Pianotech

  • 1.  Baldwin F or SF10?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-28-2017 15:50
    When did Baldwin change from the "F" to the "SF10"? My customer's piano says "F" in the triangle, but "SF10" is cast in the plate. At first glance I thought the serial # was 98860, placing it at 1943 vintage. Is it possible that there was a "1" which has faded or been rubbed out in front of the "98860"? It looks like it to me. This would place it at 1972. See the attached photo.
    thumbnail image


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    Doug Garman, RPT
    Arlington TX
    817-578-4796
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  • 2.  RE: Baldwin F or SF10?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-28-2017 16:05
    If it is an SF-10 it will have vertical hitch pins (among other unique SF-10 features). The Model F had conventional hitch pins.

    ddf





  • 3.  RE: Baldwin F or SF10?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-30-2017 11:00
    I've always wondered... The semi-concert Baldwins I've ever seen have SF stamped, not SF-10. And most 9 footers are SD-10, but I have a customer with just "SD" stamped. Were "10"s added at some point, are they distinct models, what's the story?

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    Mario Igrec
    http://www.pianosinsideout.com
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  • 4.  RE: Baldwin F or SF10?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-31-2017 16:50
    As a former Baldwin dealer ...

    The usual designations were "SD or SF"  which was the scale name.  The "-10" was a particular incarnation of that scale and sounded good from a marketing standpoint but was irrelevant in that it provided no additional ability to discriminate models because there was never a "-8, -9 or -11" to distinguish between. 

    I serviced a pair of SF-10s for a husband/wife piano duo who toured with them in the back of a custom built motor home.  I always thought it was a nice model of piano.  I personally preferred to S&S B-- but that's just personal taste...


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    Keith Akins
    Akins Pianocraft
    Menominee MI
    715-775-0022
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  • 5.  RE: Baldwin F or SF10?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-31-2017 22:18
    Judging by the picture, which shows wound bi-chord unisons above the overstrung section, the piano is an SF-10. All the model F Baldwins I have seen had plain tri-chord above the overstrung section.

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    Edward McMorrow
    Edmonds WA
    425-299-3431
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  • 6.  RE: Baldwin F or SF10?

    Posted 08-01-2017 07:09
    It looks like plain wire to the right of the break.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
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  • 7.  RE: Baldwin F or SF10?

    Member
    Posted 01-12-2025 20:29

    I bought a 1980s model R 5 ft 8 but it had been mid labeled by the factory as a model L. Strange goings on



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    David Postma
    Hudsonville MI
    (616) 318-2289
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