What loop end strings have blue thread?

spinality

I'm trying to decide what type/weight of strings were installed on my recently acquired guitar by the previous owner. They are typical loop-end strings, and sound and play more or less like Argentines...but instead of the red or purple thread wraps that I see on my string sets on hand, these are wrapped with blue thread. Does this ring any bells? Thanks for any ideas. I like how these strings perform, so I'd just as soon get identical replacements...or at least know what I'm replacing.

flip-guitar

Hi, Picato strings, made in the UK, have blue silks, dark blue for the 10's and light blue for the 11's. They are my current string of choice, seem to be a bit warmer sounding than Argentines, less of that honky, nasal upper mid tone.
I'm pretty sure JWC guitars fit these strings as standard.
Hope this helps.

spinality

flip-guitar wrote:

Hi, Picato strings, made in the UK, have blue silks, dark blue for the 10's and light blue for the 11's.

Aha! I bet that's it, and this explains why I didn't recognize them. Much obliged.

spinality

flip-guitar wrote:

Hi, Picato strings, made in the UK, have blue silks.

I can't seem to find any sign of Picato loop end gypsy strings. Picato's own website is under construction. Strings Direct in the UK offers lots of Picato strings, but mostly banjo/mandolin/etc. Do you have an item number for those guitar sets? Thanks for any further leads.

flip-guitar

Trevor , I think the code for loop end 10's is 91625, the ball end 10's are 91615 but the bad news is that the loop end sets are discontinued, as I found when I tried to re-order yesterday

The only place that seems to have any left in stock is http://www.gypsyguitar.de in Germany,
http://www.gypsyguitar.de/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=613&category_id=148&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=4&lang=en

Unless Picato will do a custom order it will have to be the ball end sets, although I really do prefer loop end.

spinality

flip-guitar wrote:

Trevor , I think the code for loop end 10's is 91625, the ball end 10's are 91615 but the bad news is that the loop end sets are discontinued, as I found when I tried to re-order yesterday.

Dang. It's hard even to find the ball-end strings for sale. I guess Picato doesn't have much of a presence. Well thanks anyway for your quick answers. I'm probably better off restringing with an easily-available set, and seeing how the guitar performs with them.

BluesBop Harry

I might be wrong but I believe Dell Arte strings have a blue thread as well...
http://shoppingcart.djangobooks.com/Ite ... te_10_loop (unfortunately they are out of stock at djangobooks' store but you can get them here http://****/products/dellarte- ... loop-ends/)
I don't remember liking them all that much but the Django picture in the cover made for a very cool case sticker...

spinality

BluesBop Harry wrote:

I believe Dell Arte strings have a blue thread as well...

Ah yes, you're right! The description at **** says "blue silk winding at loop ends, silvered copper wound on steel core, designed for Selmer and Maccaferri style guitars."

So I think these are more likely Dell'Arte than Picato. Maybe I'll give them a try. There seem to be mixed opinions on how they perform. Perhaps they're a good choice for this particular guitar.

Much obliged for the input.

BluesBop Harry

Glad to help!

Jazzaferri

I am pretty sure the Dell Arte strings are wound on a hex core wire. Argies are would on round core wire.

klaatu

I tried a set of Dell'Arte John Jorgensen strings some years ago. I didn't have much experience with GJ strings at the time, so I can't comment on how the sound or playability compared to others, but on both sets, the wrap on the G strings unravelled after a matter of days. There would be little gaps at each fret position. I've never seen that on any other brand.

Over the years, I've come to prefer Argies for both sound and feel. The round core makes a difference, hex core strings feel stiffer.