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Double Bass D'Addario Helicore Megathread
- Thread starter BassmanI
- Start date
Well, the Helicores have more than proven themselves to me, as well as fellow local bassist Marc Cousins, who is using them on his 1930s vintage German bass. He also switched from an Underwood pickup to a David Gage Realist. Result: I've heard his bass with this combination just today. Before he was a hardcore Spiro user with the Underwood and it tended to sound a bit more "tinny" Marc tells me the Helios and Realist bring out more of the true bass tone for him.
As for me, I got rid of the Hoffman last year and bought a Shen SB80 with the Hybrids and it turned out to be a great combination. My K&K Double Big Twin tends to be very balanced as I have one piezo element behind each string.
As for me, I got rid of the Hoffman last year and bought a Shen SB80 with the Hybrids and it turned out to be a great combination. My K&K Double Big Twin tends to be very balanced as I have one piezo element behind each string.
Bassman1:
Can you be a bit more specific...which Hybrids are on your Shen? Medium? Lights?
And which Spirocores are you referring to on Marc Cousen's bass.
Also..which "Helios" does he have now..... Pizz - Light, Medium or Heavy? Hybrid-Light Medium of Heavy? Orchestra- Light Medium or Heavy?
Each one of these strings reacts differently on any given bass.
Thanks.
Wanted to bump this thread up. Anyone have experience with the pizz strings? Wondering if they're any good. I have heard breaking story's. Anyone experienced this?
My E broke suddenly. I live in China now, and D'Addario replaced the whole set. I am playing heavy pizz now. They are a workout, but are LOUD acoustically, and seem to be holding up. They still sound great, even after untold hours of playing!
- Jul 19, 2000
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- Disclosures
- Owner/President, Gollihur Music LLC
Stories of breakage are commonly found online. Why? D'Addario did have a batch of bad/impure steel from their supplier for these strings quite a few years back, and had a run of really bad luck with breakage and the Helicore Pizz strings as a result.
To this day, the reputation has kind of "stuck," unfairly IMHO, as nowadays I really don't get reports of undue breakage back from customers that exceeds any other string, all else being equal.
Will they last as long as a set of Spiros? Probably not. But D'Addario fixed the steel supply issue, and generally has very good quality control, and I wouldn't sweat it.
One other question. I read that the Hybrid strings had a formula change. When was this. I bought a bass with the Hybrids on in December 2011 and didn't like them. Was the change before or after that? Thanks.
Since I recently purchased a set of hybrids medium, I wanted to say that these are the best sounding strings I've ever put on my bass. I play jazz,pizzicato only. I use a shadow pickup and an acoustic image combo amp. In the past I've tried Spirocores (medium as well as weich), Velvet Garbo, Pirastro Jazzers, Evah pirazzi medium, Corelli forte and Superflexibles.
When I say "best sounding" ,I'm referring to the amplified sound. It cuts through and at the same time my bass sounds like my bass. These are actually stiffer than I expected so I dropped the string height a couple of mm. G is 5mm now.
A quick question for those who have tried both medium and light hybrid sets: Which ones project better on the bandstand? Thanx!
When I say "best sounding" ,I'm referring to the amplified sound. It cuts through and at the same time my bass sounds like my bass. These are actually stiffer than I expected so I dropped the string height a couple of mm. G is 5mm now.
A quick question for those who have tried both medium and light hybrid sets: Which ones project better on the bandstand? Thanx!
That depends completely on your bass. I personally have always liked the Helicore Hybrid Heavy gauge tonally. But the light gauge responds best on my current bass as its got a relatively thin top. I still like Spirocores, but the D'Addarios are quite good especially for the price!
I've always played Spiro Mittels years ago and just got back into playing about a year ago on a Shen 7/8 Gemunder (with Spiros). Just did a rehearsal today - acoustic guitar, bass and vocal. I actually felt I'd like LESS sustain (maybe a little more thump). Perhaps my taste has changed during my 20 year hiatus.
Also, being older than I was (aren't we all - I'm 62 now) I'm thinking I'd like something a little easier on the hands. I suppose that means lower tension? Another detail: my Spiro G sounded a little 'nasal' to me so I put on a Evah P. mittel. Sound is a little richer but I don't know if it's any easier on the hands.
