For all of you who have been patiently waiting for me to reveal (admit?) the brand of my new piano, this is the thread.

For those who insisted they already know what it is, and couldn't resist telling everyone, shame on you for trying to ruin our fun. For those who claimed to know (and the few who actually did) and chose to go along with the game, thank you for playing along.

For those who were reasonably sure they guessed right, the answer will be revealed shortly in this thread.

And finally, for those who have no clue what I'm talking about, I've been stringing people along (pun intended) for quite some time now. Mostly because the game was fun, but also partly because I just didn't have the time to put this together correctly. Now Kathy and I are making the time.

I will start with pictures of my piano in its new home in my music room. I will then backtrack and share with you pictures and details of my adventure selecting the piano.

Here she is sitting at the far end of my music room...


A full length shot viewed from tail to front


A long side view (before I moved it around)...



Shot at night, Kirby the Wonder Dog Guards the New Piano...



And now for the shot you've all been asking for (and yes, those are my hands)...
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And a View Under the Hood showing the signatures of Dr. Indrek Laul, his Dad Venno, and the head of piano production at Laul Estonia Pianos in Tallinn, Estonia (story to follow)



And with her blanket on...



(throw is available in our Online Store if you're curious)

And now for the story behind the story (or as Paul Harvery used to say "And now for the rest of the story").

It all began at the NAMM show in Anaheim (Jan. 2011). I was making my usual rounds saying hello to friends old and new, and playing pianos whenever I got the chance.

We (Kathy and I) had stopped by the Estonia Piano booth, which as everyone who attends NAMM knows not only contains lovely pianos, but also the most comfortable chairs in the show:-)

I sat down and played one of the Estonia pianos for a while. When I stopped Indrek (Dr. Indrek Laul, owner of Estonia Piano company) came by to chat. He complimented me on my playing, I mentioned that it was somewhat of a challenge for me to play a real grand as I only have a digital piano at home.

He couldn't believe "Mr. PianoWorld" didn't have a real (acoustic) piano at home. He said that just didn't seem right, I agreed. We talked more about it and how we might fix the problem. Bottom line, we came to an agreement that worked for both of us, and meant I'd finally get to have a real piano in my home.

Here we are enjoying the Estonia Booth comfortable chairs...


On top of that, Indrek knew we were planning a European Piano Tour with a group of forums members for June 2011, so he invited us to visit the Estonia piano factory in Tallinn before starting our tour.

Kathy and I accepted, and my sister and her husband agreed to meet us over there (they were joining us on the tour as well).

And so the adventure begins.

On May 31 Kathy and I boarded a plane in Miami, 22 hours 3 plane changes, and 4 airports later we landed in Tallinn, Estonia. My sister Barbara and her husband Larry left a day earlier because they fly standby, and beat us to the hotel in Estonia (but not by much).

Indrek picked Kathy and I up at the airport and took us to our hotel, pointing out some of the sights as we drove.

Thursday June 2 we made our first visit to the Estonia Piano Factory where they had 3 pianos all ready for me to try.


Arriving at the Estonia Piano Factory (that's Indrek's Dad Venno waving. Venno by the way is a famous choir conductor and instrumental in getting a beautiful music school constructed in Tallinn)



Chatting with Venno Laul (Indrek's dad who overseas factory operations).


Indek Laul telling me I have 3 pianos to choose from, and that they are going to leave me alone to make my choice.


The View Outside the Estonia Factory Window...


Me trying out the pianos...


The three pianos...


Frank & Kathy with the Chosen Piano


Indrek, Frank, Venno (Indrek's dad), and the head of Production...


Kathy, Frank, Barbara (Frank's sister), Larry (Frank's brother-in-law)


Indrek & Frank with chosen piano



CONTINUED BELOW....

Touring the Estonia Piano Factory...





Stringing Area


Winding Bass Strings


Brace Yourself


Rims with Braces


Plate Home (plates are curing)


Lid, note there are no seams where the veneer curves over the edges.


Additional factory pictures will be posted later.

While we were in Tallinn, Estonia we toured the area courtesy of Indrek and his Dad.

