About abc Pianos

On 7 July 1977, abc Keyboard Rental and Transport Service was officially registered, marking the beginning of what would become a remarkable family history in the Victorian piano industry.

John’s son, Eddie Tichelaar, had effectively grown up around the business. His introduction to the piano and organ industry began when he was just 10 years old, regularly helping his father with the transport side of the business, particularly on weekends and during school holidays. By the early 1980s, Eddie’s involvement had become much more than simply helping his dad. In February 1982, at the age of 18, Eddie officially joined the business as a partner.

Eddie developed an extensive knowledge of pianos and their technical requirements, learning from qualified piano designers, master technicians, tuners and builders from Australia and around the world. He also undertook piano technology studies at Preston TAFE during the 1980s.

His professional involvement in the industry continued for decades. Eddie became a member of the Piano Tuners and Technicians Guild of Victoria, as well as the International Association of Piano Builders and Technicians.

Among his many professional achievements, Eddie was particularly proud to receive Honorary Membership as “Custodian of the Order” from the Piano Tuners and Technicians Guild of Victoria for his services to the industry.

Eddie’s wife, Mandy Tichelaar, brought her own unique skills and musical background to the family business.

Mandy had studied music from an early age and was a gifted woodwind player, with piano as her second instrument. At just 15 years of age, she began her teaching career with the Dandenong Ranges Music Council, where she ran a teenage woodwind group.

She went on to perform with various groups and as a soloist before beginning her business career in the accounts department of a large international company. There she developed valuable skills in administration, finance and business management.

Following John’s death in 1993, Eddie and Mandy took over the running of the business, with the continued support of Eddie’s mother, Truus. At this time and with computers becoming more widely used around the world, the decision was made to change the business name to abc Piano Rental and Transport Service. It was also a significant turning point. The business expanded beyond piano hire and transport to include the sale of new and used pianos, establishing the now named abc Pianos as a much broader piano business.

In its early years, Eddie and Mandy operated the business from their home in Montrose, a suburb of Melbourne. As abc Pianos continued to grow, it became clear that a larger facility was needed. The business eventually moved to a warehouse at Easpur Court, Kilsyth. The new premises provided dedicated areas for piano tuning, piano storage, a showroom for floor stock and an upper storage level for long term customers’ piano storage.

At the height of the business in the 2000s, abc Pianos estimates that approximately 240 pianos were on personal hire throughout Melbourne and Victoria at any one time. From a small transport business established in Montrose in 1973, abc Pianos had grown into a significant Victorian piano operation.

A Commitment to Professionalism

Throughout its history, abc Pianos maintained a strong belief that quality could never be compromised. The business worked with trained and professional piano technicians, including Christopher Streader, David Nyhouse, Chris Whelan, Gary Beadell and Andy Vogel, among others.

For Eddie and Mandy, the philosophy was simple: The piano industry deserved professional people who understood the instruments they were working with. That philosophy became one of the foundations upon which abc Pianos was built.

After more than 50 years in and around the business, retirement eventually became inevitable for Eddie and Mandy.

Having spent a lifetime building abc Pianos, they were ready to step back and devote more time to their families, community involvement and the many other interests that had developed throughout their lives. But the story of abc Pianos was not going to end.

In 2024, the business was purchased by Bradley and Alyce Saul and relocated to regional Victoria. For Eddie, there was something particularly fitting about the new owners.

Bradley had known Eddie and abc Pianos since 2008, having worked as a professional piano technician. Over the years, Bradley had noticed a growing problem across regional Victoria: quality performance pianos were becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, while many existing instruments were simply too old to meet the demands of professional performance. Bradley saw an opportunity.

A Wedding, a Piano and a Remarkable Coincidence

There is also a wonderful personal connection between the old and new chapters of abc Pianos. On 22 October 2016, Bradley and Alyce were married. For their outdoor wedding ceremony, Eddie and Mandy, through abc Pianos, supplied a beautiful Ivory Yamaha baby grand piano. Neither Eddie nor Mandy could have known then that eight years later, Bradley and Alyce would become the new custodians of the abc Pianos name. Even more remarkably, the very van that Bradley and Alyce would eventually use in their own piano business can be seen parked in the background of their wedding photographs. Sometimes, looking back, the pieces of a story seem to have been falling into place long before anyone realised it. Just as another coincidence, Bradley and Alyce have three wonderful children in their lives. Aylah, Blakely and Christopher.

The abc Pianos story has always been about adapting to change without compromising traditional standards.

In 2025, the business entered another new technological era with the introduction of the PIANOLIFT transport machine, providing a modern solution to the challenges associated with moving heavy and valuable pianos. Then, in 2026, abc Pianos further expanded its hire fleet with a new Yamaha C3X, along with a new Yamaha C7X semi-concert grand. It is another example of the business continuing to evolve while remaining true to the principles upon which it was founded.