samick pianos. The serial number 76673 would place it as a 1986 Samick, but that date doesn’t make sense because Baldwin built Chickerings weren’t being built with that label until 1995, correct? Were there years when Samick was manufacturing pianos for Baldwin under the Chickering name? This piano has a beautiful tone and I love playing it. Just curious if it’s closer to 20 or 40 years old. Thanks so much!
Hello again! I know that Samick (Korea) did build some pianos for Baldwin, but Baldwin didn’t purchase Chickering until 1994… so I can’t confirm what your technician said is true. I don’t have any information that Samick made Chickering pianos for Baldwin. That said, your serial number would make alot more sense if this were true. I wish I could do more to help, but the people at Baldwin who would know this stuff are long gone. There’s just nobody to ask anymore.
I purchased a 1996 Baldwin Model R that was hardly used. My technician, in regulating the action, has run into a lot of issues such as a part (some washer type item) that was installed upside down across all 88 keys, also the key glides were way too low, the hammer rail (I think) can’t be set at factory specks because it will cause a clicking sound, and now, it was found that the base of the action board (key bed?) bows upwards of about 1/16th of an inch on each side. Could this be from the factory or when the piano was prepped at the dealer (as I can’t imagine that any other technician looked at this piano since it was barely played during the last 28 years). Do I have a lemon? Is this a quality control from the action possibly being made in Mexico? Should I get the regulation finished and then sell the piano? Thoughts/advice?
Hi, Glen, and thanks for your question. Before I offer my thoughts, I want to ask a few questions. Did you buy the piano new in 1996? Did you buy it from a dealer or registered piano technician? Did you have any warranty with it when you bought it? Is your technician registered with the PTG? How long have you used him/her? What made you think the action was made in Mexico?
Hi — I really appreciate this forum and thoughtful answers. I’m looking at a Baldwin that is stamped as M88810, M98810, H88810, or H98810 (it’s hard to tell). The piano does measure at about 5’8”, which suggests it isn’t a Model M. I can’t find much information about a Model H though. Can you please help me get more insight into this? Thank you!
Hi, Gak. If your piano is 5’9″, the letter is probably an H meaning the piano is a Model H 5’8″ grand. The H predates the Model R. If the serial number is 88810, the piano was built in 1940. If the serial number is 98810, the piano was built in 1941. Hope that helps! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi James – thanks a ton! The serial number was very hard to read. But I actually think it’s either M38810 or H38810. What can you tell me about these numbers? Are you able to tell the color?
I’m considering a gorgeous Baldwin Model M (it says M2 inside the case) with serial 310677. I played it and it’s absolutely perfect. Kept climate-controlled by the sole previous owner. I did my best to examine the soundboard, pegs, action, etc. myself (I’m not a tech but I am an experienced pianist). It felt like a 10/10 look wise, feel wise, and sound wise. Owner is asking $4200. I know you can’t guarantee anything without a tech looking at it, but does this sound good to you?
Hi, Russ, and thank you for stopping by. Unfortunately, I can’t give you any advice on the Baldwin M you are considering beyond saying that Baldwin Ms are gorgeous pianos. Without the advice of an experienced technician who knows what to look for, you’re flying blind. It’s like buying a car based on it’s body shape. It started up, but you don’t know if there are problems with the engine, with the tires or with the transmission. Repairs or updates could be cheap or extremely expensive. There’s just no way to know. Have a tech look at it. It won’t cost you much. If the tech approves it and you’re ok with the price, then, you’re good to go. …but – until a tech looks at it – we don’t know anything. Best of luck to you!
Thank you so much! I just received a tech report (done by the previous owner, but it’s a third-party report, signed, official, etc., and it turns up no areas of concern). It also estimates the private party resale value in the $6-7k range (and the insurable value more like $45k). I think I’m going to go ahead with it since you speak so highly of this model. It seems to be a 1992 piano. If you don’t have any cautions about this era of Baldwin M’s, I think I’ve fallen in love with this one.