> Even when I used to send them computer printouts with detailed wire > sizes and lengths I found that they would routinely make changes to the > core & wrap wire sizes, despite being admonished not to do so. I came to > the conclusion that my business really didn't matter to them, so I went > elsewhere. Too bad, because in other respects there service was first rate. > > - Mark Dierauf I never did figure Mapes out. They don't seem to have a way to calculate stretch, so they leave the wrap a yard short of the agraffe. Give them a set of measurements from hitch to bridge pin and to agraffe, and (despite extra bold text description) they assume it's wrap end to wrap end and will send you a $400 set of useless strings. They want the strings back too, before they'll issue a refund, in case you try to use them anyway - somehow. Arledge makes nice strings, but he argues with me about my scaling. He seems to be trying to make strings as "lively" as possible, which is likely welcome on old mostly dead soundboards, but is problematic on more efficient new boards. I've also had more of his loops break than should have been possible. I use JD Grandt. John is stable, efficient, knowledgeable, reasonable, and makes a first rate "no surprises" string to my specs with good accuracy and quick turnaround. Great guy to work with, great product. Ron N
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