How old is my newly purchased Kawai

victording · Post by **victording** » 24 Feb 2004, 08:37

I just bought a Kawai K25 from a local dealer, and when I signed the paper it was stated brand new and the serial number was 2492593. However, when the piano was delivered today, I found the serial number was changed to 2480969, about 10 thousand older. I understand that you have a place to check how old a Yamaha piano is by its serail number. Do you also have such a website to show how old a Kawai is? Please help me on this.

Thank you!

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 24 Feb 2004, 09:45

First of all I would take issue with the dealer go back into the shop and see if the piano with number 2492593 is still there. With large dealers the is a common practice but normally with the cheep makes as they well prep the one on the shop floor and you get a lees prepped one from stock, I must admit I have never seen this done on midrange pianos. I always advise my clients to make a note of the serial number and make a point of letting the sales person see you have done this.

As to age, pianos can sit for a long time so don’t surprised if the piano is up to 4 year old.

As to looking up your S/n, published dates start at 1996 = 2244232, 1995 = 2197503 and 1994 = 2160743. So your piano is about a year or so older than the one you think you should have got – you will need to contact Kawai for the correct date of manufacture

Barrie,

victording · Post by **victording** » 25 Feb 2004, 04:34

Thank you, Berrie!

The original S# was actually written on my invoice by the dealer, but it was crossed out by the dealer on their copy and replaced with the second S# when piano was delivered. I called them today, and they said both were brand new pianos. It was just when they opened the box they opened another one, so they changed the S#. Since the two pianos are about only 4 months apart, I guess the dealer is telling the truth. I also sent an email message to Kawai to make sure about the year of production.

Really appreciate for your help!

Victor

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 29 Feb 2004, 16:10

The following scenario is an illustration of the kind of problems which can occur in some instances:

1900 The iron frame is designed, ordered in bulk, and cast with a datemark.
1904 The action is manufactured, and stamped with a number.
1905 The keys are completed, and dated on a label.
1906 The piano is manufactured, and stamped with a number.
1908 The piano reaches the retailer.
1911 The piano is sold.

What is the date of this piano?

richarddale · Post by **richarddale** » 02 Mar 2004, 21:34

things were pretty leisurely in those days!

I would date the piano at 1906 in that scenario

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 02 Mar 2004, 22:05

I wouldn't know about Kawai, but I don't want you to run away with the idea that this scenario only applied in 1900, it's fairly typical from 1870 to 1970, otherwise there'd be no point in mentioning it.