D'Addario Helicore 4/4 Size Violin Strings Set with Plain Steel E String - H310 4/4M - Full Set - Medium Tension

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.

User: Classically trained violinist - over 30 years professionally I have played them in about 5 hours now, 2 separate locations. Last 2 sets of strings: Dominant G, D, A, Pirastro Olive Gold E Overall view: I like them. I'd recommend them. I was kind of wary since mostly every review I read pertained to 'bluegrass' fiddle and was concerned that the sound would be 'bright' especially since I like a darker tone. But, I did read some reviews that said they were the darkest steel strings they'd ever played. Strung them up at home - a nice even-tempered environment. I didn't lose pitch constantly, maybe a little less than when comparing them to synthetic strings. Played them pretty aggressively at first trying eek out their limitations. Nice round tone when you want it. Could dig out some intense vibes as needed. Checked tuning often and after the 30 mins or so didn't have to keep re-tuning. Went to a 2 hour rehearsal the next day in a poorly air-condition room. Lost about a 1/4 tone in the first 20 mins. Re-tuned once more and then didn't have to re-tune any more than usual. After rehearsal I told one of my friends what I was playing and he squinched up his nose when I told him they were steel-core strings. "Aren't they too bright?" I told him I didn't think so, but asked him what he thought and ran the violin through a range of styles. He said "it sounds more articulated" I think the tone and volume is even across the strings. I can make the D string sound a little brighter than the others when I really go after 'that' sound, but otherwise they are even. I like the E string. It has a nice round tone all the time, even compared to the Olive Gold E that I chose to play because I hate an E that shrieks. Not talking about whistling, I'm talking about an E string that has harsh overtones when played hard. The strings are soft under finger. Flexible but not flabby. The E is particularly soft feeling. I'm thinking that when it is time to replace the strings again I'll try the Helicores again, but I might choose stark instead of medium gauge. Not that I need more volume, I get plenty of that, but just to see if I'd prefer a little more resistance under finger.

Great product

Estas cuerdas logran una gran proyección y sonido 'oscuro', al contrario de lo que se espera de cuerdas de núcle de acero. Eso sí, la afinación cuesta un poco, sobre todo en el Re, por ser de menor calibre que las sintéticas. Y hay que darles un par de días para aclimatarse, al principio les cuesta que agarre el arco. En conjunto, es algo muy diferente que vale la pena probar.

Used this e string on my older violin and it is one of the best.

Very good, perfect tone and quality.

Sounds great on my electric 5-string violin. I was afraid it would have a "wet noodle" feeling to it (violinists you probably know what I'm talking about lol) but it doesn't. It sounds clear and clean, quite responsive for a low C. Not sure how long it will last, but so far so good :-)