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Description

Most famous for the the haunting arpeggio in the Beatles' song, "Because," the Baldwin Electric Harpsichord (also known as the Solid Body Harpsichord or Combo Harpsichord), was developed in the early 1960s by the Cannon Guild and marketed by Baldwin from 1966 into the early 1970s. In addition to its use in many '60s and '70s pop and rock recordings, it made regular television appearances on The Monkees and The Partridge Family. Only around 500 instruments were ultimately produced.

Each key causes a plectrum to pluck one string per note. Its sound is amplified by electric guitar-style pickups – one near the plectra and the other near the strings' halfway-point. The plexiglass cover allows you to see the inner works, showing off the characteristic, bright red Formica "sounddeck" and it was made to be easy to break down and transport.

AllYouNeedIsLub

AllYouNeedIsLub

Baldwin electric harpsichord

Video thumbnail for Baldwin electric harpsichord by AllYouNeedIsLub

Baldwin electric harpsichord

AllYouNeedIsLub

AllYouNeedIsLub

Video thumbnail for Antiquity Music Sessions - Ep. 1 - The Baldwin Solid Body Harpsichord by AntiquityMusicLLC

Antiquity Music Sessions - Ep. 1 - The Baldwin Solid Body Harpsichord

AntiquityMusicLLC

AntiquityMusicLLC

Video thumbnail for Baldwin Electric Harpsichord by TerryRolison

Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

TerryRolison

TerryRolison

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Baldwin Electric Harpsichord.

Features and functionality

  • The Baldwin CW-9 is highlighted as a true harpsichord with pickups, offering an authentic electric harpsichord experience.

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  • The Baldwin's formica "soundboard" is more decorative, with particle board dampening underneath, reducing resonance similar to electric guitars.

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Comparisons

  • The Roland C-30 and C-80 are mentioned as high-end digital harpsichords, with the C-80 featuring multiple stops and MIDI capabilities, but both are rare and pricey.

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  • Like the Yamaha CP-70, which uses piezo pickups for each note, the Baldwin Harpsichord employs a unique pickup system but lacks a traditional soundboard.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Real harpsichords require frequent tuning, especially with changes in temperature or humidity, unlike digital models.

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  • Some owners found low viscosity super glue effective for stabilizing loose tuning pins, offering a solution when new bushings are unavailable.

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  • In cases where bushings are required, larger tuning pins might be an option for those comfortable with disassembly, offering a more integrated fix.

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Use cases and applications

  • The Roland C-30 is seen as suitable for churches or music schools due to its cost, despite being an excellent digital approximation of an acoustic harpsichord.

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Value and pricing

  • Roland C-30s, when found second-hand, can range from £2-2.5k, indicating their retained value due to scarcity and quality.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Baldwin Harpsichord uses four long coil pickups, two at the nut split at middle C, and two curved pickups at the string midpoint, wired in series for stereo output.

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  • For DIY electric harpsichords, some owners use bass guitar pickups to create a large pickup array, achieving a unique sound.

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User experience

  • Users experimenting with electric harpsichord mods recommend using multiple small diaphragm condenser mics or PZM mics for better sound capture.

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Build quality

  • The Baldwin Electric uses bushings instead of a pin block, a unique feature that may contribute to tuning instability under string tension.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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bmw100997

Authentic Harpsichord Feel, One of a Kind Sound

A staple of the ‘60s baroque rock period! This unique electro-mechanical harpsichord marries the modern pop timbre of the electric guitar with that of the classical harpsichord, creating a unique sound entirely its own.

Artist usage

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See how Paul McCartney uses Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

Paul McCartney

Singer, Bassist

The Beatles

...
Verified via YouTube

At the 3:58 mark in this video, Paul McCartney shows Klaus Voormann his Baldwin Electric Harpsichord. This instrument was famously played by George Martin on the Beatles track "Because." Paul explains that he purchased the harpsichord from EMI at a time when the record company was trying to reduce their instrument collection. The harpsichord now resides in Paul's Hog Hill Mill Studios in East Sussex, England.

