Estonia Grand Piano from 1996

[alekscriabin]

Hello! I am a classical pianist based in Germany and was offered few days ago an Estonia Grand Piano 274cm (the largest model) for a veeery nice price. Unfortunately, the piano stands 500km far from my city, that's why I would like to know, if the piano is worth going there and trying it.
Estonia pianos are not common here in Europe, but I've heard, they are a "well-kept secret" piano in the US (sorry for my poor English)...
This piano was built in 1996. As I've understood, the quality of Estonia improved AFTER 1996... That's why I am hesitating with this piano. Does somebody know these pianos and can say something about their quality? Than you very much for your answers!

[hfmadopter]

You might want to watch and listen to this video. You might want to consider an Estonia Piano of a later generation, 1996 is in their troubled time frame.. 

[alekscriabin]

Thank you very much for the video! I found out that the piano was made for Schirmer & Son in 1997 by Estonia and is actually an original Estonia model - just with a different label and copper plated frame instead of bronze plated. Somebody in an other forum told that this Estonia-Schirmer grand piano has Renner action and Abel hammers... Does anybody here know something about this very special Estonia/Schirmer model?

[hfmadopter]

Rather than trying to research this, perhaps you would do better to get a reputable tech or appraiser to go look at the piano and report his findings back to you. Hire someone who might be closer to the location the piano is at than you are. At any rate, then you would know exactly what you are buying into.

It's unclear to me if this is a special edition Schirmer or if the relationship continued between these two makers. Obviously the components were not a compromise though.

[pytheamateur]

I remember reading somewhere that Marc-Andre Hamelin has an Estonia grand piano.