Thanks for the clarification, Bernt Damm.  I would agree that it
is probably a waste of time to try to rejuvenate a steel wound bass
string; the rust between the coils would be most difficult to "break
loose".  Actually I wonder just how good they sounded when new!

As for changing the specs, I have seen amazing results from
recalculating the strings on other pianos, and also with changing
bridge designs.  On my Acoustigrande I do plan on recalculating the
strings, but not changing the bridge design.  There are some folks
in the Sacramento area who are very expertise in this work, and I will
follow their advice when I finally get around to doing _my own_ piano!
<smile>

David Dewey
Oroville, California