<html> Hi Kevin : A few years ago Dean was called out to a good customer's house, where the owner's Yamaha U1 had "survived" a party.  Survived is in quotes, 'cause some of his friends had spilled an alchoholic beverage all down the inside of the instrument and the bass strings had gone completely dead.  No evidence of alchohol was left, nor of the drink 'cause they were such good friends they'd cleaned up their mess!  Yamaha, being the incomparably generous company they are, supplied another set of bass strings gratis, but NOT the labour to install or tune them. Dean called Yamaha's Service department right from the customer's living room, so the customer was completely aware of the process.   Check with Yamaha to see what they will supply, it might be well worth the call. Good luck.. Marty Reyburn <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>    What comes to mind in that the bass strings will probably have to be replaced, as the aspiring musician didn't say anything to anybody about the accident, and that was at the end of the school year, three months ago.  Also the dampers, and possibly quite a few hammers. Plus center pinning etc.     I do not have any desire to under-bid on one of these, and I'm sure that many of you have seen the same thing happen. I just want to know how much work I could possibly be looking at, and any pit-falls to look out for while giving him a ball park figure.     Your help and experience are greatly appreciated, and at least it's a new topic!       Kevin Ramsey <a href="mailto:ramsey@extremezone.com">ramsey@extremezone.com</a> </blockquote></html>