JJ Helms Custom Bass Club

millsbass5 · #2 11-20-2009, 07:45 PM

O.K.,enough is enough,buddy....What's under cool pup cover,and under that back control plate??

Ohhhh....Just noticed 33" scale??
How long was the wait??

Zombbg4 · #3 11-20-2009, 08:27 PM

I'm in for sure.As some of you know I have the 33" singlecut 5er that's been around the block a few times, I'm the 9th or 10th owner if I counted right...Anyway, I love the bass and the price was right for what it is. I'll get some new pics of it up later this weekend and maybe some sound clips. What really might gain some interest for the weight crazy people is that my bass is about 7 pounds, and its a singlecut!

wurstburst · #4 11-20-2009, 08:37 PM

I was tempted to say it looks like furniture. But I don't have any furniture half as nicely built as that.

Sweet.

the_thriller · #5 11-20-2009, 08:43 PM

I have one on order. It's all paid for, just waiting to be built! It will be similar to fretless_guy's but with different wood, of course.

cosmicevan · #6 11-20-2009, 08:59 PM

check out this bad boy.

this was a headless bass that i used to own that was built as a part of a line of custom basses called "Sam Bella" - the concept was that there were a few different body styles and each body style would have each instrument built by a different luthier based on the body style, but with the luthier's own flair. it was a cool idea commissioned by joey g music, but the shop never survived.

this was josh's take on the headless model. the sound was to die for. Mørch pickups and pre. cocobolo top. abm hardware. THG knobs. niceness. the neck was a little too Warwick-ish for me.

the_thriller · #7 11-21-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicevan

check out this bad boy.

this was a headless bass that i used to own that was built as a part of a line of custom basses called "Sam Bella" - the concept was that there were a few different body styles and each body style would have each instrument built by a different luthier based on the body style, but with the luthier's own flair. it was a cool idea commissioned by joey g music, but the shop never survived.

this was josh's take on the headless model. the sound was to die for. Mørch pickups and pre. cocobolo top. abm hardware. THG knobs. niceness. the neck was a little too Warwick-ish for me.

I was so close to buying this bass when you had it for sale!

cosmicevan · #8 11-21-2009, 12:31 PM

pretty sure it went to a soldier over seas

edubb · #9 11-22-2009, 12:52 PM

"Nautilus" SC5. There is also a picture of it on Josh's website. He said they nicknamed it "The Nautilus" so I just kept it. it is a 34' scale bass with a single Kent Armstrong humbucker in the bridge position. very nice pickup. I have a Helms "Jazzbucker" as Josh called it but it didnt work so I am returning it to be fixed. My bass is very articulate, warm and organic sounding. It has a lot of that "mwah" type of sound but its not fretless.
I found mine on ebay. always wanted to try a singlecut and the price was right. The sound exceeded my expectations and the bass is very light.

cosmicevan · #10 11-22-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretless_guy

Any idea what woods were used for the body and top?

pretty sure it was cocobolo top on mahogany body

Noaita · #11 11-23-2009, 12:09 PM

I think the top is actually Macassar Ebony.

Zombbg4 · #12 11-23-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noaita

I think the top is actually Macassar Ebony.

+1

Oregon wildwood has a huge selection of nice mac ebony tops, and Josh does live in Oregon...

Zombbg4 · #13 11-23-2009, 12:59 PM

OK so here's my JJ. 33" singlecut 5 string. Spanish cedar body w/ maple stringers, slightly figured walnut top (doesn't show very well here), maple neck w/ walnut stringers, walnut block inlays. Also has a claro walnut ramp I made for it.

It was a little beat up when I got it, plenty of knicks and finish wear. I refinished the neck and it feels great and I'm hoping to refinish the body sometime.

Zombbg4 · #14 11-23-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretless_guy

I really like the undercut on the headstock cap. I wish mine was done that way. I think he's changed his logo too. I haven't seen the new one up close yet, but I think I prefer the old one.

It is a very nice touch and done well. His round over is cool and unique too, it's more of a straight angle than round. But hey, I guess you could use that as a reason to get another...?

K-Punk · #15 11-30-2009, 02:00 PM

Check this bad boy out...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Handmade-Helms-c...#ht_500wt_1103

Zombbg4 · #16 12-01-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretless_guy

Ouch! Someone is going to get a nice bass at a ridiculously low price. I feel bad for the seller.

Looks like the seller is Josh himself.

Fretlessman, any news on when your bass is shipping?

Zombbg4 · #17 12-09-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretless_guy

Just got the word. It should be here tomorrow!

Awesome. After the hour or so of "honey moon" time I expect a review with more pics, and maybe some sound clips!

I'm loving mine more and more...I'm going to be building a bass soon, and the whole goal is to make it better than my JJ or it won't get played much!

FunkMetalBass · #18 12-09-2009, 10:03 AM

I have the worst GAS right now. Even worse than GAS - I can't possibly think of anything I'd need from another instrument. I have my 4s, I have my 6s, I have every tone that I can see myself needing...

STUPID LUTHIERS THAT DO A GREAT JOB MAKING INSTRUMENTS THAT I WANT TO OWN!

Sexy, sexy basses in this thread.

the_thriller · #19 12-10-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretless_guy

Just got the word. It should be here tomorrow!

Could I ask how long it took from deposit to completion? I don't want to bug Josh, but it takes everything in me not to ask him how the bass is coming along every two weeks. When I asked him about it in August I don't think he'd started mine yet.

the_thriller · #20 12-11-2009, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretless_guy

Total build time was a year. I wasn't pushing him though and he did offer to finish it quicker a few times but I wasn't in a hurry.

I've had occasions where he didn't reply to emails as well. I don't think he doesn't reply on purpose. I know he's moved and switched his internet services around. Just send him another email and ask how the build is going. Ask for a few progress pics to post while you are at it

UPDATE: This is killing me ... I'm at work and it's right becide me in the shipping box. It didn't come with a HSC or a gig bag (it is packed very well though. no worries about it being damaged during shipping) so I'm trying to not just rip the box open and play it. I really don't want to have to pack it up in the box again to take it home.

Thanks! It just helps having a solid time frame. He's responded to all my emails when I asked for updates so that's no issue. Thanks! Hopefully by now you've played the bass! Hope it's excellent!