Pricing and availability
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
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.
Videos
AllYouNeedIsLub
Baldwin electric harpsichord
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
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.
Source -
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.
Source
Setup and maintenance
-
Real harpsichords require frequent tuning, especially with changes in temperature or humidity, unlike digital models.
Source -
Some owners found low viscosity super glue effective for stabilizing loose tuning pins, offering a solution when new bushings are unavailable.
Source -
In cases where bushings are required, larger tuning pins might be an option for those comfortable with disassembly, offering a more integrated fix.
Source
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.
Source
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.
Source
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.
Source -
For DIY electric harpsichords, some owners use bass guitar pickups to create a large pickup array, achieving a unique sound.
Source
User experience
-
Users experimenting with electric harpsichord mods recommend using multiple small diaphragm condenser mics or PZM mics for better sound capture.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
3296
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
Add artist
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.
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.
According to the liner notes of "Flowers," Brian Jones plays the Baldwin Electric Harpsichord, as documented on Discogs.
According to this Beach Boys recording archive, Brian Wilson played a Baldwin Electric Harpsichord on “When I Grow Up (To Be a Man).”
Pecknold is credited with playing a Baldwin Electric Harpsichord on the Fleet Foxes' album Crack-Up.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Album Usage
The Baldwin Electric Harpsichord has been featured on the following albums:
Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival
Jefferson Airplane (2023)
Crack-Up
Fleet Foxes (2017)
Spilt Milk (Remastered)
Jellyfish (1993)
Criminal Record
Rick Wakeman (1977)
Izitso
Cat Stevens & Yusuf Islam (1977)
No Earthly Connection
Rick Wakeman (1976)
Baron von Tollbooth & The Chrome Nun
Paul Kantner & Grace Slick & David Freiberg (1973)
A Rainbow In Curved Air
Terry Riley (1971)
The United States Of America
The United States Of America (1968)
Oh Good Grief
Vince Guaraldi (1968)
Flowers
The Rolling Stones (1967)
Happenings
Hank Jones (1966)
Music of Hawaii
Henry Mancini (1966)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
More Baldwin Harpsichords
Community setups
Similar
Most Popular Harpsichords
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
bmw100997Gear IQ 3296
-