<html> <body> David, I'm lucky, I guess. I've only had to deal with hammer replacement jobs by my predecessor where the end of the shank was about half-way down inside the hammer. I guess he pre-cut the shanks and they ended up being too short! :-\ But at least that was better than being totally off on the strike point! Avery At 04:02 PM 6/3/2006, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> I just had to rib you a bit.  When I started working at SMU 20 years ago my predecessor had put universals on a lot of the pianos (I even saw a piano for an outside client where he had restrung the whole bass section with universals!!)  One of the first things I did was to replace all those universal strings with appropriate ones.  Seriously, I can see their use in situations as you describe below, but I really don’t like them.   dave   David M. Porritt <a href="mailto:dporritt@smu.edu">dporritt@smu.edu</a> <hr> <div align="center"></div> From: Joseph Garrett [<a href="mailto:joegarrett@earthlink.net" eudora="autourl"> mailto:joegarrett@earthlink.net</a>] Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2006 3:39 PM To: Porritt, David; Pianotech List Subject: RE: Wire Size   Ah, come on David! I don't "hate" pianos. There are some that gain my loathing, but that's not the reason to use "Universals". Some pianos are "just make it work" kinds, these are not going to last much longer and the owners are not going to dump a bunch of bucks into them. Example: 1880, Over Damper, English, Rust up the whazzoo, Parts are extremely fragile, owned by an 80 year old spinster on a fixed income......yada! Get the picture? Universals have their place. Especially, if care is taken to install them properly. In order to do that, one needs to have a good micrometer, scaling knowlege, and meticulous skill. It is not a string to replace on a S&S "B" or such, (even though I've done it, in a "pinch" situation.<G>) I suggest you get your nose out of the clouds and greet the Real World realistically, in this regard. Just my Opinion. For those who only have high-end clientelle, like you obviously do, then I can understand why you don't use them. For me, Square Grands, Square Pianos, Over-Damper Uprights and a lot of weird, POS pianos, is the norm. (Just did two Square Grands and an Over-Damper piano this week.) (I have over 70 Squares in my Data Base.)   Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon) Captain, Tool Police Squares R I       <dl> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:dporritt@mail.smu.edu">Porritt, David</a> <dd>To: <a href="mailto:joegarrett@earthlink.net">joegarrett@earthlink.net</a> ;<a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</a> <dd>Sent: 6/3/06 10:34:45 AM <dd>Subject: RE: Wire Size <dd>  <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> <div align="center"></div> <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>  </dl></blockquote></body> </html>