1910 bOHMANN PARLOR RESTORATION

This 1910 Bohmann parlor guitar came to me not as a commission, but as a gift. The owner, recognizing the guitar’s age and charm, knew that restoring it would be too costly—but hoped it might somehow be brought back to life. I accepted the challenge, not just as a luthier, but as a caretaker of its story.

This charming little parlor guitar was built in 1910 by Joseph Bohmann, a well-known maker from Chicago. After more than a century of life, it had clearly been well-loved—and well-worn. 

This guitar has history. It was originally purchased directly from the Bohmann factory in Chicago, not through a retail shop—a rare and personal touch from that era. Over the years, it saw its share of hard use and even misfortune; at one point, a bookcase fell on it, leaving it damaged and unplayable.My goal with the restoration was simple: bring it back to life as a playable instrument, without erasing its history.

I kept as much original material as possible, including the fret markers, and replicated only what was absolutely necessary. The bridge and fingerboard were carefully rebuilt, and the finish was cleaned and refreshed, while leaving all the wear, patina, and character untouched.

What you see now is a fully playable vintage guitar that still proudly shows its age. It’s not meant to look new—it’s meant to feel alive again.