When I toured Mapes and watched bass strings being wrapped, part of the
tour included a walk through of a fairly large room with what appeared
to be longer than usual "yard" sticks hanging from it's ceiling.  On
each of these sticks was recorded all the dimensions needed to produce
a set of bass wires for specific pianos.  Certainly not every piano
ever made, however what is there is very impressive.

Mapes checks the string sets sent them for samples against the information
they have on hand.  Mapes also supplies other string winding sources
with steel wire and copper wire drawn at Mapes.  Mapes does it all,
including wire for sawing bricks -- it really is a remarkable, reliable
company.

Tom Binnall