I put a set of D’Addario Helicore cello strings on Ada about two weeks ago. Here is what I think.

First, I did not buy these strings. I was given these strings a quite few months ago. Ada needed her strings changed a couple weeks ago. Ada was made by Andrew Schroetter in Germany in 1982. She has a very robust and mellow sound. Great projection. She is narrower width wise, but her belly protrudes more. I had to get a case that would allow for her protruding belly. My normal case would not work. That is a description of the cello I installed the Helicore strings onto.

The strings held their tune immediately. I did not have to keep retuning. That was a surprise. They were ready to go.

I like the feel of the strings under my fingers. I am having to slide my fingers up and down the strings without lifting them quite a bit with the song we are doing. It is much easier, smoother and softer on my fingers now. I love that.

I like the way my bow draws across the strings on both up and down strokes. Make sit so much easier to work on my bowing and dynamics.

The sound. I love the sound I am getting. It is only 2 weeks, but I still like the sound. Ada is her ol’ self again. She is robust, had her great projection, but she has a sweetness to her robust projection. She is not yelling, she is singing, as much as she can with my playing. 

As I said, I did not buy these strings, they were given to me. If I had bought them, it would have been through Fiddlershop. This is not said because I am a member of this forum. I have always been pleased with the customer service I receive at the Fiddlershop. The prices are in line with other dealers. Quite frankly, even if they were a little over prices elsewhere, I would still purchase through the Fiddlershop. Great customer service goes a long way with me.