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JJ Helms Custom Bass Club
- Thread starter CH Design
- Start date
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??
Ohhhh....Just noticed 33" scale??
How long was the wait??
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!
I was tempted to say it looks like furniture. But I don't have any furniture half as nicely built as that.
Sweet.
Sweet.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
Attachments
+1
Oregon wildwood has a huge selection of nice mac ebony tops, and Josh does live in Oregon...
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.
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.
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...?
Check this bad boy out...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Handmade-Helms-...QQptZGuitar?hash=item2a02e4acee#ht_500wt_1103
http://cgi.ebay.com/Handmade-Helms-...QQptZGuitar?hash=item2a02e4acee#ht_500wt_1103
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Looks like the seller is Josh himself.
Fretlessman, any news on when your bass is shipping?
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!
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
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.
STUPID LUTHIERS THAT DO A GREAT JOB MAKING INSTRUMENTS THAT I WANT TO OWN!
Sexy, sexy basses in this thread.
Hey Zombbg4, if you feel like getting rid of your Helms, I have a Zon RT5-K I would trade for it
Does that mean you're liking your JJ? Come on man, review time!
well i never heard of this guy, but i'm excited to hear there's a famous luthier out there with my surname. cool looking stuff.
All of my original posts have been removed from this thread. After receiving my custom Helms bass that shows his lack of attention to detail, I would not recommend Josh Helms as a luthier to anyone looking for a quality instrument. After not getting any post sale communication from him (1.5 months and counting) in regards to fixing mistakes he made on my bass, I wouldn't recommend dealing with him at all.
