Yes, that is correct. You can view string makers on Youtube flattening or roughing the ends of the core before winding the copper. There is a hex core on universal strings so flattening it isn't needed. You could take an old dead string and unwind the end to see what's under the copper. With a thin bass string you can look carefully and see where the swedged core ends.
Yesterday I spliced a string where it had broken at at the agraffe. There was about a half inch of plain wire to work with, so I had to remove the coils maybe 3/4". When I was done, if you closed your eyes you wouldn't know which one had been spliced. I was going to make a recording and take a few photos but was under a time constraint so I didn't do it. I'm sure there was a difference, but very subtle. I've had mismatched strings in new pianos that were far worse that what these were.
BTW, these strings were made by JD Grandt, rescaled for the two C3's at this venue. Unison tuning on these is a breeze, as the strings are very well made and all of the partials match. At $15 a pop, you'll get excellent quality strings for a C3 sized piano. And a warrantee. The venue is the Shouthouse, known for the players to beat the #$^@ out of the pianos. His rescaling has reduced the amount of string breakage vs the original strings and they sound great. Just a little plug for John at JD Grandt.
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Paul McCloud, RPT
Accutone Piano Service
www.AccutonePianoService.compavadasa@gmail.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 02-05-2026 09:04
From: Lucinda Strehlow
Subject: Removing copper coil
I have been waiting to see some reference to the core of wound strings---that the core is hexagonal for the first---inch?--- for grip, then round. Trimming the winding below that area ruins the string. Or am I missing something?
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Cindy Strehlow, RPT
Urbana, IL
Original Message:
Sent: 02-04-2026 13:59
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Removing copper coil
I think learning to splice bass strings is a very important skill to develop. Except the lowest Monochords, which may be nearly impossible to splice, a spliced bass string in the speaking length will sound at least as good, and usually much better than a "universal" bass string. Also, the dampers will continue to work on the bichords compared to leaving a single bass string in place while replacements are being ordered.
Joe Wiencek
NYC
Original Message:
Sent: 2/3/2026 6:07:00 AM
From: Mary Kavan
Subject: Removing copper coil
Hi All
Thanks for all your good advice!! It was very helpful!
Mary