Double Bass Helicore: Orchestral vs Hybrid

[Rene Hart]

Hey bass people,
How tf is everyone doing?

Daddario Helicore, Orchestral vs Hybrid:
Anyone have experience with both these two versions of this string (mainly the G)?

The dirty deets;
- Asking about the G string, maybe the D.
- I'm moving away from using the Pirastro Olive and Eudoxa on the G string on the regular for a few reasons; different sound, cleaner arco, they don't do well with the neck-off traveling situation, and they're now almost $200 for just one G string!
- Using Spirocore medium on E A D these days but the G sounds too porky / whiny on my good bass.
- Mostly jazz (whatever that means) and some extra-curricular backbeat... pitz and arco.
- Using a mic and Gage lifeline pickup when needed.
- Other suggestions?
- Has the world always been this messed up and are we just seeing it clearly now bc all the info is online and everyone can take video at any moment?

Rene

 

[Francois Blais]

With Spiros on the other strings, I'd recommend the Hybrids.
I think you'd find the orchestrals too different/dark, in particular the G.

 

[Scott Lynch]

Do you notice the “porky/whiny” thing on the Spiro G when hearing others play your bass/listening back to recordings of yourself, etc. or just from your perspective when playing?

 

[Rene Hart]

Do you notice the “porky/whiny” thing on the Spiro G when hearing others play your bass/listening back to recordings of yourself, etc. or just from your perspective when playing?

both, but especially when recording

 

[Rene Hart]

With Spiros on the other strings, I'd recommend the Hybrids.
I think you'd find the orchestrals too different/dark, in particular the G.

Thx for the input Francois

 

[Scott Lynch]

both, but especially when recording

I think Helicore Hybrids will give you more of what you’re looking for than the Orchestrals. Perpetual Stark might be worth a try as well.

The Zyex are also quite nice. I have a set on one of my basses right now. To me they’re like a steel string with a dash of gut flavor. Unfortunately I don’t think they’d hold up on a removable neck bass.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Not tried by myself, but as a metal wound synthetic core string another talkbasser reported here that the Innovation Braided hold up well for a removable neck bass. (He said more than seventy/70 unmounts/mounts).

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I’ve used both and think it could be worth trying either one. While not my first choice, Helicore Orchestras can sound nice for jazz pizzicato on some basses. I actually have a student right now where this is the situation on her bass. I’ve also read where other bassists have used Spiro E, A & D with a Helicore Orchestra G and been happy with the results.

The Hybrids will obviously be brighter with more sustain. I used to use them and have considered revisiting them. The only way to know for sure is to try. I’ll echo the sentiment that a Pirastro Perpetual G may be worth a try. Spiro Weich E & A sounded good combined with Perpetual D & G on my bass.

 

[SeanMurphy]

I’m a fan of the Helicore Orchestra mediums for a good hybrid string. Easy to bow and pleasant big pizz tone. But I’m mostly playing theater gigs and and not burning jazz tempos.

 

[sean_on_bass]

i think Perpetuals would be a better match to Spiros and also be easy to bow. i just was not impressed with Helicores in comparison.