Helix Jackrabbit now $449!!


The volume, tone and light weight of the Helix rim was a happy accident, I was just looking for another way to make a rim. I made my first one in 2006, it's quite competitive with all the major brands and types of tone rings, I know because I jam weekly with all kinds of different banjos, all makes, models and variations. We were all surprised....

I also participated on a team from the Banjo Hangout making a Chestnut 5-string, rim made in Arizona, neck and resonator made in Kentucky, bridge in Texas, and assembly in Ohio by the owner, I wish there was more of that.

Value emerges in a depressed market: www.helixbanjos.com

Helix Jackrabbit @ $449 is made from high pressure VERTICAL 50-year bamboo flooring, very springy acoustic qualities. Weighs just 5 pounds with the tone ring..

specs: 18 brackets Helix rim/ 3 piece Helix neck of bamboo, laminated solid peghead and heel design. Helix tone ring and tension hoop. Ren head, Gold Tone hardware/entry planetaries. The neck has a Rosewood fretboard, Walnut top/back/heel caps. Bamboo headstock inlay. Helix headstock. spikes @ 7 & 9.

Bamboo Longneck for $49 extra. That's a Helix Antelope Jack, backwards truss rod, solid peghead and heel..

$50 shipping case required, 50% buyback on the case. Refund of shipping overages, reimbursement of overnight letter, return policy.

I am a new custom builder, I've been on the hangout for 3 years, 2 years with my trademark. I have 36 rims in 36 months being played.

The idea for the bamboo rim came from different hangout members, Xnavyguy, Roll Player who used bamboo bridges, tank772, and way leads unto way. Bamboo is structurally sound, acoustic, renewable, GREEN and lightweight.

Made in Arizona.

The Banjo Hangout.org has helped me immensely, I have met the greatest and best people here. Real culture aided by electronics. I am very grateful and very supportive. Thank you Eric, and all others involved.






"Chance the Banjo" of the FUZZY BOTTOM BOYS taking a break after chasing a Helix Jackrabbit

http://www.helixbanjos.com
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Posted - 11/26/2009 :  20:10:06  

Kind of hard to "discuss" a banjo you have never seen or heard......TC

Posted - 11/27/2009 :  06:16:04      

Having built a lot of banjo bridges out of bamboo flooring, I can tell you that, because of the way the flooring is constructed, it is very consistent in its properties and, therefore, very predictable in performance. Larry's Helix (tm) design allows for maximum transfer of sound energy from the banjo strings to the outside world, with very few losses due to obstructive glue barriers present in a lot of more conventional rim designs. Whether or not this is the type of discussion Larry is seeking, I can't say. I tend to like the fact that he takes the time to share what he is doing with us here on the hangout, whether we've heard it or not.

Posted - 11/27/2009 :  08:12:04          

I can only discuss the one I play.
This banjo photo from his website:



Is the maple rim Helix built for me. Two weeks from concept to a playing banjo. It's taken over all my practice and gigs since the day I got it. It's voice leans towards that of a honkey-tonk piano (my wife's description) and it's volume is stronger into a michrophone than either of my resonator banjos. Set up with a thin frosted remo that is "bluegrass" tight, a 7/8" x 2" spaced bridge, GHS-150's, Kershner tailpiece, duel co-rods. The Hazen neck works perfectly with it. Full length 5th string, jumbo SS frets, 25 1/2" scale, 5-star tuners. Custom banjo, sounds incredable, for less than the cost of a new Goodtime. Oh yeah, and only 5 pounds



Helix is a super great guy to work with, bend's over backwards to meet your needs, keeps you posted with every step of the way, and is more interedsted in getting a good banjo into your hands, than getting your money. Five stars!

Edited by - 1four5 on 12/30/2009 07:57:19

Posted - 11/28/2009 :  02:06:54        

Wow, I guess Dean got results. Makes me a very happy picker.

What I like about the Helix rim is that it gives the player a choice in the wooden tone and voice they are looking for. Maple and Hickory are bright. Mahogany and Cherry are more mid-range. For this reason, I have Osage Orange, Grapefruit, and Orange rims on the way.

Xnavyguy and I were talking bamboo on the phone, he went and made some bridges of bamboo the next day, they rock.

If I build a Helix, I always have something here to compare to . I know what they sound like, even if just a few people believe me. Doesn't change the truth.

The 50-yr. bamboo flooring rim and neck combination is a nice innovation, they take less time to play in, like a jackrabbit, they just hop away, don't need much help.

I'm working on my first bamboo longneck, pictures soon.

Posted - 11/28/2009 :  21:01:29          

If you want to hear a Helix Hurricane - I posted this practice tune. I was 2 1/2 or 3 feet away from mike. The fiddle player was right in top if it.
http://www.banjohangout.org/myhango...usicid=15139

Excuse the raw nature of the recording - we are still a little rough on this one.