They were very gracious hosts, and obviously quite proud of their country and their city. Thanks to their connections we got to see some behind the scenes sights, experience wonderful live music performances, and tour the old city with a private guide (Indrek's cousin, a professional guide and interpreter) who did an amazing job.

I'm posting a few pictures below, I'll try to follow up with more pictures and stories of our visit to Estonia soon.
I can tell you all four of us would go back in a heartbeat if we could.

Part of the huge wall and fortification surrounding the hill overlooking old Tallinn. Built in medieval times (as was much of the old city).



Old Town Tallinn




















Additional pictures of Tallinn and Estonia Piano later.
I will also post some videos of me playing the new piano.

After our visit to Estonia we headed for Hamburg, Germany where
we met up with the rest of our European Piano Tour Group

Cheers! Thanks for all the wonderful photos and story.

I'll be sending that $1 very soon.

Congratulations on your wonderful new grand. Imagine, an Estonia. I would never have guessed......
Great pictures from the factory and Tallinn, I never got to see it in sunshine, but even in the pouring rain, it was delightful.
May you enjoy your fine instrument for many, many years to come.

Congratulations!

I was on the phone with Indrek Laul while you were choosing your piano. It took all of my will power to keep my pie hole shut!

Congratulations, Frank! The reveal was worth the wait. Your photos were lovely. It makes me wish I could visit Estonia some day.

If you have the chance, I'd love to hear more about how you decided among the three possibilities. Were they very similar and it was basically a matter of very slight preferences? Or did you perceive a bigger difference that made it easier to choose?

An inspiring, intriguing, interesting and wonderful thread, Frank!

Thanks for posting the pictures along with the narration (the rest of the story ).

Congratulations again on your most excellent Estonia grand piano! I’ll look forward to the videos of your playing the piano.

All the best!

Rick

Congrats, Frank - nice piano!

Congrats, Frank. As a very happy Estonia owner I know you will love your new instrument. I also went straight from a digital to the Estonia and can assure you after a month you won't believe how different it feels. Enjoy.

(oh, and I think I guessed right - er... well, at least one of my guesses :grin )

Edit to add that I too would enjoy hearing about choosing among the three. I spent almost all day at Cunningham going back and forth between two L190's and still couldn't decide which I liked better even though they were clearly different. Three would have driven me mad!

Finally! Congratulations! Now its time to change your signature!

Thanks Keith,

Indrek mentioned he had been on the phone with you.
I told him I thought you'd be fine keeping my little secret :-)

FINALLY!

Such a great adventure for you and Kathy to find the piano of your dreams.

I now no longer need to find an enticement to visit hot and steamy Florida - I found it!

May you enjoy your Estonia forever!

I spoke to Indrek at NAMM and again in New York a month or so later. He told me of your decision. (He was deservedly quite proud that you chose an Estonia.)

Keeping the secret was a challenge. The only person I told was Larry Fine and I swore him to secrecy!

Congrats on a great instrument and a great series of threads!

Geez Frank, and I thought it was a Rippen. Boy was I off! Seriously, congratulations on what appears to be a stunning instrument. Nice job on the photo essay by the way.

Oh - and what is the story behind choosing THE ONE OF THE THREE?

WHY THAT ONE?

edit -

if it took this long to find out the ONE, I am sorry to ask, WHY was it THIS ONE....this might takes months to hear the answer!

giggle giggle!

do you mean the five of us?

Frank you are such a gracious host to keep all of us piano lovers together and have so many topics to discuss. You deserve this wonderful piano and I am ecstatic for you.

Enjoy yourself and thank you! (now that I am getting paychecks again I'll renew my membership).... after I get my piano tuned.

Wonderful! My gut feelings proved correct, at least this time anyway!

Enjoy...........I for one understand why Estonia was your choice, they make a fine instrument!

Best wishes, Teri

congratulations frank!

and to think it all began with you fooling around with building a website 'way back in the dawn of the internet age.

see where following your passions gets you?

may you and your estonia have many happy years together.

and the factory and scenes of talinn look wonderful. what a dream to get to visit there.

