Today I worked on a Baldwin SD10 (also a 9-footer) from 1972. The previous technician had replaced the original hammers with Renner Premium Bluepoints. I like the tone of that piano very much. It's a bit brighter than Abel or Robson hammers, but given that it's in a thousand-person auditorium, it works very well. It's clearly heard but not overpowering. I know from working on Renner hammers somewhat frequently that if I ever wanted to change the tone, it would be quite easy to do.
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Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
Piano Technician / Artisan
(256) 947-9999
www.professional-piano-services.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2023 19:03
From: H. Russell Schmidt
Subject: Hammer Recommendation for a Baldwin SD-1
To All,
I am doing a major action rebuild on a Baldwin 9 ft. SD-1 (mfc. 1937) at a small University I work for. The piano is located in an Auditorium where chapel services are held for the University. I guess it seats about 1,500 people. The piano was rebuilt about 30 years ago and the soundboard and bridges were replaced and action rebuilt. At that time Baldwin was still in business and I believe Baldwin hammers were used. Now that that that is not an option I am looking for ideas on what might be a good match for this piano, and something that will fill the hall with sound. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Russell Schmidt, RPT, Bluegrass Chapter
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H. Russell Schmidt RPT
Lexington KY
(859) 276-5015
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