<HTML>In a message dated 11/7/01 12:41:29 PM Central Standard Time, tonyanj@hotmail.com (John Tonyan) writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">I have a friend who is a budding concert pianist and is looking for an instrument. He has moved from my area but is asking for direction in his search. He found an Astonia(?) grand that he likes and is within his budget but I know nothing about this brand. Anyone?     Anyone?</BLOCKQUOTE> Estonia pianos had a bad reputation when Estonia was under Soviet Union occupation but now that it is an independent country, the factory has made a complete change in the way it builds pianos.  They are really nice.  I did see a couple of the early ones that developed premature loose tuning pins but all others have been just fine.  Check it over, especially the firmness of the pinblock and if it is in good order, feel confident in recommending it. Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin</HTML>