Where Was the Piano Made: Serial Number, Model and Year
A piano serial number is the most precise way to know in which factory and in which year an instrument was built. It helps when choosing a used piano, when booking service and when you want to know the story of the piano at home. In this guide we show where to find the maker name, the model and the serial number, and how to turn them into a clear answer.
The maker name and the model
The maker name usually appears on the fallboard and on the iron plate inside the piano, the gold coloured frame that holds the strings. The model name is stamped next to the serial number, for example U1 or KU-3B. Some models have submodels, such as U1M and U1H, where the letter at the end of the model name marks small cosmetic and visual changes between versions. On Yamaha and Kawai pianos the model number sits on the right side of the plate. Note both details together: the model tells you about the height and the action, and the number tells you about the factory and the year. We cover the action itself in our piano action guide.
Where to find the serial number
On an upright piano, open the top lid and look inside at the upper part of the iron plate. The number is stamped on the right side, near the tuning pins, or at the centre of the plate between the bass and treble sections. On a grand piano, open the main lid and look at the right side of the plate, on the treble side. On a Kawai grand it sits under the music desk, and you may need to slide the desk out to see it. On a digital piano the number is usually printed on a label under the keybed.
The letters before the serial number
The letter before the serial number is different from the letter at the end of the model name. At Yamaha the first letter of the serial number marks the factory. T stands for Thomaston, Georgia, U for South Haven, Michigan, H for Hangzhou, China, YT for Taoyuan, Taiwan, and J for Jakarta, Indonesia. A number with no letter in front belongs to the table of the Hamamatsu factory in Japan. Kawai marks its numbers in a similar way: Japanese production numbers start with a digit, US production from 1988 to 2004 starts with A, and Indonesian production from 2003 to 2020 starts with F.
The year of manufacture from the maker table
The major makers publish tables on their websites that match a number range to a year. At Yamaha, for example, a number starting with 496 belongs to 1991, one starting with 610 to 2005, and one starting with 652 to 2021. Kawai offers an online form where you type the full number, including any letter in front, and get the year. Since different models sometimes received numbers out of sequence, the table gives an approximate year, which is enough for most decisions. Keep a photo of the number with your purchase documents, as it is also used for every service and warranty request.
Using the details when choosing a piano
When you look at a used piano, photograph the serial number and the model name and check them in the maker table. That way you know the age of the instrument and its factory in advance, and you compare pianos on a reliable basis. A small torch and a look from an angle help you read the stamped digits clearly. We gathered the other checks, from the keys to the sound, in our used piano checklist. To get to know the makers themselves, the site has pages on Yamaha and Kawai.
Zohar Pianos, Ben Atar 28
At our store and gallery at Ben Atar 28 you can open the lid and see for yourself. Among the instruments on the site you will find the Yamaha U1A upright from Japan and the Kawai KU-3B upright from Japan. We are here for you, and we will gladly help you read the details of any piano that interests you.
Links: Used piano checklist · Piano action · History of the piano · Yamaha
FAQ
Where is the serial number on an upright piano?
Under the top lid, on the upper part of the iron plate, on the right side near the tuning pins or at the centre of the plate.
How do I know what year a piano was made?
Find the serial number and check it in the table or online form the maker publishes on its website.
What does a letter before the serial number mean?
For some makers the letter marks the factory. At Yamaha, for example, J stands for Jakarta and H for Hangzhou.
Where is the serial number on a digital piano?
Usually on a label under the keybed, and on some models on the back of the instrument.