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Anyone using/try Dean Markley Bass Helix Strings?

#41
I just posted this in another thread. Sort of a "1 month later":
Toptube said:
I put a set of the Helix Stainless Steels on my Jaguar about a month ago. They are definitely a roundwound variant.

Straight out of the package, they aren't particularly bright. However, they are very articulate, with a certain sweetness to the midrange (possibly due to the increased amount of wraps). Warm for a stainless string, but a different warmth than rotos. Lows are tight and fairly throaty.

For a stainless, they feel relatively smooth. But I wouldn't say they are smooth feeling strings.

They also feel quite balanced in tension. Overall I'm pretty happy with them, but the novel winding doesn't seem to increase their life. 3 or 4 weeks of moderate use and I feel like its already time for a new string. Rotos last longer than this, for me.
Click to expand...
 
#42
2 months later!

These strings just keep on giving. As I said before, they aren't particularly bright strings out of the package. They also seem to lose the brightness that they do have, fairly quickly.

but, the low mid on these is fantastic, detailed. After the brightness goes away, the focus switches over to this ballsy-warm, full and articulate low end. It's pretty cool. Even though it's two months later and the highs are mostly "dead", these strings live on. I thought I would replace them by now, but I can't seem to stop liking them!


Toptube said:
Just put some Helix SS on my Fender Jaguar Bass. I've only had them on for about 24 hours, but I felt the need to talk about these already.

Compared to other strings on the same bass, they seem to be fairly low tension and more flexible than some.

The tone is super cool. Tight and throaty lows and lo-mid. Very articulate, maybe the most articulate strings I've had on this bass. I thought GHS progressives were articulate! The Helix SS have a lot of nice zing and growl, but very little of the dreaded SS clank. I'm a believer in exposed core/taper core, I bought these strings for that feature and have no doubt its a winner, here.

While they do feel smoother out of the package than Rotos, these are not "smooth" strings. GHS progressives or Elixirs are "smooth" feeling roundwounds. and actually, I think progressive might be a pressure wound...

The slight roughness, combined with the zing and articulation means a little more finger noise than GHS progressives or even Roto nickels.
Click to expand...

Toptube said:
I put a set of the Helix Stainless Steels on my Jaguar about a month ago. They are definitely a roundwound variant.

Straight out of the package, they aren't particularly bright. However, they are very articulate, with a certain sweetness to the midrange (possibly due to the increased amount of wraps). Warm for a stainless string, but a different warmth than rotos. Lows are tight and fairly throaty.

For a stainless, they feel relatively smooth. But I wouldn't say they are smooth feeling strings.

They also feel quite balanced in tension. Overall I'm pretty happy with them, but the novel winding doesn't seem to increase their life. 3 or 4 weeks of moderate use and I feel like its already time for a new string. Rotos last longer than this, for me.
Click to expand...
 
#43
I'd probably give them a go if they had more gauges to satisfy my OCD gauge preferences. In the past I've bought two different sets of the same brand and type and wouldnt mind doing it again that if I took a liking to the strings.
 
#45
I had the helix strings on my frankenjazz. I liked the midrange. I took them off because I had to have good strings on my P, and ran out of time to order a new set...Then I ended up selling the P, with those strings still on it.
Now bass strings online is going to have to send me another set. possibly two sets, because I have another jazz project bass

as mentioned before, I did not find them exceptionally bright, but my frankenjazz has diMarzio pups, so I really wasn't expecting that anyway. I was expecting something a little darker, and was not disappointed.
 
#46
I had all my Dean basses set up with the Nikki Sixx signature set before recording my group's CD. I love them! The sound cuts through very well, even performing live. I haven't tried the "regular" Helix strings yet, but I would think that they're similar. They definitely keep that "new" tone longer than just about any other string I've ever tried.
 
#49
Just put a set of nickel Helix strings on an Epiphone EB-3. I mainly went with them because they were the same gauge as the original strings, 45-65-80-105, and I didn't know what to expect with the exposed core E and A. I really like the tone I am getting. There is very little finger noise and they are easy to play. Had to readjust intonation and string height, but that is expected with any string change. Hoping for them to keep this tone for a long time. If they do, I have found my go to strings.
 
#50
10 years ago, I bought a set of blue steel strings. One string was dull with no life right out of the bag! I contacted Dean Markley company, returned the bad set to them.... They treated me as their number one customer and took care of not only reimburse me but they gave me extra goodies as well. What a company! The Helix strings are the only strings I have on my basses! Kudos Dean Markley once again!
 
#52
Interesting strings. They aren't overly bright like a lot of steel strings, just enough brightness. They have a distinct midrange growl, especially on the E string that I like a lot. After being broken in the mids come out even more. These are great strings for a tenor bass. I don't know if I'd buy them again because I prefer Rotosounds, Blue Steels and Lo-Riders. They seem to be durable, haven't broke an exposed core from slapping. I definitely had to raise the saddles on the A and E and re-intonate the strings
 
#53
Spent more time, fiddling with intonation and pickup height and string height. Got these strings dialed in and here's something I feel needs to be said: If the E and A strings weren't exposed core, these could be the best fretless strings on the market. They sound great and I'm going to A/B them against some Lo Riders, but I love how these strings sound so far. I just love the sound of stainless steel on a fretless bass, a midrange character that nickels can't really achieve. But don't want something too clangy, these fit the bill. Black silks look cool too.
 

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