Buy Baldwin
Used and new Baldwin uprights and grand pianos
Origin & History
Baldwin was founded in 1862 in Cincinnati, with piano production starting in 1890. After a 2001 insolvency, the brand has belonged to Gibson Guitar Corp. ever since, and US production in Trumann, Arkansas, ended in 2008. Today Baldwin uprights are built in Zhongshan, China, with headquarters in Nashville.
Positioning
Once a premium American brand, Baldwin now sits closer to the mid-range, a classic case of a name continuing after production moved elsewhere.
Sound character
Vintage US-built Baldwins had a warm, rounded American tone that once won over many artists. Today’s Chinese-made instruments sound more neutral and less distinctive.
What to check
Check the build year and manufacturing location via the serial number: instruments from before 2001, or before the US plant closed in 2008, are considered noticeably higher quality than today’s Chinese-made production under Gibson. More in the piano buying guide.
Known series
Known models include the Model R grand piano and the Acrosonic upright line.
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