piano strings

[keitokyun]

do the strings of a piano play a big part in the sound quality?

[hfmadopter]

 

[indianajo]

The bass "strings" are wound differently between different brands and models, so matching those up is important.  Parts services often require a sample of a broken bass string to try to get you a matching replacement. some use brass, some use copper, the diameter of the wound wire is different between brands. 
Treble stings are mechanical, built to the same standard since the 1880's?  I've been using industrial wire for replacement treble strings, I've used malin music wire from an industrial supply house I order from all the time.  As long as the diameter matches within .001", the replacements sound the same to me. I used a dial caliper to measure before ordering, but the Sohmer wire  was .001 thinner and the Hamilton was .001 thicker than the .033" wire I bought.