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


Try to overlook my poor playing...

Banjo # 1 -
http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...usicid=14948
Banjo # 2 -
http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...usicid=14949

Posted - 11/06/2009 :  19:48:06          

#1 Helix

#2 Deering Calico.

Posted - 11/06/2009 :  20:03:26        

Not sure, but I like #1 better

][ Grey Dog in NH

Posted - 11/06/2009 :  20:06:50  

1 Helix
2 Deering
3 Playing Advice Forum?

Thank you,
"Count" Hugh


"I bent over him, and tried to find any sign of life, but in vain." -- Jonathan Harker, Dracula

Posted - 11/06/2009 :  20:07:06    

I'd also guess that #2 is the Calico.

Steve

Posted - 11/06/2009 :  20:20:31          

I would say that #2 is the helix and # 1 the Calico. I must say that the Helix packs a nice punch.

That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

Robert.

Posted - 11/06/2009 :  20:21:40  

2 Deering

Deering Sierra
Deering Goodtime

Posted - 11/06/2009 :  20:41:08        

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!

Any day playing music is a GOOD day.

Posted - 11/06/2009 :  20:50:53          

Yep..
#1 Helix
#2 Calico

http://www.myspace.com/johnkuhnbluegrass

Posted - 11/06/2009 :  21:12:34          

Yep, I'm going to have to agree #1 is the Helix and #2 is the Calico. I hope I get this right, as I own one of each as well

Dean

Posted - 11/06/2009 :  21:50:08        

Ditto. #1 helix, #2 calico

Steven

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  04:15:05      

#1 Helix

youdog

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  05:23:54          

1 Helix
2 Calico

eagleisland

"I was halfway to Old Kentucky when the drugs began to kick in." - Hunter S. Monroe

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  06:59:21    

#1 Calic0
#2 Helix

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  07:01:04          

Rick, just out of couriosity, tell us more about the Helix. Resonator or open back, tone ring, hoop, or woody? What kind of wood? BTW, great picking

Dean

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  07:47:06          

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.


Rick

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  07:51:19      

1. Helix
2. Calico

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

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  07:58:54          

Rick this is great! I also hope other members start doing this. It will give everyone the chance to compare banjos they are looking into.

#1 helix
#2 calico

thats my guess also.

jeremy

Hatfield Special #26
shut up and pick!!!

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  08:15:48          

quote:

---

What do you think - would you guys use it to play 3 finger gigs?

---

Edited by - 1four5 on 11/07/2009 08:17:05

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  08:34:55          

Here is a link to a photo of both banjos I just uploaded:

http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...85&albumid=0

Sorry - don't know how to get just the photo...

Rick

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  09:58:01            

Here ya go bud.



Ricky
Gibson TB-00 conversion

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  10:06:10          

Thanks Ricky,

How did you do that?

Rick

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  10:10:13        

What kind of tone ring is in that Helix?



][ Grey Dog in NH

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  11:29:38          

Grey Dog,

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.

Here is a link - http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardwar...ne_Ring.html

Rick

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  17:35:26          

Thanks all for your input. The answer was (drum roll here..) 1- Helix 2 - Calico.

Rick

Posted - 11/07/2009 :  18:21:27          

Funny, I would have guessed that #2 was the Helix and I play one. Here's my version of FMB on my Helix Cherry Blossom #4. http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...usicid=14823

Jonathan O'bug