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Banjo Hangout
Players Union

Member Since 1/22/08


Contact Helix

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www.larry-hill.com
Playing Since: 1962

Experience Level: Expert/Professional

Helix has made 316 additions to Banjo Hangout

Interests:
[Teaching] [Jamming] [Socializing] [Helping]

Occupation: Banjo player/banjo rim builder/luthier/songwriter/musician

Gender: Male

My Instruments:
Helix Hurricane #001 - Curly Maple 8-Block Octagon Rim, Longneck, Open Back 7 lbs./////

Helix Midnight Zephyr #001 - Black Walnut 8-Block Octagon Rim, Longneck, Bluegrass Flathead 8lbs.


Favorite Bands/Musicians:
Flatt & Scruggs, Tony Rice, Doc Watson, Ralph Stanley, Fred Starner, John Hartford, Peter Mclaughlin, Josh Tharp, The Dillards, The Osbornes, JD Crowe, Kentucky Colonels, THE Country Gentlemen, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Peggy Seeger, Mike Seeger, Erik Darling, Dave Guard, Jon Stewart, Ken Perlman AND any Czechoslovakian or Siberian Youths who played old-time, clawhammer, double-thumbing or bluegrass banjo music in the face of tyranny and helped bring down the Soviet Union with the music that kills death, itself. There's a band in England who has death locked up in a box of mice in the backyard. He hates mice.

Profile Info:
Visible to: Public
Created 8/30/2006
Last Visit 11/20/2009


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 Helix replied to topic 'Sustain: Single / multi strings' 11/20/2009 4:46:25 PM

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 Helix replied to topic 'Installation of StewMac Hot Rod®' 11/20/2009 4:36:37 PM

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 Helix replied to topic 'installing truss rod to be adjusted from heel' 11/20/2009 4:25:39 PM

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 Helix replied to topic 'Crystal Tone Ring?' 11/20/2009 4:10:14 PM

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 Helix replied to topic 'Beginner banjo recommendations?' 11/20/2009 3:46:07 PM

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 Helix replied to topic 'Any holiday deals on Banjos?' 11/18/2009 2:55:37 PM

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 Helix replied to topic 'Any holiday deals on Banjos?' 11/18/2009 6:29:51 AM

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 Helix replied to topic 'How HEAVY ??' 11/17/2009 7:02:10 AM

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 Helix replied to topic 'New Banjo - Brand / Model?' 11/17/2009 6:51:41 AM

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 Helix replied to topic 'Inexpensive quality banjo?' 11/17/2009 6:42:14 AM

Helix Banjo Rims (TM)

Tuesday, August 07, 2007 @6:31:45 PM

 

 
Click for Large Version
 

The Helix rim is just like a shower curtain hung from a curtain rod, Amber Waves of Grain, an 8 panel curtain cut at a 45.  

My rim is called a 'build up'.  It's like a barber pole, a wagon wheel, a stained glass window arc,  thus Helix,  an ancient Roman Arch.  The music goes down away from the tone ring at a 45 degree angle.  The Helix rim is a true 75% solid hardwood rim, the neck mounts through solid wood, we alone do that, and the virtual depth is 4.25".   It's an 8-block octagon rim, and has a characteristic and unique optical illusion, an 8-sided cylinder 3" high.  Like a lighthouse.

Helix rims are 8 solid blocks from top to bottom with only 8 joints reinforced by 8 glueblocks cut from the ends of each block.  Simple, strong,  gorgeous rims that 'luminesce.'  There is Chantoyance (sp.), Melodiousness .They vibrate cleanly, the rim now sings.

I love the traditions, I Iove to innovate

 



5 comments on “Helix Banjo Rims (TM)”

darryl k. Says:
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 @9:50:38 AM

sounds interesting, but I'm having a hard time visualizing what you're building.  How a bout a photo or two?  Also wonder how you use flat stock to make a tone ring?

darryl

 

Banjo75 Says:
Thursday, December 04, 2008 @8:24:35 AM

I saw these online somewhere (maybe it was yours).  cool idea, great looking banjo!
fatgob Says:
Sunday, February 01, 2009 @9:05:20 AM

Hi Helix,   'extreme recycling' I've now reversed this  parchment on the head of my banjo, this parchment is pretty thin,I put it on a few years ago not expecting it to last very long but its still going.  I've just made a new bridge for it out of laminating  5 layers of  hand cut mahogany veneer stuck together with super glue. Its greatly improved the sound and has,  I think ,a nice  tone and is now my favourite play,    Got a picture of this  on my blog photos if you'd like to see.
tanglefingers Says:
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @7:18:11 PM

you ever going to make a sound file Helix?????
Helix Says:
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @10:16:55 PM

It's word of mouth, The MP3 license I had expired on my software, now I have to pay up or die.

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