Trade Feeler: JJ Helms Singlecut 5-String

[fretless_guy]

I've finally decided to put this bass up for trade. I custom ordered this bass from JJ Helms back in December 2008. I received it in December 2009. Since then it has not been played much and has never left my smoke free house. I have $2000 USD in to this bass ($400 in parts that I supplied and $1600 that I paid in cash). The list price as per Josh’s last price list would have been $2130.

The details are:
- Four piece Flame Maple and Jatoba neck
- 24 fret Jatoba fingerboard
- Zero fret
- Canary Wood top and matching headstock cap
- Birds-eye Maple veneer on the back of the head stock
- Hipshot Ultralite tuners
- Swamp Ash body
- Black veneer between the top and body and running down the center of the neck
- 33” Scale
- Hipshot triple lock down bridge pieces (spaced at 18 mm)
- Neck through body construction
- One custom Helms Humbucker in the bridge position. One custom Helms Single coil in the neck position all under a single Jatoba pickup cover that also functions as a ramp.
- Passive electronics (V/V/T, Mute switch, Coil Splitter for the humbucker)
- It weighs 8lbs.








There are a number of issues with this bass. For a full description (with pictures) of the issues with the bass and that I have had with Josh read this thread (Custom JJHelms 33" Scale Single Cut 5-string). I am picky. I’m sure some people wouldn’t even notice a lot of things that bother me about this bass. Unfortunately, Josh didn’t deliver what I asked for in terms of string spacing and certainly not in quality either. Maybe I was just expecting too much for a custom bass in this price range. I don’t know.

I don’t have anything specific in mind for trades. I’m a big fan of Spector basses and I wouldn’t mind trying out a Sadowsky Metro 5 (Maple with 59 burst), Zon (VB5 or Sonus), Pedulla Hexabuzz or Clement (fretted or fretless). However, I am by no means stuck on those brands. I can take a bass + cash, but I can not add cash on my end. Thanks for looking.

[austentaciousC]

Us spector ns5 spalt top, what do you think?

[fretless_guy]

Originally Posted by austentaciousC

Us spector ns5 spalt top, what do you think?

Very interested. Do you have any pics?

[SteveC]

Yeah, I deleted my post as I found that link. Going to be a tough sell with that thread referenced don't you think? Why would anyone want it if it's that bad? I know you are just being upfront which is awesome, but just wondering?

[fretless_guy]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Going to be a tough sell with that thread referenced don't you think? Why would anyone want it if it's that bad? I know you are just being upfront which is awesome, but just wondering?

Definitely. However, most problems can be fixed by someone who has the tools, knowledge and skill to fix them and end up with a great bass, provided you like 17mm spacing at the bridge. I do not. I'm actually hoping to have a local TB'er play the bass and post his comments to give a more unbiased opinion. I'm sure 90% of the things I am unhappy with will go unnoticed unless I point them out.

As for referencing the thread where I point out all the issues ... I wouldn't feel right not making any interested parties aware of it. I obviously got shafted when I bought this bass. I'm not looking to do the same to the next owner. And to be honest, the basses in my trade list are probably unrealistic in terms of an equal trade. But you never know.

[SteveC]

I wasn't trying to make things more difficult - I can't sell my Sadowsky M5-24. I was just saying it's great of you to be so up front.

[fretless_guy]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I wasn't trying to make things more difficult - I can't sell my Sadowsky M5-24. I was just saying it's great of you to be so up front.

No worries. I didn't think you were. Good luck with the Sadowsky. They are popular basses with great reputations. I'm sure you'll find a buyer.

[fretless_guy]

Well ... I tried. I'm going to start tackling the issues with this bass to get it up to the level of quality that it should have been at in the first place. I'll still be listening to trade offers throughout the process. I don't work fast, so it's going to be a while before everything is finished.

[fretless_guy]

Bump

[fretless_guy]

I've had a few inquiries about this bass in the last few weeks. For those that don't already know, I've taken the bass apart to address some of the original problems I have with it. I have a thread going in Luthiers Corner that describes the repairs in detail.
Custom Bass Repairs ... Wish me luck!

I'm hoping to be finished the repairs and finishing in a few weeks.

[fretless_guy]

I figured I would bump this again seeing as I am almost finished the repairs. Should have everything wrapped up in a couple of weeks. If you want to see the progress and what it looks like now, click on the link in Post #10.

[fretless_guy]

This bass is almost done. I just have to slot the nut and get my wood knobs finished. I'm 80% sure I'll be making a new FS thread for it once it's all finished. This thread doesn't seem to attract very much traffic.

[Bollenator]

This was a bummer of a story, but you've obviously made the most of it and are showing yourself to be quite the repairer in the process! Totally loving the pics in the other thread.

Free bump to get this on people's radar so they can watch for the FS thread. Congrats on your progress and good luck on the rest!

[fretless_guy]

Originally Posted by Bollenator

This was a bummer of a story, but you've obviously made the most of it and are showing yourself to be quite the repairer in the process! Totally loving the pics in the other thread.

Free bump to get this on people's radar so they can watch for the FS thread. Congrats on your progress and good luck on the rest!

Thank you for the kind words Bollenator. I'm hoping that there is enough detail in the other thread to assure people that I've tried my best to fix things properly. The last thing I want it to get an email from the person who buys it complaining about something that they were not made aware of.