[CAUT] 9' Estonia

[Scott Thile]

Hello Avery,

I worked on an Estonia grand (about 6') a few years back and found it to be
about the same general quality as a Schimmel (which I'm not a fan off at
all). Not sure if they work harder on their concert grands or not, but I'd
sure not want one here from what I saw of the 6 footer...

Seems like with the money they have to work with they should check around
for a good used D and then know they'll be happy and have something that
will hold up.

I did notice that Estonia lists several Universities among a bunch of
Churches. Maybe I was too quick to judge:
http://www.estoniapiano.com/english/index.html

Maybe someone here has one....

Scott Thile
Murray State, Murray, KY


>-----Original Message-----
>From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On 
>Behalf Of Avery Todd
>Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 12:14 PM
>To: College and University Technicians
>Subject: [CAUT] 9' Estonia
>
>List,
>
>A good customer of mine, the Minister of Music at a fairly 
>large Baptist Church, just called me asking about a concert 
>grand. He's going to look at a new Estonia and wanted to know 
>if I knew anything about it. I don't. Do any of you? At the 
>moment they only have a definite $50,000.00 to work with and a 
>"possibility" of another $20,000.00 from a 3rd donor. The 
>Estonia was offered to him for $37,000.00 but he's interested 
>in any information about the longevity, etc. 
>of it.
>
>The same dealer has also offered to fly in a 9' Bösendorfer 
>and has offered it for $70,000.00 because he's getting ready 
>to open a new store in the area where the church is and would 
>like to have one of his instruments there.
>
>The auditorium is being built now, will seat app. 2,000, a 
>good portion of which will be a wrap-around type balcony. 
>Choir loft for 150, small orchestra pit, etc.
>(It's in a fairly high income area.) :-) They've already 
>started planning a concert series after the building opens, so 
>he really wants a top notch piano.
>
>The two mentioned above are not the only two choices, of 
>course. I just wanted to get input from anyone who's had any 
>experience with the Estonia.
>
>Also any comparisons between it and the Bösendorfer would be welcome.
>
>Thanks for any info anyone can give me. Privately if you'd 
>rather not post your comments on the list would also be OK.
>
>Regards,
>Avery 
>