Congratulations on the new piano!

Congratulations! Great photos, a beautiful piano, and a cute dog.

But those curtains!

Congratulations Frank! It just proves you are indeed a man of discerning taste

That's a really cool story. Thanks for that and the pictures. I'd also be interested in what you thought playing the three different Estonias and why you chose the one you did.

That's a nice piano, and a way cool way to pick one out.

I have to admit that I was a bit put off by the endless non-information, however I congratulate you for your new piano!

Searches for "our" pianos often make interesting stories, but what a wonderful opportunity to choose it right at the factory, especially in an exotic land such as Estonia!

I played many many pianos in my search, and the Estonia was the most wonderful sounding piano I have played - ever!

Here's wishing you many years of playing bliss!

Congrats on your new piano - it is a beauty for sure! May you have many happy years of making music together!!!

And thanks for the pics - It was fun to see the various stages of piano building, and to see shots of Tallinn, what a beautiful town.

p.s....I too am curious to hear the story behind choosing 1 out of the three!

Congratulations Frank!

Now you can be a full member at Estonia World!

http://www.estoniaworld.com/

What model is that gorgeous hunk of piano?

Frank, what a lovely piano and what a wonderful production with all those pictures! Congratulations on your new Estonia. May she (and Kathy!) bring you many years of great joy.

please wait 3 months for the answer

Great story Frank! It is easy to see the family resemblance in you and Barbara. I loved the shot of the group with the "Head of Production" to the right. His demeanor clearly shows the pride and determination of his position. Beautiful setting and city.

I am happy that you were able to find your instrument and the journey ranks at the very top of all of the "Piano World" piano selection stories.

Looking forward to hearing a bit more of the selection process...I know, we are pigs about such stuff!

Congratulations Frank on the Piano. Lovely photos of Estonia and your family.

Way to go, Frank! May you have many years of enjoyment.

Delurking long enough to say CONGRATULATIONS to Frank!

Congratulations and best wishes. May you savor every note.

Frank, congratulations! She's beautiful.

AimeeO

Congratulations on your wonderful new piano.

Yes!!!!!!

Well done, you really dod keep us waiting!

Congratulations, it's a beauty! Make music to your hearts content!

(BTW, what's it like inside a piano factory?) I've always wanted to know...

I thought it was the world class E11enburg...

Thank you for the kind words everyone. It was quite an adventure I can tell you that.

Over the years Indrek and I've become good friends, by the time we left Estonia I felt like we'd become family.

This was my first trip to Europe too, but I certainly hope it won't be my last.

Now ... a few more Tallinn pictures, and a little more to the story.

Catherine the Great's Summer Palace in Tallinn, Estonia


An inside shot


Indrek Laul playing an Estonia piano inside the palace


I play "Kathy's Song" inside Catherine the Great's summer palace (a piece I wrote for Kathy based on us playing together as kids, losing touch around age 12 or 13 and finding each other again a couple of years ago). For which I got a standing ovation from guests touring the palace (mainly because there was no place to sit).




Some more of Old Tallinn (note there are no cars in the old town section. I love that).

Oh....those shots inside the palace took my breath away! What a wonderful journey, both literally and figuratively, to your new piano. Congratulations!

Congratulations! Your Estonia grand is beautiful and so is the country. Great photos and story, with a happy ending, the way it should be.

Thanks for the pics. Enjoy, Estonia is an excellent choice.

Now I'll try to answer the question many people have been asking. How I chose "the" one.

It was not an easy choice by any stretch of the imagination.
First because I'm quite frankly not that good of a pianist, second because all three pianos were wonderful, and third because I'm used to playing a digital piano, so this was all new territory for me.

I considered asking Indrek to play them for me, but decided against it until the very end. He's an accomplished concert pianist and a top 100 graduate of Julliard. I'm a mostly self taught old rock and blues player with sketchy technique and near zero theory knowledge.

I had the luxury of knowing we weren't being rushed and that I had my support group with me (Kathy, my sister, and my brother-in-law).

