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Alembic Club » Showcase » Series I basses and guitars » Hal's Toma_Hawk - 2010 - Pure Funk Bass » Archive through March 03, 2010 « Previous Next »

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the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 70
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 12:23 pm:   Edit Post

The first picture of full completion.


finished.jpg

Peace and Love,

Hal-
musashi
Member
Username: musashi

Post Number: 72
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 3:30 pm:   Edit Post

You must be in almost Heaven, (to be fully realized when you receive your baby). I am truly happy for you, brother.
otis
Intermediate Member
Username: otis

Post Number: 157
Registered: 10-2008
Posted on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 4:17 pm:   Edit Post

SWEET!!! Can't wait to see that baby in person!!!
gregduboc
Advanced Member
Username: gregduboc

Post Number: 320
Registered: 11-2008
Posted on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 7:10 pm:   Edit Post

Congratulation Hal!!!
It feels good to know that the Toma_Hawk is ready for action!!!
I'm really happy, honestly.
I was going to ask for pictures, but I guess there is no need for it... You will do your Homework :-)


Greg
enzo
Intermediate Member
Username: enzo

Post Number: 185
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 8:59 pm:   Edit Post

Awesome bass ! Really happy for you Hal !

Looking forward to see the pics when she'll be in your hands.
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 71
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 10:06 pm:   Edit Post

Man, that's better... Nothing in the world like good sleep!

This bass is the best thing I seen for the Funk since Bootsy's "Star-Shape" Space Bass introduced to us in 1976.

As much as I love Bootsy's flamboyant statements of a bass design which fit's his personality, this Alembic fits the design -- putting ergonomic importance's for supporting The Funk, and with less attention to the flamboyance of my own personality.

Without any questions, I believe the Toma_Hawk is one of the most purest high-end Funk Bass ever crafted, and I'd ever seen for Funk. (I speak with references of being around, before Funk was invented).

This bass has everything it needs to "shape" things up in the Funk world, but this comes to no surprise to anyone here, because we know Alembics are the best anyway.

Everybody, light a candle, and donate a toast for new new life, and the new birth of this "Funk" designed Alembic bass, blessed from our beloved Alembic organization, for where ever I go, you guys are with me too!

GOD BLESS THE PRECIOUS ALEMBIC ORGANIZATION AND THE PLAYERS AROUND THE WORLD FOREVER NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE!!!!

Thanks for all the love and support fellas, I can not wait to play with y'all!!!

Peace and Love,

Hal-




(Message edited by the_jester on February 18, 2010)
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 669
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 4:40 am:   Edit Post

more pics dude & why no inlays? and is that 5th knob a master vol?

(Message edited by serialnumber12 on February 19, 2010)
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1072
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 7:14 am:   Edit Post

Ultimate Hal, congrats!

+1 for the "more pics dude"

And: "I can not wait to play with y'all!!!"

Are you suggesting an intercontinental online multiAlembicsmegajam? You can count me in! :-)


Forget your "I will wait a few days" remark, go get her, play the livin' sh** out of her and take some pics, please. :-)

Cheerz to the Toma_Hawk!

Mesabrother Flip-
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 74
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 9:22 pm:   Edit Post

the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 75
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 9:27 pm:   Edit Post

sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 744
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 11:03 pm:   Edit Post

Awesome
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 76
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 11:33 pm:   Edit Post

the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 77
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 11:51 pm:   Edit Post

the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 78
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 11:54 pm:   Edit Post

the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 79
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 12:00 am:   Edit Post

the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 80
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 12:05 am:   Edit Post

the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 81
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 12:09 am:   Edit Post

the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 82
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 12:15 am:   Edit Post

oddmetersam
Member
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 60
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 12:54 am:   Edit Post

My head's gonna explode...Incredible. Those back plates are like viewing ports into the next dimension.
krystoof
Member
Username: krystoof

Post Number: 76
Registered: 1-2009
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 1:03 am:   Edit Post

Hi, Hal
Wow! Gorgeous instrument!!! I guess that not so many instrument brands might be able to create such good looking AND good sounding basses like this one. I never heard it but I think it's the case!
Have a good day!
Xtof
garth4664
Member
Username: garth4664

