Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Our Estonia came last week!

Again, I'm a better piano player than a photographer or poster of images. Perhaps a rather low bar to meet... But, oh, how I love the sparkle of my piano and it's wonderfully resonant bass. Very lively to the touch yet plays like silk.

This photo may show you the legs. I'll have to do some "beauty shots" of our Estonia 225 later with better lighting. This photo makes it look too short. I paid for all 225 cm and I need to take a photo that reflects that. Also, this photo doesn't show the beautiful bubinga wood on the underside of the lid.

Yes, I bought the little floor lamp just to have it show off the underside of the lid. The lamp makes all the difference for my guests. I considered all kinds of options but this lamp works great.

Trish (Steinway rep in Alaska) is organizing my tuning, voicing, etc., and she promises to have two excellent musicians come to my house for an official "opening" evening for the Estonia 225.

It was a strain for me to spend this much money but, sadly, there was a death in my family about two years ago and I realized I better get on with buying the piano of my dreams. I had looked for about 5 years and almost pulled the trigger on a 190 as the other poster said. (It got sold while I was thinking it over for one day.) I first ordered the 190 but a little glitch (no one's fault) gave me a second chance to rethink and remember that I would only buy one piano in my life. Hence the 225 sits resplendent in my too-small living room. How lucky I am to have the piano of my dreams.

Also, during my five year search, I loved the Mason and Hamlin pianos, just loved them, especially the BB. But Estonia won out for me every time I had the chance to comparison play at a dealer. A few years back, I even had the chance to play an Estonia concert grand in Denver at a dealer. I remember clearly that I had to stop halfway through the piece I was playing because I couldn't bear knowing that I would never be able to own such a beautiful piano. How little I knew. A 225 is not a concert grand but it is fabulous.

Well, I'm sure life will sweep along and keep me from posting for a few months but I really appreciate the enthusiasm and kind words of the people in this thread. I am going to try out a few more lessons starting tomorrow with a Russian piano teacher here in Alaska. I hope it will go well. My piano playing anxiety when there is anyone else in the room knows no bounds.

Now if I can just get my 11 year old to keep taking HER piano lessons....

Thanks again, everybody.

Cheers.

If you would like your bench legs to match better, Jansen has a couple of styles that are "unlisted". What you would need is style J10. Shhh! Don't tell anybody I told you about 'em.

Thanks! Yes, I would like my bench legs to match better! The dealer told me they had done the best they could but I seemed to recall there was a dealer somewhere in my piano searching days who had a big display of bench legs. It's hard living in Alaska sometimes. Washburn closed up shop here and I had to travel to Seattle to ultimately purchase my Estonia.

THANK YOU. I will follow up.

You will probably need to get a dealer to order them, but Jansen can make them, finish them in polish ebony and ship them to you. Swapping them out takes 10 minutes and a 1/2" wrench. Contact me if your dealer isn't familiar with these. I have photos somewhere, but I'm confident they are the best match.

Your piano is stunning!!!! - Congratulations

Switching out the bench legs would be the crowning glory.

Alaska, your Estonia is beautiful! However, I have to ask, where in the world (literally) did you find a 225? I didn't think Estonia was making a 7' yet. I've been waiting for it.

The 225 (7'4") came out two years ago. The 210 is the new one at 6'11"

Okay, but why isn't either one on the Estonia web site? And, what's the advantage in having two models just 15cm (5") difference?

Estonia's website is being updated right now. The new pianos will definitely be on it.

15cm difference may seem small to some but can make all the difference of fitting a piano in a certain space - or not.

Many other makers have similar options - presumably for same reason.

Norbert

Congratulations and nice pic!
And yes, nice that you have a special light to light the inside

>Now if I can just get my 11 year old to keep taking HER piano lessons....

Just keep playing with love yourself, that's all you can do. Most likely she will pick that up and do some instrument later.

Well, I probably committed the cardinal sin - I bought a piano sight and "hearing" unseen. I am not the piano player - my daughter is - but I did a lot of research and talked to a lot of people. My research consisted of visiting local dealers (I live in the Tampa Bay area), a recommendation by my daughter's piano teacher and a great deal of research on the internet. Once I decided to buy an Estonia 190, I had to find a dealer. Because the closest dealer was over two hours away I went with my gut and trusted the dealer (Nick's Piano in Naples who has posted on this thread) and bought a piano sight unseen.

Our final choice came down to a new Estonia or a used Steinway L. Well we are now the proud owners of an Estonia 190 in Pyramid Mahogany and we couldn't be happier. The beauty and sound of the piano exceeded our expectations and our dealer was also fantastic. He took the worry about buying remotely away and we couldn't be happier with the buying experience.

If anyone is in the Tampa Bay area and would like to see or hear the piano = I am happy to oblige.

Did I say we couldn't be happier?!!?

I like that description of Estonia.....it does have a very smooth feel

Contender:

You're not alone.

We have many people who bought their Estonia same way you did.
This is one of the few pianos I know one can buy with complete confidence - "blindly"

Enjoy everybody!

Norbert

Congratulations!! I bought a 190L a couple of months back for my daughter, and we couldn't be happier with the piano. Its a lovely sounding piano, my daughter says that the touch is amazing. You will enjoy hearing that piano being played by your daughter for years to come! Please post an audio or video clip when you can.

Congratulations, Alaska! It's a beautiful piano. The "Hidden Beauty" finish is most becoming.

Estonias have a large and enthusiastic following on the Forum. Please post a recording when you can.

By the way, is that bench cushion blue or black?

Congrats, Contender

You have bought a wonderful piano. This week I will host a little piano party for adults that will be playing in an upcoming recital. I fully expect that the attendees will be drooling over my "piano they never heard of"....happens every year. Enjoy.

Oh, we want pics, please.

Here's its smaller cousin by same maker.
Orderered also "sight unseen".....

Gorgeous! Congratulations she looks like a beauty.

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