Baldwin 801CP

[PhilHunt]

Brian,
Do you have any idea why the Baldwin setup doesn't work well with today's PA systems and mixing boards.
Everytime I tried to plug into a direct box at CAAS in their PA system(coming out from my battery box). It sounded tinty. But, when I ran it through a phase pedal or compressor pedal and then into the direct box the sound was enormous. Does it have to do with the 22.5 volts clipping the mixing board?

I WARN ANYONE ABOUT THIS. IF YOU PLAY AT CAAS USING THE BALDWIN 22.5 ORIGINAL SETUP AND PLUG INTO BROADWAY SOUNDS DIRECT BOX INTO THEIR MIXING BOARD.....IT WILL SOUND TINTY FOR SOME ODD REASON. That's why last year I took my amp and had them mic it.

[bill park]

Everytime I tried to plug into a direct box at CAAS in their PA system(coming out from my battery box), it sounded tinty. IF YOU PLAY AT CAAS USING THE BALDWIN 22.5 ORIGINAL SETUP AND PLUG INTO BROADWAY SOUNDS DIRECT BOX INTO THEIR MIXING BOARD.....IT WILL SOUND TINTY FOR SOME ODD REASON.

Craig D played one this year on the main stage and it sounded great. I think he came out of the battery box into the house system?

[Hendrik]

Craig D played one this year on the main stage and it sounded great. I think he came out of the battery box into the house system?

I wonder if there is any video material of Craig playing the Baldwin at CAAS '11. Anyone?

[Brian Ingram]

Brian,
Do you have any idea why the Baldwin setup doesn't work well with today's PA systems and mixing boards.
Everytime I tried to plug into a direct box at CAAS in their PA system(coming out from my battery box). It sounded tinty. But, when I ran it through a phase pedal or compressor pedal and then into the direct box the sound was enormous. Does it have to do with the 22.5 volts clipping the mixing board?

Let me be sure I understand what happened: Are you saying you used your battery box as normal, but got a tone change?
But, battery box + pedal = good tone?

Assuming your battery is still strong (need a voltmeter to know), maybe the onboard preamp doesn't have a buffer that's good at driving the cable between the guitar and the DI box. Or maybe the DI didn't have a buffer or transformer to drive the cable to the mixer and/or drive the low impedance of the mixer. It's hard to say.

Many pedals have some sort of buffer before the output jack, so they may do a better job of driving a low impedance mixer input and/or long cables.

As for any other byproducts of the 22.5v preamp supply, we'd have to actually measure the output from the guitar. Typical electric guitar output signals are in the range of 100-200 millivolts. Given a 22.5v supply, I'd assert it's nearly impossible for the Baldwin's output to be over 5-6vRMS. But that would be ridiculously high output level (waaay above line-level).

Anyway, the output probably is similar to typical electric guitar output. I say that because they wouldn't be able to know if you would plug your 801CP into the input jack of their amps, or if you'd plug in any other electric guitar of the day. I'm not aware of Baldwin ever making a "Contemporary Classical-only" amp.

[Robert123]

Hi,

I am new to this board and really want to find a Baldwin 801CP. Please tell me what I should pay for the guitar. Also, if anyone has one for sale contact me at djsrms2001@yahoo.com.

Thanks,
Robert

[PhilHunt]

Robert,
The best way you can find an 801CP is three ways: Search ebay daily, Get George Gruhn in Nashville to find you one, put an add in Vintage Guitar magazine. Or you can just get a Harmony H-173 or a H-174 off ebay and just install one of Sam's pickups on it. The Harmony is basically a stripped down version of the Baldwin 801 CP. As far as Sam....I'm not sure what happened to him, I've tried contacting him and he must have fallen off the face of the earth.

[Robert123]

Thank you!

[Robert123]

Hey Phil,

How much should I expect to pay for a Baldwin 801CP with Prismatone pickup?

Thanks,
Robert

[PhilHunt]

You better expect to pay somwhere between $1,500-$2,500.
Are they worth it? No. I believe they sold originally for about $200. If you find one on eBay you are probably going to have a bidding war. If I were you I would find a Harmony H-174 and put one of Sam's pickups on it.
It's basically an 801CP. I know someone who has one if you are interested.
Phil

[Robert123]

Hi Phil,
I am interested in the Harmony H174. Does it have Sam's pickup in it already or do I need to get one? I tried to get in touch with Sam regarding information on his Prismatone pickup but couldn't find a way to contact him.
Thanks,
Robert