Loop ends vs. ball ends

planetguy

ok, is there an advantage to using one over the other on a tlpc that will accomodate either?

Charlie Ayers

I've preferred loop ends ever since John LeVoi (I believe) suggested twisting the string a couple of times, at the loop end, to fix the occasionally flat A string in the Argentine sets. You can't do that with ball ends....

Jazzaferri

I have used both. Don't hear any difference, neither is hard to use.

Jazzaferri

I have used both. Don't hear any difference, neither is hard to use.

noodlenot

i´m sure whatever Django used is da best. just look at his mustache.

(i myself prefer loop ends, find it more elegant. they´re also less likely to dent your top if by any chance they end up hitting the soundboard - DAMHIK - and, most importantly, they go better with the gaucho dude on the pack.)

klaatu

I like the loop ends 'coz:
1) They look cool.
2) When changing strings, they slip right on and off the little peg, you don't have to pull them all the way through. When removing ball end strings, you have to completely unwind them from the tuner first.

frater

Loop ends are handy in case you want to put a shim under the bridge: you can loose the strings, put a capo on to hold them in place, slip the loops off, insert the shim, slip the loops on and there you go. Much more difficult if you use ball ends.

klaatu

Yes, or do most anything involving the bridge, like sanding it to fit the top or running a pickup wire underneath (as with the Ischell).