J.,
Dan's piano sounds as incredible as it looks.

Dan, great to see some pics of your 190. Those halogens you installed really showcase your piano in a way that pictures just don't do justice with. Great to hear you're still refining the CC2. Been busy with work and school, so sorry I haven't kept in touch. Will update you shortly. Glad to hear you're still doing what you do best!

Best regards,
Roger

Hi Roger,
So glad to hear from you. Hope Houston is all you hoped it would be. Thanks for the kind words about my Estonia. Speaking of which, how's your 190 doing? I know how much you were looking forward to getting it once you got all moved in down there. If you are planning a trip up here any time in the future please let me know so we can get together. I'm looking forward to getting an update from you.
All the best,
Dan

Dan,
wow, that is amazing! your CC2 should be totally astonishing when all that is done to an already great piano. Are there specific things you're looking for or is this a general update/overhaul due to age or other factors ? just curious.
Your Estonia is gorgeous too!

I have to admit a partiality towards rosewood, especially of the darker shade. I'm sure those new Estonias are just gorgeous.

Sophia

Ori,

Don't hesitate to post your pictures. In my experience, just because photographers are pros does not always mean they do justice to piano finishes.

For example, a bubinga Estonia was chosen for The Philadelphia Charity Design Home. The picture is OK, but I am sure yours are just as good, if not better.

Here's the link - just click on the living room, then click on view B (the piano):

philadelphia design home

Thats one sweet looking home...and the piano is beautiful

Beautiful home and piano. Too bad the open lid is facing a wall - JMHO.

Hi Sophia,
The piano was completely restored with only the original rim, plate, tension resonator, key frame and keys left from the 1924 instrument. Ever since I got it, it always felt to me like the spacing was too narrow between the sharps. When I had my piano party, the other folks from the forum noted this as well. As I don't have particularly large or wide fingers, and it never feels like this on other pianos, I began to realize that it was something that had been inherently designed into the piano. Lo and behold, when I took out my micrometer to investigate, I discovered that, for some very mysterious reason, Mason and Hamlin had built this piano with sharps that are 12mm wide. The standard on all other pianos I have measured, including my Estonia and Kawai is 11mm!!! That was the answer to my dilemma, and, given everything else I have done to this instrument, I could not live with that. So, while I am getting everything on the keyboard replaced anyway, I decided to add the Magnetic Balanced Action and redo the Stanwood modifications on the new parts. It should be incredible when I get it back and regulated.
Dan

So, what is the thinking. Is an Estonia better than, or equal to a Broadmann when the grand pianos are equally just beyond 6 feet in length?

Ianopi,
This is an older thread, of course, but I will try to answer your question.

In my opinion, Brodmann pianos, and specifically their grand pianos, are the most musical instruments I have seen coming from China.

However, the Estonia is in a whole different ball game in terms of design, production and build quality, resulting in a much higher level of performance.
My experience shows that the Estonia's routinely hold their own when compared with some of the most regarded pianos in the industry...many of which could be found here in our showroom, and compared to the Estonia side by side.

So while much in regards to a piano performance could be described as "personal", there are still qualities that are sought after by most pianists, and allowing for better musical expression.
I think that there is still a major gap existing, which is very evident between most performance oriented instruments (as defined by and found on Larry Fine's supplement tiers 1 and 2 ) which of course include the Estonia, and the mass produced instruments coming from the orient, defined by Larry Fine as "consumer grade instruments" and found mainly on tiers 3 and 4 of his supplement.

originally posted by Ori
Good lord, Ori! What have you done here? I hope you realize that the quote I have excerpted here can be excerpted as well by anyone associated with advancing the efforts of Brodmann, both in retail and in the manufacturing end.

Ori is right, the Estonia is definitely a step above.

However, for approx. 1/2 the price, Brodmaan is starting to turn heads by serious pianists and is steadily gaining in those circles, especially against the Japanese.

With the Boesendorfer deal off their back, the company is not only aggressively pursuing its European manufactured pianos right now, but also the larger 7' and 7'4 grands, the latter coming with full Renner.

http://www.brodmann-pianos.at/355.html

It's these particular 2 pianos which really set the line apart from others, allowing reasonably priced but formidable performace grands in the home of those who would not otherwise afford such piano.

On the other hand, anybody ever choosing an Estonia, will never have the need to look back....

Norbert

Thank you everyone, your comments are well received.

How could you possibly go wrong? You have made two great choices but I would be jittery about marrying Ori, too. Does your wife know?

The best thing is you don't have to trade in an Estonia at around 150,000 miles. But there is a rumor that Ori needs a tune-up on a regular basis.

All kidding aside, the Estonia is one of the finest pianos available and is held in the highest regard. You have made a great decision.

Now, take a pill, calm down, and walk down the aisle with check in hand.