Welcome to HeliXBuilding an innovative and unique banjo. |
 
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, ...) | ||
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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" |
*** Please click directly on any of the pics on this site for full resolution and detail. ***
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!
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HeliX Banjo is a Trademark of Larry Hill