Anyone tried NS Helicore Medium Hybrids?

[tkauf]

Hi, fellow EUB players,

I've got an NS CR5M which I really enjoy playing. I was wondering if anyone has tried the Helicore Medium Hybrid 5 string set w/low B that they sell for $235.00

Seems like a good bargain, given that it's got a low B in the set, but Ihave no isdea what they sound like.

Anyone tried 'em?

[Francois Blais]

$235???
Where are you buying them from?
You can get this set for $156 from Quinn Violins.
http://www.quinnviolins.com/qv_helicorebass.shtml

[torlind]

According to Dave at NS Design, the hybrids makes the CR5M sound more like an acoustic DB, with the advantage of less adjustment, due to their similar length and gauge as the standard strings!

[andrewd]

would they have a similar effect on a WAV4?

[tkauf]

Thanks for the tips to where to get them, but how do they sound?

Francois, have you tried them?

thanks

[Francois Blais]

Take my comments as subjective as they are, but I get mixed results with Helicore strings.
On my Carruthers, some sound good, like the Hybrid mediums, but others don't, like the light orchestrals D & G.
The Medium Orchestrals are nice, but somewhat stiff.
But it's very subjective and depends on the kind of tone you're looking for!
I prefer orchestral-type strings in order to get less sustain and brightness, and more warmth and "woodiness".

[tkauf]

Francois, it seems like we're on the same page as to sound. What five-string set wouyld you recommend for a NS EUB that isin the $150 - $250 range?

thanks

[Francois Blais]

Well, I know Bruce Lindfield is happy with regular Flexocors on this NS. He has a four stringer I think.
The bottom strings, particularly the E and even more the B, could be less satisfying for pizz playing though.
Pirastro Obligatos are an alternative.
The new Thomastik Belcantos are also an attractive choice.
However, no low B or low C is available yet.
A Superflexible low B could be a nice companion I think.

[tkauf]

So I got my Helicore Hybrids on the NS EUB, and they sound great, especially the low B string.

At first I thought, why am I doing this? I had to drill out the hole below the bridge because the B string is so fat, then crimp the other end to get it into the tuning peg. Then when I played the strings I noticed they required more finger strength then the house strings that came with the bass.

I've had the new strings for about a month and they are keepers. Great tone, and much better sound on the low B.

thanks to everyone for their help and advice.

[Jason Hollar]

OK, so now it's a few weeks later...how are the strings holding up?

Mellowing at all? Still bright?

That's odd to hear you had to fool with the low B to get it to fit?!? Should the design team have considered these things prior to production?!

From all the other posts I read in the Wav Megathread, it sounded like the E string was a problem when considering "regular" DB strings.

I'm going to purchase a set for my new Wav (on order) so I don't have to deal with tweaking full size (or 3/4) DB strings.

Would love to hear your comments...

[Jason Hollar]

Yup...

I like em!

[salcott]

I just put a set on my newish WAV4, and they are a vast improvement over the stock strings. If I can get the stand fixed, it will be a viable gigging axe. The sound is a bit on the electric side compared to my upright and my Merchant VBass. I think it has its own unique place in the bassist's palette.

[tornadobass]

Maybe a bit late, but I'm using Helicore Hybrid lights on my BugBass and they've done really well. I especially notice the even volume and tone across strings, especially compared to Spiro weichs, where the E seemed thin and snarly. The G string is mellow compared to some of the others I've tried, too.

What I also like is that while medium gauge strings seemed to have too much bottom end, the lights have a bit more mids and less bottom that requires minimal EQ.

[matthewbrown]

Any thoughts on high C strings for an Azola Acoustic Baby Bass?