HeliX unique, bias-cut rim design

Read some comments on BanjoHangout.org about the HeliX sound:

→   Forum Post:   HeliX as a first banjo?
→   Forum Post:   ... as a bluegrass openback
→   Forum Post:   HeliX vs. Deering Calico, with sound clips
→   Forum Post:   General Discussion
→   Forum Post:   Owner chatter...
→   Forum Post:   A very happy Zephyr owner

→   ALL HeliX Reviews on BHO...

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, melodiousness. They vibrate cleanly, the rim itself now sings.

Download and Listen!!       (right-click, save as, ...)
     
Clawhammer Sunbeam #002 "Camp Meeting on the Fourth of July"
Bluegrass Cherry Blossom #009 "Undone" as heard from Country Dirt
     
Clawhammer Midnight Zephyr + Nylon Strings BHO: "In the Hall of the Mountain King"
    YouTube: "In the Hall of the Mountain King"
     
Clawhammer A HeliX Cousin*: Douglas Fir "Devil's Dream"
Bluegrass A HeliX Cousin*: Texas Mesquite "Defogger Breakdown"
     
* A HeliX cousin has the same pot construction, methods, and grain orientations as mentioned above.
...Or why listen when you can WATCH!
 
HeliX Demo #1: "Wildwood Flower"    
HeliX Demo #2: A few tunes...    
HeliX Demo #3: "Clinch Mountain Backstep"    


I feel my rim design allows me to produce great sound from most any hardwood because the tone ring now sits on top of a stack of fibers.


 

 

 

*** Please click directly on any of the pics on this site for full resolution and detail. ***



...but those up there are all openbacks!!
            Mr. HeliX, do you do bluegrass/resonator banjos??



          OF COURSE!!! Check these out....



 

 

 

HeliX:


Building a better banjo.

 

Bias-cut rim design, for maximum tone.

 

Solid banjos built to suit either openback or bluegrass style playing.

 

 

Recent updates:

Jackrabbits are now a 'Serious' banjo, with more substantial rims and higher quality woods!