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Anyone using/try Dean Markley Bass Helix Strings?

#61
They have a deep growl that just keeps me coming back to them after trying other strings, full harmonic overtones that blend well and the tapered string ends make the proper vibrations. Oh, they feel like stainless steel. You can get a lot of string squeak if you do not pay attention to proper fingering technique. SR2000 strings are strong and punchy in the production of each note. The tension is enjoyable to me, also. They make me stay technique proper, no sloppy playing allowed. And the price is acceptable to me. Hope this review helps.
 
#65
I've been playing the helix SS for few weeks now and I think I have found my new loved strings!
Lows tight and well defined, mids very round but present and not too much shrill in the highs
Overall a clear defined string!
The SR2000 are very similar but sometimes they can get a little nasal in the high mids (for me of course)

Oh and I just love that only the B E A are tapered. My basses are all 35" and sometimes the D and G can get a tiny thin sounding.
The Helix with the non tapered D and a thicker G (I use the lights) fixed that issue!
 
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#68
I've got a SS set on my Bossa OB5. They brought out a really pleasant mid character. They're not shrill in the highs like others I've tried. Nice amount of punch and thickness in the tone.
uploadfromtaptalk1405736988445.jpg
 
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#71
I've installed NPS Helix 105-45 on my jazz. I was playing all night yesturday and now will give my opinion on this strings. First of all, G and D strings are stiffer than E and A, which are exposed core strings. Change in tension is noticable between this set and DR lo-riders, which is more balanced set (100-40). Nevertheless, sound is perfect. Clarity and punch of E string is much more better then D'Addario Nickels or even DR (maybe because on exposed core?). Slap is good too. Speaking about feel, I don't think that helix NPS are smooth strings. Maybe a little bit smoother than DR lo-riders, but not so much. Now I wonder how long they last... If not so long, I'll try DR Hi-Beams.
 
#73
GK Growl said:
Ok, I have some very specific question to you Helix users:

1. How long is the tapered section on the B, E, and A strings from ball end to the first winding?
2. Is the outer wraps on these like DR or Fodera rounds? Smaller outer winding compressed side to side?
3. On the stainless steel sets, are the silks black?
Click to expand...
1. 1 7/8" (between the first outer winding and right in front of the ball end.
2. Invalid Link Removed
3. yes
 
#74
I just put a set of the SS lights on my Ibanez SR600 and all I got a say it they work great on this bass as well. I am going to be putting them back on my SR1205e as they work well on that bass, in fact, the B-string is exceptional on that bass. For whatever reason the Helix B string sounds more balanced and even on this bass than other sets I have tried on this bass with only Hi Beams coming in second. I just continue to love these strings for when I want to use rounds.
 
#75
bassplayer7770 said:
My hesitation is the exposed core. One of my basses came with GHS Progressives, and I didn't care for the tone higher up on the neck. Is that a problem with the Helix strings? I use D'Addarios and have enjoyed DR Nickel Lo Riders in the past.
Click to expand...

I share the same hesitation. I had a frustrating experience with a set of GHS Progressives some years ago. I couldn't get the set to intonate. After finally figuring out that the exposed-core "E" string was the issue, I moved the bridge saddle way back, almost as far as it could go, getting it into nearly perfect intonation. Then I couldn't get the "A", "D" or "G" strings to intonate properly, as they had to go so far forward that the saddle mechanisms ran out of room - even though the bridge had a separate saddle for each string!

I never could figure out if the error was mine, or if GHS simply hadn't configured the set correctly. I tossed 'em and went back to Boomer B52s. Haven't been able to trust an exposed-core set ever since.

MM
 
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#79
Nickel plated vs steel...

Disco, top 40s

Which one?

The bass place has em on sale today 3 for 39 5 string sets

I have the steel on now and love em but they are a bit aggressive for disco with the jazz.
 

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