HOW OLD IS MY PIANO?
FREE PIANO IDENTIFICATION & SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP TOOL
What Year Was My Boston Piano Made?
(Serial Number Lookup + Guide)
DIRECT ANSWER
Most Boston pianos can be dated to a specific production year using the serial number stamped on the cast-iron plate inside the piano. On grands, look near the tuning pins or bass strings; on uprights, open the top lid or front panel and inspect the metal plate.
Boston pianos are designed by Steinway & Sons and manufactured by Kawai Musical Instruments, but use Boston-branded serial numbering. Select “Boston” in the lookup tool—not Steinway or Kawai—and use the stamped serial number rather than the model number.
BOSTON PIANO SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP TOOL
WHERE IS THE SERIAL NUMBER ON A BOSTON?
Boston serial numbers are stamped into the cast iron plate inside the piano.
BOSTON GRAND PIANOS
- lift the lid and look inside the piano
- locate the serial number stamped on the plate near the tuning pins or bass strings
- it is typically clearly visible without disassembly
BOSTON UPRIGHT PIANOS
- open the top lid or front panel
- look inside toward the cast iron plate
- the serial number is stamped onto the metal frame
- a flashlight may be required
Important identification note:
- The serial number is always stamped into the metal plate. Do not use model numbers (e.g., GP-178, UP-118) as these are not serial identifiers.
DO NOT USE THESE NUMBERS
Do not enter:
a model number, such as GP-178 or UP-118
numbers printed on paperwork instead of the stamped plate number
digits that are unclear because of glare on the metal plate
If the result seems incorrect, verify the number directly on the cast-iron plate.
WHAT A BOSTON SERIAL NUMBER CAN TELL YOU
A Boston serial-number lookup can usually establish the piano’s manufacturing year, general production era, and approximate place in Boston’s production timeline.
It cannot establish the exact day or month of production, the specific factory location in every case, detailed model configuration, or later rebuilding or restoration.
BOSTON PIANO HISTORY
The Boston line was introduced in 1992 by Steinway & Sons as a mid-tier brand positioned between Steinway and entry-level instruments.
Boston pianos are designed by Steinway & Sons and manufactured by Kawai Musical Instruments.
Boston grand pianos use a wider-tail design for increased soundboard area.
Their centralized manufacturing and relatively standardized production make Boston serial numbers more consistent to interpret than many older American systems.
Reviewed by Joe Kemple, Master Piano Technician, Burd and Sons Piano Service · Updated September 2026
Our database includes Boston piano serial numbers across all production years, covering both grand and upright models.
Copyright © 2019 – present, Burd and Sons Piano Service