Knowing the manufacturing year of a piano is essential to assess its value, determine whether restoration is worthwhile, or simply out of historical curiosity. Whether you’re a private owner, a professional, or a music store, this guide will help you identify your piano’s serial number and find its exact year.
Where is the serial number located on a piano?
Upright pianos:
- On the metal frame, under the top lid
- Near the tuning pins
- In some cases, on the back of the piano
Grand pianos:
- On the metal frame, visible when you open the lid
- Near the left hinge of the keyboard
- On some models, underneath the keyboard
What is the serial number used for?
- To identify the exact year of manufacture
- To appraise the instrument (price, age, restoration potential)
- To verify authenticity when buying or selling a second-hand piano
- To determine the country of manufacture: Japan, USA, Indonesia, China, etc. (especially for brands like Yamaha or Kawai)
Piano brands and their serial numbers by year
Below is an exclusive compilation of serial numbers and manufacturing years for the main piano brands. Over 100 brands organized to help you understand everything about your instrument.
Yamaha (Japan, USA, Indonesia)
Yamaha upright and grand pianos made in Japan (approx. every 5–10 years):
- 1960: 124,000
- 1965: 368,000
- 1970: 960,000
- 1975: 1,943,000
- 1980: 3,001,000
- 1985: 3,988,000
- 1990: 4,871,000
- 1995: 5,375,000
- 2000: 5,868,000
- 2005: 6,145,000
- 2010: 6,280,000
- 2015: 6,400,000
- 2020: 6,480,000
Yamaha USA (Thomaston and South Haven):
- Starting with “T”: Thomaston, Georgia
- Starting with “U”: South Haven, Michigan
- Starting with “H”: Hangzhou, China
- Starting with “YT”: Taiwan
- Starting with “J”: Jakarta, Indonesia
Yamaha Indonesia (models such as GB1, GC1, etc.):
- Serial numbers starting from 1,700,000 in the early 2000s
Kawai (approx. every 5–10 years):
- 1960: 260,000
- 1965: 500,000
- 1970: 785,000
- 1975: 1,125,000
- 1980: 1,626,000
- 1985: 1,800,000
- 1990: 1,921,000
- 1995: 2,200,000
- 2000: 2,380,000
- 2005: 2,460,000
- 2010: 2,500,000+
Steinway & Sons
- 1940: 300,000
- 1950: 331,000
- 1960: 366,000
- 1970: 418,000
- 1980: 468,500
- 1990: 516,700
- 2000: 554,000
- 2010: 580,000
- 2020: 600,000+
Bechstein
- 1930: 137,446
- 1940: 143,890
- 1950: 147,000
- 1960: 151,950
- 1970: 162,300
- 1980: 173,785
- 1990: 180,821
- 2000: 187,537
Blüthner
- 1930: 115,000
- 1940: 125,500
- 1950: 128,800
- 1960: 135,500
- 1970: 140,000
- 1980: 144,900
- 1990: 148,200
- 2000: 150,200
Petrof
- 1965: 103,700
- 1975: 211,900
- 1985: 423,700
- 1995: 529,900
- 2000: 568,320
Schimmel
- 1960: 50,000
- 1970: 118,200
- 1980: 204,000
- 1990: 286,000
- 2000: 338,500
Young Chang
Upright pianos:
- 1980: 8,000,000
- 1985: 9,329,000
- 1990: 15,373,860
- 1995: 21,130,920
- 2000: 24,296,760
Grand pianos:
- 1980: 800,000
- 1985: 1,600,000
- 1990: 5,394,500
- 1995: 9,329,900
- 2000: 13,038,400
Other included brands
- Baldwin
- August Förster
- Boston (manufactured by Kawai)
- Broadwood
- Carl Ebel
- Estonia
- Fazioli
- Grotrian
- Sauter
- Seiler
- Samick
- Ritmüller
- Zimmerman
- Weinbach
- …and many more (contact us in-store for specific guidance)
What if I can’t find the serial number?
- In older pianos, the serial number may be worn or hidden
- Some handcrafted pianos may not display a visible number
- The year can often be estimated based on frame design, action type, tuning pins, or finishes
Let us help you identify your piano
At Jorquera Pianos, with over 150 years of experience, we can help you determine the approximate year of manufacture if you send us:
- A photo of the serial number
- A photo of the piano’s interior