How to Set Up a Baldwin Organ

Baldwin organs have slider switches typical of most electric organs.

Baldwin electric upright organs typically come with a built-tone cabinet, similar to the configuration associated with Hammond organs. Baldwin no longer produces electric upright organs. If you've recently acquired a pre-owned Baldwin organ, the first thing you need to do is set it up for optimum performance.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Spare tubes
• Plastic-safe contact cleaner

Instructions

1. 

   Misty glass can be a sign of bad tubes.

   Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the back panel of the tone cabinet. Inspect the tubes. Look out for any tube that has a brown or sooty discoloration. This is a sign that the tube has blown out or is very close to doing so. If you spot a bad tube, remove it and make a note of its type. Remove any other tubes of the same type and replace them as a set. Don't replace tubes individually if they are configured as a pair or even-numbered set. This puts strain on the new tubes as they compensate for the wear on the older tubes.

2. Turn on the organ. The power switch on a Baldwin is typically located to the left of the keyboard. Leave it for two minutes so that the vacuum tubes in the amplifier can reach optimum temperature. Adjust the volume slider so that you can hear the keys as your press them. Press the highest key and the lowest key one after the other. If you hear a disparity in volume, adjust the volume slider nob to set all keys to an equal volume.

3. Slide the vibrato, reverb and tone expander switches down to zero. Baldwin organs have a range of modulation effect switches located on the control console. This switches modulate the signal. If they are set high from the start, you'll have no scope for adjusting them to taste. Play middle C on the organ and gradually increase the vibrato by sliding the switch away from you until it reaches a satisfying level. Too much vibrato can sound unpleasant. Repeat the process with the other effect slider switches.

4. Identify the setter button. This is located on the control console (the exact location depends on the model). The setter buttons are used to adjust the starting threshold of other controls, such as the sustain foot pedal. By adjusting the setter button you increase or decrease the operating threshold of the other control.

5. Depress the sustain pedal and play middle C. Move the setter button to increase or decrease the intensity of the effect. Remove your foot to set the intensity. Repeat the process for the crescendo pedal.

Tips & Warnings

• While you have the back off, spray some contact cleaner onto the potentiometers.

• Always start testing with the volume slider at zero. This prevents loud, unexpected bursts of volume.

References

• LA Times: Gibson Guitar To Buy Baldwin Piano
• Theatre Organs: Baldwin Organs

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Passion for Piano: Electric Organ
• Radio Shack: TV Tuner/Control Cleaner & Lubricant