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Piano Serial Numbers

Each piano manufacturer uses a serial numbering system to uniquely identify each piano. Much like a vehicle’s VIN number, the piano’s serial number serves as a valuable tool for dating the instrument, determining its production factory, and confirming whether it is subject to recalls or other known issues. This information can be particularly important to verify before purchasing a piano.

Serial number conventions vary by manufacturer and factory. Most serial numbers consist of 4-8 numerical digits, though some may incorporate letters. Because some manufactures have multiple factories and recognizable piano brand-names occasionally undergo changes in ownership, making sense of a piano’s serial number can be a complex task. If you’re interested in knowing when your piano was manufactured and cannot find information online, Brad Fant Piano Service may be able to assist in dating a piano if provided the serial number.

Where Do I Find My Piano's Serial Number?

Common serial number locations on vertical and grand pianos

FIGURE 1a. The serial number of a vertical piano can usually be found in #1, either stamped on the plate or engraved in the pinblock and showing through a cut-away portion of the plate. #2 and #4, also on the plate, are other possibilities. On newer pianos, the serial number is sometimes on the top of the piano back (#3) or stamped on the back of the piano (#5).

FIGURE 1b. The serial number of a grand piano is usually in position 2, stamped on the plate or engraved in the pinblock; elsewhere on the plate or soundboard (such as #1 and #3); or stamped on the front of the key frame (#4). Access to the key frame is gained by removing the keyslip.

Photo courtesy of Piano Buyer Press LLC. 

Helpful Serial Number Links by Manufacturer:

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which areas do you service?
    We service the area denoted in green on the map below. This includes, but is not limited to: Ballantyne, Carmel, Dilworth, Matthews, Myers Park, Quail Hollow, South End, and SouthPark. Please contact us by phone at 704-593-6741 or by email at bradfantpianos@gmail.com to inquire about special accommodations.
  • How often do I need to have my piano tuned? Why does it go out of tune?
    Generally, pianos should be tuned every 6 months or every year, even if they are not being played regularly. Pianos on the concert stage, in recording studios, or in schools may require more frequent tuning and attention. The piano's main structure and soundboard are both made of wood, which expand and contract with climate change and humidity variation. Fluctuations in the wood net an out of tune piano. It is especially important to tune new pianos several times during their first few years to ensure that the string tension and piano structure reach a stable equilibrium. For more information about tuning, please see here.
  • What is a "pitch raise?"
    All modern pianos are designed to be tuned and sound their best at "standard pitch," where A4=440 Hz (A above middle C vibrates at 440 cycles per second). If a piano has not been tuned for an extended period of time (over ~12 months), has been through extreme climate fluctuations, or has been moved, the overall pitch of the piano may be significantly higher or lower than standard pitch. In this situation, the piano will require a pitch adjustment or "pitch raise" to bring the piano’s combined string tension back into a normal range before a standard fine tuning can be performed. A pitch raise and fine tuning are typically performed in the same service appointment, but in very extreme cases, where multiple pitch raises are necessary, a second appointment may be necessary. The need for a pitch raise cannot be determined without assessing the piano in person. For more information about pitch raises, please see here.
  • I'm moving. How can I move my piano safely and when should I have it tuned?
    Moving your piano shouldn't be stressful and you most definitely should not attempt to move it yourself. Hire an insured piano mover, not just any mover! The piano is a fragile instrument and permanent damage can easily be done by an inexperienced mover. Please feel free to reach out if you would like a referral. It's generally recommended to wait about one month after your move to tune the piano, allowing it to acclimate to the new location. This will net a more stable tuning than had it been tuned immediately.
  • Do you repair digital pianos and keyboards?
    We do not service or repair digital pianos/keyboards, and recommend contacting your instrument's manufacturer for a referral to a certified service center: Casio Kawai Korg Roland Yamaha
  • What is a RPT (Registered Piano Technician)?
    The Piano Technicians Guild is a nonprofit organization that regulates the trade of piano technology. A RPT is a piano technician who has undergone and passed tuning, technical, and written exams according the the Piano Technicians Guild standards. The Registered Piano Technician certification is the only official guild certification for piano technicians in the United States. For more information about Registered Piano Technicians, please see here.
  • What type of payments do you accept?
    Accepted forms of payment include: paper check, cash, Zelle, Venmo, Apple Pay, and all major credit and debit cards. For more information about payments, please see here.
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