D'Addario Helicore Violin 5S Set 4/4 Med (HE310-54/4M)

User: Classically trained violinist - over 30 years professionally1st 5 string violin I've owned - an electric silent type with bridge pickupRecently put a set of Helicore's on my traditional violin.Last 2 sets of strings prior to the Helicores: Dominant G, D, A, Pirastro Olive Gold EOverall view: I like them. I'd recommend them.First is my initial review of the 4 string set, followed by specifics to the 5 string set--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------My 5 string came with VERY BAD steel-core who-the-heck-knows-where-they-came-from strings. I could pull the C-string WAY out of tune just by bowing long, semi-aggressive strokes. Even though I tuned them to pitch (like I had to all the frickin time regardless of how much I played it) I could still over play them. I was starting to wonder if it was an inherent characteristic of a 5-string itself or if was just bad strings. The answer: Bad Strings.Helicores are the opposite of VERY BAD steel core strings.These Helicores strings are very stable. Of course, being new, the strings will stretch, but these did not lose crazy amounts of pitch. I noticed when restringing that the strings felt more taunt than those I was replacing. I don't care for playing an out of tune instrument at any time, practicing or performing, so I check often - strings relative to each other or if I have a more time, relative to a tuner. Towards the end of a pretty intense 2 hour practice/check-the-new-strings-out practice session I didn't have to retune any more. Noticed while wiping down the instrument before I put it up, that they were still in tune. When I play them they feel flexible but don't have any false tones. Pizzacato is crisp and doesn't have any of that 'wang' - kind of sharp-to-neutral pitch change. Electrified through the bridge pickup these strings have very nice characteristics - smooth and rich when you ask for it and aggressive and vibrant when you dig for it. Definitely recommend giving these a try.

These strings tuned nicely. Sound is good!

I tend to be cheap and lazy and so I hadn't changed strings in a long time and my bow was no longer gripping the strings. Even a couple new bows I bought. These strings solved the problem. They also feel and sound great. I'm very happy again.Update 11-6-19Still happy with my strings. Just replacing them now and wanted to add that I'm using them on the Official new Ted The Fiddler Firecracker model acoustic 5 string violin made by Delescluse Custom Guitars and Violins in Barto, PA. I have a Barcus Berry pickup. The kind that screws onto the Bridge so I can remove it if I ever have to. I play through a Sansamp acoustic guitar pre-amp and it sounds Great! I often play acoustic too, but the pickup does act like a mute, so it's probably louder without the pickup, but still even with that these strings sound great amplified or not.

I am a professional concert violinist that also crosses over into rock violin. I was looking for a string that gives me a quality sound that projects but that ALSO is durable. THIS IS THAT STRING! Finally. I use these strings on all of my 4 and 5 string violins including my fine old Italian classical violin. Yes, the Evah Pirazzi strings sound a shade better on my old violin, but at what price? They don't last that long. They break and unravel easily. And they cost more. My suggestion is if you are trying to get that most special, amazing of violin sounds that you spend more time practicing and less time dealing with non-durable strings. That's my two cents. Find me at adam violin dot com if you have any other questions.

Thoroughly enjoy using these strings. Took me a few days to adjust to the brighter sound because I previously had Kaplan Amo strings, but I definitely like the vibrant sound these strings emit. Even though I did enjoy the Kaplan strings, aside from the G string due to their richness or depth, the Helicore G string isn't as muddied/muffled so you are not working so hard to produce a good sound.

I keep ordering these and I don't even have an instrument! Kidding, I use em for my electric violin and viola. They have great sound. John uses them for his cello and it's acoustic and it sounds really good too. John's also a genius. I don't use them on my student violins because they're not magic, they're just strings. But if you can play well and want a nice string to compliment that, these are it.

I've been using the medium tension strings on my five-string Yamaha. Decided to change out for the heavy tension strings, which immediately improved the sound. I use the 5-string Yamaha as a practice instrument for the benefit of my neighbors.

Love these I have a five string violin and I love this brand and these string sets and honestly these are amazing and they sound remarkably good. Stable tuning quicker response and warmth in tone color makes these amazing strings. 10 out of 10 I love these.