Terry Smythe inquired about piano wire gauge calculating software.
Several ads usually appear each month in the Piano Technicians Journal
for programs (mostly for DOS and Windows) that will perform the
calculations, plus other neat stuff. The software is not at all cheap,
as one could imagine given the limited market and the hours needed for
development.

Alternately, I would be happy to supply my own Excel spreadsheet
adaptation of scaling formulas derived by Dave Roberts that were
originally published in the Piano Technicians Journal in the early
1980's. I have spent a *lot* of time working the kinks out of this
spreadsheet, and it can be an extremely useful tool for scale
evaluation and/or re-scaling. My version is for the Mac, though I can
supply a printed layout of the formulas with their various cell
references, which should be readily adaptable to any spreadsheet on any
platform. In addition, I have prepared an explanatory text which
parallels Dave Roberts' comments on the formulas, as well as guiding
the user through the workings of my spreadsheet adaptation. The only
caveat I would offer is that with either stand-alone software or this
spreadsheet, there is still a considerable amount of experience and
head-scratching necessary to developing good scale modifications,
particularly with regard to wound bass strings. In Terry's case, where
the piano arrived with no strings, I'd be happy to lend whatever
assistance I can.

Financially, I am only concerned with recovering floppy disc and
postage costs. If anyone is interested, drop me an email note at
<drhodes@islandnet.com>.

Cheers

Doug Rhodes¶
R.P.T. - The Piano Technicians Guild¶
Victoria, BC¶
CANADA