So, reading here about Helicores which seem to be getting lots of love, often from players who used to use Spiros.
So, Helicore Hybrid or Evah P. and Weich or Mittel. Sounds like the Weich would be easier on my hands in either case. I listeded to the youtube clip and the Evahs sounded good, the HH recordings didn't seem to have been done as well so I didn't get as good an idea about them. In the recording they sounded 'harsh'.
Any and all thoughts appreciated. Thanks.
PS I play 98% pizz. I'd 'like' something that's nice and easy under the bow that that is a distant second concern.
Also, being older than I was (aren't we all - I'm 62 now) I'm thinking I'd like something a little easier on the hands. I suppose that means lower tension? Another detail: my Spiro G sounded a little 'nasal' to me so I put on a Evah P. mittel. Sound is a little richer but I don't know if it's any easier on the hands.
So, reading here about Helicores which seem to be getting lots of love, often from players who used to use Spiros.
So, Helicore Hybrid or Evah P. and Weich or Mittel. Sounds like the Weich would be easier on my hands in either case. I listeded to the youtube clip and the Evahs sounded good, the HH recordings didn't seem to have been done as well so I didn't get as good an idea about them. In the recording they sounded 'harsh'.
Any and all thoughts appreciated. Thanks.
PS I play 98% pizz. I'd 'like' something that's nice and easy under the bow that that is a distant second concern.
I listened to the sound samples (again) on hervé Jeanne's site. On that bass I felt the Evahs sounded kind of 'weak' The Spiros sound like mine, ringing forever and kind of 'nasal or twangy on the G string. I think the sound I liked best was the Pirastro Obligatos. Real nice 'rich full sound' but with a little more decay at the front end which seems to give them more 'punch' than the Spiros. Wish he has a sample of the Helicore Hybrids.
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Depending on what I hear from y'all, I think I will try this: Keeping my Spiro E and A and putting on Obligato D and G. There's got to be reason why Gary at Upton sells this as a pre-packaged 'mixed' set. His thoughts at the above link.
Still hoping to hear thoughts on this, and perhaps specifically now on the Oblis for D & G with Spiros on E and A. Anyone doing this?
Depending on what I hear from y'all, I think I will try this: Keeping my Spiro E and A and putting on Obligato D and G. There's got to be reason why Gary at Upton sells this as a pre-packaged 'mixed' set. His thoughts at the above link.
Still hoping to hear thoughts on this, and perhaps specifically now on the Oblis for D & G with Spiros on E and A. Anyone doing this?
Rick:
Spiro E and A will last for many years. The Obligato's ( I was a tester many years ago) will last you around 8 months if you are lucky.
Rick:
I tried the same mix many years ago (on my old 1949 Kay C-1) and did not think the ringy, steel Spiro's matched very well with the more thuddy synthetic core of the Obligato's. But every bass is different. A full set of Obligato's would probably sound fine .....but the short lifespan can be a problem.
I finally settled on the Spiro Weichs. Then spent years trying other strings...and came back to the Spiro Weichs.
Spiro E and A will last for many years. The Obligato's ( I was a tester many years ago) will last you around 8 months if you are lucky.
Rick:
I tried the same mix many years ago (on my old 1949 Kay C-1) and did not think the ringy, steel Spiro's matched very well with the more thuddy synthetic core of the Obligato's. But every bass is different. A full set of Obligato's would probably sound fine .....but the short lifespan can be a problem.
I finally settled on the Spiro Weichs. Then spent years trying other strings...and came back to the Spiro Weichs.
Martinc, Thanks
Do you think the Weichs move me in the direction of a little less sustain and a bit more up front 'punch'?
Also, is the Weich G less twangy than the Mittel?
I suspect they are easier on the hands. Is that true?
Do you think the Weichs move me in the direction of a little less sustain and a bit more up front 'punch'?
Also, is the Weich G less twangy than the Mittel?
I suspect they are easier on the hands. Is that true?
The Evah Weich G is more twangy than the Mittel IME. They are easier on the hands but I find the Evahs a bit slower to respond than Spirocores and I end up digging in more. Remember that every bass responds differently. You can get a general idea what they will sound like from reading reviews but until you try one on your bass you won't know for certain how a string will respond.
