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The banjo reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
7232 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Online
Year Purchased: 2020
Price Paid: 250 ($US)
The cherry rim with the rolled brass tone ring sounds great on my Deering maple neck. It has a nice rich sound when I pull off the picks and a nice bright sound with them on. It is perfect for Bluegrass and Old time. It is plenty loud without the resonator on and the tone is fantastic.
Sound Rating: 10
I didn't send the neck to larry, but all the hardware was installed perfectly. When I stuck the neck back on it played great.
Setup Rating: 10
The Rim matches perfectly to the resonator and neck. It has a nice dark, almost chocolate color, and every time I look at it, I want to take a bite. The construction of the Helix rim is very beautiful to look at. It is especially interesting on the inside where the construction is celebrated. The concentric Fresnel rings are very exciting to see and add an extra layer to talk about while describing this beautiful pot.
Appearance Rating: 10
The Pot is very well made. It looks like it will last a lifetime or longer. I have no plans to buy another. At the same time, It will be hard to find a better sounding banjo.
Reliability Rating: 10
Larry was a pleasure to work with. He has a way to pull out important information that he needs for construction by asking simple but necessary questions. Larry sent me updates all the time via email with attached photos of the banjo's progress. He got the pot to me in less time than he quoted me. It has a "deep warranty" whatever that means.
Customer Service: 10
This job was a rim change-out. We reused all of the original deering hardware and added a rim and a flat rolled brass tone-ring. The original neck and hardware was attached to the Helix rim.
Components Rating: 10
Six months ago I received this banjo from Larry. I wanted to wait to write a review because, I feel, that everyone will be happy and excited about a brand new banjo. I wanted to make sure that I still love it down the road a ways. So I waited to write this review.
I had a 5-string Deering Boston with a maple neck that I loved playing, but didn't love the sound of. The Cherry wood pot and rolled brass tone ring that Larry crafted adds the missing link to an excellent sounding and playing banjo. I wish I had made this change years ago. This is now a banjo I can play for the rest of my life and be happy. It sounds great and loud without the resonator and the tone is perfect.
The only disappointing thing was not receiving a Helix T-Shirt along with the rim changeout. C'est la vie.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Helix
Year Purchased: 2014
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Very rich, full, woody sound with a litte sparkle in it. Very good note separation, combines sustain and clarity. Sounds sweet when picked with fingernails, very loud with picks. A bit of the hollow, old-banjo sound to it as well. Just gets better with playing. Perfect for the old-time up-picking that I play.
Sound Rating: 10
Perfect set-up. I went to Helix' shop, and he had me play a little for him, and set the instrument up perfectly for the up-picking (Seeger style) that I play. Very good action, very good intonation up the neck.
Setup Rating: 10
This is a rim change-out on a CC50. The new rim that Helix made is of grapefruit wood, with a beautiful and unusual grain pattern with dark iron deposits, which he brought out perfectly with his staining and finishing. The neck is standard CC50 dark finish, and combined with the grapefruit rim makes a most attractive package.
Appearance Rating: 10
The hardware is first-rate. Helix up-graded my brackets and tension hoop to 24 round brackets with heavy 24 notch tension hoop, and put on a compensated bridge as well. It looks like it will last forever. The banjo is very solid and holds tune perfectly. I anticipate no problems.
Reliability Rating: 10
Helix is a great guy to work with. He asks a lot of questions to be sure that the customer is getting exactly what they want, and stands behind his work 100%. He has sent me follow-up e-mails to be sure that everything is good, and told me to bring it back in if anything goes wrong or if I want an up-grade or set-up done.
Customer Service: 10
Helix' rim looks very strong, and his bracket hooks and tension hoop are heavy and well made. He also swapped out the co-ordinator rods for heavier ones as well. I had already put on 5-Star tuners before the rim change. All first-rate stuff - I anticipate no problems.
Components Rating: 10
I have owned many banjos over the years, and played more (including antiques) and this is the best banjo that I have ever played. I can't imagine a more perfect instrument for the way that I play, and it is quite easy on the eyes as well. The time I spent with Helix in his shop increased my banjo knowledge exponentially. He charged me $275 for the rim change-out, plus a little extra for the hardware upgrades. I learned more from Helix than I ever did anywhere else, and the price I paid to get this banjo is very small compared to all of the pleasure that it has given me. I would highly recommend Helix to anyone who wants to purchase or upgrade a banjo. He will treat you right, and you will get an excellent instrument for a most reasonable price. If this banjo was stolen, I would be over at Helix' shop the next day to get another one!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: From Helix
Year Purchased: 2012
Price Paid: 1000 ($US)
I enjoy hearing my own banjo playing now. It is mellow and smooth but loud with a really deep bass that rattles your eardrum, the tuner and sometimes the windows. Nearly all the sound files as of (6/2013) on my bho page were made on this banjo.