Weeks prior to our arrival Indrek had asked me what type of sound I was looking for, and how I wanted the piano(s) voiced.
I've never been asked that before because I've never been in a position that would warrant asking me, not even when I had my own music store.

It isn't an easy question to answer. I compare it to trying to explain to someone how you want something to taste.
I did the best I could. It's one of those things you can't necessarily explain, but you know it when you hear it :-)

I like a bell-like tone in the upper register, a full-bodied round tone in the middle, and a rich but not intrusive depth in the bass section. And oh by the way, I'd like sprinkles with that.

Indrek made note and passed the information on to the people at the factory. He then made sure he arrived a few days before me to make sure everything was set.

Now this being the Piano World Piano Forums, many of you have experienced the pleasure of trying new pianos as you search for the one. In spite of my 40+ years associated with the piano industry, and being the founder and host of Piano World, this was my first time!

It was very exciting, but also a bit nerve racking.

I tried to remain calm, moving methodically from piano to piano playing the same pieces with the same expression.
No problem, I like them all. Just send me all 3 and I'll send back the two I don't want :-)

Within the first hour I'd pretty much narrowed it to two pianos. Not because there was anything wrong with the third one, but it just didn't "speak" to me.

The other two were a different story. It was like trying to choose your favorite child.
After a couple of hours Indrek and his dad came to check on us. They wanted to show us some things in Tallinn (including getting us front row seats to some incredible concerts). So we decided there would need to be a day two.
Which is why the pictures in the factory show me in different clothes.

I mentioned that I was down to two, but one of them had a couple of bass notes producing odd overtones on sustained notes. Any of you who have hung around the forums any length of time know new pianos are often prepped by the dealers when they get them, much like new cars.

The pianos I was playing were freshly minted and although they were certainly set up and tuned, they hadn't been subjected to the fine adjustments a good dealership will make.
Indrek called a technician into the room, they both listened and agreed they heard what I described. The piano would be worked on that night.

Day two back in the factory, the odd overtones were gone.
I played one piano, then the other, then the first one.
I had my sister play them both while I listened with my eyes closed, not knowing which one she was playing.

I played them with the lid open, and the lid closed.
Played hard rock and soft ballads, my one classical piece (1st movement of the Moonlight Sonata), a little jazz, ragtime, some blues, and my own pieces.

I was pretty sure I'd decided. That's when I picked up the house phone and dialed Indrek's office, I asked him to come up to the room. When he and his dad arrived, I asked Indrek to play the two pianos I'd narrowed it down to.

He played a few minutes on each, it was still the one I had decided upon earlier. The decision was made.

I had Indrek, his dad, and his head of production sign the plate.

Model L-190 # 7326 now lives in my music room.
Welcome home baby!

what a beautiful city! and what a great story. kudos to indrek for righting a great wrong--mr. pianoworld was long overdue for a real acoustic piano.

frank, how long did it take to get it shipped? and did you set it up at home yourself? or did you call in a tech?

Congratulations, Frank!! I'm sure it was worth the wait. Wishing you many happy hours and years playing your beautiful new Estonia.

Sophia

Nice. What I'm thinking here is that a double wide with an Estonia, is far, far better than a mansion without!

Good priorities, in other words.

Thanks pique'.

It arrived in the states July 20, about seven weeks after I chose it.
Then had to make its way down to Florida, where it arrived at the movers on July 29.
They delivered it Aug. 1. The movers put it together.

I removed the action packing, checked the regulation, and tuned the piano myself.
So far it hasn't needed any regulation. I brought it to concert pitch on the first tuning, played it for a couple weeks and tweaked it again. I'm having some guests over Sept. 18th so I'll tune her up again before then.

At this point I don't think it will need any voicing, but we'll see after a few more months.
Once the tuning has settled in (it holds nicely now, mainly minor unison tweaks) and the piano is fully acclimated I'll decide if it needs any voicing. If so, I'll have to bring someone in, I'm a pretty good tuner, but I'm no voicer.

