Baldwin Hamilton Institutional Piano.

Also referred to as a “School Piano”, the Baldwin model 243 studio upright piano is a sturdy workhorse. It is called the Hamilton, which is the founders’ middle name – Dwight Hamilton Baldwin.  It was designed for heavy usage whether by a serious pianist at home, a busy teaching studio or at an educational institution.  As a result, this model is the most popular school piano in American piano building history.  University Music Department practice rooms are where the practice piano may see hours of playing every day, by piano performance majors and for years and decades.  For that reason, they are built like Sherman tanks.

Top selling School Piano of all time.

The model 243 is considered to be a low-maintenance piano. The tuning stability is excellent due to their exclusive 19-ply pinblock, making service costs less and providing the pianist a better musical experience with an in-tune instrument.  Baldwin takes tuning stability very seriously so they designed their pinblock to firmly grip the tuning pins with 19 fingers that prevent slippage. This pinblock also is very smooth and the pin can be left exactly where it needs to be, and not falling back or easing forward. This is partly why this model is popular with music departments that can’t budget the recurring costs of frequent service. The front panel opens easily for quick access to the action for the piano-tech. 

They have a large music desk with a long sheet music lip so heavy books or long music charts can be accommodated, instead of a flimsy flip-down type of music rack that can be pulled loose. Heavy duty precision-quality casters enable the piano to be easily moved around. Synchro-tone bass strings last years longer than standard ones and provide a pleasing strong, robust and clear bass resonance.  Due to their superior manufacturing they are less prone to breakage. The famous Baldwin scale design makes for a clear, pretty tenor and treble as well. Larger action parts and levers enable the exclusive Baldwin Full Blow Action to provide expressive and controlled performances. This 17-ply pinblock also is very smooth and the pin can be left exactly where it needs to be, and not falling back or easing forward. They feature a heavy-duty back with extra thick backposts.  The plate was cast in the O.S. Kelly plant in the US; later plates were imported from Brazil. 

This piano was built in 1987 at the modern Baldwin Piano Co. factory in Truman, Ark.  It was purchased locally in Albuquerque at King Music, the long-time Baldwin piano dealer, so it is happily acclimated to our climate.  It was acquired by a local school district where it evidently wasn’t used very much, given that there is minimal wear on the hammers and action. It was probably an occasional accompaniment instrument and not a daily practice piano. The structural integrity is excellent.  All of the tuning pins are tight.  All we had to do was bring it to pitch, adjust several minor regulation issues and give it a thorough cleaning. The top of the lid was scratched from instrument cases and other items being piled on top, so we refinished it and touched up the pianos’ sides.  The cabinetry finish is in walnut with satin lacquer.  The bench with music storage is original. 

The bass strings have a sharp angle to maximize string length for a better bass responce