<html> <body> Dale, Which measurement are we talking about here. 14 American or 14 Metric? Since the chart I posted earlier for the 500 was from Kawai, I figured they're talking Metric. If one is trying to restring a "Metric" piano with American wire, then this "might" be the case. Although I still believe that a class Don Manino gave here in Houston years ago, said that Kawai had done some comparisons and some sizes were the same and some weren't. Where's Don M. when one needs him?! :-D <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">14  - 6 14½ - 8 15  - 4 15½ - 6 16  - 6 16½ - 6 17  - 6 17½ - 6 18  - 6 18½ - 6 19  - 2</blockquote> I have sets of both Metric & American, but I've never really compared them. Avery Todd University of Houston At 07:23 PM 6/5/2006, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> In a message dated 6/4/2006 9:12:20 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, Erwinspiano writes: <dl> <dd>  Tom <dd>   Wrong assumptions on both counts.  Japanese wire sizes are 1/2 size larger than ours  thus making your first wire size 13 1/2.  Measure it with a micrometer & you'll see.  Been there done that. <dd>  Dale <dl> <dd>Tom asked: "Just unstrung an older Kawai model 500 grand. I was astonished to see that <dd>their first wire size was a #14. Thinking about rescaling this down in <dd>tension a bit. Anyone out there have any experience with rescaling this <dd>mode?. This looks like the pre-cursor to the KG2 model." <dd>  <dd>Tom, <dd>I wouldn't! The soundboards on that model are quite thick and a #14 wire is appropriate. (Ya have to look at the Whole picture.<G>) It behooves you to get a Scaling Program and play around with this sort of stuff.<G> Then practice/experiment on your own stuff. (which entails a lot of "oops! Better Change That!"<G>) <dd>  <dd>  <dd>Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon) <dd>Captain, Tool Police <dd>Squares R I </dl> </dl> </blockquote></body> </html>