Types of cloth covered wire

[centervolume]

I stockpiled some of the cloth covered old school type “push back” solid core wire in preparation for a recent build.

Sitting down to do the build I noticed the coils were from what appeared to be different manufacturers. One was brighter colors and harder to work with and the other was really a pleasure - the ends didn’t fray and the insulation was  much easier to push back with your fingers providing a much neater lead dress.

Does anyone know the differences I’m talking about ? What are your preferences for wire when prepping for a build? Any rules of thumb to estimate quantity when purchasing for a build? Do you tend to follow a certain color scheme based on amp sections, functions etc?

Often overlooked element but so important to the satisfaction of the process of a build (quality time with wire :)

[PRR]

Where did you get your wire?

I know two types but can't tell what you have in hand.

Hoffman sells the stuff we used in 1963, and widely used in old Fenders.

Antique Electronics sells a "high spec" wire which is really 300V plastic with cloth decoration.

There is an old wire color-chart in the Tools/Tips section.

[ac427v]

Hoffman's wire is great. Period. The cloth pushes back easily. It looks authentic. The flexibility of the conductor is even more important. It is the only cloth wire I have found that will tolerate repeated bending without getting metal fatigue and breaking.

[centervolume]

The wire was stockpiled from different sources over the last couple of years. I’m not sure exactly where the pain in the rear batch came from but beware of brightly colored wire sold for amp work. I think a customer brought in a batch of parts for a build they wanted done. I do a lot of my ordering from this site and I’m pretty sure the good stuff came from uncle Doug. Sounds like others corroborate Hoffman’s solid quality.

[sluckey]

You do realize that Doug Hoffman and Uncle Doug are two different people?

[bmccowan]

Antique Electronics sells a "high spec" wire which is really 300V plastic with cloth decoration

That wire is awful and I'm surprised AES still sells it. It is very brittle and the outside diameter is too fat.
I like Doug's (no Uncle) wire the best, and also like a wire that Radio Daze sells. Its similar but has a light lacquered finish. Recently most colors have been out of stock. They list it as pushback wire, separately from their other cloth covered wire.

[66Strat]

I bought some of Doug's solid core cloth push-back wire. The wire has a nice flexible feel to it and the cloth is easy to push back. Good stuff. Cut it to length; push back the cloth; solder; done.

I have some of the cloth covered PVC wire that PRR mentioned. I bought it a long time ago at I believe Radio Daze. That stuff is a real PITA to work with IMO. It's bulky and difficult to strip neatly.