Helicore Hybrids: The Unbearable Weirdness of Bass Strings

Dr. Jake · #1 09-22-2010, 11:02 PM

Not long after bringing home my starter bass (a Shen SB180 hybrid), I began experimenting with strings. And just like every other junkie, I soon had a drawer filled with hundreds of dollars worth of strings that just didn't sound or feel right.

Fast forward to my present instrument (a carved Hofner/Paesold) and the string shootout I held recently: every set of strings out of the drawer and on the bass, results recorded and meditated on through good speakers.

The winner? Helicore Hybrid mediums. Huge sound from the E string, rich, woody tone throughout. Funny thing is that I hated them on the Shen. And the Spiro weichs that were beautiful on the SB180 sounded thin and whiny on the Hofner.

I know it's not news to the more experienced hands - just more evidence that string/bass partnerships are deeply individual. You really don't know what that string is going to sound like until it's on your bass.

tornadobass · #2 09-23-2010, 08:57 AM

I'd been using Helicore Hybrids on my carved Romanian bass and gave Belcantos a try for a few weeks. I'm using the bass more for arco, but do a little pizz playing as well.

The Hybrids sounded big and clear with a bit of growl and a strong E string under the bow.

The Belcantos reduced the volume, sustain, and overtones to the point where I felt the life was gone from my bass. I just went back to the Hybrids last night and will try them out in community orchestra practice next week.

I was told that my bass sounded too soft on arco with the Belcantos, even though I read so many good things about their orchestra use.

geoffbassist · #3 09-23-2010, 04:26 PM

I've got 2 basses. The new instrument has started another string quest which has shown me how much results vary bass to bass.

Perhaps it's all a conspiracy by the guys making string winders! :-)

massimo · #4 09-24-2010, 02:38 PM

Some weeks ago Larry Grenadier told me that now he uses Helicore (if i remember well the hybrids)
He said that they sounded great from first day and spirocore take too long to sound right. Before he played garbos for many years but he was a little tired because he said that Garbos had too much of personality in the sound.