[pianotech] Baldwin Spinet Serial Number Dilema

[Tom Gorley]

I worked for a Baldwin dealer in the early 60's.  Baldwin only put their name on their grand pianos at that time.  The names Acrosonic went on the spinets and consoles.  Hamilton was the 45" and had different serial numbers.  Howard was the lowest cost spinet. All had their names on the fallboard, and inside said "Built by Baldwin."

The Acrosonic system had a rail above the key capstans, while the Howard used the fork and grommet system  at the end of the key.
Somewhere about 1980 Baldwin changed their approach and reversed their labeling of the models.  "Baldwin" went on the fallboard and Acrosonic went on the inside.

About that time they also changed the Acrosonic keys to the fork and grommet style, apparently to reduce cost.
Did any of this help?

   ---Tom Gorley


On Mar 3, 2011, at 9:50 PM, Joseph Garrett wrote:

> 
>    
> ?????? I recently looked at an older Baldwin Spinet for a?client who is?purchasing it from another individual. My evalauation of the piano and my? 30 years professional experience tell me that the piano was likely made in the late 50's or 60's. The case style and the condition of the hammers?and overall apearance of the action lead me to believe it is at least 50 years old. However when I looked it up in my Pierce Atlas it woould have the vintage at?1997!! Am I missing something? The serial number I copied from the standard location was very clearly stamped?"353619"? The piano is neither an Acrosonic nor Hamilton,the fallboard just says Baldwin. The seller says they believe the piano to have been made in?the 1980's. The piano has newer looking bass strings and larger tuning pins?for the bass strings which look like they are 25 years old,but the rest of the piano is definately older.
>  
> I found that serial number sequence under Hamilton numbers.. Baldwin seemed to vacillate on their number systems. No clue why, but I've run into this myself.
> Regards,
> Joe
>  
>  
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
> Captain of the Tool Police
> Squares R I
>  
> 

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