As it is now, I keep looking at it and reminding myself it's really mine.
I get up in the morning and go to the music room (ok, after I walk Kirby). I say good morning to her and play a few tunes.
The last thing I do before bed is play it again.

Now I just need to get people to drop by to see/hear/play her.
To me half the fun is sharing, and anyone who knows me knows I love to play for people.

Well said Gary, and I'd agree :-)

Wonderful, congrats, Frank. You deserve it!

so when is the inaugural piano party?

Congrats Frank! The Estonia's I have played have sounded wonderful and I am sure they set you up with the best of the best!

It's Time to update your signature!

Awesome! Congratulations.

Congratulations, Frank! I suspected from the recordings that it was an Estonia, but wasn't certain. I have yet to play one of these wonderful instruments, but I have heard quite a few recordings. Yours has that Estonia sound. An excellent piano for an excellent player. Thanks for posting all the wonderful photos of Estonia. They are beautiful.

Frank, Congrats!!! I got to play an Estonia at Rich's store in Philly a while back. A beautiful piano. Many, many happy years of playing.

pianos do settle and i think become what you want to become by how you play them.. hard to describe.

Congratulations, Frank! It's beautiful! Thanks for sharing the photos and story.

May you make many years of beautiful music together. :-)

Congrats Frank! What a wonderful piano. You deserve it!

Congratulations, Frank!

Hi Frank,

'Frank Bruster, Baxter or something like that' also bought an Estonia piano they told when I was over at the factory on July 22nd ....they did not say what model though.

At the spot I did not realize what 'Frank' that might have been: some famous American pianist I did not know, a well known media figure like Jay Leno ...as I did not want to disclose my ingnorance to Venno and Indrek I did not ask any further!

It was only when you opened your thread on the forum and you showed a picture of the demo room at the factory that I realized they were talking about 'the' Frank Baxter of PWF and that I posted "I know this room, I've been there" without saying I was at the Estonia Piano Factory in July.

Anyhow, enjoy your 190 for many years to come!

Btw, you could have saved me a lot of hassle taking all those pictures from the old town Tallinn should I have known you have shot so many nice one's!

schwammerl.

Congratulations, great piano! You certainly deserved it.

And it was also worth the wait for us to see

Frank,

I'd like to add my name to the long list of congratulants (here's hoping this is an English word... )

By the way, looking at the factory pics, it pains my woodworker's eye to see all that beautiful veneer plastered over with black or white paint... But that's another story, not for this thread.

Wishing you many hours, days (nights), weeks, months, years of happy playing!

Mark

Congratulations and many years of joy from me as well!

Congrats on your new Estonia! Many others here have praised it, and I hope you like yours just as much or more.

Hop

Congratulations Frank and thanks for the nice pics and story!

Can we also hear it somewhere?

Ha ha hah! Never in a million years would I have guessed it would be an Estonia!

As I said in your last thread, you really deserve it and if Indrek Laul gave you a great deal on a 190, you run with it and don't look back. It is an exquisite piano with a wonderful tone. While I'm sure the circumstances surrounding your choice is all just one lucky coincidence it IS what you deserve given all your site has done for revitalizing the Estonia Piano brand name.

As for Indrek Laul, he looks like a really nice guy and a shrewd business who knows what he's doing. I'm about 1 month away from opening up a private practice and I am indeed shaking hands with important people and the movers and shakers of my industry- because that's what smart businessmen do. As they say, "it is what it is".

Congratulations again Frank and have many many years of enjoyment with your new piano!

Some of us would have (and did).

Nice piano, congratulations!

Frank, congratulations to your new Estonia grand!

A very special piano - for a very special guy!!

Norbert

Congrats on the new beauty!!! What a wonderful story to go with!!! Enjoy it in good health!

Frank,

Congratulations on your new beautiful Estonia!
As I mentioned, the floor at the Estonia factory's selection room was an unmistakeable giveaway.

Interestingly, the pictures you took above were of a special veneered Rosewood Estonia piano that was being made for me (yes, I checked with Indrek to make sure this was indeed the piano I recived).

You'll be pleased to know that this piano also arrived safely in the states and already found a loving home with a wonderful family!

