Founded in Brooklyn, New York in 2002, Big Wrench Piano Care is a small, craft-oriented piano sales, tuning and repair service catering to the needs of piano owners and musicians on every scale. At its core is Brian Whiton, Registered Piano Technician (RPT). Beginning in the Twin Cities of Minnesota at Steinway & Sons retail giant Schmitt Music and moving to Brooklyn in 2001, Brian has worked with several of the finest piano rebuilders and tuners in New York City.Early influences include established tuner/technicians Steve Drasche and the late Gene Manfrini; experience in the local Piano Technician's Guild has led to association with esteemed technicians Daniel Levitan RPT, and Mike Miccio RPT, and soundboard guru and old world master craftsman, Marco DeLellis.
Services
Big Wrench Piano Care began as a tuning and repair service dedicated to custom professional acoustic piano service and we still honor our commitment to the thousands of pianos in New York homes, music schools, churches, concert halls, recording studios, parks, and any other place where a piano might be ready to make music.
We maintain a unique and diverse selection of mostly American upright and grand pianos, with special attention given to prewar New York City produced Steinway pianos. We also have an affinity for many other classic American makes--pianos made with pride and built to last. Mason & Hamlin, Knabe, Chickering, Baldwin, Hardman, and Sohmer are just a few examples of American makes that featured quality craftsmanship.
From Ray Charles and Donny Hathaway to Supertramp and Beck, the Wurlitzer Electric Piano has defined many musical styles, from the 1950's through to today. There are at least eight different models of Wurlitzer electric pianos that we proudly service. If you find one, or happen to have one that isn't so hot, we can fix it and make it sound and play even better than the day it was made.
We specialize in both sales and rentals of vintage electric pianos. The two most iconic makes are Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer, and Hohner, Baldwin and Yamaha also made some unique electric pianos. The types of electric pianos that we sell and service have mechanical actions--usually felt or rubber tipped hammers that strike reeds or tines to produce tones that are amplified electronically.
Reviews (10)
Jennifer Samphaoron
Jun 19, 2022
Evan Tarrh
May 13, 2022
Natalia Goldstein
Apr 28, 2022
Mike Verselli
Jan 25, 2022
Brian is an exceptional piano tuner and technician. I've had excellent service from him and Bert as well. Can't recommend them enough! I shipped a piano over a long distance to nyc from a very different climate and he was able to get everything all set up and stabilized. Also he fabricated a mute rail for my piano and did the installation, works perfectly and is great to have the option of quiet practicing. Pricing is also very reasonable!
Meredith Walters
Dec 14, 2021
Fi Poll
May 21, 2021
Writing this on behalf of SJ. We've used Big Wrench once before about a year and a half ago. Finally SJ was tired of how out her tune her piano sounded (no servicing due to the pandemic) so we called up to schedule a tuner to come out. Bert was assigned to tune an 80+ year old Steinway grand piano. SJ has been over the moon at how amazing the piano sounds and said she has never had a tuner tune her piano the way Bert did. Very satisfied and happy about the service provided. Highly recommended!
Erlinda Brent
Apr 18, 2020
For many years, Brian and his team have tuned the pianos at the church where I work. Some of our pianos are and have been a challenge, and Big Wrench makes them sound great. We use them for regular maintenance and tune-ups before concerts. Big Wrench is not just professional, they are very good at what they do!
Kevin Dann
Feb 11, 2020
Lynette Wiley
Dec 03, 2019
E. Gold
Nov 03, 2019
Cool shop in Brooklyn run by knowledgeable local staff. Wide selection of instruments - some really cool guitars you don't see in chain stores - and vintage electric pianos. They have performers in the store sometimes, it's a great vibe all around. Highly recommend Brian and his store if you need an instrument or piano technician.