Post Number: 99
Registered: 10-2008
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 3:33 am:   Edit Post

Truely original yet classic in every sense - Nothing more to be said mate, well done...
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 746
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 5:23 am:   Edit Post

TOO COOL FOR JUST COOL__ Man , it is ((((((((( KOOL_____________ !!!!!!!!!!)))))))))
pauldo
Senior Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 436
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 8:16 am:   Edit Post

Nice -
Any sound clips comin'?
lalogarcia
Junior
Username: lalogarcia

Post Number: 24
Registered: 8-2009
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 8:34 am:   Edit Post

Nice bass buddy! It's hard to improve a classic design like the small standard body shape , but U DID IT!! It looks even nicer...
Ken Smith came up with a new body shape for his basses some 17 years ago; the new shape is actually horrible; the old was much nicer! Mr Tobias also had to create a new design and he could not do something as nice as his original Tobias basses (even though his new basses sound quite good); Spector needed to create a new body shape when Kramer owned the rights of the ns body... And it was horrible too!! But
u my friend actually succeeded in improving a classic design.... I would not be surprised if Alembic offers this new body shape as an option... The moral of the story:
designing a new body shape is Very diffucult even for the super luthiers, so when a great new design is borned, it should stay for good!

Btw did u see my bass somewhere?
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1154
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 9:08 am:   Edit Post

Is that a super streaked piece of ebony in the neck lam? It almost looks like coco bolo with all the figuring.

Nice stuff Hal- enjoy it.
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 84
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 1:20 pm:   Edit Post

Taking possession of this this bass,
is like winning a personal design award,
and owning The Baddest Funk Bass
in the world. "A TWO-fer!"

So, if Alembic want's to create
a new line of Toma_Hawk basses
in the future, GOD bless them and
I wish all the success.

As for me, I'll forever have
the satisfaction of owning the
knowledge behind the Toma_Hawk concept(s),
and owning the first "real" Alembic
Toma_Hawk Bass #01.

If this design could help others,
I am sure the nice folks
at Alembic would be happy
to make another Tommy.

"Now, you may return to your normal
viewing..."

I'll be on vacation from Alembic.com for a while... (a long while...).

Peace and Love,

Hal-



(Message edited by the_jester on February 20, 2010)
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 85
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 1:54 pm:   Edit Post

Ed, I asked Mica about your bass...

She said it was all "boxed" up... Let me know when you "finally" get it... I can't wait to get the news from your review....

Peace and Love,

Hal-
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 500
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 1:58 pm:   Edit Post

I have to say that I was initially skeptical, but the more I look at it, the more I love it! It's a thing of true beauty. Here's to you for having the vision and seeing it through!
musashi
Member
Username: musashi

Post Number: 73
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 21, 2010 - 2:49 am:   Edit Post

You've got your Guarneri del Gesu. It doesn't get any better. Congratulations...

Would love to hear it, and also see a pic or two with the LED's turned on...

(Message edited by musashi on February 21, 2010)
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 673
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 21, 2010 - 6:33 am:   Edit Post

Larry graham is waiting on some of that tomahawk funk!
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 421
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Sunday, February 21, 2010 - 4:18 pm:   Edit Post

Wow, Hal... Congratulations!

Thanks for sharing with us all TH's gestation. It is kind of seeing someone's baby born... Wonderfull.

I'm trully happy for you, Pal. Enjoy the Funk!
smokinbear
Member
Username: smokinbear

Post Number: 67
Registered: 11-2008
Posted on Monday, February 22, 2010 - 7:47 pm:   Edit Post

whooooooooooohhhooooooooooooooooeeeeeeeeewwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hal i am so happy for you right now man enjoy your badass Alembic bass to your fullest potential. Looks stunning a real thing of beauty f%$KIn A dude!! .... sorry got a little carried away ;> peace and may you hit the sacred brown note many a time....bear
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 87
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Monday, February 22, 2010 - 8:57 pm:   Edit Post

You're beautiful, Bear.

Thank you Man.

Hal-
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 88
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Monday, February 22, 2010 - 9:11 pm:   Edit Post

You are welcome Mario.

Thank you for your kind words, and speaking the truth on those things that are really important.