WooooHooooo!!!!!! Congrats!

Congratulations Frank.

I knew this secret and kept it all of this time. If you remember we were in the Estonia both together at NAMM. I could see the glint in your eyes as your were playing the Estonia pianos. This is a glint that those of us who sell pianos know well.

May you have many years of joy from your new piano!

Ah, I sigh in relief. That veneer wasn't plastered over with paint after all. My bad for making that assumption! Thanks for clearing this up.

Do you have a picture of the finished piano, perhaps? I'd be very interested to see how it turned out from its raw state... (I'm a total sucker for beautiful veneers.)

I 2nd that, would love to see some pictures of this beauty!

An Estonia, huh? They're okay I guess.....

Haha just kidding! Congratulations on an amazing piano! Piano recordings now, please!

Uh, I think frank has already posted a fair few recordings of his piano, both on YouTube and PW. Sounds really good, though

Congratulations -- and what a wonderful story!

Kevin

it's because they are so incredibly resonant. I get quite irritated at the pianos I play on weekends because they just don't 'ring'.

(and i guessed too).

It's beautiful!!! Congratulations - I know you will enjoy it!!!

Congratulations Frank!

I always would say to myself, "Well, Frank uses a digital." I can't say that again. Super Nice Piano. Congratulations!!!

where are my tissues... I'm so choked up with happiness for you! After all these years a musical dream comes true for such a deserving person. This has to be the best story of a piano purchase on PW!! Congratulations to you, my friend!! Wishing you many years of musical happiness in your new acoustical world!!

Frank:

After your recent trip to Europe, who would have been the runner up?

Norbert

Congratulations on a beauty of a piano. What a great experience you've had. Thoroughly enjoyed the thread.

Frank,

Too bad I didn't know you are coming to Tallinn, as I am from Helsinki I could have gone to Tallinn to meet you

About the piano factory in Tallinn, is is possible to visit it for tourists or what is a special deal? I would love to visit the place next time I go to Tallinn.

What Terry said! I am so, so happy for you, Frank. It's like a fairy tale. And now, about that piano party . . .

Thanks for the kind words everyone, I'm loving my new piano.

Terry & KathyK, any chance you'll be at the Cape party?

Speaking of piano parties, we're having a very informal (few local friends) party next Sunday (18th). But I'd love to have some piano forums piano parties.
All depends on who can get here.

Really beautiful piano Frank, appreciate both the back story of its selection and the beautiful pictures.

Estonia just got added to the list of places I'm going to visit.

Thanks Greg.
We can't wait to go back to Tallinn.

I'm hoping to put together another piano tour for 2013 (if we get enough interest).
Would love to have it include Estonia and Italy, it's a matter of logistics and expense.

That's a beautiful musical instrument ... I'm glad for you!

Congratulations, Frank, from both John and me. It's a fabulous piano.

hmmmm. make it for late january or early february when it is 25 below here and i bet i can find a good excuse.

He couldn't believe "Mr. PianoWorld" didn't have a real (acoustic) piano at home. He said that just didn't seem right, I agreed. We talked more about it and how we might fix the problem. Bottom line, we came to an agreement that worked for both of us, and meant I'd finally get to have a real piano in my home.

Yes, I'll say that's wrong!

This is a treasure that you've snagged, and this problem has been fixed in spades... Absolutely fantastic, gorgeous, wunderbar!

My heartfelt congratulations, Frank. Your own private "Piano Row"!

Now go practice!

Frank is a far better pianist than is willing to admit or leads up to!

I've seen him play Moonlight sonata, Blues and Boogie - all at once! [or in short sequence...]

Norbert

Lovely piano! I'd adore having an Estonia, they are beautiful instruments. It is a wonderful pictorial and story, too!

Are you going to change your ******* line in your signature anytime soon?

Congratulations! Wishing you many, many years of happiness and enjoyment with your new Estonia!

