A workshop dedicated to the accordion in Uzerche
Located in the heart of the old town of Uzerche in Corrèze, I welcome you to my workshop by appointment. I offer various services centred on my passion for the accordion.
Repair & restoration
I repair and restore all types of accordions while respecting their original construction.
- Diatonic accordions
- Chromatic accordions (piano & button)
- Bayan, converter accordion
- Bandonéon, Mélodica, Accordina
- All brands
Tuning & voicing
I offer bespoke tuning tailored to each accordionist, taking your style and needs into account.
- Precise reed tuning
- Complete voicing
- Change of vibrato (dry, half-swing, swing, American, musette, etc.)
- Timbre optimisation
Modifications
I can work on your accordion if you wish to modify its configuration.
- Removal of thirds on diatonic accordions
- Change of reed set
- Change of configuration (bassoon to flute, flute to bassoon, etc.)
- Modification of registers
- Keyboard adaptation
Amplification
I can adapt your accordion for stage performance by fitting it with amplification.
- Installation of internal microphones (Harmonik)
- Adaptation for external microphone mounts
- Advice on amplification
Preventive maintenance
I offer regular servicing to prevent problems and keep your instrument in perfect condition.
- General inspection of the instrument
- Dusting & mechanical adjustments
- Checking of the reed sets
- Maintenance advice
Appraisal & valuation
I help you learn the value and history of your instrument:
- Determination of market value
- Identification of origin and period
- Assessment of overall condition
- Detailed documentation
Buying, selling & consignment sale
I support you in giving your accordion a second life or in investing in a new instrument.
- Instrument trade-in
- Advice on buying a new instrument
- Sale of new or second-hand accordions
- Consignment sale
Chromatic accordion lessons
As a chromatic accordionist, I take great pleasure in sharing my passion for this instrument and for the many musical styles it lets you play. I offer lessons in my workshop, or at home in Uzerche and the surrounding area.
- For children and adults
- Beginners and advanced players
- No prior knowledge of music theory is required
- Learning can take place with or without sheet music
- All musical styles (Traditional, Forró, Musette, Balkan, Tango, etc.)
What accordionists say
About
Passionate about the accordion since childhood, I first sought to understand how it works as a self-taught player, dismantling it, inspecting every detail and repairing my own instruments.
I then wanted to learn the right techniques and best practices. I travelled to Castelfidardo, in Italy, to train at the Victoria company, in the birthplace of accordion manufacturing worldwide.
Since September 2024, I have set up my workshop in Uzerche, in Corrèze, where I am delighted to welcome you.
The accordions I work on
Accordions for sale
Choosing an accordion is a delicate exercise. Each instrument has different characteristics that will suit various body types, musical styles or approaches to sound. By talking about your playing, your preferences and your budget, I can help you find the one that suits you.
Does your accordion need a service?
Describe your need in a few steps and I'll get back to you quickly.
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Frequently asked questions
How often should an accordion be tuned?
Unfortunately I can't give you a single frequency that would hold for every accordion. It depends on the build quality, on how you use the instrument and on where it has lived.
An accordion played regularly is worth checking every year, or every two or three years depending on how demanding you are. An instrument left unplayed for a long time, or stored in poor conditions, generally deserves a check before you take it up again.
How much does a service or a repair cost?
My rates are based on an hourly rate of €50.
Everything therefore depends on the instrument, its condition and the extent of the work required.
A routine service generally takes between 2 and 5 hours of work.
A full tuning takes between 4 and 15 hours depending on the number of notes, while a complete restoration can take between 15 and 35 hours, or more depending on the instrument.
The answer really is case by case. Describe your instrument and its condition through the quote form, attaching photos and as much detail as possible. If you are able to open your instrument, send me photos of the inside as well.
I will send you a quote giving you a price range, wider or narrower as the case may be. The final quote is drawn up at the workshop, after we have talked it through in person.
How much does it cost to tune an accordion?
It depends on how far out of tune your accordion is. An examination at the workshop gives me an idea of your instrument's tuning "debt".
The more notes there are to bring back into line, the longer the tuning takes, and so the more it costs. On the basis of a €50 hourly rate, tuning one frame — that is two notes, one on the draw and one on the press — comes to around €2.50 to €3.
For a full tuning of the right hand of a 46-note, two-voice accordion, the rough calculation is therefore: 46 × 2 × 3 = €276 at most.
The best approach is to go through the quote form, so that I can give you a precise idea of what it comes to in your case.
Can you change the vibrato on my accordion?
Yes, I can! It is an extremely rewarding stage, because it is where the final voice of the instrument is shaped.
I can talk to you in hertz, in cents or in the usual vibrato names (swing, American, celeste…), but the best approach is probably still to discuss the music you want to play and the styles you want to move towards, drawing on recordings by artists you admire if that helps.
From that conversation, we choose the type of vibrato that suits you best, for a tuning made to measure.
Which types of accordion do you work on?
I work on chromatic and diatonic accordions, converter and free-bass accordions, as well as bandoneons, concertinas, Indian harmoniums and other free-reed instruments with bellows. Whatever the make, the period or the range of the instrument.
Contact me
- Phone
- +33 (0) 6 99 28 98 22 Call
- contact@paulpichot-accordeons.fr Send an email
- Workshop
- 14 rue de la Justice, 19140 Uzerche By appointment only Directions
- Opening hours
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Monday 09:00–12:30, 14:00–18:30 Tuesday 09:00–12:30, 14:00–18:30 Wednesday 09:00–12:30, 14:00–18:30 Thursday 09:00–12:30, 14:00–18:30 Friday 09:00–12:30, 14:00–18:30 Saturday 09:00–12:30 Sunday Closed