On a Beale piano, the serial number is typically a five or six-digit number. You can find it in the following common locations: Collections WA How might I find out what year my Beale Pianola was made?
Traditional pianos hold tuning pins inside a wooden pinblock. Changes in humidity cause the wood to swell or shrink, causing the piano to go out of tune.
Finding the exact age of your Beale piano requires locating its serial number and matching it to historical factory production dates. Beale is one of Australia's most iconic piano manufacturers, and tracking down its history helps determine its vintage, historical value, and background.
: Check the V-shaped area formed at the top of the frame between the bass and tenor strings. beale piano serial number lookup
Knowing the year helps you understand the , the specific materials used , and the true market value of your instrument.
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"A high serial number means a newer piano." Truth: Not necessarily. Beale used batch numbering. A high number like 185,000 could be 1955, while 200,000 could be 1965. Always use a chart, not guesswork. On a Beale piano, the serial number is
Finding the serial number on a Beale can be tricky, as it may be located in several places depending on the model and year of manufacture.
Rise to becoming the "largest piano factory in the British Empire". 1914 – 1920 Continued production despite WWI disruptions. 52,000 – 63,800 1925 – 1930 Peak manufacturing era; introduction of many player pianos. 69,900 – 74,700 1940 – 1950 Post-WWII resumption after building aircraft parts. 86,651 – 94,680 1960 – 1975
Serial number records are not always 100% perfect. For example, one museum source notes that a piano with serial number 37948 has documentation proving it was made in 1918, but books like the Pierce Piano Atlas suggest 1919 for numbers starting at 37700. So, while the chart above is a highly reliable guide, think of it as giving you a close estimate rather than an absolute, down-to-the-month date. Changes in humidity cause the wood to swell
Before looking up the date, you must isolate the correct serial number. Pianos often have multiple factory tracking markings or patent numbers stamped on different components. The true production serial number for a Beale piano is typically a (for historical Australian models). On Upright Pianos Beale pianos history
A is the absolute best way to pinpoint the exact manufacturing year, historical lineage, and origin of your instrument . Established by Octavius Charles Beale in 1879, Beale & Company grew to become the largest piano manufacturer in Australia, famously pioneering the climate-resistant "Beale-Vader" all-iron tuning system.
A piano’s age does not equal its condition. A 1925 Beale that was regularly tuned can outperform a 1985 Beale that sat in a damp garage.