Peace brother.

Hal-
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 89
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Monday, February 22, 2010 - 9:29 pm:   Edit Post

the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 90
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 - 6:47 am:   Edit Post

After 3 years of personal research, and 100's of hours of computer 3D renderings, Styrofoam markups, and lost sleep -- this is my most honest shape of what a Funk bass should had been after all those years.

This is the shape which I believed I would had offered Larry Graham, and Stanley Clarke or anyone to support their talents for Popping, Slapping and Thumping... and fingering.

The electric basses in general were never built to support the Funk, but I thought I would change all this, for I didn't spare a dime to make sure this bass was built 100% for Funk.

Keep peeking for my sound clip recordings, I will post them here, and everyplace else.

Also, read my Blog on the Funk... (located in the Blog section).

http://stanley.todhdsocial.com/blog.php?user=tomahawk&blogentry_id=6

Peace and Love,

Hal-
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 92
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - 11:49 am:   Edit Post



09 14053 USA Toma_Hawk / 76 484 USA Shorty



(Message edited by the_jester on February 24, 2010)
funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 552
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - 12:36 pm:   Edit Post

I love the chocolate Ebony stringer. So you use the Stanley Clarke wood screw method for your strap.

Did you supply the exquisite wood for the top & back?
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 93
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - 1:17 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks FunkJJ,

When I received the Toma_Hawk
from Mica, I had already requested
her not to drill any holes into
the bass for the typical metal
pins that's put on 99% of basses,
because I wanted to use leather
strap locks, and I wanted to take
pictures of this bass without them...
(Of course for historic reasons,
I also wanted put the finishing touches...)

So, when I got the bass home, the bass were
completely without any holes for screws.
(A rare picture moment indeed...)

I hate metal pin locks.

I prevented an accident with my
first Alembic from the 80's, when
the pin from the tail came off, but
I was holding the neck, so that was
a close call.

With these leather lock straps, the
straps are double folded, per screw.
The leather lock straps stays on your
bass, but enables you to change shoulder
straps with ease. I also like the fact
that no more pins to hassles, only soft
leather touches my guitars asses.


Peace and Love,

Hal-



(Message edited by the_jester on February 24, 2010)
altgrendel
Intermediate Member
Username: altgrendel

Post Number: 119
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Thursday, February 25, 2010 - 8:51 am:   Edit Post

sound clip please?
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 97
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Monday, March 01, 2010 - 7:22 pm:   Edit Post

gregduboc
Advanced Member
Username: gregduboc

Post Number: 350
Registered: 11-2008
Posted on Monday, March 01, 2010 - 7:36 pm:   Edit Post

"Would you dare to funk with me? I will slap you with no mercy! "
(No pun intended!) :-)
Now that we have the looks, sound clips are mandatory!

Greg
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 98
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Monday, March 01, 2010 - 8:36 pm:   Edit Post

Greg,

believe it or not that's all
I been doing... is recording.
You will not believe the way
this bass sounds.

This bass is truly from another world.

Honestly, I feel like Moses returning
with the 10 commandments, --
"The Commandments" of what a Funk Bass
should be, and sound like...
(and in absolute and in no
compromising terms...)

The wings of this bass, projects the
sound waves for a even fuller and
stronger slap and pop. Man, this bass
will make you move and get on the dance
floor, and get the ladies "to shake
that thang"... :-)

The Toma_Hawk is pure muscle, and it
can handle the beat down I give it,
leaving me exhausted, but wanting more.

Yeah, it's everything, and much more.

I was right with this design, and it's
perfectly clear now. Looks is only
skin deep, it's about the heart --
accepting love, peace, faith and
believing in those things that are
real. Negative people are sad people
and there's nothing you could do for
them but pray, that they find peace
too. I celibate getting out of bed
each day, to add a good mark on my
soul, because before you know it
the parties over. Life is too short
for the BS.

Not even Stanley Clarke could resist
himself from acknowledging the beauty
of the Toma_Hawk... That's cool enough
right there...

But besides all this, what is important is
I see the light of this magnificent bass.

So, now my brother, my battle is over, and I
found victory in having my ultimate dream bass.
Greg, I know you're going to love the sound of
this bass coming out from my Mesa Boogie double
amps.

