D'Addario Orchestral - Helicore 4/4 Size Violin String - Silver Wound G String - H314 4/4M - G String Only - Medium Tension

These Helicores are installed on an intermediate Eastman VL305 violin, which is known for their warmer tones. The violin came with Pirastro Tonica strings that sounded really well with the VL305. I still remember the first time my son played on that violin with the stock strings. It really sounded great compared to his old beginner level violin that sounded unnecessarily bright and harsh. Little did we know that you have to replace the strings periodically even if they don't break. His high school teacher probably mentioned that, but we just either forgot or ignored it. After a while, the violin lost it's nice beautiful sound and I thought my son is just regressing a bit. I read some reviews that mentioned that the Helicores tend to be on the brighter side. That was my main concern because I don't want to turn the sound of his violin into a beginner level one. Although, with the older strings, it started to sound like it. Helicores to the rescue. Once installed, his violin started playing like it did when it was new. New strings,, specially the proper ones, restore the natural sound of the violin. They weren't as bright as some reviewers mentioned. If anything, they can project more than the old strings. The E string sounds really good, specially at the higher notes. The rest just has that professional sounding tone to them. We're no pros, but we have very good ears and can easily detect the differences in sound quality. Along with his new carbon fiber Forever bow with synthetic hair from FiddlerMan also bought from Amazon, the sound is definitely better than before, even when the stock strings were new.In short, they were easy to install and tune. Break in is fairly quick. Looks stunning on the violin. Very easy to use/play. Overall functionality is better than expected. Highly recommended.

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.

So, I've played some great strings and some not so great strings. I've been playing not horribly long, but I have played cecilio strings, some ascente strings, I've borrowed a violin with PI and dominant strings and most recently been playing on oblagato's with a gold e. I do love my oblagato strings, but the e has intonation issues (to my surprise it was the string, I assumed it was my violin's nut causing the issues ) I was told that sometimes bum e strings happen by my instructor.On to the wrapped e - it sounds very much like a gold e oblagato except a little quiter, it plays fairly standardly, the intonation is still off a small bit but not enough to write home about. If you haven't played an oblagato gold e or this e, it is considerably less shrill than a dominant, cecilio or PI platinum e. I would describe it at fairly responsive (not super responsive) and slightly warm, not super rich but rich enough. I personally dislike a very direct sound so this string is really a great fit. Price is very good for the sound it makes, I would put it up against oblagato gold e at as of right now is 3x the price. Heck next string change in a few months I might change over completely to helicore.