Pierce Interpretation...

[harvey]

My take (only) Jim, based on some empirical evidence -- the rest casual
observation.

Manufacturers sometimes use contiguous numbers. Other times they'll skip a
chunk of numbers and begin again, without actually producing the number of
physical units we see in the atlas. A perusal of Pierce will reveal numbers
where the math between years just doesn't equate to reality.

Some of this number "blocking" has to do with the manufacturer's fiscal
period (instead of physical years); other times it's for ease of component
inventory, raw materials purchase and tracking... clearing the decks for a
"fresh start", so to speak. 

Regarding individual units within a given group. It depends on how the
manufacturer elects to deal with it. One method is to attach the serial
number to the strung back. Um, that didn't read too good. Build a back
assembly (structure, board/ribs, plate, strings) and give it a number. That
number "follows" the piano all the way through production (side glue-up,
action installation, etc.). If a plate fails or any other trauma prevents
making that unit a saleable instrument, any salvageable components are
recycled or used for replacement parts. Otherwise, the serial number for
that unit (back) is "retired", and referenced accordingly in the books to
provide an audit trail.

The other way of course would be to assemble everything, -then- assign a
serial number to those that survive the trip through production.

In real life, one indicator of the former method is where the serial number
is embossed (in relief with punches) on the pinblock and viewed through a
"window" in the plate. The latter method uses a glued-on metal plate, a
decal, or a rubber stamp... somewhere.

... Still don't like the way this reads, but don't want to clean it up any
more.

At 11:47 AM 3/30/99 -0500, you wrote:
>   So far, so good......but do the serial numbers reflect actual "units"
>produced or just assigned serial numbers........ in other words if a unit is
>destroyed in production, or is found to be totally unsuitable for sale, does
>the serial number just switch to another unit? Or is that number just skipped
>over?  The plot thickens and I have no answer :-)
>Jim Bryant (FL)


Jim Harvey, RPT
Greenwood, SC
harvey@greenwood.net