Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum 11 yrs Schimmel 213CC vs new Estonia L190

Providing they are available to me at the nearly same price, what would you take?
I like both sounds of Schimmel and Estonia, because the former seems suitable for Bach and Mozart, the latter for the romantic music like Chopin, hearing from the YouTube video.

Searching for information on replacing Kawai GS, I have come here, to above two pianos.

Thank you in advance.

For me, that is a very difficult choice. I'd have to go play them to see which one i like better. You should do that too. However, I like the Estonia sound more than I like the Schimmel sound. But then the Schimmel is big... Hmm. Tough choice, ain't it?

That's a good race. The CC213 had a short production run before the advent of the better known and current K213. I also found most CC213's to share a more lyrical quality than the K213 somewhat like the newest L190's. The power of each is pretty close despite length difference. Until 2011's action changes on the L190, I might have leaned toward the Schimmel, but now I'd give the new piano the edge. The K213 has different strengths and is clearly a bigger, more dynamic instrument....but that is a different conversation.

Your impressions are pretty consistent with my experiences. I own and L190 and have a friend with a simliar sized Schimmel that I have the opportunity to play. Both are fine instruments, so it does come down to personal taste. The Schimmell has a bright bell-like tone, the Estonia somewhat darker. Also consider your home environment. If you have hardwood floors and a lot of reflective surfaces vs carpeting, drapes, and a lot of sound absorbing furniture etc....this will impact the eventual sound of the instrument.

Not to hijack this thread, but what action changes? (Is still pertinent to this buyer's potential piano).

The hammers were lightened and the action rebalanced offering generally the same touchweight but less overall mass. This increases responsiveness. Also, slight changes to the inner rim have freed up the treble portion of the soundboard allowing greater dynamic response even with lighter hammers. "Features" interrelate. It's quite noticeable.

I wonder if the L190 I tried (brand new) had those changes last March! I played one and then a Schimmel K189 I believe it was--it was over 6 foot, and I would have taken the Schimmel hands down if the budget would have come even close!

Interesting information Sam. Peaks my curiosity now at what the new 2011 Estonia changes sound/feel like if the one I tried was still a 2010 model!

Schimmel for me!

I played a slightly shorter Schimmel from around the same age and it was a totally awesome piano. Never played an Estonia, but Schimmel is a pretty safe bet as it is a long-established brand (and yes, Estonia is very popular on this forum, so it must be pretty good too).

Get one of each and have a party.