Rick

Edited by - rvrose on 11/29/2009 12:23:42

Posted - 11/29/2009 :  05:57:18        

Hi Rick, which one are you in the picture?

And also, would you please comment on whether you think you'll be needing a resonator. Just curious.

Happy Havest.

Posted - 11/29/2009 :  07:36:52          

Hey Rick that a neat arrangment and great playing! Fantastic sounding banjo! It sounds like you've found the michroiphone magic in your Helix rim too. I still look down at mine sometimes wondering where the power supply is. No resonator needed here.

Posted - 11/29/2009 :  12:32:39          

quote:

---

Originally posted by Helix

Hi Rick, which one are you in the picture?
And also, would you please comment on whether you think you'll be needing a resonator. Just curious.
Happy Havest.

---

Posted - 11/29/2009 :  16:28:23    

I was in awe at the idea of a bamboo rim, talk about a green product. Is there any clips of this bamboo banjo being played? I would love to hear its tone.

Posted - 11/29/2009 :  18:20:59          

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kirk Jacobs

I was in awe at the idea of a bamboo rim, talk about a green product. Is there any clips of this bamboo banjo being played? I would love to hear its tone.

---

Posted - 11/30/2009 :  08:19:42        

I am working on the first bamboo longneck, we're calling it an Antelope Jack. There is a real rabbit called an Antelope Jack, he's as big as a dishwasher.

The bamboo wakes up faster than the hardwoods, like it wants to send signals, we renamed the bamboo to jackrabbit because it was springy like that.

www.helixbanjos.com

Edited by - Helix on 11/30/2009 08:20:23

Posted - 12/06/2009 :  19:43:57  

Funny.

quote:

---

Originally posted by rvrose

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kirk Jacobs

I was in awe at the idea of a bamboo rim, talk about a green product. Is there any clips of this bamboo banjo being played? I would love to hear its tone.

---

If one of those Jackrabbits happens to hop by my place - I'll gladly post a clip!

Rick

---

Posted - 12/09/2009 :  05:29:49        

We'll hop to it.

Tortoise wins.

Posted - 12/12/2009 :  17:45:59          

Just want to thank Helix again. Went to a jam today, basement full of guitars, and a bass. It's so much more fun when you can play relaxed and be heard. Can't speak for my abilities, but having that much punch sure makes me strive to play better! There's no hiding behind a whimpy banjo if Helix built it...folks are going to hear you play, that's for sure!

Posted - 12/13/2009 :  05:59:15        

It was so much fun to hear how you help others with your music.
Thanks for giving me a chance.

Posted - 12/13/2009 :  14:07:54          

I have played my long neck Helix for 3 Christmas gigs in the last few days. I had it tuned to open D and I thought it sounded great - it mics very well. I switched off from my Deering for songs in D. I would have played the whole concert on the Helix if I could afford some Keith tuners. (Maybe Santa will bring me some). I did "Christmas Time is Coming" and "Go Tell it on the Mountain"on the Helix. I captured a fairly good live recording. I'll try to post when I have time to break them out of the large wav file.

Posted - 12/14/2009 :  06:06:20    

Larry i have to chime in and say what a privilege it is owning and playing one of your instruments. My Helix AT is my MOST used banjo, its the only banjo i take to gigs these days primarily because the weight to tone ratio is perfect for me. What i mean by that is instead of hauling 13lbs of bluegrass banjo from one side of London to the other i carry 8lbs of Helix woody that cuts through a band like a hot knife through butter. It barks, it bites and it will frighten small children and the infirm if you stand too close.

Perfect!

I can imagine a time when people say 'have you HEARD a Helix?', heard one, i was there when the first few came out, its a bit like where were you when.....

Top job Larry, top man.

Posted - 12/14/2009 :  12:28:03        

better banjos through simplicity...

Just light a torch in the fog, why don't ya????

I had a great year because of you people, your willingness to play, and that more abundantly. Because of that I got to play Saturday night, myself.

Nice job everyone. I'm honored that I could help.

Edited by - Helix on 12/21/2009 04:59:55

Posted - 12/21/2009 :  07:53:35          

True story, just happened this morning:

Yesterday I was in a comparing mood, and spend several hours playing both my other banjos. I've been playing my Helix 98% of the time for about 2 months. I play in front of a large plate glass window, and was really putting them through their paces, playing hard, and doing comparisons. After a couple hours, I put them away and played through my regular daily practice with my Helix Sunbeam (Helicaster). This morning, as my daily playing time approaches... my beautifull and loving wife says:
"Dean, could you please wait until I go Christmas shopping if you play those klinky-clunky banjos today, they were driving me batty yesterday"

To which I replied:

"don't worry, I'm going to play my favorite one today"

And her reply:

"Good, I don't mind that one, it sounds musical. There would be a lot of happy wifes in the world if more banjo players had that kind."