Sound Rating: 10
It was setup just fine when I received it; but I changed mine out to use medium weight nylon strings as I wanted to change my playing style. I was able to speak to larry before changing it out and as usual he was helpful and supportive in answering any questions I had on changing the setup. That and a different bridge for the nylon strings are the only setup changes I have had to make in 6months of ownership.
Setup Rating: 10
The banjo is not fancy, but looks more like my personality: simple and straight to the point. The inlays are well done and not gaudy, I appreciate the MOP Dots on the side of the neck. There are some minor "imperfections" in the wood itself and some marks from the woodworking tools but nothing that you can see from more than a foot away, nor any that affect sound or bother me in the least -- in fact they kinda add to the charm/finished product.
This isn't an instrument for hanging at an art gallery but is beautiful in the same manner as a well built and designed machine.
Appearance Rating: 8
I have a toddler; in the 6 months I have owned this rig he has splashed it with bathwater a number of times; he has banged the head with his hands (and head) a few times; he has countless times ran his toy cars up and down the fretboard and head while I was playing; pulled on the stings and bridge and played terrorist with the tuners after sneaking up from behind me while picking. After all of that there are no dings or scratches, imperfections or issues.
Reliability Rating: 10
I have no complaints at all. Every time I have had a question about my banjo Larry has been quick to answer and help. When I ordered it he wanted to give me exactly what I wanted and had many a question; BUT I didn't know exactly what I wanted or what type of music I would end up playing. It probably frustrated him more than me and I ended up making it simple (on my part): I wanted banjo that would sound good, wasn't flashy and would last until someday I was ready to hand it down to my kid -- the rest I would leave up to him to decide.
Customer Service: 10
I absolutely love the neck. It slides effortlessly, it does not "stick" to my hand like other instruments I have played. The rim gets all the talk on BHO about helix; but I'm very happy I decided to go all in and get a helix neck at the same time. It might very well be my favorite part of the instrument.
Components Rating: 10
I waited 6 months after purchase to review. I've played this zephyr nearly every day during those 6 months. The unbiased observers in the household have said that my playing ability has increased exponentially since I replaced my cheap first banjo of 3 years with this machine. That could be because it is such a nice instrument or it could be because it is a joy to play -- perhaps a bit of both. I would recommend to anybody that wants a solid playable banjo.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Larry Hill
Year Purchased: 2013
Price Paid: 275 ($US)
I switched the rim from an amber bamboo (Jackrabbit #009) rim to this, a cherry/ash hybrid.
Relative to the bamboo, it's thicker, wetter, louder, boomier. It's a denser sound that feels as though it will open up in time...whereas the bamboo was springy, loud, ringy right out of the case. It's comparing a California white wine, in the bamboo, to a Southern Spain sherry wine...the latter tends toward more complexity, more thickness, there's just more there. I LOVED the bamboo sound, but I like to change things up.
The Phoenix sustains as much as the bamboo, same projection, simply meatier and more complex. Awesome.
Sound Rating: 10
Yeah, well Larry transferred the Jackrabbit neck to this rim and lowered the action, so yes, we conferred, per usual. No surprises, it's just right.
Setup Rating: 10
I love the neck from the Jackrabbit, but let's keep this to the new rim...
The contrast between the woods, the cherry and ash, is not as stark in person as it appears to be in pictures. I LIKE this. There's great continuity to the grain between the two woods. The upgraded hardware is great, notched hoop, perfect. It's a beauty. I'll post pictures shortly after I post this.
Appearance Rating: 10
Yes.
Hardware has been upgraded. Everything is rock solid, love it. I had thought about going bronze, but I find this hardware perfect.
Reliability Rating: 10
I'm used to Larry, been in and out of contact for a year or so since picking up the Jackrabbit #009, so I know what he values: communication and MUSIC. Talk SOUND with him. I called him with sound preferences in mind, and aesthetics in taste as well. We listened to some knock notes and I chose the hybrid. I initially wanted oak, as I've got lots of twisted oak in my yard, but I stayed true to sound, and Larry is always accommodating and more than happy to talk MUSIC.
