Electrical tape never bothered me that much. Just make sure you don't buy the cheapy no-name brand electrical tape that do turn gooey on the bars quite quickly. Use 3M electrical tape and it won't go messy on you for a long time. Anyway, by the time the 3M tape do get messy, it's usually time to change the tape already. Also, when I can, I use the tape maker supplied end tape with the brand decal on it over the electrical tape. It protects the electrical tape to make it last a bit longer, plus you get to show off the tape's brand name if you like to.....as some of them are quite nice like Cinelli's.
I dunno, but twine makes me sometimes think of Gilligan's Island when I see it.... JMO.....
Why not use nicer/finer thread like the ones they use on fishing poles or lures instead of twine, which looks quite primitive because of their rough texture??.....

Chombi