Wilkinson Piano Service

My boys are the fourth generation playing on our family’s 1920 Steinway piano. And boy has this instrument experienced some highs and lows during its 90+ years. Owned first in our family by accomplished musicians and piano teachers and now suffering through those beginning scales and first piano pieces («Mary Had a Little Lamb» has been played about a bazillion times in our home this year). The piano has always looked lovely in our home, but looks can be deceiving.
Steinway pianos of that era have some issues. So I wasn’t at all surprised that some serious renovation and reconditioning is recommended at this point.
Our current piano teacher highly recommended Denis Wilkinson and he was professional, prompt and courteous. It was easy to schedule an appointment through email (
) and he called the day of the appointment to let me know he was available earlier if that was convenient for me.
Mr. Wilkinson worked at Moe’s Pianos in Portland before hanging up his own shingle almost 20 years ago. And according to his website, he is the world’s only manufacturer of replacement block valves for Aeolian player pianos (
).
Even though a serious reconditioning and replacement is recommended, that more expensive option was not pushed on us. And after we discussed the piano’s current use and life, we were given some other reasonably priced options. I really appreciate when you feel you can trust a professional’s option because they aren’t pushing you (or guilting you) into services that are beyond your comfort level or need. That alone is worth my continued business.