The company thrived in spite of the Great Depression and World War Two when the Baldwin factories were taken over by the military to produce plywood parts for aeroplanes. By 1973 it is claimed that Baldwin had manufactured one million upright pianos. The story changed for Baldwin during the early 1980s in spite of significant diversification into the manufacturing of other musical instruments. At this time the sales of pianos contributed as little as three percent of the impressive $3.6 billion it gained in revenue. Bankruptcy followed in 1984 and these days Baldwin is now a subsidiary company of the equally famous Gibson Guitar Company.Following the death of the founder of Baldwin piano in 1899, the company decided to develop and later introduce the ‘Acrosonic’ Upright Piano to the public.!936 was the year and the claims by Baldwin were quite forthright. The acrosonic piano had what was described as a ‘supreme sound’ and from the sales figures, it would seem it was met with a warm and positive response. In fact, it is claimed on by many sources that the acrosonic piano has sold more than any other model of all time.
Such was the importance of the name Baldwin registered the trademark ‘Acrosonic’ at the US Patent Office.The acrosonic pianos can broadly be divided into the Spinet Piano and the Console Piano. Both varieties have the ‘supreme tone’ of all Baldwin acrosonic vertical pianos but the Spinet model is 36 inches tall and the Console model a little larger at 40 inches. The woods used for the cabinets vary from Mahogany to Pecan and Dark Walnut and are distinctive in character. These pianos were in their day considered to be extraordinarily good with a rich tone that was far ‘bigger’ than the modest size of the piano. They had the full 88 keys that you would expect on the pianos of today. If you can find an acrosonic piano from the 1950/60’s that is in excellent condition, they can compare favourably with today’s pianos.Each of the acrosonic pianos has what is described as a “full blow, direct action”.
1955 Baldwin Arcosonic Console Piano Value
What this means is that there is a 23% faster repetition rate in respect of dynamics. This alongside their small size and full sound, made these pianos highly sort after for families and professionals alike. They offered a high-quality home piano that was responsive to the touch, compact and manufactured to a level of excellence.The shorter strings inside the acrosonic piano give it a brilliance of tone that has a bell-like quality. This is not to say the richness of a larger piano is missing, but that there is a distinct timbre with these spinet/console pianos that is quite appealing.
Even though these specific models are not made anymore, manufacturing of today’s Baldwin pianos continues with the production of new models mostly outsourced to China. There is still a distribution and service centre in the US. Baldwin has in recent years undertaken to resurrect the concepts behind the original acrosonic upright pianos. According to the manufacturers, the Baldwin Models B342 and B442 are very similar to the spinet and console acrosonic pianos measuring in at forty-three inches in height.
Baldwin continues to make pianos with every budget in mind and with the restrictions of size in the home at the forefront of many of their current designs.Today Baldwin pianos have continued to enjoy the popularity of yesteryear. The brightness of their sound works well in the pop setting where perhaps the mid to high registers of the instrument need to sound through the texture clearly. This means that the lower registers of the old acrosonic pianos were a compromise in terms of timbre that served their purpose at the time. Many notable professional pianists have and continue to favour the Baldwin Piano from singer-songwriter Billy Joel through to jazz pianist Dave Brubeck. Even though these artists more commonly played on more contemporary grand Baldwin pianos, their timbre and legacy are what has assured Baldwin a secure place in the history of the piano.
If you're a piano player, you have probably come across the Acrosonic piano a few times in your lifetime. Coming from one of the mainstream piano providers (Baldwin), the Acrosonic piano creates a unique sound that has kept it in use for almost 80 years. BasicsThe Acrosonic piano by Baldwin has 88 keys and stands about three and a half feet tall. The overall look of the piano is shorter than a typical piano and the strings of the instrument are shorter in length, causing the tone to not be as deep as most pianos. HistoryDwight Hamilton Baldwin, the founder of Baldwin pianos, established his Baldwin Piano & Organ Co. This music teacher from Cincinnati passed away in 1899, but his company introduced the Acrosonic vertical (or upright) piano to the public in 1936.
With its 'supreme sound,' the Acrosonic piano is well respected by piano teachers, musicians and technicians who use it today. SizeAccording to Gibson.com, the Acrosonic piano is 43 1/2 inches high, 57 1/4 inches wide and 25 1/2 inches deep. It weighs in at 368 pounds. The keys are 16 inches long.
FeaturesIt has a 'full blow—direct' action type that has a 23 percent faster repetition rate with dynamics. The material is made of hard rock maple wood and the keys are dressed with a coating made to resist chipping and stains.
The piano includes a back frame and plate for the soundboard assembly that helps keep the tuning stable. TypesThe Acrosonic is made from different types of woods. The vintage mahogany is a dark, rich brownish wood while the regal oak is a light brown wood. Another type of wood that is found on acrosonic pianos is royal cherry, a dark red wood that could be considered maroon.
Steve: You are saying that one can get more by way of trade-in than by private sales. I think that might not be incorrect but it probably has to be qualified.On a trade-in, it really is not what you get on your trade-in that counts but what the net cost i.e. Cost of the piano being purchased minus the allowance for a trade-in that counts. The dealer could give you a delicious trade-in allowance (compared to private sale price or even a fair price)but if he sells your the new piano at close to full list.I think a consumer has more leverage in negotiation without the encumbrance of a trade-in.IOW, selling your piano privately and then negotiating the new piano separately might yield a better deal. Of course, to sell it privately increases the hassle factor.so it depends a lot on your personal modus operandi!!!GCRe: Baldwin Acrosonic Console value05/04/05 04:02 PM 05/04/05 04:02 PMJoined: May 2001Posts: 10,978.
