Congratulations to our daughter, Abby, and her fiancé, Beau, on their engagement! We’re thrilled for them—and, as you can probably guess, there’s a piano involved in this love story.

Abby grew up around pianos. She's helped move them, clean them, play them, and even worked with us in the piano shop. So when it came time to choose a meaningful wedding gift, we knew exactly what to do.

My wife’s 5th‑generation 1926 Andrew Kohler family heirloom upright piano is being fully restored as a wedding gift for Abby and Beau. This isn’t just any piano—it’s part of our family’s history, full of character and heart. On their wedding day, we’ll reveal it, completely rebuilt and beautifully refinished.

After five generations, it’s finally time! This 1926 Andrew Kohler upright has been part of the family for over 100 years — surviving a flood, and building countless sentimental memories. Passed down from generation to generation, it's now being rebuilt for the fifth generation to cherish!

In this stage of the rebuild, we’ve restored the soundboard — the heart of the piano — giving it the strength and resonance it needs for decades of music-making ahead. The new bass apron is in place, and we’ve sanded and prepped the surface for lacquer so it will look as beautiful as it sounds. You can actually hear where the soundboard’s tonal power begins and ends, even without strings. I can’t wait to string it up and hear this heirloom sing again

Traveling down memory lane, I can still picture little Abby sitting next to me on the piano bench, her tiny hands carefully finding the keys as we played together. Those moments were pure joy — no rush, no deadlines, just a dad and his daughter making music. We’d laugh when she’d hit a “surprise” note, celebrate when we finished a song in sync, and enjoy every second of learning and playing side by side. Looking back now, those simple afternoons at the piano weren’t just music lessons — they were the start of a lifelong connection to music and a memory I’ll always treasure.

We’re now just 67 days away from my daughter’s wedding, and her heirloom piano — passed down through several generations on my wife’s side — is really coming together. The plate has been beautifully refinished, the new strings are on, and the dampers and hammers have been expertly installed, perfectly aligned and straight as an arrow. Every detail has been carefully rebuilt, from the soundboard repairs to the flawless hammer installation. This piano isn’t just going to look incredible — it’s going to sound incredible. I know my daughter, and someday my future grandchildren, will cherish it for decades to come.

Before restoration, this 1926 Kohler & Campbell upright shows the kind of wear you’d expect from nearly a century of use. The once-rich wood finish has dulled and faded, with scratches, nicks, and areas where the varnish has worn thin. Decades of sun, handling, and everyday life have left their mark, but the underlying craftsmanship still shines through. The ornate details in the cabinetry, though weathered, hint at the elegance this piano had in its prime — and the beauty it will soon have again once fully restored.

Watch the YouTube Playlist as we transform this piano! 

Do you have a cherished family heirloom piano that you would like to restore? Contact us today for a FREE family heirloom restoration evaluation!