<html> <body> John, Actually, I agree. They do have a place. Back when I was self-employed, I did use them. Very occasionally and only when the situation warranted it! I guess we university techs get a little spoiled. As Joe Garrett does, we also don't usually have over-damper pianos or 70 squares in our inventory. THANK GOD!!!!!! :-D Be nice now, Joe! :-) Avery At 03:27 PM 6/3/2006, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> Universal strings, have their place. Some people have a rural clientele, (spread out), and you can't afford to make an extra trip to them with the custom made new string. We must not forget our customers, whose disposable income is minimal. The older customer on a fixed income, the single income parent, or even the ones on minimum wage. Some of them can just afford repairs, to keep their instruments operational. It is forgotten that there are a lot of pianos out there, that are not new, and not grands. John M. Ross Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada. <a href="mailto:jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca">jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca</a> <dl> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:avery1@houston.rr.com">Avery</a> <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</a> <dd>Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2006 4:21 PM <dd>Subject: RE: Wire Size <dd>Thanks, David. I also haven't used them for many, many years. And will never use them again. <dd>JMO <dd>Avery <dd>At 12:25 PM 6/3/2006, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> <dd>Joe: <dd>  <dd>I’ve been doing this work for 33+ years and while I used to have universal bass strings I haven’t for about 25 years.  What do you use them for?  (i.e. what kind of piano do you hate so much that you use universals on it?) <dd>  <dd>dave <dd>  <dd>David M. Porritt <dd><a href="mailto:dporritt@smu.edu">dporritt@smu.edu</a> <hr> <dd>From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [ <a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org" eudora="autourl"> mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf Of Joseph Garrett <dd>Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2006 9:41 AM <dd>To: pianotech <dd>Subject: Re: Wire Size <dd>  <dd>It is best to invest in the Tools of the Trade. First: a good micrometer. Second: Order the 1/3rd pound coils of wire, (with the Brake) Third: A complete set of Universal Bass Strings. Anything less, is not professional, IMO. <dd>Since Money is always an issue, I'd suggest the Micrometer First, (borrow wire from your Mentor). <dd>Regards, <dd>  <dd>  <dd>Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon) <dd>Captain, Tool Police <dd>Squares R I <dd>  <dd> </blockquote> </dl></blockquote></body> </html>