Helicore light gauge

jacopnut2 · #1 11-19-2008, 01:46 PM

I was wondering if anyone played these strings and what they thought about them?

**Francois Blais** · #2 11-19-2008, 08:10 PM

Which ones?
The Orchestras, the Hybrids or the Pizzicatos?

jacopnut2 · #3 11-19-2008, 08:49 PM

The hybrids are the ones I use now in a medium gauge but i would like to try a lighter gauge

LouisF · #4 11-19-2008, 09:55 PM

Well, while we're at it, has any one tried the Eurosonic orchestra "lights" for bowing? Thanks

Louis

**Francois Blais** · #5 11-20-2008, 07:52 AM

Louis, since it has nothing to do with this thread's subject, I suggest you start a fresh thread about this issue.

Best,
François

jacopnut2 · #6 11-20-2008, 09:13 AM

The helicore hybrid in the medium gauge sounds great,what i want to know is if the light gauge would have less projection and would they feel wiry (I've tried the corellis also and found they weren't the string for me )it was the diameter and lack of bass that bothered me with them,nice with a bow though.My bass is a Shen ply and i think it sounds good for the bass that it is but strings are expensive and it;s hard to decide.I play mostly folk and modern rock(yes with the upright)a little history for those who would question what i do and what I'm going for sound wise and yes this is my first post any help or thoughts would be great
Thanks

**Francois Blais** · #7 11-20-2008, 09:22 AM

The light gauge Hybrid A sounds great on my EUB, but I didn't try the medium recently.
The E is less interesting though, as all Helicore E's I've tried.
(I feel they lack body and sound artificial)
The medium Hybrids D & G were just fine to me so I didn't buy the lights.

You're just looking for a softer touch but same tone?

jacopnut2 · #8 11-20-2008, 11:00 AM

Yes,a little easier on the left hand,but same tone,thats what i was hoping for with the corellis but they didn't deliver,and as i said strings are expensive so I'm a little gun shy about dropping more cash

**Francois Blais** · #9 11-20-2008, 02:30 PM

Well, the D'Addario Preludes are actually more interesting to me than their whole Helicore line. The best "student grade" on the market, IMHO.
They're only available in medium gauge though, and am afraid you'd find them too stiff.

jacopnut2 · #10 11-21-2008, 08:10 AM

Are the Helicore light gauge wiry like the Corellis,and do they have the same volume as the medium with good projection?Are there any other strings i should check out that woud be great for pizz and some arco?

**Francois Blais** · #11 11-21-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacopnut2

Are the Helicore light gauge wiry like the Corellis,and do they have the same volume as the medium with good projection?Are there any other strings i should check out that woud be great for pizz and some arco?

Not as much thin as the Corellis, no.
As for volume and projection, it depends on your bass.
I can't tell how it'll react with given strings.

Did you try Obligatos?

The Evahs are nice, but stiffer than Obligatos.

jacopnut2 · #12 11-21-2008, 09:26 AM

The Obligatos are my next step if i don't try the D'addario hybrid light gauge

jacopnut2 · #13 11-21-2008, 09:29 AM

I know i just started down a long road of discovery,Trying to find the perfect string,if one really exists.

TroyK · #14 11-21-2008, 01:15 PM

Spirocore Weichs are a safe thing for you to try next. They'll be lower in tension and gauge for you, like the light Helicores would be. They almost definitely will speak up, probably more so than the Medium Helicores and they have a tried and proven sound that won't be dissimmilar to what you're used to, but I think it owns it a little better.

Oh, and they last forever and you could probably find a used set without looking too hard.

jacopnut2 · #15 11-22-2008, 08:09 AM

Thanks for the suggestion,I might look into the spiros

Eric Hochberg · #16 11-22-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacopnut2

Thanks for the suggestion,I might look into the spiros

I agree on the Weichs. I think they are all around highest quality strings.

TroyK · #17 11-22-2008, 12:12 PM

Yeah, I think there are reasons to like Helicores, but I don't know anyone other than maybe Tom D'Addario who would claim that Spirocores weren't higher quality.

You'll like 'um. Don't wait until last to try Spirocores, they should be your starting point if you feel yourself going off on a string experimentation period.

jacopnut2 · #18 11-22-2008, 02:24 PM

How do the spiros bow?

TroyK · #19 11-22-2008, 05:23 PM

They're fine. Better than their reputation. Maybe as good as Helicore Hybrids.

AMJBASS · #20 11-22-2008, 10:55 PM

I never thought I would go back to the Helicore Hybrids(light gauge), but I tried them a couple of weeks ago on a whim, and they are the best sounding/feeling strings on my current bass that I have yet tried. Out of all the Helicore gauges I find them easies to bow. They might be worth a try, but I would also think about putting Spirocores on. One thing to note... The Medium Helicores are roughly the tension of Spirocore Weich. You might try Spirocore Solo(tunes to E A D G).