Baldwin Model 5

[Guest]

Greetings, folks. What say you all on the Baldwin Model 5? I've searched and found scattered opinions here and there.
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I haven't played organ since high school, and would like to start again. There's a local advertisement for a Baldwin Model 5. It needs cosmetic work and possibly some electronic work. I could probably handle it, as long as the time investment turned out to be worthwhile.
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Any information/advice would be appreciated.
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[MarkS]

Re: Baldwin Model 5

It wouldn't have an AGO (standard) pedalboard, a serious liability for someone studying as a church/classical organist.

[Clavier]

Re: Baldwin Model 5

You sure about that? My model 4 had an AGO pedalboard.

[MarkS]

Re: Baldwin Model 5

The Model 5 is vacuum tube and one of Baldwin's earliest models, perhaps even the earliest church organ from Baldwin.  None of the ones I've played had an AGO pedalboard.<DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>The Model 4 came along much later.  I don't recall playing one but photos confirm that they are AGO.</DIV>

[Clavier]

Re: Baldwin Model 5

Do you know what vintage the model 4 falls in? I can't find any info on it.

[MarkS]

Re: Baldwin Model 5

According to the E-list of electronic organs (not always accurate, but always helpful) the model 11 came in 1962, model 6 in 1964, and the model 4 in 1965.  All were transistor and AGO.  What I remember from the last 60's and early 70's was that the model 4 was the smallest AGO console Baldwin and likely had the smallest tonal resources, maybe just one twelve note master oscillator.<DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>I believe that when Consumer's Research Magazine (not to be confused with Consumers Reports) rated church organs this model was included in the ratings.  Now if you could find the particular old issue...</DIV>

[Guest]

Re: Baldwin Model 5



I've seen the term AGO used around the board. I know what it stands for, but am unclear what the standard is. Does it refer to the dimensions of the pedal board, or some sort of tuning issue?</p>

Also, back to the Model 5, and particular issues with it other than the AGO problem?


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[james]

Re: Baldwin Model 5



I once played a model 5 for several years in a church. Yes, it does have an AGO pedalboard, and does have tubes. It was Baldwin's first church electronic organ on the MKT. I was told by a serviceman the one I played had a very low serial number. This organ is built like a battleship and made its debut on the MKT in the late 40's after the war. Therefore, it is very old when it comes to parts, etc. This organ requires a speaker cabinet.</P>


This organ is a straight church organ, and the stops are thus labeled. There are no pitches above 4', but it does have a Dolce Cornet on the upper manual for brillance. Ok, if you have read any of my postings here on the organ forum, Baldwin does have very impressive consoles, the model 5 being one of them. However, it is not all that much in my opinion. The Great manual has some good tones for accompaniment for a modest size church. Now, as I have said a few times, Baldwin's vibrato is not much, and this organ offers only a medium and full vibrato. For such an impressive console this organ in my opinion has that Baldwin "tissue paper and comb" sound. There are a good many solo reeds on the upper manual, and a Trumpet 8' and Clarion 4' on the lower manual.</P>


In my honest opinion, some of the transistorized models such as others just mentioned in the section might be of more interest to you. In short, the model 5 is a very old organ now.</P>
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James</P>

[MarkS]

Re: Baldwin Model 5

Every Baldwin 5 I've played and seen (including a few on ebay) had a 32 note, concave, radiating pedalboard that was not AGO.  I'm guessing that the Model 10 was the first AGO Baldwin, although perhaps there were some early photocell ones.

[MarkS]

Re: Baldwin Model 5

Baldwin used variable key contacts that can get pretty scratchy with age.  It is not a simple matter of cleaning them, either.

[james]

Re: Baldwin Model 5



Please tell me what are the AGO specs regarding 32 note pedalboards. (I need to be reinformed about these specs.)</P>


I had two organ techs tell me differentlythat a certain Wurlitzer model, the 4602 did not have an AGO pedalboard which I understand. One said it did, and one said it didn't.</P>


Also, the Baldwin 48C that I have does not have an AGO pedalboard.</P>


I am most sure the Conn 650 I once owned did indeed.</P>


James</P>
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[Guest]

Re: Baldwin Model 5



Do any of you know about the Baldwin C500 5-manual instrument? I've received an enticing offer on one and was wondering if anyone who was more familiar with the instrument could help me decide whether to buy or not.</P>

[MarkS]

Re: Baldwin Model 5

James, <DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>I thought that the AGO pedalboard specs might by on the guild website but couldn't find them.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>William H. Barnes included much of the AGO material in his book, "The Contemporary American Organ" which may be available at a library.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>I played a Baldwin 48 for two years and it was not AGO.  I don't recall ever seeing a 32 pedal Conn that was not AGO spec.  Twenty years ago I was offered a 32 pedal Wurlitzer (4602?) for free and it was not AGO.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>And then there are the old Kilgen pipe organs, which don't even come close!</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>For some inexplicable reason Allen continues to build organs with the "Princess" pedalboard.</DIV>

[radagast]

Re: Baldwin Model 5

[quote user="MarkS"]James,
<DIV><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></DIV>
<DIV>I thought that the AGO pedalboard specs might by on the guild website but couldn't find them.</DIV>
<DIV><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></DIV>
<DIV>William H. Barnes included much of the AGO material in his book, "The Contemporary American Organ" which may be available at a library.</DIV>
<DIV><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></DIV>
<DIV>I played a Baldwin 48 for two years and it was not AGO. I don't recall ever seeing a 32 pedal Conn that was not AGO spec. Twenty years ago I was offered a 32 pedal Wurlitzer (4602?) for free and it was not AGO.</DIV>
<DIV><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></DIV>
<DIV>And then there are the old Kilgen pipe organs, which don't even come close!</DIV>
<DIV><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></DIV>
<DIV>For some inexplicable reason Allen continues to build organs with the "Princess" pedalboard.</DIV>


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I think you can find AGO specs on Wick's site.</P>
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[james]

Re: Baldwin Model 5



MarkS,</P>


Thanks for this info. It is all knowledge. I have Barnes' book somewhere if I can locate it. However, the computer way if often easier.</P>


All I know is that the Baldwin model 5 I played for several years had huge pedals very much like the Conn 650 I once owned. The Baldwin 48C that I have now is not AGO as you mentioned.</P>


By the way, did you accept the Wurlitzer 4602, and if so, what are your thoughts on that organ? I am a big Wurlitzer fan, and like the ES organs for church work especially. I enjoyed their tube models as well as their transistor models especially those produced before the mid 1970's.</P>


James</P>