<HTML>In a message dated 7/2/01 7:05:18 PM Central Daylight Time, ronli@newnorth.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Have a older L & H  council  that the client thought 2  notes were out of tune after I tuned it.   Stopped back today  and the strings sounded  (tubby)---    wondering  if  there is a objective way to determine if it is the string or hammer.  Pitch was on.   Strings were corroded  (copper windings)   and solid were pitted and rusty. Any insight will be helpful. Thanks, </BLOCKQUOTE> It is most likely the strings, especially if there is dirt and rust in the coils. One way to get a little more life out of a string like that is to twist it. Release the tension, take the loop off the hitch pin, turn the string a full twist in the direction of the coil, and attach it back on the hitch pin. You might have to use needle nose vice grips hold on to the string when it has been twisted. Tune the string back up to pitch and compare with the other string. If there is some improvement, do the other one. If those are the only two the customer is complaining about, leave well enough alone and don't do anything else. If the customer is complaining about all the bass strings being tubby, you can do the whole set. Take all of the strings off, (be sure to keep them in order), but before you put them back on the hitch pin, with a twist, shake the whole set, and even tie them in a loose knot, and run the knot up and down. This will take a lot of the rust and dirt out of the coils. You should warn the customer, however, that there is no guarantee that this will not improve the sound dramatically. Be sure they understand that if they are still not happy with the sound, you still need to be paid for your work. The only solution to guarantee a better sounding bass is to replace all the bass strings with new ones. Willem </HTML>