Dogal Hellborg Strings

#21
Interesting trivia:
The silk ends are so thin that they easily fit the holes in the Grover replacement tuners for Hofners (guitar sized tuners).
I'm *not* saying they fit a Hofner; they don't. I'm saying they fit those tuners.

If someone likes these strings and has, let's say, a Warmoth bubinga/bubinga wide and thick profile neck - with steel rods - that has been in the closet for a long time because it's so heavy, those tuners might be worth considering.
 
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#22
LetItGrowTone said:
Interesting trivia:
The silk ends are so thin that they easily fit the holes in the Grover replacement tuners for Hofners (guitar sized tuners).
I'm *not* saying they fit a Hofner; they don't. I'm saying they fit those tuners.

If someone likes these strings and has, let's say, a Warmoth bubinga/bubinga wide and thick profile neck - with steel rods - that has been in the closet for a long time because it's so heavy, those tuners might be worth considering.
Click to expand...
Can you measure, or give us a rough idea of, the winding length, ball end to silk, of the E string? I'm not sure that info is out there regarding Dogal. Thanks!
 
#24
Hellborg E is advertised as .093, so I compared it (above) to a TIJR E .093 from the JR324 set,
but the TI JR344 set (34" scale) E is .089, and I don't have one.

But:
The actual measured diameter of the Hellborg E is about .102 (but is more flexible despite this).
Measured with the same micrometer the TI JR324 E is about .092.
Hellborg advertised:
35-52-72-93
Hellborg measured approx:
35-51-71-102

Did I get the wrong E string or what? I'll let you know how it feels with the others (but not today because they're going on a bass that is currently disassembled, sorry).
 
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#25
I’m curious to try the Dogal Helborg rounds set, and now that I know they’re making Flats, too, I might have to get one of each !

I own the DR Helborg set, and it sounds like these Dogal strings will be far more flexible. I’m also very curious about the construction of the core wire.

The comparisons the TIs are promising (for ME at least ;)) and the Dogal Jaco & Traditional flats are some of my favorite strings.

I didn’t see this review posted in this thread, but forgive me if it’s already been posted:
Review: Dogal Hellborg Signature Strings
 
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#33
Micro-slow-mo review continued...

The following demonstration of flexibility isn't perfect for more than one reason, just a little something for you to look at. Sorry about the shadows.

The following photo is Hellborg E (.102) vs TIJR E (.089) drooping from a nail.
See, the Hellborg droops more readily:
E H vs TIJR.jpg

The following photo is Hellborg E vs Cobalt flats E (.095)
[Off topic comment - very impressive showing for the Cobalt flats]:
E H vs Cobalt F.jpg

The following photo is Hellborg G (.035) vs TIJR G (.043)
Hellborg sagging more. Pretty big difference:
G H vs TIJR.jpg

Lastly, for your curiosity, the following photo is Hellborg G vs Cobalt flats G (.040):
G H vs Cobalt F.jpg


I didn't include TIJF. They are stiffer than Cobalt flats, which I just noticed today.
 
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#34
There probably exists a small-scale flexibility that is probably more important to the actual performance of the string than the large-scale flexibility demonstrated above, but the above is easier to photograph.

Tested on a small scale, feeling them in my hand, the Hellborg's greater flexibility is a little more evident than in the above photos.

EDIT:
Because the Hellborgs and TIJRs cost so much I don't want to install, uninstall, etc for testing.
But I don't have two identical basses either.
Must have the answer, though. Arg.
 
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#36
-The Hellborgs are clearer*. The difference is small, as the TIJRs are already so good. But this margin might be worth a lot to you.
-The Hellborgs are rougher feeling - the A, and especially the E. This difference is large and you'd have to adjust.
-Zing is about the same, and not bad.

As I'm already familiar with TIJRs (used the 36" scale version on this Ric for two years (no, they didn't mind)), I have now also installed the other Hellborgs and will spend some time with this set.

I recently switched to Mac and haven't recorded anything yet. I apologize for being too lazy or too busy to do this for you.

*Flats have a thump right there after the pluck. Rounds don't thump but they aren't perfect you know, but I'm not going to say "muffled" and "TIJR" in the same sentence, sorry. As I said, the difference is small.
 
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#37
A few qualitative opinions in no particular order on the Hellborg strings having just strung up a 4-string with them. My comparison will also be to TIJRs in alignment with the previous poster.
  • As per normal practice I measure and clip strings before winding. I started with 'G' and that may not have been a good idea as the part of silk quickly unravels. I was able to wind the remaining strings without clipping and certainly could have done so with 'G'. So far no slippage or other problems on 'G'. This is on a Music Man head stock.
  • The winding end is very thin and one has to be careful to keep it down on the post as it will easily slip up and over previous turns on the post.
  • They are definitely "rougher" as noted above and of larger gauge that TIJRs.
  • They are extremely floppy upon removing from their respective sleeves and one has to be careful unwinding them as they're so relaxed I think one could almost kink them the 'G' and 'D'
  • They do not feel unusually flexible when playing; they're on a par with TIJRs.
  • Finger noise and "zing" are typical of roundwounds
  • Tuning settles in almost immediately and they've been exceptionally stable the hour or so I played them.
  • However if the goal as advertised was to make a "clean" sounding string I think they Dogal has succeeded admirably. I tuned with two different makes of strobe tuner and none of the normal "jumpiness" during tuning and as the string dies after plucking was ever noted. Harmonics and fundamentals are rock solid both to the tuners and to my ears. My roundwounds of choice have always been TIJRs and I will continue to use them due to flexibility, string gauge, and smoothness. However in terms of clean sound I think they take second place to the Dogals.
In closing, please note that I'm an old school player who plays with friends socially; no slapping or Joe Dart pyrotechnics so keep that in mind per my opinions above. Also note I normally play flat wound strings, specifically Dogal 'Jaco' Flats which I find to be superior to TIJFs in every respect including 'softness' (they're the most relaxed string I've ever played; TIJFs seem stiff in comparison). Given all that, take my comments with a shaker full of salt as YMMV. Strings remain the most personal of choices.
 
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