It's a Beauty Frank!..with the lid up the wood blends perfectly with the oak floors...and now for the bad..
Frank "Jergens Lotion" for the hands will work wonders...
(just kidding!)

wow what agreat story so cool. i love how connected to this piano you are and the visit to the factory and autographs is so cool

how very very cool
is your music room also set up for recording ?if so what kind of recording set up do you use.

Congratulations Frank! It's beautiful. So you chose the one furthest from the camera, but which model is it? I can guess which size you bought but it would be great to let us know for sure and you will have to post some full length recordings on the new baby. It would also be fun to know why you chose the one you chose.

Congratulations again, many of us are green with envy!

He answered all that in an earlier post - try backing up to his more recent posts and you'll see the answers!

Congrats on your new Estonia "Big Boy" Model Piano and welcome to the Estonia Fraternity! All of us Estonia owners are now standing just a little taller and prouder that you have seen fit to join us! 50,000,000 Elvis Fans can't be wrong and neither can you--Great Choice...Enjoy It!

MrPianoWorld - great to see a piano lover, a pianist and a lovely instrument come together. Choosing your instrument at the factory is really special indeed.

For those of us who don't have the time, or the money, or the freedom to do what you did - we share the joy vicariously through your lovely stories and photos.

To me it's really special that the maker of the piano saw fit to put right MrPianoWorld's acoustic piano gap in his life. That alone - makes the piano maker special. That it's a top quality instrument as well is sheer bonus.

Please put up some YouTube clips of your playing on that instrument when you're settled.

Thanks for sharing the story and all those fantastic Pictures... The piano is just gorgeous, Congratulations!

Questions asked earlier: Do I have a recording setup in the room?
Answer: no. All I have right now is an HD Q3HD Zoom recorder (it's pretty good for a small handheld though).

Question: What model is it?
Answer: It is an Estonia L-190 in hi-polish ebony.


A few new pictures of the Music Room as it slowly comes together (having the first small gathering this Sunday).


And before anyone jumps on me about the sunlight pouring in, I only opened the curtains to shoot the pictures.
There are actually two layers of curtains (the ones behind the color curtains are room darkening/heat blocking), and behind them are light blocking shades. The windows themselves are tinted double pane argon gas filled (keeps out heat and harmful rays).









Again my thanks to everyone for their kind words.

I hope to see some of you at the Mason & Hamlin Piano Factory tour in October, and/or at the Cape Cod Piano Party (Oct. 8).
Others I'll catch up with at NAMM in January, or at another gathering, party, or tour.

And if you're down this way (soutwest Florida, between Tampa & St. Petersburg), let me know.

Dear Frank,

A Hammond XK-3 AND an Estonia 190??

(You are officially my new hero)

That is a nice setup, Frank. The expansion looks good.

Frank:

You need to re-arrange so that the piano keyboard and the Hammond/digital keyboards are facing each other so you can do the full Keith Emerson and play both at once...

BTW, what about the mysterious set of numbers you gave as a hint in the original thread? Some of us apparently figured out the latitude/longitude part correctly (or close enough), but what about the rest of the numbers?

Then all you need is a "Monster Moog" to do the full Emerson!

(Great pics and thanks for the story)

Congratulations on the beautiful new piano! Thanks for sharing all those pictures and the story. I sat in awe reading/looking! I am happy for you!

Excellent!

After an agonizing wait, it is indeed a pleasure to peruse this wonderful thread of the "Great Reveal" at length. What a beautiful piano, and a charming story to boot! The pictures are magnificent, and help to tell the story so well.

I hope you are proud of your new piano- it is a fine instrument, and a well-deserved one at that. Congratulations!

Frank and Kathy,

Congratulation!!

Your new Estonia is Beautiful. How do you get anything else done with such an instrument in the house?

Are you planning on bringing some Flip videos to the CC party so that we can all hear it as well?

Loved all the stories and pictures leading up to the final choice.

Linda

Thanks Linda,

Who said anything about getting anything else done? :-)

Yes, I hope to make a couple of videos before we head up for the Cape Cod party.

Speaking of which, I need to catch up with Ed & Roberta, they haven't answered my email yet.

See you in October!

Best,

Frank B.

