[pianotech] Yamaha Serial Number

[Pianoman]

The 2 Y spinets I have tuned through the years were very decent pianos.
James
James Grebe
Since 1962
Piano Tuning & Repair
Creator of Handsome Hardwood Products(
314) 608-4137   1526 Raspberry Lane   Arnold, MO 63010
Researcher of St. Louis Theatre History
BECOME WHAT YOU BELIEVE!
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "chuck c" <chchristus at earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2009 5:49 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Yamaha Serial Number


The exception to finding the series of numbers on verticals at the place Ron 
describes is with the spinet.
I saw one today, first time having run across a Yamaha spinet, didn't bring 
my Pierce in with me since she told me it was a Yamaha vertical, but didn't 
see the usual numbers on the action rail.  She, however, told me she bought 
it new - in Japan - in 1973.   Serial #B1716432 (not made for the NA 
market!)
As previously reviewed here, this isn't a bad piano overall- for a spinet. 
Some "nasality" in the tenor, like a lot of pianos (big and small), but a 
good enough bass and decent treble.
I'm wondering how many years the spinet was made by Yamaha.
If I hadn't read about them here first, I would have doubted when my 
customer first called that she had a Yamaha spinet.
But they do exist.

Chuck C.



  -----Original Message----- 
  From: Ron Overs
  Sent: Jun 3, 2009 6:11 PM
  To: pianotech at ptg.org
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Yamaha Serial Number

  Jon,

  That number sounds pretty close to 1960.

  If its a grand, look at the treble end of the action. If its an
  upright, look at the top edge of the action rail just in from the
  treble end action bracket. There will be a long number which begins
  with the year of manufacture. The upright will have no other number
  nearby, but the grand will also have the serial number of the piano
  stamped on the treble end of the action. For example, if the first
  two digits of the long number are 69*******, the piano will have been
  made in 1969.

  The above applies to Yamaha pianos made for export from Japan. If the
  piano was made at another factory outside Japan, other protocols may
  apply.

  Yamahas with A before the serial number seem to be all grey market
  pianos from Japan.

  Of course, the serial number doesn't always tell you what you are
  seeking. One of the shady local merchants put an extra "1" digit in
  front of an early Kawai grand to give it the appearance of youth. The
  careless work was a bit of a giveaway, plus the fact that the model
  was a 650 model and not a KG5 model (same size and shape, but
  different era)

  Ron O.

  >What does the letter B preceding the number mean?
  >B129057 model M213
  >
  >Ther Pierce Atlas places the number c.1960 but it
  >does not look that old as far as the unfinished wood aging.
  >--
  >
  >Regards,
  >
  >Jon Page


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