There are plenty of piano tuners, albeit only a few of them see in this magnificent instrument a “living” organism. “C’est le ton qui fait la musique”, say the French, and if the piano tuner, not unlike a lover, approaches the instrument with care and consummate skill, it will sing and produce heavenly melodies and clear rhythms. If, however, the piano tuner approaches the instrument like a routine and unfeeling mechanic, the produced sounds will make the listener’s ears bleed and heart ache. A fine piano tuner will even succeed in having a maltreated piano produce gratifying sounds that lead to beautiful chords and enchanting melodies.

And yet, piano tuning is only the crowning of hierarchically ordered endeavors: Like a keyboard virtuoso, a master piano tuner has not, so-to-speak, “descended ready-made from Heaven”, nor is piano tuning his only skill. Such a person knows how to protect a piano from dangerous climatic conditions, how to move the instrument great distances, how to rebuild a damaged piano, how to store it, and how to sell it; also, how to evaluate a new or used piano for a prospective buyer, and, last but not least, how to determine a fair price for an instrument. In short, not everything that shines is gold, and not every piano that looks good, is worth the posted price.

And, if the piano tuner is to be also a pianist and not just an arranger of pleasant chords, and knows how to play a piece by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with all its shades, nuances, and subtle tempi, then...then the interested party should contact WES FLINN, RPT. Next to him, all other piano technicians I have known in the course of four decades, are merely pale orphans. Mr. Flinn has been there when I looked for a piano, he has been there when I bought a piano, and he is always there when my piano needs to be tuned. Believe me, not only I but also the Muses Euterpe, Terpsichore, and Polyhymnia are greatly indebted to him.

Peter Horwath,
Professor of German Studies,
School of International Letters and Cultures,
Arizona State University,
Tempe, Arizona

If you want to learn how to take care of your piano, go to Website “Piano Tuning Phoenix”. I grew up around pianos, as my mother was a professional pianist and teacher. I play guitar, and spent several years in the entertainment business, and I know how important it is to have a piano that stays up to pitch and works properly. Wes Flinn started servicing our piano in 2000, and it has been up to pitch and played well ever since. Go to his Website, and get the right technical way to take care of pianos, written in everyday language in a “how to” theme. All the basics are there, just follow the rules, and your piano will sound better, play better and last longer.

A big thanks to Wes for his professionalism and wisdom. He was very sensitive to the demise and ultimate loss of our long time family piano due to an inability to repair, even to the extent of no charge for his efforts. I am looking forward to next month when he comes to tune our newly purchased piano after acclimation. I truly appreciate Wes for his great knowledge, timely service and straight talk.

 

A few months ago we acquired an old piano from our rental property (renters fled and left the piano).   When this piano became ours for free, I felt very blessed.   Now that we had this piano, I was eager to start my children on lessons....what good is having a piano if no one can play it? :-)  After calling a couple of piano tuners and not receiving a call back, we found Wes Flinn's website (PianoTuningPhoenix.com).  When Mr. Flinn arrived to assess our piano, it was immediately apparent that this man has a great love for pianos as well as great knowledge about how they work.  He explained many things in detail, quoted a price estimate and soon after began working on our piano.  He spent many labor-intensive hours over the course of two weeks.  Mr. Flinn provided Full Maintenance Service on our piano, including restoring the pinblock mechanism, recalibrating the keyboard; regulated and lubricated the action, raised the pitch to standard pitch and tuned it, plus made various repairs -- all for the price he quoted.  I know that he could have charged double what he'd originally quoted, but he didn't.  We also learned about humidity problems in Arizona, and we added an area humidifier to our house to help save our furniture and piano.  I can honestly say that I am very glad we found Mr. Flinn and I will proudly recommend him to anyone needing service.   

Katheryn Wallace 

Avondale, Arizona
 

I needed to have my Kimball Spinet tuned or repaired.   When I sat down to play, it was frustrating.  The keys would stick, or would not produce a sound.  Most difficult was listening to some notes that would seem to strike two notes together, neither of which was in tune.  I began to think my piano playing ability had dwindled.  It never occurred to me that the piano had problems. 

