Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?

Subject: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: NicoleC
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 01:09 AM

My new fiddle is starting to open up about the same time as my new Helicore strings are settling in. I got the aluminum E and I'm not really happy with it; it's a bit screechy. Without a local source, experimenting with strings can get expensive. Has anyone found another E that blends well with this set of strings, with maybe a wee bit clearer tone?

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: Letty
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 03:39 PM

Perhaps the Pirastro Eudoxa (aluminium on steel)?
I tried that as a replacement for my Dominant E string, which I also found to screechy.

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: NicoleC
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 03:52 PM

I used the Pirastro Tonica as an E for my old Dominants -- nice blend with the Dominants, but it didn't blend well with the Helicore's. Too dark -- I'm really digging the cleanness of the Helicore's (now that a have a nice fiddle.)

Are the Eudoxa's clean in tone, or are they more geared to warmth?

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: radriano
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 04:03 PM

I'm using the Dominant set with the Perlon "E" string which I find to be very nice.

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: Letty
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 04:10 PM

The Pirastro Eudoxa E (part of a gut string set)is a bit warmer in tone than the Dominant, but in my opinion clear enough for folk. And I can play it loudly without cat-effect :-)

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: NicoleC
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 04:12 PM

I'm sure it has plenty to do with the instrument, too. I had a screechy old instrument and the Dominant E just made it tons worse. It didn't sound too bad on my new one, it just didn't fit with the tone of the other strings and the Dominants wouldn't have been a great choice for this instrument anyway.

I'm wondering now about the Priastro Flexacor -- it's suppose to be like the Helicore's, but a bit warmer...

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: Kim C
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 04:18 PM

Doesn't Helicore have a wound E as well? I've always had good luck with Helicores, but all instruments are different.

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: NicoleC
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 04:25 PM

That's what I've got, Kim, the wound aluminum E.

I love the rest of the set, and I'm glad someone recommended them to me for this instrument. They've settled in pretty fast and really get out of the way of the sound -- I think I'll be using this brand for a while.

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: Kim C
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 05:11 PM

I play with the unwound E. Maybe give that a try?

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: NicoleC
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 05:17 PM

Maybe. Concord Music just recommended the new Pirastro Universal E. Maybe I'll try that, the unwound Helicore E and the Flexocar Permanent E... as long as I'm paying for shipping anyway :)

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: NicoleC
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 12:31 PM

Just an update:

The Helicore flat E did not sound much different than the wound E, so I went on to the Pirastro Permanent E.

Wow, this sucker is loud! It's much brighter and clearer, so it really doesn't fit in well with the other, although it has a nice clean tone. I also like that I can hear almost no string noise from it. Maybe one day I'll try out a whole set -- my fiddle is already pretty darn loud, and a full set of these would be real banjo-killers! It's not a suitable replacement within the set, but I'll let this one settle in for a couple of weeks to see what it does, then I'll try out the expensive one of the lot, the Pirastro Universal E (retail is about $9).

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: NicoleC
Date: 26 Feb 03 - 03:58 PM

Next update:

My luthier replaced my E with a Gold Label. It's a nice, transparent blend with the Helicore's, and I'd recommend it as a string to try if you don't like the Helicore E.

I still haven't tried that Universal E yet.

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: GUEST,Jean B
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 01:56 PM

My sons play and we have tried several e strings with helicore and prefer the pirastro gold label e as well. We also tried the wound E, unwound E and the Non-whistling E, but none blended as well as the gold e on our instruments.

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: Suzy T.
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 03:24 PM

I like the Kaplan "no squeak" E. I think it is also made by D'addario who also make Helicores.

Subject: RE: Helicore 'E' violin string replacement?
From: northern lass
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 03:30 PM

I love Pirastro Olive Violin Strings, beautiful sound, quite mellow and not at all screechy.