Vintage switchboard wire for amp building?

Gerald Pierce · Post by **Gerald Pierce** » 30 Mar 2011 11:03 pm

Are boutique/vintage amp builders seeking vintage cloth-wrapped switchboard wire? (see photo) I'm guessing that's why it's bringing big bucks on ebay?????

I saw one ad that mentioned "vintage wire collectors"...I can't imagine that someone would collect old wire just for grins. The metal spool is cute, but it ain't that cute.

Anybody know the particulars on this type wire?
Is it only certain sizes that are sought after?

Thanks for any input.
GP

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 31 Mar 2011 3:09 am

Not here for sure!

We are using wire that duplicates the old original Fender wire as closely as anyting I have ever seen. It is all new production and comes in the correct colors and gauges for building. Not cheap for sure but the right stuff for the job and weasy to work with!

http://www.svetlana.com/ProductListing.aspx?CatId=170

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 31 Mar 2011 4:40 am

About the only thing that is legitimately good for is a collector.

The wire is probably 24 or 26 gauge and too small for most tube applications. The outer insulation has also probably deteriorated.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 31 Mar 2011 7:58 am

You can get miles of cloth covered wire from parting out an old Hammond organ. I've got a bunch of it somewhere. Lotsa colors too.

Gerald Pierce · Post by **Gerald Pierce** » 31 Mar 2011 8:40 am

I'm baffled! It appears that "vintage useless wire collecting" is a bigger deal than I would have thought.
There's a roll here>
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vtg-Spool-Western-E ... 3366378a70
that recently sold on ebay for $330.00 plus shipping. The "cute" little spool is beat up and the wire looks bad...but it still brought what I consider to be a ridiculous amount of cash.

In that case, I'm ready to part with my recently acquired spool of wire and buy something that's useful to me.

Thanks for the info.
I've learned something new today.

GP

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 31 Mar 2011 1:21 pm

that is insane....$330.00 for that crusty old wire?

Another one born every minute....

It's NOT GOOD FOR ANYTHING!!!!

I would NEVER use that wire.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 31 Mar 2011 1:43 pm

As wire ages, I hear that it builds up resistance. Not something you probably want to use in any circuit. Maybe best used for making cool hamster leashes. : )

Gerald Pierce · Post by **Gerald Pierce** » 31 Mar 2011 3:17 pm

But Jay, it's collectible! You can sit and look at it on the shelf, any time you want to....for only $330.00 plus shipping.

I still don't get the "antique wire collector" thing. I can understand an interest in collecting stamps, coins, dolls, guitars, toys, guns and even rusty old barbed wire but I'd never have guessed there are switchboard wire collectors.

Hello Ebay! Have I got a deal for you!
GP

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 31 Mar 2011 3:19 pm

You can buy a Hammond that nobody wants for a hundred bucks, and get about three miles of cloth covered, push back wiring for next to nothing.