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FREE PIANO IDENTIFICATION & SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP TOOL
What Year Was My Kawai Piano Made?
(Serial Number Lookup + Guide)
DIRECT ANSWER
Most Kawai pianos can be dated to a specific year from the serial number stamped on the cast-iron plate inside the piano. On grands, look near the tuning pins beneath the lid; on uprights, open the top lid and look on the plate near the tuning pins.
Kawai serial numbers are generally sequential and reliable when correctly identified. Enter the complete number exactly as it appears, including any letter prefix. Modern production and manufacturing outside Japan can introduce format variations, but the serial number remains the best way to establish the piano’s production year.
KAWAI SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP TOOL
Enter the serial number exactly as it appears on the piano, with or without a letter(s) prefix before the numbers.
WHERE IS THE SERIAL NUMBER ON A KAWAI?
Kawai serial numbers are usually stamped into the cast iron plate inside the piano.
KAWAI GRAND PIANOS
On Kawai grand pianos (e.g., GL and KG series):
- look inside toward the iron plate near the tuning pins
- the serial number is stamped onto the metal frame
- you may need to remove the music desk by sliding it toward you until it is free of the piano
KAWAI UPRIGHT PIANOS
On Kawai uprights:
- open the top lid
- inspect the cast iron plate inside the piano
- a flashlight may be required due to internal positioning
- remove the front panel if needed for clearer access
DO NOT USE THESE NUMBERS
Model numbers such as K-3, UST-7, KG-2, or US-50.
Numbers printed on labels, decals, or cabinet parts.
Partial numbers when the complete serial number is visible on the plate.
A number that does not include a visible letter prefix.
WHAT A KAWAI SERIAL NUMBER CAN TELL YOU
A Kawai serial number can usually establish the piano’s approximate or exact manufacturing year and its general place within Kawai’s production timeline.
It does not normally identify the exact production day or month, factory location in every case, or the piano’s original configuration and optional equipment. Kawai serial numbers track production volume rather than encoding all model specifications.
KAWAI PIANO HISTORY
Kawai Musical Instruments was founded in 1927 in Hamamatsu, Japan, by Koichi Kawai. It became one of Japan’s major piano manufacturers and a global competitor to Yamaha.
Kawai built grand, upright, studio, and institutional pianos across multiple production eras.
The company is known for engineering-focused design, including ABS and composite action components in many modern instruments.
Kawai expanded production internationally while retaining a broadly consistent serial-number system across its major product lines.
Its focus on dimensional stability and durability helped establish the brand in home, school, and professional settings.
Reviewed by Joe Kemple, Master Piano Technician, Burd and Sons Piano Service · Updated September 2026
Our database covers all Kawai models, including grand pianos, uprights, studio pianos, and institutional instruments across all major production eras.
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