See how Rick Wakeman uses Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

Rick Wakeman

Keyboardist

Black Sabbath

...
Verified via Discogs

According to the liner notes, Wakeman played a Baldwin Electric Harpsichord on his albums No Earthly Connection and Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record. He also played a prominent electric harpsichord part on David Bowie's "Cygnet Committee," which was very likely a Baldwin.

See how Brian Jones uses Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

Brian Jones

Guitarist, Keyboardist

The Rolling Stones

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Verified via Discogs

According to the liner notes of "Flowers," Brian Jones plays the Baldwin Electric Harpsichord, as documented on Discogs.

See how Brian Wilson uses Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

Brian Wilson

Singer, Bassist

The Beach Boys

...
Verified via Tiptopwebsite

According to this Beach Boys recording archive, Brian Wilson played a Baldwin Electric Harpsichord on “When I Grow Up (To Be a Man).”

See how Robin Pecknold uses Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

Robin Pecknold

Singer, Guitarist

Fleet Foxes

...
Verified via Discogs

Pecknold is credited with playing a Baldwin Electric Harpsichord on the Fleet Foxes' album Crack-Up.

See how Philip Glass uses Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

Philip Glass

Composer, Music Producer

Polyrock

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo of the Philip Glass Ensemble performing at the Walker Arts Center in 1970, a Baldwin Electric Harpsichord (back left) can be seen accompanied by three Farfisa Mini Compact organs.

See how Cat Stevens uses Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

Cat Stevens

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Discogs

Stevens is credited with playing a Baldwin Electric Harpsichord on his album Izitso. The harpsichord can be best heard in the opening of the song "(I Never Wanted) To Be A Star."

See how Terry Riley uses Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

Terry Riley

Keyboardist, Composer

The Theatre of Eternal Music

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Verified via 1960s: Days of Rage

According to this article, Riley used a Baldwin Electric Harpsichord on the album "A Rainbow in Curved Air."

Riley would intensify this overdubbing approach with added instrumentation. Using overdubbing, Riley plays all the instruments on the title track: electric organ, 2 electric harpsichords (a Baldwin electric harpsichord & a RMI Rock-Si-Chord), dumbec, and tambourine.

See how Benmont Tench uses Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

Benmont Tench

Keyboardist

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

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Verified via Discogs

Tench is credited with playing a Baldwin Electric Harpsichord on Elvis Costello's song "Georgie And Her Rival" from the 1991 album Mighty Like a Rose.

See how George Martin uses Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

George Martin

Music Producer

The Beatles

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Verified via The Beatles Bible

George Martin played a Baldwin Electric Harpsichord on the Beatles' track "Because." According to this webpage, Paul McCartney later bought the electric harpsichord when EMI was reducing their instrument collection, and it still remains in his recording studio.

See how Peter Tork uses Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

Peter Tork

Singer, Bassist

The Monkees

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Verified via Photo

In this photo, Tork can be seen playing a modified Baldwin Electric Harpsichord on The Monkees television show. The harpsichord's legs have been removed and the harpsichord's body has been attached to a bicycle. (You can easily see the where the wooden leg was previously attached on the outside of the instrment). The song being played is "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" and the scene comes from the episode “Monkees Get Out More Dirt.” Additional photos here and here. Music video here.

See how Roger Joseph Manning Jr. uses Baldwin Electric Harpsichord

Roger Joseph Manning Jr.

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Loser

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Verified via Photo

A Baldwin Electric Harpsichord can be seen the back cover of Jellyfish's album Spilt Milk (note: it's very small in the bottom right quadrant of photo). Around the 12:43 mark of this video, Manning mentions playing the the Baldwin Harpsichord when discussing his vintage keyboard collection.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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    Gear IQ 3296