Nice, Frank. Congrats! Looks like a fun trip to Eastern Europe. I also enjoyed the video of you meeting Indrek at NAMM.

Frank and Kathy

Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful adventure and making us feel as if we were there with you all.
Your new Estonia....aint it grand!!!

ps Roberta and Ed are due back today from their cruise.

Best wishes
Jerry

Congratulations on your new piano Frank!

Hopefully you've already been able to get in some serious playing on your beautiful new instrument.

I imagine it to have a wonderful sound and touch. I really liked the ones I was able to try out in my piano search. I was offered a great deal on a new one but it was still far beyond my budget when I was on my piano search 3 years ago. I also imagine it is great to experience going to the country of origin and witness the factory and manufacture, picking out your own piano while there, developing friendship with Indrek and family, and meeting so many interesting people along your piano journey and adventures.

I'm sure you have some very interesting stories to tell.
Best wishes and joy with this new beauty in your life.


Cheers, Dara

Considering Estonia was the new brand we adopted some 14 years ago at a time we were laughed out of town.

Yesterday a new customer and now proud Estonia owner of this piano told us he saw a 14 years old Estonia used as 'repellant' by someone else in town.

Of course we all know it's Frank who's got the final laugh in this matter.

*Repellants* don't seem to do such good work or last forever.

Norbert

That looks like a very happy music room!

Great thread and great pics Frank. Congratulations and all the best!
Roger

Mr. Piano World (I like that).... for not doing anything, someone sure is a good housekeeper.. your house is so neat.

Would you like to borrow several kids for a while?

Thanks Apple, but the advantage of living alone is that I can keep the place relatively neat. I have considered spraying Endust on Kirby though, considering he's like a four legged dust mop.

Kathy thinks I'm OCD and ADHD, which explains why I seem to always be straigtening things up but never seem to finish :-)

so that's NO on the kids?

As much as I appreciate the offer I'm going to have to pass :-)

but the shoes and jackets... you'd get to pick them up and scrape off the mud. oh well. i love my kids.. i'd miss them if they were gone.

My middle daughter had the habit of leaving her socks wherever she decided to take them off. My wife cured that by putting them in her purse!

Getting a bit OT here . .. but . . . I wonder if that would work with my wife's shoes.

Nah, There are too many to fit into her purse.

It's wonderful that you enjoyed our little country. Did you go to the tower of St.Karl's? An excellent view of Tallinn opens from there.

Fun fact:The windows that says "Noodid" is the only store in Estonia that specializes in music scores, to my knowledge.

Thanks Jame334, we were quite mesmerized with Tallinn, particularly loved the old town.

Thanks to the generosity of our hosts we were able to take in a couple of wonderful concerts, one was in a huge old church in the old town section. I believe it is used primarily for concerts and events now.
Loved the acoustics.
Hope to get back to hear the organ there sometime. There was an organ concert series coming up but we weren't going to be there for it.

I even got interviewed by the local tv station. They were actually interviewing the musicians (from Russia) who had just put on the concert, but Indrek (Laul) mentioned who I was and why I was there, so they interviewed me for a few minutes, fun.

Of course the fact that I was there to choose my piano made it that much more exciting.

We will let you know when we return so we can meet.

Best,

Frank B.

Congratulations!!

I wish you many years of enjoyment with your lovely Estonia.

regards,

Hakki

Congratulations on your piano. A great story.

Congratulations Frank--I love Estonia pianos. I almost bought one myself a few years ago!

Great thread, read it all... and belated congratulations! (I don't get here often enough!)
One minor question, I'm speculating that your music room might be just a bit "lively" as I see many reflecting surfaces... a larger carpet and a few wall hangings might do wonders.
Another comment: your (old and orphan?) digital piano appears to have large speakers - good to see that. Audio has been a hobby horse of mine for years and I play a digital... but, of course, wooden grand pianos are the best if you have the resources (space, cash and good techs on call)... or the skill and diy.
Cheers,
Roger

Congratulations! I love the story, the photos, and the new piano! May you make beautiful music on your new Estonia.

Bea