I'm bringing a question from inside a thread over at the piano forum.

It has been noted that some recent M&Hs lack a soundboard decal. Apparently factory-applied decals reappeared beginning sometime around May, 2005.

All the old rebuildt grands that have online pictures seem to have decals reapplied (if the soundboard was replaced) or still present. But there are seldom any pictures of middle-aged units. A currently advertised c.1963 "B" has a decal.

Anybody know the time frame (beginning/ending) that decals were not standard? Was it only certain models? Was it simply in the first years of the Burgett ownership?

I don't know.... but I have a 2005 M&H and will likely need to replace all the strings. Can I have a decal installed at the time of changing all the strings? Or can this not be done over the finish (soundboard fine but strings have rust from water damage.

I recognize you, Wade. Cute kid too!
It was the advertisement in eBay of YOUR piano that got this question going!
You should give M&H a call and see if they sell the decal, and in what stage of the soundboard finishing process it is applied. On my AA it isn't obvious that's it's been overcoated.

Yes, it would be possible to add a decal during restringing, and, practically, only then.

Ask your tuner/tech. Decals are available to professionals from a variety of sources.

--Cy--