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Double Bass D'Addario Helicore Megathread
- Thread starter BassmanI
- Start date
Yep. My earlier post asked about detuned solos because my current set is detuned Spiro solos.
I've used both hybrids and orchestras and agree they aren't so different. They're decent strings but don't seem to last more that 9 months or so. I like me a set of old spiros but the helicores just become lifeless and thuddy. I have been using Zyex for the last couple years and really like those for jazz pizz, which is what I mainly do on gigs, not so much for arco though.
Same experience on my end with Helicore hybrids. Sound pretty good fresh but die too soon. Zyex are definitely an improvement but neither can compete with my precious Spiros.
I stopped by my local shop on Friday and played the Helicore Orchestras on a few other basses. They usually have at least 3 or 4 basses strung with them at any given time. They didn’t really wow me on any of those basses, so I’m starting to wonder if they just happen to sound good on my students bass because….that’s just the way it goes sometimes.
It's an interesting observation... I've noticed that helicore orchs sound great on my students' ply basses, but not great at all on my carved basses.
I’m considering going back to Helicore Hybrids. I love the Evahs when playing by myself. When playing in a group context they don’t necessarily sound bad, there’s just a certain presence missing on the lower notes. The Helicores do certainly cut through a mix when listening back to recordings I made with them.
I have a couple old sets of the HH’s in my string drawer of shame.
I may still switch strings occasionally, but at least it’s following a semi logical pattern.
I have a couple old sets of the HH’s in my string drawer of shame.
I may still switch strings occasionally, but at least it’s following a semi logical pattern.
Tried it once, but they didn’t seem to blend well on my bass. Same for Spiro E with Evah A, D & G. I thought maybe adding the Spiro A to help bridge the 2 sets better. Mixing and matching different sets hasn’t worked well for me other than the Spiro Weich and Perpetual mix I tried a couple years ago.
Put the HH’s on earlier today. Been about six years since I used them last. Probably the very set I put back on today. They definitely have that new string sound that even old sets can get if they’ve been off for a while. The A string in particular is especially boingy. Hopefully they’ll settle over the next couple days.
I’m a bit on the fence. The old set of HH’s I put on last week all sound good except for the A string. It’s just so bright and the pitch center doesn’t seem to settle. I’m thinking there’s something wrong with the string. The options I’m weighing are:
1) Put my old set of Spiro Mittels back on.
2) get a new set of HH’s and hope all 4 strings are consistent. (This seems to be hit or miss with D’Addario)
3) try Kaplans. Last time I tried them was 9-10 years ago. This is at the suggestion of a luthier friend of mine and a few other bassists in my area who actually like the jazz pizzicato sound of the Kaplans. My bass does tend to be bright/mid heavy/punchy so this may not be as crazy as it sounds.
1) Put my old set of Spiro Mittels back on.
2) get a new set of HH’s and hope all 4 strings are consistent. (This seems to be hit or miss with D’Addario)
3) try Kaplans. Last time I tried them was 9-10 years ago. This is at the suggestion of a luthier friend of mine and a few other bassists in my area who actually like the jazz pizzicato sound of the Kaplans. My bass does tend to be bright/mid heavy/punchy so this may not be as crazy as it sounds.
My friend/luthier agreed there was definitely something going on with the A string in the used set of HH’s I put on my bass last week. The other 3 sounded good, but I didn't want to break in just one new string. Went back to my old set of Spiro Mitts, for now. When I happen to have a little extra cash, I might get another set of HH’s. Not sure I want to gamble a couple hundred bucks on Kaplans.
It might be a wolf/sheep tone.
Try the HH A with the Spiros. If it is the same it might be the string. Or try the opposite, Spiro A with the HH.
Just to find out if it is the string or the the anti-resonance.
If you have a weight for the underlength try that too (maybe even first).
Wolf/sheep tones can depend on the tension of the string and their neighbors but even more on the weight of the string in the underlength which can even vary inside the same string type a bit.
Also check that the bridge is perpendicular to the top and at the correct position (up/down, left/right).
Try the HH A with the Spiros. If it is the same it might be the string. Or try the opposite, Spiro A with the HH.
Just to find out if it is the string or the the anti-resonance.
If you have a weight for the underlength try that too (maybe even first).
Wolf/sheep tones can depend on the tension of the string and their neighbors but even more on the weight of the string in the underlength which can even vary inside the same string type a bit.
Also check that the bridge is perpendicular to the top and at the correct position (up/down, left/right).
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I just want to report that I recently put Helicore Hybrid Mediums on my bass, and I absolutely love them. I've had a similar experience to @PBandJazzBass where the Evahs sound great in the practice room but kind of get buried in a live situation. I find that they sound and feel just perfect right out of the package, and I think the tension is a lot more balanced for my bass than the S42 Weichs I had on before the Evahs. I think the sound is distinctly different from the Spiro steel sound, as well. I seem to remember reading that the wrap has more nickel than Spiros, but I can't find that info anywhere now, so perhaps I'm imagining things. It certainly has a different feel under the fingers to me, and I prefer it. I read so many reports of people enjoying new HHs but that they die quickly, and I'm wondering whether that has something to do with individual differences in skin chemistry. I also play guitar, and it's common knowledge that certain players just eat through strings where others can play on the same set for months. I certainly fall into the latter category, so I'm hoping this set will last me a while!
I’ve been looking into some of the controversy surrounding D’Addario right now. I don’t want to be one of those “I’ll never buy another D’Addario product ever again” type people, but I’m not feeling especially motivated to want to buy a new set of Helicore’s either.
Danny Sapko has a couple videos on YouTube right now discussing it.
Danny Sapko has a couple videos on YouTube right now discussing it.