In the past I utilized a piano tuner with no accreditation.  He would arrive, tune the piano in about thirty minutes, take my payment and leave.  I would explain the problems I was experiencing, and was told that they were unfixable.  After his service, the piano would stay tuned briefly, and then it would sound as bad as before.  I didn’t like paying and paying without results, so I just stopped having the piano tuned and stopped playing entirely.  I couldn’t stand to listen to the piano. 

Yet, I wanted to teach my daughters to play.  I had to find someone qualified to help my piano.  I did some research on Google and came across the Piano Technicians Guild.  From that site I was linked to the RPT (Registered Piano Technician) in my area.  This brought me to Wes Flinn.  Attached to his Guild link were his customer reviews, so I read through them.  Each customer was very praise worthy and satisfied.  I called Wes and scheduled an appointment.

Wes inspected my piano and explained what needed to be repaired.  I was pleased to learn that every complaint I had about the piano could be fixed.  Every question I asked was explained in excellent detail and in understandable terms.  The repairs would include action regulation and lubrication, calibrating and leveling the keyboard, a Pitch Raise tuning plus cleaning inside and out.  He even described how I could refurbish the exterior myself, using easily found and inexpensive supplies.  Wes provided a reasonable quote, so I scheduled the repairs. 

I learned much from Mr. Flinn’s website at www.PianoTuningPhoenix.com.  Contained within were helpful, clickable lists of information, including tuning an acoustic piano, to humidity control, to buying and selling pianos.  There is a wealth of easy to understand information contained in each title.  I truly understood what would be done to my piano.   After reviewing his explanations on “Tuning” I realized that in the past, what I had asked those non-accredited tuners to fix on my piano had never been addressed.  Educating myself on piano terms really helped me understand what Wes would be doing.  This in turn boosted my eagerness to play my “new” piano.

On a Monday Wes cleaned the piano -- this work alone took about two and a half hours -- then removed the action for regulation and lubrication at his shop.  On Friday, Wes returned to begin the real work of calibrating the keyboard, leveling the keys, finishing the regulation and finally setting the Pitch Raise and Fine Tuning.  He allowed me to participate and help clean each of the keys.  He worked quickly and professionally.  An unexpected dry weather crack in an action part was found at the last minute and repaired -- I have high praise for Wes in that he stuck with his original quote of the cost despite the surprise repair.  I admire his integrity. 

I now understand that what Wes gave my piano what is called “Full Maintenance Service” plus a Pitch Raise and a  Fine Tuning -- complete definitions are on his Website. When the piano was complete, I was amazed at the difference.  The keys moved beautifully, the sound was excellent.  I spent several hours that night playing almost every piece of music I own.  I realized then that I hadn’t lost my piano playing talent; I just didn’t have a piano that was cooperating.

 I highly recommend Wes Flinn to anyone who wants their piano to really play well.  Also, he has wonderful rapport with children and pets. 

Alissa Austin

Phoenix, Arizona
 

I own an 85 year old Gulbransen upright piano.  I decided a few months ago that I needed to finally take better care of it and I knew it definitely needed tuning.  So, I got on the Web and looked for piano tuners.  There were a number of them, but one in particular caught my eye.  Wes Flinn had an amazing website with not only contact information, but loads of information about taking care of a piano, tuning, repairs, buying and selling, storing, and lots of other things.  After browsing around his website, I gave Wes a call and ask him to come over and take a look at my piano to see what it might need.  I knew after that first meeting that I had made the perfect choice.  Wes is incredibly knowledgeable about every imaginable aspect of piano .  We talked for quite some time about what my piano needed to get back up and running. I knew I didn’t want to buy a new piano...this one had lots of family history and emotional connections.  I knew I couldn’t afford to completely restore it to exactly what it had been in 1925 when it was built. So, I decided what I wanted to do was refurbish my piano and turn it into a true working antique.  I wanted to keep its antique looks, but have it really play well like it did originally.  Wes gave me a number of options as to what could be done and what absolutely should be done to accomplish that mission.

