Helicore Hybrids Question

[pdbass]

Well, here's the cycle: Heli pizzs, Spiro Mittels, Evahs, Spiro Weichs, Heli (heavy) Hybrids. Interesting way to drive around the block

Does anyone know what's going on with the string length of these strings? Every package I've ever seen if for "3/4" length strings. I play a 7/8ths bass, but every set I've bought in the past (pizz, hybrid, or otherwise) has fit (although I've been a "light" gauge guy until recently). Today my heavies came in the mail and every string was fine except for the 'E'. The second layer of silk wrap came over the nut about 3/4 of an inch.

Does D'Addario sell these strings in different winding lengths? Where do I find them? Can I cut off the silk (a la Slab)? For now, my Spiro Mittel is living on the bass (and might for a while). If the 'E' is useless to me, anybody interested in buying a Heavy Heli Hybrid 'E'?

(no charge for the alliteration )

[MrSidecar]

Well, in case of d´addario, it wouldn´t surprise me if this is just an accident. I´ve had all kinds of quality control issues with EVERY set of Helicores I ever bought- string buzzes, breaking in the instance of putting it on, muddy sound on G-Strings right out of the box... So, it might be another one of those. Why don´t you contact customer support and see if they have anything to say about the issue? And post your result, it´s an interesting case.

On a side, what made you switch to heavy gauges anyways? Just wondering, if you have a 7/8, that translates to a scale of approx. 43´´, or maybe 42.75´´(am I right here?), in any case about 108 cm, which is what I play. Imagining heavy gauges on such a scale seems pretty tough for me- my bass feels stiff with spiro mittels already. Of cause, it´s also action height... Just asking, anyways.

Best

Sidecar

[pdbass]

Thanks, MrSidecar. I'll definitely drop them a line.

To be honest with you, going back about 6 years, I've always been a fan of Helicore Pizz strings. I used them (on and off) for a while. I briefly tried light hybrids and HATED them. No fullness. I had some Evahs on the bass for about 6 months and then did a 360 and put Weichs on. They stayed on for about 3 months before I needed some "meat". I took them off and put on stuff I had laying around: Evah G and D, Heli Hybrid A, Mittel E. That 'A' sounded pretty dang good to me!
Then I kept visiting the board (my first problem ) and reading about people using Heli hybrid heavy gauge. I did a little research and found how similar to Spiro Mittels they are in terms of tension and gauge, so I thought I'd give them a try. I also really dig Patitucci's sound on that first "Eldar" CD (when he was using these strings). I'm really loving the sound right now: great pizz characteristics and edge to the sound, loud, awesome tension, and starts quickly and easily with the bow. My action is at 6mm/10mm on the G/E--and my bass has a 43-inch scale. It's feeling great.

[pdbass]

So, I emailed D'Addario about a month ago and got a very enthusiastic reply. They told me that they would replace the string immediately.

After almost a month, I didn't hear a thing. I emailed them again and asked what was going on. They apologized and told me that the order was somehow sent to California and that my string should be coming via UPS that day. Lo and behold, I get home and there's a package on my doorstep. Yay, D'Addario.

So, I open the box and I see a blue color immediately. Oh no. They sent me a heavy ORCHESTRA E-string, not a HYBRID. I immediately email the D'Addario rep and he apologizes for the mistake and assures me that the heavy HYBRID E is coming. We'll see, I guess. I still really dig these strings, tho.

So, should I try out this heavy Orchestra E, or what? I'm mostly a 'Jazzer', but I also play some classical music. The bow touches my bass daily. I'm also in the last weekend of playing in the pit for West Side Story. Should I string up this E?

[Marc Piane]

I think the orchestra gauge is the best for anything. I have had terrible luck with both the hybrid and the pizz and gave up on the brand altogether. I have a student that swears by the orchestras for jazz though and I am always pleased by the sound he gets. Not enough that I'll switch but definitely a good sounding string. Big, full, powerful, dark.

[pdbass]

Thanks to Mark Rowan from D'Addario. I came home after gigging all day on Saturday and there was a Helicore Hybrid Heavy 'E' in an envelope waiting at my doorstep. The great news was that it fit the bass and, on my instrument, sounds awesome.

Happy Camper.