Lots of opinions regarding bass wires.  What I've experienced is that
the more a piano owner pays for bass strings, the better they sound.
Now, that not being close to correct, Mapes seems to have the attention
of Steinway and Mason & Hamlin, the only two major piano builders left
in the USA.

Once in 40 years I got a lousy string from Mapes and it was replaced,
no questions asked, and I didn't have to return the bad one.  If
anyone has the chance, tour their facility in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
I showed up on a Saturday and got the cook's tour.

Tom Binnall

 [ The Mapes Piano String Company presently has over 125 employees.
 [ An interesting history of the 100-year-old firm is at
 [ http://www.cartercountyhistory.com/mapes-piano-string-company.html 
 [ -- Robbie