[pianotech] Steinway Grand

[George F Emerson]

In a few, rare cases the serial number is assign at the front of the line. 
More often, the serial number is assign at the end of the line.  When the 
serial number is assigned at the end, a case number of 3 - 4 digits (usually 
too few digits for a serial number) is used to return the case parts to the 
instrument to which it was originally fitted.  If you find the same number 
on virtually every case part, it is almost certainly a case number, 
especially if it is a shorter number than you would expect of that 
manufacturer's serial number sequence.  The problem with assigning serial 
numbers at the front of the line is that the pianos never arrive at the end 
of the line even close to the same sequence in which they began, which makes 
it almost impossible to say which serial number marks the beginning number 
of a new year's production.

Frank Emerson