Only one bass string scale for the M&H AA?

[Bill Ballard]

When I ordered a set of bass strings for a 57-bass M&H AA, I offered 
to send the original strings out for an exact copy. "No need", said 
the sales lady at the #2 (in quantity) bass string winder. "For 
57-bass there was only one scale." OK by me, I wouldn't have to 
wrassle a set of strings into a body bag and mail 'em out.

They showed up two weeks ago, and I should have looked at them then. 
The top string in the tenor trichords in the new set, starts the 
winding at the same point as the old (measuring from the eye), but 
ends 5/8" earlier. The bottom new trichord string starts 1/2" earlier 
than the old, and ends at the same spot. (If you get my drift.)

I'm calling the string winder tomorrow to find out what we can do 
about this. 2 mismatches out of 57 is by no means a good sample, and 
I don't have the time to measure the entire set. But who can tolerate 
a single mismatch?

Has anyone else been in this situation before? I wanted to put them 
on tomorrow. (No, I don't rescale.)

Bill Ballard RPT
NH Chapter