The journey began.  Wes arranged for the piano, now known as “Ms. G” (short for “Gulbransen”, her manufacturer), to be taken to his shop, as the work needed was extensive and would have been very difficult to undertake at my house. As the work proceeded, Wes was very faithful about sending emails with pictures as well as calling periodically to let us know how the work was proceeding.  “Ms. G” needed many new parts as well as a lot of cleanup. She also needed work done on her outside finish, as she had been a bit battered around through the years.  Wes replaced the bass strings, miscellaneous felts, the hammers, the dampers and various other things.  He also fixed some of the parts that just needed repair rather than replacement.  The action was regulated and lubricated, and the keyboard recalibrated.  In sum, all the working parts were made to function properly like they did originally, and the finish was refurbished to simulate the original look of the piano. 

Finally, after leaving home for a two month stay in Wes Flinn’s piano spa, “Ms. G”. returned home, and wow, did she look and sound terrific.  Her first song was the Star Spangled Banner!  Then on to Chopin and Beethoven!  “Ms G” had gone from a down and battered “flapper” from the 1920’s to a Charleston kicking Radio City Rockett working antique!  She can play anything now from Beethoven to Rag-time! 

Come on Elton John!

I was so glad I chose Wes to help me with this project.  He is the best!!!   We continue to stay in touch, of course, because now that “Ms. G” is in the best shape she has been in for at least 50 years, I want to keep her that way.  Wes will be helping with that, every step of the way. 

Marilyn S.

Phoenix, Arizona
 

       The day I discovered Wes Flinn’s web-site, I did something good and right – for myself, my piano, and to rekindle a long-lost friendship I didn’t realize I was missing.  Any pianist who has experienced passion in their fingertips can acknowledge that there is a point where diligent practice moves beyond mechanics to form an unexplainable relationship.  It is the place where music becomes communication.  Between musician and instrument, a friendship is forged and won.  This is the part of acquaintance with Wes Flinn I have enjoyed the most.  His knowledge of the mechanics of a piano enables him to move beyond the basics to breathe life into your piano.

        When I called Mr. Flinn, I sought routine maintenance after a cross-country move.  Our piano-playing Uncle would be visiting soon, and, for him, the piano must be in tune.  My Cable was purchased by supportive parents from my piano teacher in the 1980s.  I took lessons for 13+ years and enjoyed growing and learning as the piano became an extension of me.  Years passed.  My parents gave me the piano when my husband and I bought our first home.  After college, marriage, children, I often sat down to play.  But something left me empty and unsatisfied.  I shrugged it off as distractedness on my part.  “I am a busy mom,” I reasoned.  “Perhaps, I’m a bit rusty,” I thought.  “When I have time, I should take lessons again.”  Unexplainably, the spark just wasn’t there.

        When I called Mr. Flinn, I didn’t expect a revolution.  I wasn’t seeking a miracle.  Like any other household “appliance” on the blink, my piano just needed a little attention.  He explained what my piano needed was a “Full Maintenance Service” (see his website for explanation:  www.PianoTuningPhoenix.com  ).  When Mr. Flinn’s “spa treatment” for our piano was complete, I expected to check that one off the household “to do” list and resume life as usual. 

       The next part of this story calls for a respectful pause, a moment of silence, or more appropriately, a shout in celebration.  When I sat down to that piano to play the first song, unexpectedly, tears flowed.  All these years I had internalized that I had lost my touch.  In a short time, Mr. Flinn re-touched, re-tightened, and renewed what my piano had lost.  My piano and I reconnected in one sitting and a familiar joy returned to me.

        I’ve considered terms and allegories that would most appropriately describe Mr. Flinn’s new role in the life of my piano.  Perhaps, he is a “piano minister.”  Or maybe he’s more like a marriage counselor because he helped find that spark that was lost.  He could be considered a massage therapist for the spa treatment my piano has received.  Better yet, he must be a doctor or surgeon for all of his knowledge of the intricate details inside a piano.

        Truth is, Mr. Flinn inspires me.  He is a master craftsman in a day when, far too often, self-proclaimed experts perform mediocre work.  I am a benefactor proclaiming that I have evidenced Mr. Flinn to be a true expert.  He has a passion for his work that makes the world a better place.  I am thankful musicians can glean from someone who cares so much about quality.  In Wes Flinn, I have found a friend and an inspiration.  My piano is now the apprentice of a finely-tuned master. 

Wendy E.

