I uploaded two mp3 files of a little banjo test I did. I am playing 3 songs on each banjo (I know it's not like Earl played it). One of the files is a Helix Hurricane long neck - capoed to open G. The other file is my Deering Calico open G tuning. I played at the same intensity and same distance from mike. Check them out - see if you can tell which is which? There is a slight delay before the last song on each file while I am retuning to open A. Which one is the Helix and which is the Deering? Have fun
I'm not sure which is which, I like them both and both sound pretty darn good through my headphones. Now that's something when the Helix can compare favorably or even sound better, depending on which one it is, than a Calico, which is a very fine banjo! Either way, rvrose, you've got a couple nice banjos there! Good goin!
Guys, The Helix is a curly maple open back (I played the Calico with resonator). The Helix has a brass ring press fitted right on top of the rim just under the head - not like you would think of as full tone ring with holes. It is really light weight even with the Gold Tone long neck. I was wanting something that was light, bright and loud, with a long neck, that sounded good Scruggs style. I think I got everything I wanted - (and for less than an arm and a leg). I thought it miked so well that you would have to listen close to tell the difference.
What do you think - would you guys use it to play 3 finger gigs? I'm planning to.
I love this little test, even though I don't know squat about either banjo. I hope others on BHO will offer us the same experiment. Some day when I figure out how to load files on here, I'll do the same thing.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The opposite of a profound truth may well be another truth. Neils Bohr
quote:What do you think - would you guys use it to play 3 finger gigs?
YES! I have been gigging with my Helix since I got it, and it mic's incredable, with a much bigger sweet zone than my resonator banjos. It's a wall of tone (obvious from your recording!) and I have not found any dead spots. I think he puts a little magic into his rims Mine is also maple with the brass ring.
It is a simple Stew Mac brass ring. In the pix - you can barely see it shining through the head right next to the head. The larger ring it sets on is the Maple rim.
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Banjo test - Guess which is the Helix?
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 19:40:31
