Used Helix Floor for $800? What to look out for?

[mandjzi]

Hello Helix people,

 

I've been thinking about getting HX Stomp, but saw local post selling Helix Floor on FB marketplace.

 

It is about $800, the main caveat being that it has green line along the left side of the screen, which wouldn't bother me. And also it is quite beat up.

 

I looked at Reverb and saw that $800 is a really good deal for one of this, so I am thinking about getting it instead of a Stomp, which in my area is priced at around $700.

 

I will be able to meet up with a seller and check the unit, what should I look out for? What should be checked besides obvious inputs/outputs, all of the buttons/switches working?

 

Thanks!

[mandjzi]

Thought I should add screenshot of the post.

 

[silverhead]

You could ask about Helix Native which is available at a one time discount all Helix devices. If the original owner hasn’t used the discount it is still available for the next owner. Is it still available for that device?

[datacommando]

On 12/6/2023 at 2:08 PM, mandjzi said:

Thought I should add screenshot of the post.

 

 

163 B · 1 download

Hi,

 

That is not a screenshot - it is a .php file that downloads nothing.

 

Try attaching a .jpg file by using the choose files option.

 

Also, buying pre-owned electronic equipment is always a bit of an unknown - you pay your money and take a chance.

 

Plus, what @silverhead said in his post - check if HX Native discount is available as part of the deal.

Edited December 6, 2023 by datacommando
picture attachment fixed

[mandjzi]

@silverhead @datacommando

Thank you for mentioning HX Native, I will definitely ask about it, also I've fixed the attachment.

 

Anything else worth mentioning? Perhaps there are known weak spots, or other possible issues that I should be looking for.

[brue58ski]

I would hook it up so you can hear it. Make sure all of the knobs/buttons work. Especially the joystick. If you can, make sure that the XLR input for the mic is working. The only other thing to me would be checking out all of the inputs and outputs,not just the XLR. But that would take some time AND some knowledge about how the Helix works. Maybe download the manual. Good Luck. Hope this helps.

[silverhead]

On 12/6/2023 at 11:35 AM, brue58ski said:

I would hook it up so you can hear it. ….

Yes, bring headphones and a guitar to try before you buy.

[silverhead]

If you want to be thorough you can download the Helix Cheat Sheet to a mobile device and learn the operational basics. Then you can prepare a test plan for yourself to systematically test all knobs and switches. That will let you run through the plan when you test the device, knowing in advance what you should expect the knobs and switches to do and comparing actual to anticipated behaviour.

[cruisinon2]

All of the above... and then just accept the fact that it may have some weird issue(s) that only crop up under certain circumstances. It's a complex device that does lots of different things... and to quote Capt. Montgomery Scott: "The more complicated the plumbing, the easier it is to clog the drain";)... so while it's a good idea to give it a test run beforehand, no matter how thorough you think you are, there's just no way to audition everything with just a few minutes of noodling. Used gear is will forever be a gamble...

[theElevators]

What to look out for?  Bad foot switches that are barely working, that's for sure, loose/crooked expression pedal, things rattling inside....

 

I bought a mint "open box" Helix LT back in December of 2019 for $950 from eBay.  I think you can find a better deal with the LT, where it's not going to be with green lines on the screen, etc.  Maybe I got lucky, but I'm sure you can find something of higher quality and with less mileage for around the same amount.

 

Helix typically sells for $1200, so something at $800 would be a red flag to me personally. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Paulzx]

Agree with the Elevators. The main problem you have got is that it could take some time before you stumble across something that doesn't work as it should, the USB jack might be damaged etc and you won't know until you hook it up to HX edit or update it etc.

 

If it was ebay, where you have some protection should the item not be in working order as described, I would be more tempted, but maybe not somewhere you have no come back should you find a problem. I have seen a number of floor units and LT's for sale, ebay, reverb etc. Might be a few dollars more but much better condition.

[mandjzi]

@brue58ski @silverhead @cruisinon2 @theElevators @Paulzx

 

Thank you for advice, I really appreciate it!

 

Decided to hold off buying this particular unit, being not familiar with HX stuff at all, I would not like to waste $800 trying to save $300.

 

Perhaps I will save up a little bit more and just get brand new one. Funny how it always goes with gear, originally I wanted to get Stomp, but now I am almost not considering it at all.

 

[brue58ski]

If you buy a new one now you get a free backpack. That's what happened to push me over the edge when i bought mine awhile ago.

 

https://line6.com/holiday-sale/?utm_source=Marketo&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=HolidayPromoQ3&mkt_tok=MTI2LUxCTi00MjgAAAGP4_mIiNBkw1ZHK1SfdFsGKgLPLaGFmp33L1WS5LQF_GqGAzPH2KAC_4nHcxD1TLWlFyi296C3onIHAqQasixkUNdMgzMA6Hwtae9DHKF70vs

 

 

[Paulzx]

Buying new is the safest bet of course. I bought my Helix floor as a used unit but it was mint, it was from Ebay, and the seller had excellent feedback, so I was confident in that purchase. You have to be patient sometimes to get the right deal if it's a used purchase, and perhaps make an offer on one that is in good condition.