Conceived in 2002, Big Wrench is a registered New York City business based in Brooklyn. Upon learning the art and trade, Brian Whiton spent time working for many highly respected names in the business, from Schmitt Music, the Steinway retail giant in Minneapolis, to AC Pianocraft, one of the top rebuilding shops in Manhattan. Brian has also spent time with quality businesses Pianos in Manhattan and Guido's Piano Service in Brooklyn, and continues to help out his friends at the Musician's General Store, also in Brooklyn, and the legendary tuner Gene Manfrini, who has recently retired and moved upstate.

Advertising primarily by word of mouth, Brian soon accumulated a regular customer base and set up a shop to accommodate various larger-scale action work. He currently splits his time between school, church and home service in Manhattan and Brooklyn, recording studio work, and in-shop repairing and action rebuilding. When he finds a free hour or two, he spends the time musically, on his 1876 Steinway, practicing and playing jazz. You can currently hear Brian play piano at Roth's Westside Steakhouse on Columbus Avenue at 93rd Street in Manhattan.  He plays solo jazz piano Wednesdays from 6 to 10 pm.  For more information see Links and Friends on the main page.

"I love the instrument. I am lucky to be involved in such an interesting and challenging trade, and to make a living with pianos and music. For me, every detail is enjoyable. There is no feeling like giving a new life to an ailing piano, and then playing and listening and learning what it is capable of."

Why Big Wrench? "Pianos are big, and they require large tools to maintain them." But more fitting is the story of Brian's grandfather, who was a tradesman who also started his own business and passed on a great deal of knowledge and hand skills to Brian as he worked with him in his younger years. "My grandfather was a plumber by trade. I remember, when I was very young, being astounded by a giant six foot pipe wrench that hung in his shop. A wrench as big as a person! It is a colorful memory, and it relates my grandfather and everything I learned from him to my business."

Brian Whiton
Big Wrench Piano Care