First a little history on the Baldwin Piano Company
It all started in 1862, a reed organ and violin teacher Dwight Hamilton Baldwin opened the doors to his music store in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1890 Dwight decided to manufacture “the best piano that could be built”
Unfortunately in 1899, D.H. Baldwin died. Fortunately, a young accountant in the company stepped in, his name was Lucien Wulsin.
Soon after the Baldwin Piano Company started winning prestigious international awards. A Baldwin concert grand was honored with the Grand Prix Award at the 1900 International Exhibition in Paris, the first American-made piano to earn the award. It then took top honors in St. Louis (1904) and at London’s Anglo-American Exposition in 1914. Baldwin established a worldwide reputation, Baldwin Artists included concert pianists José Iturbi, Wilhelm Bachaus and Walter Gieseking as well as composers Bela Bartok, and Igor Stravinsky.
The Baldwin Piano Company’s business was interrupted in 1942 when the U.S. War Production Board ordered all piano building stopped due to the war effort. Because of its wood working expertise Baldwin manufactured wings, fuselage parts for fighter, bomber and glider aircrafts ( for aircraft aficionados Aeronca PT-23 trainer and the stillborn Curtiss-Wright C-76 Caravan cargo aircraft) The technology they developed became the basis for Baldwin’s 41-ply maple piano pin block, still in use today for its exceptional tuning stability and strength.
Baldwin has a rich history with many artists. Composers Aaron Copland, Philip Glass and Leonard Bernstein, and jazz musicians Dave Brubeck and Marian McPartland, who used a Baldwin for her show “Piano Jazz” on National Public Radio, were a few. It was on TV every weeknight as Paul Shaffer’s choice on NBC’s “Late Night with David Letterman,” and on many episodes of Fox’s “Glee.”
The Baldwin became a favorite of jazz pianists and pop artists such as Carly Simon, Ray Charles and Billy Joel.
Four United States presidents brought Baldwins to the White House, including Harry Truman.
Today, Baldwin is owned by the famous Gibson Guitar Company. Gibson purchased the Dongbei Piano Group, the third biggest Chinese piano maker in the world and moved all production of pianos to China.
The Sound
The sound of this piano is nothing short of spectacular. With a massive bass and clear treble, this instrument sings! This piano was manufactured with the finest woods found in North America. Sitka Spruce for the sound board and ribs, its high strength-to-weight ratio and regular, knot-free rings make it an excellent conductor of sound.
Stability
The Baldwin is a very stable piano. A piano can only play as well as its tune. An out of tune piano will produce a poor sound. The tuning pins must be turnable in the pin block for tuning purposes, but at the same time they must hold so firmly in the pin block that they will not be liable to rotation due to the tension on the strings, or rapid detuning will result.
In 1956 the Baldwin Piano Company received a patent for their 41 ply pinblock. (#2736224)
Piano’s Details
This piano is a model F Serial Number 174054
Built in 1967
This model has a reputation of being a durable, hardy piano used in practice rooms and concert halls alike.
It has the original ebony & ivory key tops.
The finish is the classic satin ebony.
It is an ideal instrument for a pianist on a budget desiring the dynamic range of a large performance piano.
The piano has been very well taken care of. Owned by a professional Ottawa musician who is downsizing.
