Recording the Beatles -The Baldwin Electric Solid Body Harpsichord
The Baldwin Electric Solid Body Harpsichord.
We draw again today from "Recording the Beatles," Brian Kehew and Kevin Ryan, Curvebender Press, 2008.
In the Beatles' vast arsenal of musical equipment, there was no shortage of keyboards. Today's discussion involves just one of the plethora of unique instruments the Beatles brought to Abbey Road in their never ending search for new and different sounds. It wasn't enough to write great songs with equally magical lyrics; the Beatles wanted to paint a unique soundscape collage that was equally as dynamic as the song. The Baldwin electric Harpsichord helped them to that end.
This singularly unique instrument arrived at Abbey Road studios in 1969, in time for the then upcoming "Abbey Road" LP. What made it an "electric harpsichord" was the fact that inside the body of the instrument were two guitar-like pickups that sensed the vibrations of the strings, like all instrumental pickups do and allowed them to be amplified.
The Baldwin was constructed of a strong aluminum chassis with a red formica soundboard. It featured a clear plexi-glas top that provided a view to the inner workings of the instrument. Mandatorily accompanying the instrument was a unique solid state amp called the Baldwin C1 "Professional." It was of a modern design and featured many controls including the "Super Sound" preset tone. This amp was signficant in that it was the ONLY in-house guitar amp available at Abbey Road Studios. According to Alan Parsons, it was often used by lesser equipped bands but not by the Fabs except for what it was intended, amplification of the electric harpichord.
According to the authors, this Baldwin Electric Harpsichord was used on a total of ONE Beatle Track: "Because." But, as we know, it was prominently featured. It remained at Abbey Road throughout the 1970's until Paul McCartney bought it for his own home studio and used it again one final time, on: "Free As A Bird." Your humble correspondent notes the irony here; it was only ever used on two Lennon songs. One song, on the Fab's final LP, the other, one of two final releases ever by the band in the 1990's.
At least we know the Baldwin Electric Harpsichord is in good hands. Paul bought other equipments from Abbey Road over time. We'll talk more about that in future Blogs. Say what you want, but Paul has quite a sentimental streak in him if you ask this correspondent. Good thing he does.
By John Haberstroh (Bassist for BeatleTracks) Find us at www.beatletracksband.com
We draw again today from "Recording the Beatles," Brian Kehew and Kevin Ryan, Curvebender Press, 2008.
In the Beatles' vast arsenal of musical equipment, there was no shortage of keyboards. Today's discussion involves just one of the plethora of unique instruments the Beatles brought to Abbey Road in their never ending search for new and different sounds. It wasn't enough to write great songs with equally magical lyrics; the Beatles wanted to paint a unique soundscape collage that was equally as dynamic as the song. The Baldwin electric Harpsichord helped them to that end.
This singularly unique instrument arrived at Abbey Road studios in 1969, in time for the then upcoming "Abbey Road" LP. What made it an "electric harpsichord" was the fact that inside the body of the instrument were two guitar-like pickups that sensed the vibrations of the strings, like all instrumental pickups do and allowed them to be amplified.
The Baldwin was constructed of a strong aluminum chassis with a red formica soundboard. It featured a clear plexi-glas top that provided a view to the inner workings of the instrument. Mandatorily accompanying the instrument was a unique solid state amp called the Baldwin C1 "Professional." It was of a modern design and featured many controls including the "Super Sound" preset tone. This amp was signficant in that it was the ONLY in-house guitar amp available at Abbey Road Studios. According to Alan Parsons, it was often used by lesser equipped bands but not by the Fabs except for what it was intended, amplification of the electric harpichord.
According to the authors, this Baldwin Electric Harpsichord was used on a total of ONE Beatle Track: "Because." But, as we know, it was prominently featured. It remained at Abbey Road throughout the 1970's until Paul McCartney bought it for his own home studio and used it again one final time, on: "Free As A Bird." Your humble correspondent notes the irony here; it was only ever used on two Lennon songs. One song, on the Fab's final LP, the other, one of two final releases ever by the band in the 1990's.
At least we know the Baldwin Electric Harpsichord is in good hands. Paul bought other equipments from Abbey Road over time. We'll talk more about that in future Blogs. Say what you want, but Paul has quite a sentimental streak in him if you ask this correspondent. Good thing he does.
By John Haberstroh (Bassist for BeatleTracks) Find us at www.beatletracksband.com
That's a wonderful article - thanks! You are assuming that Paul still has it - I hope he does, but who knows. Maybe he sold it to Sting or something. LOL
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