... now keep In mind that my wife hardely ever makes comments, positive or negitive, about my playing, so for her to say anything is earth shattering. She is just happy that I've found something I love doing. She knows that I own three banjos, but if I lined them up, she wouldn't be able to tell me which one was which, so her comments were totally from what she hears. I figured Helix would get a kick out of this. I actually got the same reception from my bandmates, the first time I played a gig with my Helix. Sometimes I wonder if he even relizes just how sweet his rims sound comparitively.

Posted - 12/21/2009 :  11:05:14      

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1four5



Jan's Comment:

"Good, I don't mind that one, it sounds musical."

---

Posted - 12/22/2009 :  06:49:59        

Thanks, Dean and Jerry, we all want better music, and less carpal tunnel.

I was sitting-in with a group of Kingston Trio fans in 2005. They were using three dreadnoughts, not really playing, just having fun, so they were each strumming 6 notes down and six notes on the upstroke, 36 notes in 2 beats.

The Gold Tone OB250 I bought to battle THAT was not enough to punch through a 'clinic' of guitars. They just wanted the banjo there, didn't quiet down during solos and stuff like that.

In, 2006, My wife also noted that from the other room. "Is that your new Gold Tone?"

No dear, THAT's the new Helix, what a difference.

I used standard hardware and a Renn head to show nothing up my sleeve. So the rim and the construction of the rim is what makes the sound of a Helix.

I jam regularly with all the major brands, ALL. I know what they sound like, don't sound like, and what they weigh. Whew.

I'm not an engineer, I don't welcome the comments of threadkillers, because it draws attention to them while they are dragging bait. I Play. Sometimes the threadkillers don't even PLAY banjo, hurts my sensibilities.


Now, in the meantime, some other people have concluded by the behavior of the Helix rim, that there is truly something there, and worthwhile. Who knew that if we went back and asked the wood, that the response would be so friendly and useable, repeatable, and maybe a nice little clothespin mute once in a while.

Every person here is on a quest, something touches the hum of your heart. the strings do that. So, with less banjo, less enjoyment.

Otherwise, I have video tape of the Prescott Folk Festival in 2008 where a person playing a Helix steps away from the mike to solo.

Usually at the jam, I solo, then someone always takes a look at the headstock to see what just happened.

It's ok to make instruments this way, this is not factory work. I am not behind on orders, and I work my butt off. The hangout is quite the place, ain't it?

XNavyguy and others have built their own Helix in pure curiousity and fun, with hopefully great results. My banjos play better with XNG bridges. We thought we were doing pretty good already, so that was a pleasant surprise.

Power was never the quest, a person has the right to protect their intellectual property. I've heard loud and brassy banjos. Lots of 'em.


But being able to play and produce TONE, quality, reliability, and oh yeah, these rims vintage quickly don't they, that's my interest, helping people enjoy our music more, and the players get enjoyment, too.

Posted - 12/22/2009 :  09:38:54          

Larry,

I just got an early Christmas present from my wife - 4 Keith Tuners! I put them on my Helix Hurricane long neck. Wow - now I have a super versatile nice sounding light weight banjo. I can tune it to open d and play G fingering or pop it back to open "E" and do the same. And of course just capo for the rest of the keys. I don't have the XNG bridge - is anyone else using them? How thick are they? Do they give even more volume. I'm using a 1/2" compensated bridge now.

Rick

Edited by - rvrose on 12/22/2009 09:39:31

Posted - 12/22/2009 :  11:05:56        

I'm really happy to hear about your Keith tuners, you've been very good this year..

You are the first one to use a Helix longneck this way. Way to go. My hope would be that no buzzing would happen, so it looks like you are all alone for a while, enjoy the spotlight. You are in new territory, great work.

Did I mention bridges? Nope, none to be had, a phantom, a dream, happy hunting. I don't know of anyone using them, they don't NEED compensation, and they don't produce more volume and tone, they produce gobs of both. They set every banjo on its individual edge, oops. Roll Player and XNavyguy did something for the entire banjo community, shhhhhhh.

Edited by - Helix on 12/23/2009 06:14:44

Posted - 12/22/2009 :  11:28:32          

I have a 3/4" xnavyguy bridge on my Goodtime...and it turned it up to an 11 for volume and tone! I still just have a StuMac 3/4" bridge stilted up to 7/8" on my Helix. One of these days I'm going to have figure out what it will take for Jerry (xnavyguy) to make me some 7/8"-1" maple/ebony spillway blanks to try on my Helix. I like high bridges and my neck is cut for that. All this long neck talk....

Posted - 12/23/2009 :  08:47:18              

the helix is for real.