*Anybody who is new to banjo or instrumental music and reading this, considering buying from Helix...I know that talking "sound" is intimidating at first, unnatural. We think in terms of money and written review. Well, go online, get to a store, do a lot of listening, and find SOUNDS you like -- and do NOT like. Know what you like to hear. It's huge to be able to articulate this, even in simple ways (deep, high, sharp, etc) and at least TALK to Larry. If you don't leave the conversation having ordered a Helix, you'll at least have engaged yourself in musical, aesthetic thinking and conversation...you'll come out ahead either way.
Customer Service: 10
The rim is the new thing, and yeah. It's fantastic. I'm a drummer, originally, and I love hearing the shells open up. This will be incredible, it already is, and will be moreso...the ledges, too, whew. Unbelievable.
Components Rating: 10
Very happy. Very, very excited about this one.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Larry Hill/Helix Banjos
Year Purchased: 2011
Price Paid: ~600 ($US)
I'm new to banjo and beginning with clawhammer style playing.
The voice of the bamboo is gorgeous, resonant, springy. Larry's bestowed bamboo banjo name, "Jackrabbit", is hardly arbitrary. It takes off.
I find myself plucking strings and muting them quickly just to bask in the resulting tones. Guitar-playing friends of mine have sat stunned listening to what comes out of this instrument. One friend tried to buy it off me two days after I received it. Offered me $1000, maybe half-jokingly.
I'd call the sound on the brighter side, but not twangy/metallic. More of a balanced, rich bright.
Gorgeous.
Sound Rating: 10
Larry's communication leaves few surprises. I knew what was coming. Set up to what I preferred exactly.
Comfortable, action is high enough to boom, low enough to be easy as ever to play.
Great neck shape. Natural on the hand.
Setup Rating: 10
Easy on the eyes is an understatement.
Unlike some early Jackrabbits, my #009 is an amber shade of bamboo, with a neck dark enough to match. The abalone inlays I bought and Larry installed sparkle out of the fretboard. These, complimented by the walnut capped peghead and heel, make one pretty -- yet not flashy -- banjo.
Appearance Rating: 10
No reason to believe the banjo won't last forever.
Finishes are perfect. Inlays aren't falling out. Spikes are comfortably positioned at 7, 9, 10, 12, utterly unobtrusive and incredibly useful. Don't believe the "fretboard/banjo-murdered-by-spikes" stuff. Jump keys quickly and easily. Lovely.
I've had $600 Hawaiian ukuleles, mid-expensive factory stuff, that have worried me infinitely more than the Helix ever will. Ultra-sturdy.
Reliability Rating: 10
There just isn't enough to say here.
If you want an instrument that is YOURS, to YOUR specs, to YOUR style, something beautiful, inspiring, talk to Larry. TALK to him. He'll challenge you to think about what you are looking for. I don't mean "challenge" as in "talk down to" or "push" you...it's more of a very enticing invitation. Listen to Larry describe what he can do, what he has done, what he hasn't done and is willing to try, you'll be kept awake mulling over choices, mulling over risks. His dedication and excitement are infectious.
I have NEVER before this had an experience where I have had NO buyer's remorse -- this was the first. And it's mostly due to the feeling that with Larry, you really venture into something of a partnership, crafting your instrument together. If you're a musician already, new to the banjo, you'll especially feel a part of Larry's process. He'll overwhelm you with his knowledge and still make you feel like you KNOW your banjo.
Customer Service: 10
Hardware, I am not qualified to speak too much about.
I think Larry uses Gold Tone hardware, I trust him, all's solid as can be.
Components Rating: 10
I rambled quite a bit. I'm uninhibited online.
If you're interested, feel free to contact me and I'll tell you anything you want to know about the experience. I'll upload soundclips soon that won't sound quite as much like a two week banjo player.
Or, if you're forgiving, I might upload some anyway, give a sense of the voice of the banjo. Pics to come, waiting on the return of my camera.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Direct from Larry Hill
Year Purchased: 2010
Price Paid: 850.00 ($US)
I play 3 finger style. I personally like a little more of a mellow sound and this fits the bill.
Sound Rating: 10
The banjo was set up for me after answering a few questions about how I like to play. I haven't had to make any changes.
Setup Rating: 10
It is a Helix cherry rim that I had stained red. The neck is a goldtone with the head cut with the Helix head shape. The red rim just stands out.
