Weird Helicore Phenomena

accutone · #1 05-13-2007, 10:04 PM

Hello all,
Just put a set of Helicore Orchestral Series medium guage on my bass. Read all the threads about them and it seems that there have been some problems with them. Anyway, on the set I just installed E, A, D all fine. Dark sound pizz. and bow fine. No buzzing at all from the bass.

The G though is super metalic and has what sounds like a buzz, but I can't find anything buzzing on the bass. Have installed and reinstalled the string several time to make sure, and everything is tight. Pizzacato playing the "buzz" is not there at all, even when I really thump it, but arco, even VERY soft, the string has a very metal sound and what sounds like a buzzing, but I am starting to think it is a weird harmonic. I know this description is pretty inarticulate, but this is an odd sound. Anyone experienced this with these strings?

Thanks in advance.
Rob B

bpclark · #2 05-14-2007, 06:30 AM

I had the same problem with the E string in a set Helicores. It took a very long time for it to settle down. I should have sent the string back for a replacement, which is what you may want to consider doing.

littlekatie · #3 05-14-2007, 07:06 AM

Send it back if I were you, they are lifetime guaranteed and they should send a replacement with no quibbling. Like all things you probably get a dodgy one every now and then! I've never regretted choosing Helicores - good choice. x

accutone · #4 05-14-2007, 07:21 AM

Thanks guys. It is just such an odd situation. The G sounds like it doesn't even come from the same set of strings. I just couldn't believe the difference could be this pronounced. I had read of others having issues, but guess I had to hear it for myself. Think I'll give it a week or so, and then as you guys suggested, send it back and try another.

Steve Swan · #5 05-14-2007, 09:30 AM

How is the bridge postion now? Is the back side still 90 degrees to the top surface?

accutone · #6 05-14-2007, 10:13 AM

The bridge position looks fine. The E through D sound uniform and consistent. It is just the G that is scratchy and metallic with a really odd ring to it. I was using Spirocores so I am used to a scratchy arco if not bowed just right. This Helicore G is metallic and scratchy even compared to those so that gives you an idea of the sound.

Ike Harris · #7 05-14-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by accutone

Thanks guys. It is just such an odd situation. The G sounds like it doesn't even come from the same set of strings. I just couldn't believe the difference could be this pronounced.

It's fitting that you said that. I had ordered several sets a couple of years ago from Lemur for a bunch of school basses and one or two sets were like this, only worse. I mentioned the problem to the D'Addario rep at the ISB that year and he admitted that occasionally the packers at the factory will put odd strings from various stacks together to make up sets that weren't made together. So, with that in mind I would definitely send back whatever strings aren't working with the rest.

Ike

accutone · #8 05-14-2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ike Harris

It's fitting that you said that. I had ordered several sets a couple of years ago from Lemur for a bunch of school basses and one or two sets were like this, only worse. I mentioned the problem to the D'Addario rep at the ISB that year and he admitted that occasionally the packers at the factory will put odd strings from various stacks together to make up sets that weren't made together. So, with that in mind I would definitely send back whatever strings aren't working with the rest.

Ike

That would sure explain my problem! I can't believe they admitted that to you.

Dave Whitla · #9 05-15-2007, 12:13 PM

I had that happen a few years ago with two sets. I ended up switching and trying various other strings. I thought I'd give D'Adario another chance recently and wrote to them and returned all the bad strings. They sent me a replacement set and the A was bad in that set

Needless to say, that ended my use of Helicores. They used to be very consistent and they just aren't anymore.

accutone · #10 05-15-2007, 12:23 PM

Thanks for confirming what my ears were telling me - something very wrong. I like the old school Spirocores, but I have been studying arco with a classical player and he wanted me to put on a set of Helicores. They do bow easier (except the G which sounds equally bad bowed as pizz.), but I am about done with them myself. I don't have the time to be trying out string after string until they send me a good one. I will return the bad string and cross my fingers.

Marc Piane · #11 05-19-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ike Harris

It's fitting that you said that. I had ordered several sets a couple of years ago from Lemur for a bunch of school basses and one or two sets were like this, only worse. I mentioned the problem to the D'Addario rep at the ISB that year and he admitted that occasionally the packers at the factory will put odd strings from various stacks together to make up sets that weren't made together. So, with that in mind I would definitely send back whatever strings aren't working with the rest.

Ike

Well they lost me as a customer. I found sets to be really hit or miss as far as uniformity. The 'odd' strings that were really live as you describe would break in after a while and go dead shortly after that. I don't have time to mess with sending stuff back to the company. I just switched to strings that worked.