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MAPES Piano Tone Electric Bass Guitar Strings

Anybody heard of them or better yet played them? "Mapes Bass Guitar Strings are built from precision drawn heaxgonal core and vintage NPS wrap to produce the mythic piano tone."
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And this is quite interesting:
ABOUT OUR STRINGS - Mapes Strings
  • A fourth generation USA company since 1912
  • Our Grandfather William G. Schaff Jr. was the first to use hexagon shaped wire as the core for wound strings (1940).
    Every string is produced with careful craftsmanship and stringent quality standards that are recognized worldwide for musical excellence. As a matter of fact, Mapes Piano Strings are used in every Steinway Piano produced—a quality partnership that has resonated for a century.
  • Our Great Great Grandfather had the first US Patent for a string winding machine (1898).
    Mapes quality strings can be wound in any way you need it, criss-cross whips, coned or flat whips, available in heavy copper, fine copper, nickel plated, blued; with portion sets, single strings, hexagon core strings, and piano wire in various sizes.
 
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Do they make Chromes? heheheheheehehhe.....

The price is right. I wonder if this means that a lot of American string "manufacturers" will go, or already have gone, with non-American sources.

They specify that their octocore strings are round would. But, they make no mention of the wrap in their bass "piano" strings. The sight's not very informative.
 
Mapes has made piano bass strings for nearly all American piano makers, as well as replacements for all brands. I've been dealing with them for over 25 years as a piano repair tech.

Great folks, don't know about the moonshine. I wasn't aware of the bass guitar strings until now. I shall call my contact at Mapes and check them out.
 
Cool. So, now we can really get that piano sound from our basses! :D

No doubt, I'm deciding if I should go for a Yamaha piano bass tone or a Steinway...:D

Actually, in seriousness, I just ordered a set to try them. Other than Ernie Ball Power Slinkys, they are available as a stock item in the gauges I like (.50, .70, .85, .105, .135). We'll see what they do.
 
I just ordered a set of these!


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  • Octacore Strings engage the wrap with 8 gentler points to secure the string along its entire length.
  • The octagonal shape closer approximates a perfect circle and creates a better sound.
  • Octacore strings are unique and the only strings made with an octagonal core.
 
I'll think you'll be the first! And always remember Bumbles Bounce!
Yep!

Well I will post back on here by this weekend and let you know how these strings are.
Since they are the only octagonal strings out there it should at least be interesting.
I'm really hoping that they have elements from both round core and hex core.
Stay tuned!
 
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