Appearance Rating: 10
Have no or see no problem with the hardware.
Reliability Rating: 10
Mr. Hill talked to me on the phone for hours answering all my questions and was quick to respond to e-mails. Have not had any trouble to get repaired but as of now do not see that it would be a problem.
Customer Service: 10
At this time I see no reason to upgrade parts.
Components Rating: 10
Being an open back and light weight it has plenty of volume. So far people that have heard it seem to like the tone.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Direct from Larry Hill & HeliX
Year Purchased: 2010
Price Paid: I do not disclose prices paid.
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I play Scruggs style. Currently using GHS PF-150 phosphour bronze strings and Stewmac compensated bridge. The Black Walnut rim gives a deeper, bassier note. Very crisp. Very powerful. Incredible note sustain. You need to look twice when you realize it is an open back. Just what I was looking for. It reaches out and “grabs” you. Holds you too. Hard driving music is full of energy and melodics are truly unique. Every time I play, it seems to me that the note and sound gets better. I’m really looking forward to the sound a year from now.
Sound Rating: 10
Initial set-up is very close to what I desire. This was arrived at after several conversations and e-mails with HeliX. The customer defines the bridge height wanted, strings desired, and action. Upon receipt, I have made some minor “tweaks” to what I originally thought I wanted! Nothing out of the ordinary – a change of strings to a tad lighter gauge and an ever so slight lowering of the action was all that was needed. I would have been surprised had I not had to ‘tweak’ a bit. The banjo arrived from the low humidity of Arizona to the absurd 90% humidity of a Michigan summer. I believe this definitely had something to do with it. Banjo holds tune very well. Easy as any banjo to work on.
Setup Rating: 10
Wow. That’s the first word that I said when I opened the case on arrival. Beautiful, pretty, work of art – are some of the descriptions I have been told by other banjo players. “Wow” has been the word used most often by others. The black walnut is a wood that just grabs the eye due to its deep coloring. Finish is not overly glossed. The natural beauty of the wood grain is allowed to stand out. The neck finish can be best described by me as a “players neck” if that makes sense. Not overly glossy or dull. Right for me. The neck had a great “feel” to it right out of the case. My hands perspire quite a bit, and I have not had to use any “Fast Fret” or other aids, as I have had to with other high gloss finished necks I’ve owned.
The fret board in-lays are well done and visually pleasing, also adding to the “wow” factor. Larry also gave his own “artistic license” to the peg head and heel inlays. The inlays are truly one of a kind.
Rating – 10 because I can’t give higher!
Appearance Rating: 10
There have been no issues since arrival. The banjo holds tune very well. I believe the compensated Stewmac bridge helps with that. Larry stated right from the start he stands behind his work. When he’s as personally invested in every banjo as he is, I have no doubt on reliability. Top notch hardware used. See Components section.
Reliability Rating: 10
Larry is “second to none” when it comes service. To me “Customer Service” is just not for problems, but for the overall buying experience. I was “interviewed” when I first made contact about possibly purchasing a HeliX. Be prepared to know what kind of sound you want, what you want to do with your music, where you want to go with your music, how you want it set-up, etcetera. His probing questions are sometimes tough to answer, but Larry wants his customers to be happy. Enjoy the education you will receive. Larry took more time with me for this one banjo than the places I purchased my previous 3 banjos combined. I learned more about building and set-up than I ever thought I would. Enjoy the ride. Acquiring my HeliX and dealing with Larry Hill was an immensely enjoyable experience.
Rating – 10 because I can’t give higher.
Customer Service: 10
Major Components are: HeliX rim made of black walnut, HeliX tone ring, Rickard flange, Black walnut neck, fingerboard from First Quality, Stewmac bridge, Renaissance head, No-knot tailpiece, Gold tone tension hoop, hooks, truss/co-rods. All top notch components used.
Components Rating: 10
My only issue with my HeliX is that I did not order two! I’ve owned and played from an entry level Iida to Deering Goodtime to an Ome Monarch, and have spent time with an RK80 and Stelling owned by others. Many of these were (and are) very fine instruments. Midnight Zephyr #004 is by far the best banjo I have owned. Shhh – don’t tell Larry, but he could easily charge more! Best “bang for the buck” I believe that you can get. HeliX is not for everyone – I am so glad for that! They are unique and are tailored to the uniqueness of the owner. No two are alike, and that’s part of the charm. I consider it a privilege to own one. One day, I hope to do it the justice that this fine instrument deserves.
