I am getting my L168 soon. This was unexpected, I was deciding between a C. Bechstein Concert 8 and a A190. After being back and forth between these two pianos for a while I just sat in front of the Estonia piano and started playing and it was love at first press. OMG!!!Saying that though, I didn't prefer the 190 cm model of Estonia, it sounded more distant, still better than vast majority. The only piano I liked more than the L168 was C. Bechstein A192 and that is my end-game piano.
The tone of all the bass notes (here I'm referring to every note south of middle C) seems to simply appear from "somewhere". I'm not flaky, but it's like the bass notes appear out of the cosmos or from inside my head. Sorry if that's goofy, but that's what I hear. The treble (everything north of middle C) is very "penetrating", not in a bad way, but in the sense that it cannot be ignored. Maybe I should say "forcefully present". It isn't necessarity harsh, since you produced some very delicate tones in the middle treble, but the potential is there to "pop" when you want it. And that is one gorgeous piece of musical instrument!
I've felt a musical connection to Estonia, the country, from Neeme Järvi directing the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. That's a wonderful piano that they make there!
I love Estonia pianos, I am soon to buy the 7ft. I've also met Dr. Laul he really loves their product! I also have to add you can't beat the price of an Estonia when you consider that it is Hand built.
Bubinga is pretty but it’s really just a cosmetic thing, at least IMHO. The thing that sets the Estonia apart from the Yamahas and Kawais in your stores is the European (i.e., not Japanese) sound and voicing. The people who voice Estonias must be up there with the other top technicians in Europe. It generally takes generations to develop a talent pool that deep. I have a fantastic Brodmann upright made in China by the Parsons group. It has first rate European parts and it even has some bubinga veneer paneling, but it doesn’t receive the voicing expertise that you would experience with, say, a C. Bechstein, a Sauter or a Steingraeber. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lovely piano and a great value but, without the voicing skill and time investment, it will never be a tier one piano.
Beautiful clear and mellow tone.
I am getting my L168 soon. This was unexpected, I was deciding between a C. Bechstein Concert 8 and a A190. After being back and forth between these two pianos for a while I just sat in front of the Estonia piano and started playing and it was love at first press. OMG!!!Saying that though, I didn't prefer the 190 cm model of Estonia, it sounded more distant, still better than vast majority. The only piano I liked more than the L168 was C. Bechstein A192 and that is my end-game piano.
Great sounding piano! Thanks for the review Ted.
The tone of all the bass notes (here I'm referring to every note south of middle C) seems to simply appear from "somewhere". I'm not flaky, but it's like the bass notes appear out of the cosmos or from inside my head. Sorry if that's goofy, but that's what I hear. The treble (everything north of middle C) is very "penetrating", not in a bad way, but in the sense that it cannot be ignored. Maybe I should say "forcefully present". It isn't necessarity harsh, since you produced some very delicate tones in the middle treble, but the potential is there to "pop" when you want it. And that is one gorgeous piece of musical instrument!
I've felt a musical connection to Estonia, the country, from Neeme Järvi directing the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. That's a wonderful piano that they make there!
That piano sounds really beautiful. Reminds me of a Shigiru Kawaii with its crystalline bell like tone.
Looks great too ! Nice playing Ted !
I love Estonia pianos, I am soon to buy the 7ft. I've also met Dr. Laul he really loves their product! I also have to add you can't beat the price of an Estonia when you consider that it is Hand built.
The 210 is a gem. Easily better than anything comparably priced. I saw a 2021 in perfect condition sell on Pianomart recently for under $42,000.
Bubinga is pretty but it’s really just a cosmetic thing, at least IMHO. The thing that sets the Estonia apart from the Yamahas and Kawais in your stores is the European (i.e., not Japanese) sound and voicing. The people who voice Estonias must be up there with the other top technicians in Europe. It generally takes generations to develop a talent pool that deep. I have a fantastic Brodmann upright made in China by the Parsons group. It has first rate European parts and it even has some bubinga veneer paneling, but it doesn’t receive the voicing expertise that you would experience with, say, a C. Bechstein, a Sauter or a Steingraeber. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lovely piano and a great value but, without the voicing skill and time investment, it will never be a tier one piano.
Amazing presenter - thankyou