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Double Bass D'Addario Helicore Megathread

#41
I currently have Helicore Solo's on my Kay for the E & A. They are tuned to regular pitch. Not much sustain but a nice clean thump. Very easy on the left hand and very easy under the bow. They seem more tolerant of a lousy Arco player like myself then than my Evah Mediums which I have on the D & G. The Solo's have have a lot less sustain than Helicore Medium Hybrids but more thump.
 
#42
I recently got a new bass which had factory chinese strings (smooth, thumpy medium sustain steel strings), which I actually liked, but thought I'd try Helicore Hybrid Lights. Found the Helicores to be be too metallic sounding (like bass guitar strings), and surprisingly higher tension then the nearly same gauge factory strings.

I am tempted to try the Helicore Solo's tuned to regular pitch, but I'm afraid that they may be too thin, any thoughts or reccomandations? I mostly play pizz, sometimes slap, rarely arco.
 
#43
I found the D & G to thin for my liking both in feel and sound. Very easy on the hand. Not my first choice for just Pizz. How long have the hybrids been on? I found on the Hybrid Mediums that goes away. I have also changed bows and with practice now have the Evah Mittels back on and enjoying them. If your bass is really bright you might find the Kaplans will work, you will not get much sustain or growl out of them although I find the G and acceptable compromise between ease of bowing and a good piz sound.
 
#44
I had the hybrids on for 15 minutes before I took them of, couldn't stand the zing after each note. Maybe I should keep them on for a week and see how it settles, but I really found them stiff, as I expected the light gauge to be easy on the hands.
 
#45
So...stupid question: Are the Heliocore Hybrid Lights [EDIT] just lighter in tension than the Heliocore Hybrid Meds? i.e. I assume gauge is proportional to tension and they (the lights) would therefore be of a narrower gauge.

[EDIT] Currently using Heliocore Hybrid Mediums on E & A for a few months now. I dig 'em...though might be intrested in a slightly lighter option. [EDIT] THinking about putting the Medium Heliocore Hybrid D & G tonight.
 
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#46
pmad_bass said:
So...stupid question: Are the Heliocore Hybrids just lighter in tension than the Meds? i.e. I assume gauge is proportional to tension and they (the lights) would therefore be of a narrower gauge.

Currently using Mediums on E & A for a few months now. I dig 'em...though might be intrested in a slightly lighter option. THinking about putting the D & G tonight.
Click to expand...

You are using Medium what? Hel Hybrids come in different gauges.
 
#48
How long do the Helicores last?

I have had them on my bass since I bought it about 6 months ago (an early 90s Meinel). They sound fine but the E sounds a bit dead. They could possibly be the original strings from the 90s - but I would say at least 5 years.
 
#51
Recently put a set of Helicore Hybrid lights on my Wan Bernadel bass. So far they sound and feel great. Originally, I wanted a better bowing string with some brightness. That they are but was surprised at how nice they are for pizz and jazz. Guess that's why they're called Hybrids. Heard that they had a reputation a while back for breaking, especially D strings. Seems like they fixed that.
 
#54
Not abandoned altogether ... I'm experimenting with alternatives. The G slot on my bridge is too wide for most all-metal strings, so I thought I'd give the Zyex a try (I've already tried EP and Oblis), and so far I like it ... and the Zyex D-string. The Zyex was not a great match with my spiros A/E , so I tried the HH and I am really happy with this combo so far.
 
#58
Hey guys hope I can get some comment on this (I may start a new thread) but I'm thinking of trying hellicores on my bass particularly the hybrids I just can't decide between lights and mediums. I play spirocore medium 4/4 right now and they just feel too stiff. The issue is the 4/4 weich sound too weak. Anyone know if the lights would be a happy medium?
 

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