Crumar Baby Grand (1980s)
At 20 kg and spanning over a meter, this Italian electric piano feels like a statement—solid, serious, and caught between two worlds.
Overview
The Crumar Baby Grand isn't quite what the name suggests. Despite branding it as an electric piano, the instrument occupies a murky, more interesting space: a polyphonic synthesizer dressed in the body of a stage piano. Marketed in the early 1980s, with a 1983 print ad confirming its presence and an original UK price of £949, it arrived during a transitional moment when analog synthesis was expanding beyond monophonic leads and basslines. But beneath that familiar facade lies something more experimental. Described as "more in the world of a synthesizer" than a true piano, the Baby Grand aimed to deliver sustained polyphony at a time when most competitors choked at five voices. An editorial snippet from 1983 teases its ambition: “Most polyphonic synthesizers are limited by their 4 or 5 voice capability. Go beyond that and notes drop out. CRUMAR BABY GRAND. This is …” — the sentence cuts off, but the implication lingers. It was meant to be different.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Crumar |
| Product Type | Electric Piano / Synthesizer |
| Keyboard | 73 Note Keyboard E to E - MI to MII weighted for consisted [sic] touch |
| Weight | 20 kg |
| Dimensions | 1340 mm x 430 mm x 130 mm |
| Power Supply | 12 VCC |
| Finishes | Glossy deep black, Glossy classic ... |
| Includes | extension for power supply cable; Crumar Pedalboard with three pedals; Crumar stand adjustable with three legs |
Key Features
73-Note Weighted Keyboard with Consistent Touch
The keyboard is one of the few fully documented aspects of the Baby Grand, and it speaks to Crumar’s intent: this was not a lightweight stage synth. The 73-note span (E to E) covers a practical range for both piano voicings and synth leads, while the weighting suggests a focus on expressive, dynamic playing. The phrasing “weighted for consisted [sic] touch” in the original documentation implies an effort to ensure even response across the entire span—an important detail for players transitioning from acoustic instruments. However, no further details about key action, aftertouch, or velocity sensitivity are confirmed in available sources.
Branded as an Electric Piano, Engineered Like a Synthesizer
Marketing positioned the Baby Grand as an electronic piano, but user assessments and contextual descriptions push back on that label. The instrument appears to have been designed for layered, evolving sounds rather than faithful acoustic emulation. Unfortunately, the core technical architecture—oscillator type, filter design, envelope structure, and actual polyphony count—remains undocumented in the available material. The absence of sound generation specs leaves a critical gap, though the editorial tease from 1983 implies Crumar was attempting to突破 (break through) the polyphony limits common at the time.
Integrated Pedalboard and Stand System
Unlike many synths of the era sold as bare chassis, the Baby Grand came as a complete performance package. Included components reportedly consist of a Crumar Pedalboard with three pedals—likely sustain, sostenuto, and soft—matching the expectations of piano players. It also shipped with an adjustable three-legged stand, reinforcing its stage-ready, self-contained design. The inclusion of an extension for the power supply cable suggests thoughtful stage ergonomics, minimizing tripping hazards during live use.
Historical Context
The name “Baby Grand” was a deliberate nod, described as “a tribute to …” in forum discussions about its spiritual successor. While the sentence trails off, the implication is clear: Crumar was invoking the acoustic baby grand piano, both in form and prestige. Decades later, the modern Crumar Spirit was explicitly billed as a “modern take on 40-year-old classic” and a “tribute to... Baby Grand,” confirming its legacy within the brand’s lineage. The instrument existed during a brief window when Italian companies like Crumar, Elka, and Logan were pushing the boundaries of affordable polyphonic analog synthesis, often blending piano aesthetics with synth functionality.
Collectibility & Value
The Crumar Baby Grand has emerged as a niche collectible, with recent listings offering insight into its market. A unit in “Used – Good” condition appeared on Reverb priced at $1,250, while another listing from Sound Doctorin’ noted a price of $1,150. These figures suggest modest but stable demand among synth enthusiasts. However, condition is a known variable: one listing explicitly noted that “top could use refinish,” pointing to cosmetic wear as a common issue. Project units have also surfaced, indicating that full restoration is not uncommon. Service documentation exists—schematics, voltage check points, block diagrams, and parts lists are available for the “Crumar Baby Grand N” variant—supporting repair efforts, though component availability remains undocumented.
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.