That big metal piece weighed 120lbs on one I scrapped a few weeks ago. The only reason it got scrapped was because it was covered in cat pee. I think all the strings turned out at about #15. I did not strip them, because I assumed that like a guitar string, they are more like 75/25 steel/copper.

I don't like scrapping things like that. I think I'd rather sell it for $10 than scrap it for $15. Ones that are badly damaged or otherwise unusable are a different story.



As far as ugly and out of tune ones go, find a musician friend to tune them, give him $15 and a beer, refinish them, and SELL BABY SELL!!!