Double Bass D'Addario Helicore Megathread

[Bassmunnky]

Are these the new formula? How did they settle in?

Went back to the Belcantos - they screech like crazy - ain't my technique either.

I'm bummed as I loved the feel - been doing this long enough to know the answer is 2 Basses -

 

[Mouldy]

Re: Helicore solo orchestral..... Can anyone give me the diameters of these strings or perhaps a link? Thanks.

 

[pmad_bass]

Bout maybe 3 weeks ago put on a set of Medium Hybrids. Previously had E & A Helicore Hybrids and D & G Obligatos. The think that set was quite old, gauging by the tone, feel and response I am getting now. Def a little screechy for sure...but better over than what I had previously (also bought a new bow...which I love and had a sound post adjustment). I do like these strings. Prob safe to say (IMHO/for me) not a better Hybrid out there...though haven't had the $ to peruse a lot of choices.

Prior to the string change I had been checking out a bass I was considering. Had a bout a month with that bass. All that to say, I was and am considering Belcanto's, as most of my practicing is arco. Do an occasional Jazz gig/jam and had been considering maybe just changing strings for the occasion...but that is a PITA. Considering a second bass...though would likely do a severe upgrade on the bass I have (for "the one" dram bass, where/whatever that is) before that happens. I *know from threads that the Belcanto's aren't well suited for Jazz....but will see how that goes if I check them out. The Medium Hybrids I have on now seem very well suited for Jazz Pizz

 

[HateyMcAmp]

I’m going to give the helicore hybrids another shot. I’m a gut guy, but have been using some loaner basses lately, mostly plywood Shen’s like mine. The hybrids seem to just work. Not to bright, not to too thin, not too stiff, and pretty decent under the bow when broken in. They also seem to amplify pretty well. I’ll be putting on a broken in set I bought here on after the new year.

 

[stefaniw80401]

Yup -- keep comin' back to them myself over the years. A good combo is Hybrid meds on bottom and Zyex meds on top.

 

[lrhbass]

Keep us posted, I have HH medium set poised to go on in the future. I tried the HH light a year or two ago, was a little too light, but sounded good. Only time will tell...

 

[sean_on_bass]

Yup -- keep comin' back to them myself over the years. A good combo is Hybrid meds on bottom and Zyex meds on top.

That sounds like a good combo. Love the Zyex G compared to the Heli.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I'm sure everyone on the thread will be saying "No Sam! Not again! Just stop!" BUT I CAN'T!!

I picked up a shen with spiros on it and thought they were a little too bright. Found a fresh set of Hellicore Hybrids on here for dirt cheep and picked them up. I'm studying with Jason Stewart here in town and they are what he uses. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the sound and feel of the strings on that shen both through an amp and acoustically. Even the E string was an improvement IMO. Got me thinking....

I did a bunch of string moving yesterday and through the hybrid ADG on my juzek with a spirocore E (I don't have a long C HH). Again I'm surprised that I like them! Little bright on the juzek but i'll give them a bit to settle down. Playing through some etudes they feel very nice and even and my favorite part, NEUTRAL. They just sound like strings. No "spirocore twang" or "evah pop".

Under the bow they are not great though. Workable but I enjoyed the spiros even if they were bright. I'll mess with them and see how I can do. If the weekend goes well I may spring for that long C string eventually.

Anyone else enjoy them? I do know the risks, when they die they die fast. Jason gets a year out of them down here and he plays all the time. Whenever he puts on a new set he orders a new one so he can change them right as they die.

 

[martinc]

Been there. But with my previous Kays, an old King and now my Eberle...I always ended up with full Spiro Weichs or Weichs with a Zyex Med G or Bel Canto G.

 

[bassmanbrent]

I like Helicore Hybrids. I've played quite a few basses that sounded great with them. They seem to be the standard string that gets installed on new basses by the shops in my area.

I swapped mine out after about 2 years and they still sounded fine. The A got damaged so I decided to try something else for a while, instead of just replacing the one string.

 

[Francois Blais]

They seem to have QC issues at D'Addario though.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Didn't punch on the big bass like they punched on the shen. now I know. AHHHH. Only one more thing to try on this bass....

 

[Mark Gollihur]

They seem to have QC issues at D'Addario though.

Long ago, they did, but I consider this old (expired) news at this point. But I've had very few complaints with Helicores for quite a few years now, and we sell a LOT of D'Addario strings. I think that the QC issues with those strings were based on some "bad" steel well over a decade ago; a supply chain issue that has been long since remedied.

 

[Francois Blais]

Well, I had a bad experience with an Hybrid light A I bought you several weeks ago.
The string became unusually bright not too long after installation. It was just fine when I installed it.
I never complained as I removed the whole set and went with something else, but maybe not everyone complains when something goes wrong.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Well, I had a bad experience ...

Sorry to hear that. That's pretty weird, though - strings don't usually get brighter with time and use, it's usually quite the opposite. I wonder what's going on there?

 

[martinc]

Broken string core?

 

[Francois Blais]

I thought of a loose core.
Not the first time I have this kind of bad surprise with D'Addario, at least Hybrids.
Never had a problem with Kaplans though.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I've probably gone through 3 sets of Helicore Hybrids in about 4 years between various string experiments but haven't had any problems. I currently have my bass strung with Pirastro Perpetuals but when it comes time to change I may very well put another set of HH's on, though I may try mediums instead of the lights which is what I've been using. I'm also a fan of the Helicore Orchestras. Despite their name, I find they can have a good jazz pizz sound depending on the player, bass and set-up. Especially if you want a little less sustain but still desire good pitch definition.

 

[shepdave]

I’m a 60-something midlife double bass student, trying to learn to play arco. (Actually a converted electric bassist.)

Yesterday I replaced my 5-year-old Evah Pirazzi Weichs on my Shen S-150 with Helicore Hybrid lights. OMG! As others way up in this thread have said, the HHs brought my bass to life. With the EPs I had been really struggling to get a clear, clean tone from stopped notes, especially on the E and A. With the Helicores that problem instantly vanished. Low stopped notes now sing out. Faster bowed passages no longer get buried in half-present squeaks.

There is a bit of “buzziness” in the tone of these strings, at least on this bass, and some folks might be put off by that. Not me. I appreciate the clear out-front quality of the sound I get now.

I had scanned this thread before I ordered the Helicores and decided from your posts that they might be worth the money. They certainly are. Thanks, guys!

 

[BassiklyAC]

Always liked the Helicore Hybrids. At various times I’ve had all three tensions; Medium, Light, even the Heavy. Heavy tension was a challenge; really tore up my hands after a long gig, but what a great sound! Those strings could move some air!!

Now I’m using a mixed set with Zyex Med. A/D/G and Medium HH on the E. An experiment that I’ve been quite happy with.