>... what is meaning, please, of "schraffed bass strings." This refers to the striations on the core wire. As Wayne Hicks,(longtime Mapes stringmaker), wrote it down,"run rock on core". I understood that they used a piece of sharp flint. >They cost more: Why? Are they worth it and, if so, for what pianos? I always ask for this, as over the years, the occurance of deadness and/or rattles was much lower with these schraffed strings. >Now, a toughie: I've always ordered from Mapes and have no complaints. >If others have favorite strings/suppliers, it would be nice to hear which I used Mapes for many years, then tried the far more expensive strings of a custom maker. The more expensive strings were more consistant, but they seemed to lack life. I finally got a set that was more dead than alive and wasn't able to get calls returned by the maker, so I have switched back to Mapes. Occasionally, I have to ask for a replacement string on a new set, but they have the tone I need. I know of several high end rebuilders that swear by GC strings from Canada. I have had several sets and they were very nicely made and sounding. The last set was questionable, though. Regards, Ed Foote RPT www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/ www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html <A HREF="http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/399/six_degrees_of_tonality.html"> MP3.com: Six Degrees of Tonality</A>
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