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How good is a 2003 Estonia 168? I read that Estonia is a great brand that has greatly improved its piano over the years and very old Estonia cannot really compare to new one, so how does a 2003 compare to the new one? Is it considered to be a new/improved Estonia or old/before improvement Estonia?

Thanks

By 2003, quite a number of targeted improvements had been made to Estonia pianos, but they never really stopped making improvements. By 2005, the rush of improvements became smaller, more technical. Since then, additional improvements have been made, but in periodic jumps as they saw opportunity to refine.

Just 2 weeks ago, we received a new L190 with quite a number of changes, new bracing, change to the soundboard, as well as cosmetic changes. Their factory never stops.

By 2003, it is "Laul-era" which does signify a difference in re-sale from the older instruments.

Yes they have made significant improvements..


Check out this a Limited Edition estonia L190 with italian soundboard.. I know..sounds very exotic .. I will have to try it out before he sells it..


Scroll to bottom:

http://www.pierresfinepianos.com/Piano-Dealer-Location-Los-Angeles-CA.html#estonia

A photo from the link to Pierre's disagrees with the description. The 190 listed as 2011 is clearly a photo of a much older used Estonia - the plate casting, color and hardware are a giveaway.

The Ciresa board is interesting, but perhaps not significant when Estonia's own soundboard is of comparable quality and type. We recently had a Kawai RX-2 with a special Ciresa board, and over Kawai's standard sitka spruce, the change was significant because the quality & type of wood is very different.

It's all relative. Ciresa makes fine soundboards, but it is the story that is more compelling and romantic. I believe Fazioli uses them exclusively and Bösendorfer has used them occasionally.

Not to mention that Ciresa boards have been used in Korean Wm. Knabe ad Chinese Sejung pianos as well. How's that for pedigree?!!

Pierre was selling that Estonia with the Faz board new a few years ago. He first listed it at 50k. Before it sold, it was down to 29.9k. I believe in the end he traded it straight up for a fruit vending cart (which had an even more romantic story).

Estonia has never generated the voltage on the West Coast that it has in the Northeast Power Dealer Corridor. Of course this only applies to the US West Coast. I've been told that in Vancouver, what's going on at Estonia Piano is topic A1 at upscale cocktail parties.

To the OP

Don't take my post too seriously. There are some very happy Estonia owners with pianos of that vintage. Just get the thing checked out thoroughly by a good tech before you commit to a purchase.

You ask how good is the piano... you also need to ask if you like that sound. Some people do. I - and many others - do not.

Not quite.

Our valued clientile for Estonia actually lives sometimes 1000 miles away in a number of Western cities.

They also don't make for the typical "cocktail crowd" but are often comprised by a fairly serious group.

Like the head of the musical department of a well known university College recently and the conductor of one of Western Canada's most prolific big bands.

Or a new 6'10 grand just chosen by a highly prominent, respected and hugely accomplished teacher in one particular city. A guy at the very top of the Canadian Music Competition.

Yet not a 'peep' from anywhere.

Would certainly love to meet some of these good folks over "cocktail" - never had the honor to even meet them in person....

Norbert