Rating – 10 because I can’t give higher.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: From Maker
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: 800 ($US)
I'm a begginer and play bluegrass style and enjoy fiddle tunes and melodic arrangements as well as standard Scruggs arrangements. This banjo has a wonderful sound. The sound is full, alive, rich and well balanced. When I tighten up the head it gets very loud, but I prefer the head to be a few cents flat of G#. I've found that I really like melodic songs since I've began in April and the mellower tone of the slightly looser head is sweet and beautiful. I can't say enough good things about the sound of this banjo. I let a guitar player that also plays banjo play my banjo and was blown away by the sound of it from an audience standpoint. If you are the kind of person who says about a banjo, "Sound is the most important thing to me", then you should seriously consider getting a Helix. I don't give ratings of 10 lightly. This banjo has a "10" sound.
Sound Rating: 10
When I looked at the banjo the action was too high for my taste. Larry adjusted it for me and I came back a couple days later and purchased the banjo. Since then I have made more adjustment to the action and replaced the brige with another that Larry gave to me with the banjo. I can tune my Helix with an electronic tuner and it sounds in tune. Many other banjo I've played seem to need some tweeking even after tuning with an electronic tuner.
Setup Rating: 8
It looks good. The hardware has a nice polish. The Gold Tone neck that Larry used for my banjo has a nice snowflake inlay pattern and a nice flame maple veneer on the head. The grain pattern on the rim is very pretty. The only crtisism I have for this banjo is the resonator back is basic and has a shellac finish that I don't like and the flange isn't quite even all the way around.
Appearance Rating: 7
I think this banjo will last me a lifetime.
Reliability Rating: 8
I'll probably work on the 'jo myself if I ever have problems, but Larry suggested that he would be happy to help me fix anything that needed fixing. He also said that he would stand behind his instrument if there were some kind of larger issue that made the banjo unplayable.
Customer Service: 9
From what I've been told and from my experience Helix banjos sound great because of Larry's proprietary block rim. No one else is making block rims like Larry and the sound generated from them is steller. I will probably change out the tuners eventually. I don't know if all planetary tuners are like this, but I have to keep the torque on the screws that hold on the buttons just right.
Components Rating: 9
I would definitely recommend this banjo for the price I paid (it came with a very nice case). My favorite feature of the banjo is the full rich sound. I'm proud to have something hand made and would feel like I had lost a friend if it was stolen. I researched Larry's banjos before I bought it, so I knew what I was getting into. I won't be purchasing another banjo, unless perhaps I can come up with the four grand for an Ome. I've played a lot of Fender's, Deerings, and other banjos at music stores that are in the price range of my banjo, none even came close to my Helix.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Larry Hill's Shop
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I've heard a number of Larry's Helix Banjos - not JUST rims any longer. They all have an extremely useful range of tones depending upon set-up and material. The Helix banjo is ideal for the 'eclectic' player because you are not limited by the very narrow range of "traditional" banjo material and construction technique. They are suited for a wider variety of music than any single 'brand' of banjo that I've encountered in nearly 60 years of pickin'.
It should be an "11" (Where is Nigel Tufnel when you need him, huh?)
Sound Rating: 10
The player determines their own set-up and any desired set-up can be utilized. The Helix is as easy as any banjo to set-up/adjust.
Setup Rating: 10
An "appearance flaw" is a matter of opinion and and judgment. Too some, sealing every pore of the wood with glossy lacquer is a terrible "appearance flaw". Because of the one-off nature of The Helix it will be "easy on the eyes" of the player/owner who commissioned it.
Appearance Rating: 10
See above!!!
Also, the quality of this handwork is readily evident if an individual understands that fancy inlay. shiny finish, etc, etc, etc DO NOT equate to quality or reliability.
Reliability Rating: 10
Larry is a great person and he is unrealistically tolerant. (I am a really anally-retentive A##hole.) I love dealing with this guy!!!
Again, Where is Nigel???
Customer Service: 10
They are what you select, and/or better than you expect depending upon the instruments cost/price.
Components Rating: 10
WITHOUT hesitation!!!
I LOVE it, and NOT because it is a Helix...or because it is a Larry Hill, but because it is mine.
For those of you who understand and appreciate the difference...
The Helix is not a "custom" banjo. It IS a custom-built banjo!!!
Where in Hades is Nigel's guitar tech and roady????
Overall Rating: 10
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