Beale Piano Serial Number Lookup Official
| Step | Action | |------|--------| | 1 | Find serial number (frame, action, keybed) | | 2 | Compare to Beale year chart above | | 3 | Cross-check with style/features | | 4 | Ask on Piano World or APTA forums | | 5 | Accept that many Beale records are incomplete |
Below is a guide based on historical records from Bluebook of Pianos and Overs Pianos to help you date your instrument. Production Year Starting Serial Number Range 3,000+ [11] 1902–1905 31,000 – 37,800 [11] 1908–1909 18,574 – 23,501 [18, 23] 1911 ~28,000 [26] 1918–1919 37,700 – 37,948 [24, 11] 1920–1922 39,800 – 45,850 1923–1927 72,100 – 75,700 [11] 1939–1949 79,600 – 83,000 [11] 1950–1956 84,000 – 85,600 [11, 25]
: It may be found on the wooden soundboard at the back of the piano (uprights) or underneath the strings (grands). Hidden Interior Parts : On some models, the number is stamped on the cheek blocks (wooden blocks at either end of the keys) or the (the long wooden ledge in front of the keys). Beale Serial Number Age Chart
Unlike imported European pianos, Beale pianos were specifically engineered for Australian humidity and temperature fluctuations, featuring a patented "Tension Resonator" on many models to maintain tuning stability. beale piano serial number lookup
After Yamaha’s involvement (from 1969 onward), Beale serial numbering became irregular or overlapped with Yamaha’s system. Many online lookup tools stop at ~1970. For pianos from 1970–1990, age estimation becomes guesswork unless you contact Yamaha Australia directly.
Driven by a desire to manufacture a piano wholly in Australia, Beale opened the country's first piano factory in 1893. Within a decade, the company moved to a massive new facility in the Sydney suburb of Annandale, a factory complex that quickly grew to become the largest piano factory in the and the southern hemisphere.
Note: The table shows two distinct numbering sequences, which is common in older manufacturers representing different factory lines or model types (e.g., standard vs. player pianos). Historical Significance of Beale Pianos | Step | Action | |------|--------| | 1
Try: info@bealepianos.com.au – but note that modern Beale (imported stencil brand) may not have access to old records.
Arthur ignored her. He had a ritual. Before he sentenced an instrument to the dumpster, he had to know when it was born. He sat on the piano stool, his knees cracking louder than the instrument ever could. He leaned forward and shone a flashlight into the upper treble corner, right near the tuning pins.
Sometimes the serial number is stamped on the back of the piano cabinet. Beale Serial Number Age Chart Unlike imported European
Rarely, it may be stamped on the wooden back, requiring you to move the piano away from the wall.
Beale serial numbers are four- to six-digit codes. They are stamped directly into the wood or iron structure. Look in these five common locations:
Some piano appraisal sites (e.g., or Piano Age Calculator ) offer paid serial searches – but verify they have Beale data first.
False. Hammer numbers are part numbers (e.g., "H-12" for a hammer size). Ignore them.
If you have a Beale piano, finding its story starts with that simple .