P.S., Sometime around May, I hope to be hooking up with Stanley. I'll email you the sound clips of that encounter too.

P.S. This bass is almost as cool as me :-)

Peace and Love,

Hal-



(Message edited by the_jester on March 01, 2010)
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 683
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 02, 2010 - 4:29 am:   Edit Post

good pic Hal......for a minute i thought i was the only Black guy here!.....(besides jazzyvee).
garth4664
Intermediate Member
Username: garth4664

Post Number: 111
Registered: 10-2008
Posted on Tuesday, March 02, 2010 - 6:21 am:   Edit Post

Hal that bass is one bad ass motherfunker. Your LEDs look great too. It's just "right" and looks better on a strap than on a stand. I'm glad I'm not there to play it, there would be little chance of me escaping without placing an order to Alembic for a Toma_hawk.
gregduboc
Advanced Member
Username: gregduboc

Post Number: 351
Registered: 11-2008
Posted on Tuesday, March 02, 2010 - 7:59 am:   Edit Post

Hal, I'm really glad your bass came out the way you expected. It must be an amazing feeling, a feeling of having completed a perfect extension to your body and your musical believes.
I believe everyone here is really anxious to see how it will sound coming out of you Mesa Boogie stack!
And I know the feeling of not being able to stop playing and recording to see how it plays and sounds like... That is exactly what I'm doing with my new Stanley Clarke Deluxe....

Greg
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 99
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Tuesday, March 02, 2010 - 9:23 am:   Edit Post

#12 I seriously doubt you didn't
know my African American heritage
after showing pictures of my brother
and mom at Disneyland in the 60's.

Also, I had posted my little girl
posing next to my Alembic... LOL!!!


Peace and Love,

Hal-

(Message edited by the_jester on March 02, 2010)
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 100
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Tuesday, March 02, 2010 - 10:36 am:   Edit Post

Garth,

The Alembic Toma_Hawk was about
making a Series Bass
"Cross Over" to "THE LAND OF FUNK"
and be "FUNK-TISED".

From a pure design perspective,
this is the bass I told
Stanley Clarke, if I was in
the bass design game, I would
had built this bass for him
and Larry Graham 30 years ago
because I believe it would had
provide the versatility, and
freedom not known to any bass
I seen them play.

Yes, I agree, this is a bold
statement, but it's the truth.
The Funk style of playing had
moved this industry, and I hope
musician start considering
designing their instruments,
that honestly addresses, and
supports their style of playing
instead of "one type fit all"...

Also, I can't see paying over
$10,000 - $30,000 on a body design
that never considered Slap, Pop, Strum,
or Thump playing styles. For me, fingering
is cool, but it's year "2010" for heaven
sakes, Design a bass for the Funk!
(So, I did...)

Alembic Inc. get's my deepest
blessings for taking on such a
challenge, and they did an
outstanding job in raising
the Bar! (LOL!!!)

I can only pray, they continue to support
others as they'd supported my dreams.
I simply can't thank them enough for what
they did in the past, and what they done
for me.

Honestly, if I known this
bass would sound this good, if
Toma_Hawks were available;
I would had paid double or
even triple the price, because
the sound and design is just
"THAT GOOD!"

But since I came up with the concept,
and design, I was given a generous
and righteous discount.

P.S. - Some Alembics are more hollowed
(like my 1976 Shorty) and it gives that
"Traditional Alembic sound..."

However, Toma_Hawk is a much thicker, and
more solid bass as a whole. It's
"PURE MUSCLE" with no fillers...
In fact, my drummer said
the Toma_Hawk's vermilion wood
markings, looked as if the skin
was striped -- exposing only
the muscle cells... (a very
good analogy indeed). LOL!!!


Peace and love,

Hal-



(Message edited by the_jester on March 02, 2010)
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 101
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2010 - 9:50 am:   Edit Post

Hal's "Ucayalis" and "Ipods"

the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 102
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2010 - 10:55 am:   Edit Post

The Toma_Hawk: The Early years... Styrofoam and all...

The controls were a little different...(LOL!!!)



Peace and love,

Hal-

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