Ahwatukee, Arizona
 

I own a Yamaha console that has experienced only one minor tuning in its 25yr+ lifespan.  It clearly needed attention from someone who understood pianos.  I discovered Wes Flinn's comprehensive website and decided to try him with a Setup Tuning.  As I hovered over Wes during the tuning process, I was impressed with his attention to detail and his considerable knowledge of pianos which he willingly shared with me.  As a result of that first appointment, I scheduled a Full Maintenance Service which included taking the piano action back to his shop for adjustment and lubrication.  During his inspection Wes uncovered a problem with the Hammer Butt Flanges in the action of the piano that required replacement of ribbons, a very time-consuming task, for which Wes did not charge me.  Subsequent to the maintenance service I also had Wes install a Dampp-Chaser Climate Control system to keep the humidity constant inside the piano.  I cannot imagine anyone more capable with pianos than Wes Flinn.

Bill Carter

Phoenix, Arizona
 

Dear Wes, 

I wanted to tell you how pleased I am with the work and timely manner in which it was provided for the Piano at St Daniel the Prophet Catholic Church in Scottsdale, AZ. When I began my ministry there, the piano was barely playable, and the keys were so hard to push down it was impossible to play with any kind of style other than banging to get the sound out. After playing all the Sunday morning Masses my fingers would literally be hurting because of the force needed to get through the masses. After you gave it “Full Maintenance Service” — moved the piano outside, took it apart, cleaned, adjusted, and re-tuned it, it was a real pleasure to play. I couldn't believe the difference. It was like playing something totally new, not the 12 year old baby grand I was used to.  (See “Full Maintenance Service” on website:  www.PianoTuningPhoenix.com)  

I want to give you big kudos for putting the piano and myself in a place where everyone can now enjoy what is being played.

Thanks so much! 

Marc De Rosa

Phoenix, Arizona
 

I recently bought a small Yamaha upright piano.  It is just a basic piano, but I wanted to find out if it couldn't be worked on and made into a nicer, smoother piano short of investing a lot of money in a more professional piano. 

I used to have my piano tuned by a "piano tuner" who was a very nice guy, moderately competent, and over-booked.  Then I decided to do a little research on the internet last year.  I found Wes Flinn's website, reviewed it, and said to myself, "Gee, I wish I could get someone with this much experience to tune my piano and answer my questions". I figured that anyone with Wes's credentials wouldn't want to waste his time with me and my amateurish piano. 

I couldn't have been more wrong.  Wes has treated me like royalty from the first minute that I talked to him and every minute since.  I decided to have him take my piano through "Full Maintenance Service" (which is explained on his website:  www.PianoTuningPhoenix.com).  This procedure covers all adjustments and lubrication and tuning of the entire piano, and the difference is remarkable.  Everything explained on the website comes true.  The difference in how it plays and sounds now compared to before the service is like night and day. 

I am fully convinced that there is no better technician in the Valley, and strongly suspect that there are few better technicians than Wes anywhere.  Call Wes, ask questions, follow his advice, and be thrilled to have such an extraordinary, skilled resource at your fingertips. 

Larry Koehler

Peoria, Arizona
 

We are so grateful for Mr. Flinn's help, expertise and obvious caring for our "sick" grand piano! The piano had gone through cooler weather than was normal when we wintered in Phoenix (from Colorado) for five years and then had to face a move to Phoenix and then, hot, summer weather! Mr. Flinn, being very honest with us, explained the piano's problems and then, skillfully, brought it back to "life" for the joy of the whole family!  

Mike & Carol Carlon

Phoenix, Arizona
 

Wes has been tuning my piano for about a year now, and it's been a great experience. He is so willing to share information, and is always honest with you. I recently had Wes perform a level 2 maintenance on my piano.

(see maintenance levels explained at website "www.PianoTuningPhoenix.com":

http://pianotuningphoenix.com/Definitions.htm#m

Before having the service done, I had read through the web site and listened to Wes explain the details. I knew the obvious: my piano was going to be thoroughly cleaned, the action would be lubricated, friction and stiffness would be reduced, and the piano would be tuned. On paper, it seemed pretty straight-forward and a good thing to do, but I can understand why a lot of people struggle with justifying the cost. Having said that, after receiving the maintenance, I am blown away by the difference, and it was worth every penny. Just seeing how much work Wes put into the maintenance (and listening to him explain his actions), watching him clean and lubricate all of the parts, and make adjustments, it makes sense why pianos really need this level of service.