Rick:
Re: your questions:
- once the Weichs are settled in ( a month or so) they have a very solid sound. On my Eberle, they have the thump I like.
- The Weich G was twangy on my King but not on my Eberle. I have tried a dozen or more different G strings , including guts and Velvets, on my Eberle but I am very happy with the Weich G now.
- I find the Weichs are very easy on the hands. They have a great smooth feel on my left hand and I find it very easy to produce the dynamics I like with my right hand.
I will also add that the Weichs sound good with all three pickups I have used...K&K Bass Max, Rev Solo and Schatten RB-1. I prefer a mic ....SM 58 through an ART Project Series tube pre-amp with an upgraded tube...directly into the PA.
If all things were equal, I would use good quality guts on my bass again but Canadian winters with dry basements are not kind to guts, especially wrapped guts. I love Bob Moore's all gut/old carved European bass sound.
I don't want to sound like I am a Spiro Weich salesman but I have done a ton of experimenting over many years and can honestly say the Weichs are the best compromise (on my Eberle) I have found.
They did not sound this good on my King, or on my two Kays.
Re: your questions:
- once the Weichs are settled in ( a month or so) they have a very solid sound. On my Eberle, they have the thump I like.
- The Weich G was twangy on my King but not on my Eberle. I have tried a dozen or more different G strings , including guts and Velvets, on my Eberle but I am very happy with the Weich G now.
- I find the Weichs are very easy on the hands. They have a great smooth feel on my left hand and I find it very easy to produce the dynamics I like with my right hand.
I will also add that the Weichs sound good with all three pickups I have used...K&K Bass Max, Rev Solo and Schatten RB-1. I prefer a mic ....SM 58 through an ART Project Series tube pre-amp with an upgraded tube...directly into the PA.
If all things were equal, I would use good quality guts on my bass again but Canadian winters with dry basements are not kind to guts, especially wrapped guts. I love Bob Moore's all gut/old carved European bass sound.
I don't want to sound like I am a Spiro Weich salesman but I have done a ton of experimenting over many years and can honestly say the Weichs are the best compromise (on my Eberle) I have found.
They did not sound this good on my King, or on my two Kays.
I put a set of heli mediums on my shen sb200 today. These replaced a set of flexocores that I hated very much (although I'll give them credit, they sound incredible under a bow), and as a player who plays about 50/50 arco/pizza, I gotta say these strings are an incredible value...perhaps the best deal there is on DB strings, and they are a great deal more versatile than spiros. Though spiros really give my bass that fretless accent, these are like the best of both worlds. Check em out, you got nothing to lose!
Are many people using the Helicore Orchestral for country / bluegrass / jazz? Do they have a powerful and fat pizz with a shortish sustain?
(I currently have Thomastik Dominant's on my Christopher bass and I find it has too much sustain. It's like the note stays at the same volume forever, which sounds unnatural to me...)
(I currently have Thomastik Dominant's on my Christopher bass and I find it has too much sustain. It's like the note stays at the same volume forever, which sounds unnatural to me...)
Steve,
I use the Helicore pizz strings on my laminate Juzek...never tried hybrids or orchestral...and I just use left hand muting to control the sustain for country/BG/old timey playing. For jazz, I let them ring. I keep a set on the 1/4 Kay that my daughter used to play and they sound great on that bass as well, that combination has less sustain and more mid punch just as you'd expect from a Kay.
Based on my experience, the Orchestral set would probably work even better for your needs.
Never had one break (wish I could say that about Velvet Garbos!). I kept my first set (bought when they first came on the market) on the Juzek for over a decade, I'm about five years into the second set.
I use the Helicore pizz strings on my laminate Juzek...never tried hybrids or orchestral...and I just use left hand muting to control the sustain for country/BG/old timey playing. For jazz, I let them ring. I keep a set on the 1/4 Kay that my daughter used to play and they sound great on that bass as well, that combination has less sustain and more mid punch just as you'd expect from a Kay.
Based on my experience, the Orchestral set would probably work even better for your needs.
Never had one break (wish I could say that about Velvet Garbos!). I kept my first set (bought when they first came on the market) on the Juzek for over a decade, I'm about five years into the second set.
