Pianotech

I believe Andy Wilson, technical head of the piano division, recently either retired or stepped away from his principle position. Can't comment on quality changes as a result. 

Thanks. That is what I heard as well.

I believe Andy Wilson, technical head of the piano division, recently either retired or stepped away from his principle position. Can't comment on quality changes as a result. 

I hope Mapes makes it through this period.  Arledge apparently seems to be in the process of selling their business, so I don't know any other American string makers.  I have been getting strings from JD Grandt, who is in Canada.  The last two deliveries have also come with tariffs, which seem to be around approximately $3-4 per string on a partial string replacement order.  The quality is excellent and they have great tone.  

Thanks. That is what I heard as well.

I believe Andy Wilson, technical head of the piano division, recently either retired or stepped away from his principle position. Can't comment on quality changes as a result. 

There are many excellent string companies, JD Grandt, Heller, GC, to name three.  I'm not hindered by the tariffs but I do let my customers know who is responsible and reserve any tariff charges until I get the final bill since this changes day to day. I bill the tariff charges as a separate add on. 

I hope Mapes makes it through this period.  Arledge apparently seems to be in the process of selling their business, so I don't know any other American string makers.  I have been getting strings from JD Grandt, who is in Canada.  The last two deliveries have also come with tariffs, which seem to be around approximately $3-4 per string on a partial string replacement order.  The quality is excellent and they have great tone.  

Thanks. That is what I heard as well.

There are many excellent string companies, JD Grandt, Heller, GC, to name three.  I'm not hindered by the tariffs but I do let my customers know who is responsible and reserve any tariff charges until I get the final bill since this changes day to day. I bill the tariff charges as a separate add on. 

I hope Mapes makes it through this period.  Arledge apparently seems to be in the process of selling their business, so I don't know any other American string makers.  I have been getting strings from JD Grandt, who is in Canada.  The last two deliveries have also come with tariffs, which seem to be around approximately $3-4 per string on a partial string replacement order.  The quality is excellent and they have great tone.  

There are many excellent string companies, JD Grandt, Heller, GC, to name three.  I'm not hindered by the tariffs but I do let my customers know who is responsible and reserve any tariff charges until I get the final bill since this changes day to day. I bill the tariff charges as a separate add on. 

I hope Mapes makes it through this period.  Arledge apparently seems to be in the process of selling their business, so I don't know any other American string makers.  I have been getting strings from JD Grandt, who is in Canada.  The last two deliveries have also come with tariffs, which seem to be around approximately $3-4 per string on a partial string replacement order.  The quality is excellent and they have great tone.  

Thanks. That is what I heard as well.

I believe Andy Wilson, technical head of the piano division, recently either retired or stepped away from his principle position. Can't comment on quality changes as a result. 

Thanks for clarifying. I didn't think there were and have not seen tariffs on bass strings so I wonder where the "$3-$4" per string that Paul reported came from?

There are many excellent string companies, JD Grandt, Heller, GC, to name three.  I'm not hindered by the tariffs but I do let my customers know who is responsible and reserve any tariff charges until I get the final bill since this changes day to day. I bill the tariff charges as a separate add on. 

I hope Mapes makes it through this period.  Arledge apparently seems to be in the process of selling their business, so I don't know any other American string makers.  I have been getting strings from JD Grandt, who is in Canada.  The last two deliveries have also come with tariffs, which seem to be around approximately $3-4 per string on a partial string replacement order.  The quality is excellent and they have great tone.  

Thanks. That is what I heard as well.

I believe Andy Wilson, technical head of the piano division, recently either retired or stepped away from his principle position. Can't comment on quality changes as a result. 

I have had many many broken bass strings on brand new Steinway pianos, more so after the pandemic. Pianos have arrived out of the box with obvious replacements. I always order replacements from Mapes since thats where the set came from originally, for a bichord I don't even hope anymore I just insist on replacing both strings to try to get a better match. I ordered a #1 and #3 string for a new model S 2 times, the strings that came on the piano were scaled incorrectly. Both pairs of replacements I received had totally different hitch pin loops and wouldn't fit in the piano...other than for new Steinways I do not order from Mapes. Been this way for years now. 

I have had many many broken bass strings on brand new Steinway pianos, more so after the pandemic. Pianos have arrived out of the box with obvious replacements. I always order replacements from Mapes since thats where the set came from originally, for a bichord I don't even hope anymore I just insist on replacing both strings to try to get a better match. I ordered a #1 and #3 string for a new model S 2 times, the strings that came on the piano were scaled incorrectly. Both pairs of replacements I received had totally different hitch pin loops and wouldn't fit in the piano...other than for new Steinways I do not order from Mapes. Been this way for years now. 

Chris - some small clarification?

• you say you're finding these on "...brand new Steinway pianos, more so after the pandemic...".   I haven't heard tales of how either Steinway or Mapes weathered covid, but we're a little beyond that now.
• I would assume that any actual "brand new" instrument would be, at very least, brought to Steinway's attention.
• Is Steinway still using Mapes?
• John Minor asks to spare the "Mapes shaming", but I'm not clear what he means.  

For our rebuilds, we still have viable options.  For newer piano, individual string replacement, we need to know.  Steinway needs to know.

I have had many many broken bass strings on brand new Steinway pianos, more so after the pandemic. Pianos have arrived out of the box with obvious replacements. I always order replacements from Mapes since thats where the set came from originally, for a bichord I don't even hope anymore I just insist on replacing both strings to try to get a better match. I ordered a #1 and #3 string for a new model S 2 times, the strings that came on the piano were scaled incorrectly. Both pairs of replacements I received had totally different hitch pin loops and wouldn't fit in the piano...other than for new Steinways I do not order from Mapes. Been this way for years now. 

Chris - some small clarification?

• you say you're finding these on "...brand new Steinway pianos, more so after the pandemic...".   I haven't heard tales of how either Steinway or Mapes weathered covid, but we're a little beyond that now.
• I would assume that any actual "brand new" instrument would be, at very least, brought to Steinway's attention.
• Is Steinway still using Mapes?
• John Minor asks to spare the "Mapes shaming", but I'm not clear what he means.  

For our rebuilds, we still have viable options.  For newer piano, individual string replacement, we need to know.  Steinway needs to know.

I have had many many broken bass strings on brand new Steinway pianos, more so after the pandemic. Pianos have arrived out of the box with obvious replacements. I always order replacements from Mapes since thats where the set came from originally, for a bichord I don't even hope anymore I just insist on replacing both strings to try to get a better match. I ordered a #1 and #3 string for a new model S 2 times, the strings that came on the piano were scaled incorrectly. Both pairs of replacements I received had totally different hitch pin loops and wouldn't fit in the piano...other than for new Steinways I do not order from Mapes. Been this way for years now.