bass string differences

[David Love]

Which brings us back to the original question.  Quality of manufacturing 
aside (they all seem to make a mistake now and then) how would you compare 
the different makers, scaling philosophy and resultant tonal 
characteristics.  For example, I used Mapes strings for many years but have 
recently begun to use Sandersons's strings as I have started to consider 
rescaling.  I have also heard many sets of GC strings.  Each seems to have 
its own characteristic sound.  I don't know if I can exactly pinpoint what 
those differences are, thus my question.  But some seem to have a stronger 
fundamental, others richer in overtones, some more pure in the low 
monochords, etc..  I seem to have been searching for the ideal bass string 
for some time and have not yet found it.  Again, assuming equal attention to 
manufacturing (perhaps a big assumption) I am curious how people compare at 
least the three in question for me:  Mapes, Sanderson, GC, (and Isaac 
too--though I have not used them)?

David Love

>From: "Erwinpiano" <Erwinpiano@email.msn.com>
>Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org
>To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Subject: Re: bass string differences
>Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 19:59:01 -0700
>
>   Newton
>
>I have a different perspective than yours.  I really take issue with the
>lack of falseness issue.  Having used many sets (dozens)of his strings
>before finally giving up in frustration I can say honestly that I was
>astonished at how many sets had false beats and also false beats develop
>over time.  I'm still changing out sets of strings when possible that have
>untunable unisons.
>     Also I experienced some very funky scaling in a stwy B, as in so much
>tension that the tone is choked. I'm still waiting for an opportunity to
>change those.
>
>    Any string maker can have the occasional false or ooops made string but 
>I
>found it wearisome, tedious and expensive to replace a string or strings in
>a rebuild after it has gone home causing repeated trips to the clients home
>at to pull up the new string and try to explain why the so called custom
>made expensive strings are having this kind of a problem.
>    Maybe things have changed but I won't pay to find out cause I still am.
>   I 'm a guy who's long on patience but I also have a long memory of this
>fiasco.
>     Dale Erwin
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Newton Hunt" <newtonhunt@netzero.net>
>To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2001 4:07 PM
>Subject: Re: bass string differences
>
>
> > For several days now I have watched Ari Isaac make bass strings.
> >
> > When a request for a set comes in he evaluates it on the computer and
> > makes some changes to bring up the power and other factors.
> >
> > The strings are swaged, hydraulically, by his assistant, Marie, then Ari
> > putts the string on the lathe and winds that string with the appropriate
> > copper.  There are a number of interesting techniques that he wishes not
> > to have disclosed, but I think the end result is a superior string with
> > far less falseness and far fewer "mistakes" in scaling than many will
> > provide.
> >
> > He has enough experience to know when a string is wrong, wrong core,
> > wrong wrap  for a particular length.  I have watched him carefully test
> > a string while it is still on the lathe and throw it out when he is not
> > satisfied with the sound of that string.
> >
> > The whole process is extremely interesting.  It is time consuming and
> > may involve as much as four hours start to finish.  That is to the
> > customer's advantage.
> >
> > Try them, I think you will like much of what he does.
> >
> > I use them.
> >
> > Newton (from Toronto)
> >
> >
> > NetZero Platinum
> > No Banner Ads and Unlimited Access
> > Sign Up Today - Only $9.95 per month!
> > http://www.netzero.net
>

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