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Tuning / Service
Providing the instrument is structurally sound and in proper working order, every piano we tune is tuned to International Pitch (A=440). A typical tuning call includes minor repair, adjustments, and voicing at no additional charge. We want you to come away with more quality and service than you bargained for. All of our technicians are certified Registered Piano Technicians with the Piano Technicians Guild with additional training by Mr. Lafargue. This insures that your technician has a proven ear and is trained and able to do a wide array of adjustments, repairs, voice and advise you in the best care for your particular instrument and situation. All work is guaranteed. |
Repairs
From a squeaking pedal to a complete restoration, we can handle it professionally, always striving for factory quality work. Our reputation has been built on our craftsmanship and training. Caring enough to strive to be the best has always been who we are and it has nourished a healthy word-of-mouth clientele in southeast Louisiana for nearly 25 years.
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Regulation
Regulation is the adjustment of the 9,000+ parts inside your piano that make up the “action”. After years of use and keys being played thousands of times, the small pieces of felt and leather keeping the wooden parts quiet and working smoothly begin to compress and wear, springs loosen, friction increases and humidity changes make action parts begin to become inconsistent and malfunction. For the pianist, this all means a piano no longer plays like new and is not as sensitive and easy to control as when new. When regulating, hammers are reshaped, parts are aligned and 37 adjustments are made on all 88 keys including friction reduction to make the piano play like new again. Many times, because some factory regulations are not very refined, we have been able to make instruments play much better than when they were new! The pianist needs an instrument with a full range of color, dynamics and sensitivity, allowing them to play very, very softly, loud or fast. The piano becomes, in effect, an extension of the artist and the only limit is within the player, not the piano.
With many years of concert experience, working for some of the greatest pianists in the world in concert settings, we have a great deal of experience with every kind of request imaginable! Just as a concert artist never wants a piano to limit what they are able to do, parents and young students also should never let an instrument in poor regulation limit their progress. Dozens of times, we have been called by customers who no longer liked their pianos, some even seeking advice on selling, and after a thorough regulation, the owner is reintroduced to the piano that they originally fell in love with.
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Voicing
When a piano hammer strikes the strings, sound is produced. The condition and quality of the hammers and their hardness or softness determines the tone of the piano. A hard hammer produces a louder, brighter, harsher tone, while a soft hammer produces a softer, warmer, darker and more muffled tone color. In voicing a piano, hammers are either hardened by using chemicals or removing outer felt or softened by inserting needles into the felt to soften and make more resilient. Voicing is a very complex art that takes a great deal of experience and skill, both in how to manipulate a particular hammer and the ability to hear nuances at different volumes. Voicing is perhaps the most powerful tool in making a mediocre piano great!
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Rebuilding
Mr. Lafargue has been restoring pianos since the early years of his career. In effect, a piano with new parts can become like new again, providing the work is done at least as well as original factory work was done. Whether an instrument needs partial or complete restoration, we use only the best action parts, strings, felt, etc to achieve the best finished product. Our goal is to restore the piano to the like-new condition in every way, including cabinet refinishing. We often times improve an older instrument, employing computer programs and analysis to rescale and redesign certain aspects of strings and action parts. We have restored pianos for musicians and institutions across the south and would be happy to do an appraisal and help you to make wise decisions and a wise investment.
Feel free to take a moment and visit our Photo Gallery to view photos on restorations completed.
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Rentals
LAFARGUE PIANOS, Ltd. offers rental pianos for special events at competitive prices. We have digitals, uprights and grands for rent and these instruments are usually new and always in excellent condition.
In addition to event rentals, we offer a rent-to-own program where the rental of the instrument can be applied toward the purchase of any piano in our inventory. These instruments are usually new. Please see store for details.
"Many, many thanks for providing me with the wonderful Yamaha to perform on
this past Saturday...I believe that I mentioned to you that Yamaha is my
favorite piano, and I even requested a Yamaha for my Carnegie Hall
Concert...They looked at me like I was crazy for turning down their Steinway
Concert Grand for a Yamaha Concert Grand...Yes, they are the greatest, as
are you...
If I can ever do anything for you and/or your business, know that I'm only
an e-mail, phone call or smoke signal away..."
Merci beaucoup,
Ronnie Kole
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Appraisals, Estimates, and Consultations
Appraisals can be performed for insurance purposes, general valuation for sale/purchase, and in-depth evaluation of the current condition of all components.
Consulting services are offered for those shopping or considering restoration work. Using our experience and reference materials, we can help you make wise decisions by evaluating your specific needs and goals. (See our Photo Gallery on restoration work.)
Specific piano location considerations is sometimes a concern for our customers and we can visit your home or institution and help you evaluate room size, style, acoustical circumstances and voicing. (Ask about our free piano paper pattern.)
Our experience as technicians and players (not salespeople), make us well-suited to evaluate objectively to make sure that you stay happy after the choice of piano is made.
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Piano Moving & Storage
LAFARGUE PIANOS, Ltd. delivers their own pianos and also offers moving services to the entire New Orleans metro area and the northshore. Our pianos are not delivered by hired “movers”, but our technicians. That’s right. When your piano is delivered, the person positioning it will be able to properly install and adjust pedals, evaluate the piano for proper performance and play it before leaving your piano safely in its new home. We can also arrange moves across he state or across the country! Just fill out our “contact form” or give us a call to arrange a courteous, guaranteed, insured, safe move of your instrument today!!
LAFARGUE PIANOS, Ltd. offers climate controlled storage for instruments in our restoration facility. As technicians and rebuilders, we understand the importance of close temperature and humidity control and all instruments are fully insured and protected.
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Piano Purchasing Info
Most buyers know less about shopping for a piano than almost anything else.
Arm yourself with information or a good piano technician before buying,
especially if the instrument is "pre-owned". "The Piano Book", by Larry
Fine, is the very best, most current and unbiased source for piano buying
anywhere. Mr. Lafargue is one of approximately 40 technicians who helped
with information for the completion of the 4th edition. We encourage you to
educate yourself and we offer copies of the "The Piano Book" in our stores.
You may also visit www.pianobuyer.com for information. Know what you
are investing in and be sure that your investment is a wise one that will
meet your expectations, especially decades from now when the instrument
becomes a keepsake and a part of you family.
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