Originally posted by Rockitman:Yes sir. Very good condition. Furniture is unblemished. Piano gets tuned on average every 3 years. Lives in dry climate.
Action just like day 1. Only thing missing is the bench and those 2 little knobs on the keyboard lid.What a wonderful invention in terms of longevity. Mikhailoh:Question 1: Is Rockitman a piano technician and, if not, is he speaking with some technical knowledge when he says the piano is in very good condition?Question 2: Is tuning a piano (only) once every 3 years tantamount to abuse, or just neglect?Question 3: Have the knobs on the keyboard lid been lost because the piano 'lives in a dry climate'?
What, in the meantime, has happened to the rest of the piano in this dry climate?This piano may very well be in very good condition; I'm not saying it isn't. I just want to be sure that Rockitman isn't like one of those benighted individuals who says 'Oh, yes, it's been sitting in my basement (attic, garage, wherever!) for years and it's never been played, so it's just like new.' Before a price can be put on it, some professional - for lack of a better word - examination of the piano should take place.Regards. I service hundreds of Acros dating from the late 1930's to the 1990's. It is not uncommon that after a year's worth of use and season change to find them in excellent tuning. Of course this varies depending on stable enviorns. I also call the customer after a year and hear 'still sounds pretty good, call me next time.'
1955 Baldwin Arcosonic Console Piano Player
After 2 or 3 years of this they usually get guilty and have me out. The Acros are still up to pitch and not perfect, not more than 40 minutes of work from it.
It is by no means neglect nor is Rockitman's claim not credible.True enough people look at their pianos/cars/houses/spouses with rose colored glasses and perhaps the finish is a bit rougher than he thinks, hammers might need surfacing, a few buzzing bass strings than he's heard so long that he dosen't notice them, and maybe there is a fine crack or two in the board. Only the tech knows for sure.Re: Baldwin Acrosonic Console value05/06/05 08:49 AM 05/06/05 08:49 AMJoined: Dec 2004Posts: 284. Yes, by no means does my 'very good condition' have any technical backing behind it.
I am simply an owner who has been very lucky with this piano.As Sam has said, every tuner who has ever tuned it always remarks about how well its pitch is for not having been tuned in 3 years. They don't spend an hour on it either to get it up to snuff.But a fine crack or two in the soundboard? Bite you tongue Sam Casey!The only reason I wish to part with it is to upgrade to a piano with an action that is more controllable. The Baldwin is superlight and PP playing is tough.Re: Baldwin Acrosonic Console value05/06/05 09:09 AM 05/06/05 09:09 AMJoined: Jul 2004Posts: 4,288.
Branch Cache – A faster way of accessing large remote filesBuild for enterprise useThis Windows version has the capability to run on 32 bit and 64 bit, which differentiates it from the Starter Edition. BitLocker – Encryption on internal and external drives. AppLocker – Unauthorized software will be prevented from running. If a company benefits from Microsoft’s Software Assurance, the Enterprise version of the Windows 7 comes at no additional charge.This will allow for features like:. Direct Access – A connection to corporate networks without the use of VPN. Cle activation windows 7 pack 1.
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Baldwin Acrosonic pianos are slightly smaller and lighter than grand pianos, but moving even small pianos-which weigh at least 300 lbs.-can be a very dangerous process. The biggest risks, of course, are dropping the piano and getting seriously hurt, which is why most people who have moved a piano before will suggest that you hire professional piano movers.
If you are determined to do it yourself, make sure you buy the right supplies, consult the pros for detailed advice and become familiar with what you will have to do to get from point A to point B.Find the exits, entrances and stairways and evaluate how much room you will have at your destination.Wrap the piano with thick, soft blankets. Secure the blankets with tape.Prepare to move the piano onto the dolly by lifting each corner and checking to see that none of the casters are stuck. If you have a grand piano, use a ratchet to remove the three legs, the lyre and the music rack and mount them on their long side onto a piano skid board.Mount the piano onto the dolly.
1950 Baldwin Acrosonic Spinet Piano
As the website Learn To Move says, it's harder than it looks because you're elevating 400 to 800 lbs. Almost a foot up and onto an unstable rolling platform. Put the piano on the caster by lifting it up and moving it around a bit, keeping its weight from bearing down on the casters. If you're lucky, you won't have to go up or down any stairs on your way to the truck, but most piano movers aren't that lucky.Take the piano over a single step by just using a slight tip of the piano on the dolly as it is being pushed along. This is where the humpstrap comes in handy-the man in front should use it to pull, lift and guide the piano on the dolly. If you will be moving the piano more than four consecutive low stairs, use the locking piano belt to tie the piano to the dolly. To move a grand piano, you will need two locking piano belts to secure the piano board to the grand and a piano skidboard, also called a piano board, which will be secured to the long flat side of the grand.Move an upright over multiple steps by placing it on its side on the dolly, lifting it up and over the top step, or lowering it down onto a dolly; then, with the bottom of the upright facing the steps, position it on the dolly up to and over the first step.
You may have to slide a grand down onto a dolly.Use the dolly to move the piano to the steps. Lift or carry it as many times as necessary until you can dolly it up the ramp or lift-gated up onto the truck. When it's on the truck, take the piano off the dolly, leave it on its skidboard, and put the top of the piano against the truck's wall.
Belt it to the wall so it won't move while you're driving.Unbelt it from the truck wall and remount it up on the dolly on its feet or on its side depending on how far you'll be moving it. Then ramp it or lift-gate it down to the street.Use the dolly or carry the piano over the stairs to your destination. Use the ratchets to put the legs back onto your grand piano before its set in place.
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