ball end vs Loop end de-mystified (sort of)

Charlie Ayers

I think Marc is referring to the occasional flat-sounding Argentine A string. I can be fixed, if using loop ends, by loosening the string enough to take the loop off, then twisting the string counterclockwise a few turns before replacing the loop end and re-tuning it.

Charlie

Charles Meadows

Really! A 5th string issue...

I just restrung with Argentines and the A sounds awful. I figured it was just an old set or something.

Are any other brands more consistent?

anthon_74

Charles Meadows wrote:

I just restrung with Argentines and the A sounds awful. I figured it was just an old set or something.

Are any other brands more consistent?

I would venture to say that there are NOT any more consistent brands in my experience.

John Pierce Nuages are the best alternative I've tried, though I have heard from some that they break easy. D'addarios go dead in about half the time as argentines.
Gali strings and Manouche tone strings last about a total of ONE day before they go totally dead (at least in the case of the G and the D strings). I haven't tried Pyramid strings.

I say stick with Argentines, and buy a set of ten single string G's and E's to replace breakages, (depending upon which strings you tend to either break or beat to death the quickest) and always have about 3 full sets on hand.

Anthony

Anthony

Charlie Ayers

I stick with the Argies too; the 5th string issue is so easy to remedy.

Charlie

Stringswinger

Argies are lousy strings, but they are better than all the rest.

wim

Forgive my ignorance, but how is twisting the loop for a "flat" A string any different than just tuning up the string with the machine heads?!
Honestly I've never noticed anything bad about argentine A strings, neither on the reds or the purples. :?

Stringswinger

Wim, you are lucky. I have had about 20 dead A strings out of the pack over the years. Twisting the string at the tailpiece ( it can be done with ball ends, a bit tricky as you have to hold the twisted ball end in place with one hand while tightening the string with the other) tightens the wrap on the string and brings back the dead A.