D addario helicore violin strings review

D'Addario Helicore violin strings, made on a braided wire core, offer the musician an even, focused sound with warmth and projection. Helicore violin strings are popular with many folk musicians, and have a quick response and articulation.

Tone: Warmest of steel strings

Playability: Responsive and articulate

Stability: Virtually resistant to climate and temperature change

D'Addario Helicore violin string composition:

E string: Steel or Aluminum over steel ropeA string: Aluminum over steel rope or Titanium over steel ropeD string: Titanium over steel ropeG string: Tungsten Silver over steel rope

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Brand: D'Addario

Model: Helicore

This item may not be shipped outside the U.S.

Helicore strings are crafted with a multi-stranded steel core, resulting in optimal playability while producing a clear, warm tone. The smaller string diameter provides quick bow response. Premium quality materials combined with skilled workmanship produce strings known for excellent pitch stability and longevity.

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Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2013

Helicores are favorites for fiddle players. I've tried Helicores, Dominants, and Pirastro Tonicas. On my fiddle, the Dominants (the most expensive of the three) were simple, LOUD, one-dimensional, boring-sounding, and unraveled at the ball four weeks in. Comparatively, the Helicores when new had a wonderful, complex tone/sound (as well as having plenty of volume), perfect for my instrument. I feel like I have a lot of range from soft/quiet playing to loud, and a range of clear to gritty sounds depending on how I bow. What is that called - more dynamic? - when compared to the Dominants. Very responsive for fast playing. With bowed triplets I can get that nice chop-a-kah sound whenever I want to. And, they stay in tune wonderfully. I haven't had to touch the tuning pegs since putting them in - I've just moved the fine tuners a few turns. Now that my Helicores are 3 months old, though, they are getting a little muddy. Time to replace them! Of course, your milage on any set of strings will depend very strongly on your instrument and your playing style.

Note that there are two sets of Helicore mediums, and this particular set has a wrapped E string (as opposed to a solid steel E string). When this wrapped E is brand new, it is fantastic. It is bright enough, but not as much as the solid varieties. This would be an excellent choice if you have a fiddle where a solid steel E string is too harsh. It also is nice for avoiding squeaking (read: easier to play for beginners). After a few months of heavy playing, however, the wrapped E gets a bit quiet and muddy. And then the wrapping breaks and unwinds under your fingers. That is perfectly normal and will happen with any wrapped string eventually. Just note that it happens more quickly with wrapped E strings because they are smaller and more delicate. I have since gone back to the set with the solid steel E string. Mine lasted 3 months with an average of 2-3 hours per day of playing. Also note that, at jams, I will often strum my fiddle like a mandolin, which will wear on your strings more quickly than just bowing.

Note that all the Helicore strings are much thinner than nylon-core strings, which can be a small adjustment for your fingers to get used to, but it does not have any disadvantages. Other than possible issues with the strings sinking into your bridge, if you have a cheap bridge or if you get it wet (rain). This can be avoided with a drop of super glue where the A and E strings sit on the bridge.

Are Helicore strings good?

Helicore violin strings are crafted with a multi-stranded steel core, resulting in optimal playability while producing a clear, warm tone. These strings are known for their quick bow response and excellent pitch stability, making them a go-to choice for players of all musical styles.

What violin strings does Hilary Hahn use?

For her strings, she uses Thomastik-Infeld Dominants for the A (aluminum wound), D and G (silver wound) and a Pirastro Gold Label Steel E. She has also acquired a second Vuillaume, an 1865 model loosely based on the 1715 Alard Stradivarius, and has used both in recent years for recording and performing.

What are the warmest sounding violin strings?

One of the best strings for a warm violin sound is the Pirastro Obligato. Pirastro Obligato is an easily playable synthetic core string that maintains the complexity of a gut core string. Many violin players prefer these strings because they create a deeply warm and full tone which is rich with overtones.

What violin strings sound the best?

Evah Pirazzi Gold The gold standard when it comes to Pirastro violin strings, the reputation of these strings is well deserved. We like the Evah Pirazzi standard strings but their gold counterparts have a fuller tone, while maintaining the bite and precision of the standard set.