After the maintenance, some of the more difficult pieces I've been working on are starting to get easier because I feel like I'm fighting less with the piano to play how I want. The keys and action are so extremely smooth now that it is actually translating to me feeling like the piano sounds smoother. Now that I've seen the difference, I realize that this is how the piano should have been from the start. Wes has truly helped me get the most out of my piano. This definitely something I think everyone should get done, not only because it will improve the life of the piano, but because it will actually help people play their best.

Mike Zuber

Goodyear, Arizona
 

My late wife played the piano and our house was filled with sheer joy during our 40 years together. Her piano playing often accompanied by song was one of the great pleasures in my life and the life of my children. She played for her church as well. We moved several times and we would leave an upright behind in the towns that we lived in. Then in the early seventies I got her a Baldwin Hamilton, which still sits proudly in my home. Even though my grandchildren are quite young, I enjoy the great sounds of the piano when they play on it and my sister in law still practices on it before helping at her church. After all these years, I got the piano completely serviced, lubricated and tuned by Wes Flinn of Phoenix. Wes is a master craftsman.  Reincarnation?

The Baldwin Hamilton lives even though other makers have emerged and the Baldwin has outlived its makers. Of course others have different choices. 

The evolution of the piano through the last few centuries is a wonder that will continue as long as there is music. With it’s thousands of parts when working in harmony a piano is a very versatile bridge to classical western music, more contemporary expressions of jazz and popular music and can be used for playing some forms of  non western music as well. Rubinstein, Horowitz, the daughter of the great sitarist Ravi Shankar –Norah Jones, the popular Elton John who was classically trained -- their sounds coming from the piano has given me immense pleasure. The versatility of the piano for solo performance, for orchestras, churches and families, for listening or participation is impressive. Even though electronic devices have emerged they can’t really quite replace the central importance and resonance of the piano for musical and cultural enrichment.  

Amidst traditions in India, the divine is represented by some as a beautiful wave of sound and devotion   occurs in listening to that sound -- of the Sabdha Brahman (the divine sound) and ignoring the noise of the world. When a piano is played well and with devotion it can be the instrument of choice for the divine. 

Joyotpaul “Joy” Chaudhuri

Tempe, Arizona
 

My name is Travis Leech, and I am a professional musician who owns a small recording
studio. Before opening my studio to customers I decided I wanted to purchase an
acoustic piano and record an album with it.

Although I had been playing piano off and on for most of my life I still knew quite little about
how to purchase the correct one and get it up and running. My first try was an utter failure,
I had a feeling the moment the piano set foot in my home that I was going to need help.

That day I found Wes Flinn's website and I called him. By the end of the week he
was at my house catching me up on all types of piano knowledge that I should have
been taught in school. I learned about the history of the piano, its social
significance, and most importantly I learned about proper piano maintenance
(humidity, regular tuning, etc. ... ).

After it was determined that the piano I purchased would not help me reach my goals,
Wes Flinn helped me find the correct piano. On Craigslist, there was a 1995 Baldwin Hamilton
piano that had been virtually unused. It was in poor shape. It was dry and out of tune, and
the texture of the sound was off in more ways than one.

However, in one day of work using his mobile repair shop Wes Flinn changed that.
Now I have a beautiful sounding piano that I intend to keep in top shape so I can continue
to enjoy it for years to come.

Travis Leech

Tempe, Arizona
 

About 3 years before moving to Phoenix from the Minneapolis area, I bought a Sojin piano from a co-worker. But I also had another friend who is a Piano Technician who went with me to evaluate the piano and suggested a purchase price, and provided a name for a piano mover. After the move she regularly maintained the piano for me and I also purchased a Dampp-Chaser for it.

After my move to Phoenix 6 years ago, I didn’t have any work done on the piano…I didn’t know anyone and the piano sounded like it was still in tune, even after 6 years. I don’t play much, but I have a friend who is my accompanist for when I sing solos at church, and she even thought it sounded good. Well eventually, one of the keys stopped playing and it was becoming annoying. I finally decided to look on-line for someone, and ran across Wes Flinn’s website. He was exactly what I had been looking for, and he even had links for Dampp Chaser.

