Here's Why Baldwin Was Legendary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good video James 🔥

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

Brilliant!

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