How to Find Serial Numbers on Brass and Woodwind Instruments

Serial numbers can be found in a variety of places on different instruments. Please use the images below to help locate the serial number on your instrument.

	Tubas and baritone horns most often have the serial number on the center valve or on the mouthpiece receiver.
	French horns may display serial numbers on or around the valves, on the underside of the key area, or near the mouthpiece.
	Flute serial numbers can be found on the back of the body, or middle joint. They are commonly placed near the foot joint receiver, or near the top of the body, either on the barrel or near the highest key.
	On the clarinet, serial numbers appear on the back of the body of the instrument, on either side of the socket rings where the upper joint meets the lower joint, or close to the bell.
	Serial numbers on oboes are usually seen on the back of the instrument, in the middle where the joints meet, or close to the lowest key, near the bell.
	Piccolo serial numbers generally appear near either end of the body of the piccolo, on the back of the instruments. On Yamaha (and some other) piccolos, the numbers may be located on the metal receiver for the headjoint (circled), and may be covered when assembled.
	Saxophones display their serial numbers on the back of the instrument, near the thumb rest. Older saxophones may also have a serial number on the neck.
	Serial numbers on trombones normally appear on the body near the slide receiver (arrow) or on the slide receiver or mouthpiece receiver (circled).
	On a trumpet, look on either side of the center valve for the serial number.