Wes came out within a couple of days and looked over the piano and we talked about how I’d neglected the piano for the past six years, and he started telling me all about the piano, the manufacturer, etc. Then he sat down and played the piano a bit and looked it over and then told me what he thought needed to be done to the piano, and that it wouldn’t be a fast fix. Yet, while he was there, he actually did fix my key that wouldn’t play, but he said that it would be only a temporary fix, but that he thought it would get me through until he could actually perform the repair work that we had agreed to do.

Well I am so impressed with the work that he did and the amount of tools he has. I had no idea that there was so much involved in the maintenance of the piano. Parts were breaking because I had let the piano dry out, and apparently the manufacturer had also done a poor job in building it, and just even from my own neglect—-who knew that a piano needed to be lubricated? Or, regulated? Wes took care of it all, even in repairing defects beyond the cost estimate that were made by the manufacturer. I know he spent many more hours repairing it than he had estimated, yet he only charged me the agreed price. But I’m also impressed with how the piano now sounds and works. Plus he even made a visit to house a month later to see how the piano was performing.

I’ll recommend Wes to anyone with a piano. You’ve made the initial investment to own a fine instrument, so now don’t neglect it, keep it in top working order…with all it moving parts, and, it requires more than the occasional tuning. And don’t forget the investment of a humidifier.

Jerry Groth

Phoenix, Arizona
 

Chaton Studios
602.256.0056 1818 E. Brill Street, Phoenix, AZ USA 85006

http://www.chatonstudios.com
http://www.facebook.com/chatonstudios 

When Wes Flinn arrived at my recording studio and began inspecting my piano, I was surprised to discover how much I still hadn’t learned about pianos.  After all, by that time I’d been making records for nearly thirty years and had met many piano technicians.  

Hiring Wes is the best decision I’ve ever made for my piano.  His sensitive approach to the instrument, his tremendous attention to detail, his meticulous manner and his professional demeanor place him head and shoulders above his contemporaries. 

Wes found my ailing Baldwin Grand in sad condition and he heard me saying, “I don’t want it anymore”.  With his training and talent, Wes brought my piano back to life so vibrantly that he started hearing me say, “I LOVE this piano, it’s AMAZING!”   So that’s what you get with Wes, a total pro who gets acquainted with your piano, gets to know you, discovers your needs as well as the piano’s personality and ultimately puts all of his years of experience into bringing the two of you closer together.  Maybe he should be called “The Piano Whisperer”.  

Let me put it this way, you know you have something special when top notch recording musicians call your Baldwin a “Baldwindorfer”.  

In short, if I have my way, no technician but Wes will ever touch my piano again.  

Otto D’Agnolo

Multi platinum award winning producer/engineer
Emmy award winning songwriter
Owner of Chaton Studios, Phoenix, AZ
Voting member of The Grammy Academy (NARAS)
Member of AZ Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame Board of Directors

Phoenix, Arizona
 

Wes Flinn left my house an hour ago, and I have been playing a different piano
ever since.

Even though I have played the piano for over 40 years, I am not an
accomplished pianist. I simply play for my own enjoyment because I love the
sound of the instrument.

I have had the same Yamaha baby grand for 25 years.

I have had it tuned a few times over the years, but nothing more. I moved the
piano to the Phoenix area recently, and knew that it needed tuning. I was
lucky enough to find Wes Flinn, and elected to have him do a Level 2
Maintenance Program. I did this primarily for the mechanical health of
the piano. I did not think that, at my level of playing ability, I would
notice a difference in the touch.

I was wrong. The piano virtually sings now.

It is truly easier to play. The keys that are played with the pinky finger
don't get lost--they just ring right out effortlessly. I don't know the
technical words to use to describe the difference.

All I can say is that the piano is a true joy to play now. My playing
seems to be more musical because I can just get lost in the music
and not have to think so much about the keys and making them do
what I want them to do.

Add to this that Mr. Flinn is a delightful person to have in your home,
more than a technician--he is an artist. 5 Stars.

Sally Cable