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jet_powers
Senior Member
Username: jet_powers

Post Number: 490
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2010 - 2:33 pm:   Edit Post

Congratulations or receiving your dream. It's a beauty....
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 104
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2010 - 3:45 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for the good "notes" John.

Peace and Love,

Hal-
altgrendel
Intermediate Member
Username: altgrendel

Post Number: 120
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2010 - 5:38 pm:   Edit Post

Oh

Wow.

That pic of you with the Toma_Hawk is so cool.

:-) :-) :-)
pauldo
Senior Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 444
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 04, 2010 - 7:47 pm:   Edit Post

Hal - Plug that beast in and press the record button. . . . PLEASE!

I know I'm not the only one waiting to hear the heartbeat of the 'Hawk
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 106
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Thursday, March 04, 2010 - 9:57 pm:   Edit Post

LOL!!!

Man, your guys are going to be blown away with the sound of this bass!

Oh, my goodness gracious!!!!
oddmetersam
Member
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 63
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 1:06 pm:   Edit Post

..."for a minute i thought i was the only Black guy here!.....(besides jazzyvee)."

Well, actually I'm Black, too -- and we're facebook buds, for cryin' out loud! Seriously, everyone should be really proud of who they are and their heritage, but when I see pictures of you guys on this forum what I'm thinking of the most is how proud I am to be an Alembic owner and we are ALL a special brotherhood (and sisterhood) because of that fact. I wish I could personally meet every last one of you!

This was really driven home when I attended my first Alembic Northern California gathering back in June of last year (hint, hint).

Hal, you are truly one of a kind and this instrument mirrors that outlook (out of all the incredible shots of the 'Hawk, the pic of the back with the optical illusion-inducing reflections in those backplates is the one I can't stop staring at!).

Play her until the stars weep and Jimi smiles....
dluxe
Member
Username: dluxe

Post Number: 74
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 7:32 pm:   Edit Post

That is one fine bass Hal! Fits you perfectly too. I can't wait to hear the funk.
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 107
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 11:15 pm:   Edit Post

Sam, Robert...

It's people like you and others
here make being a member of
the Alembic Club really worth wild.

Thank you for your very kind
words and gestures of goodwill.
No question, I feel the same way
about you, and of the those many
beautiful things which brings
peace to the heart and soul to
enable us to share special moments
like these.

Sam, I now understand how you and
other feel when you guys picked up
your brand "stinking" new bass...

...and Oh what a feeling MAN!!!!



Peace and Love,

Hal-

(Message edited by the_jester on March 06, 2010)
toma_hawk01
New
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Sunday, March 07, 2010 - 2:59 pm:   Edit Post

Recording time...

the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 113
Registered: 2-2010
Posted on Monday, March 08, 2010 - 2:47 pm:   Edit Post

Greg,

One critical step to
deploying a great
sounding bass, is to
first established
drum tracks and
coordinating all the
changes smoothly in the tempo.

My Korg D32 XD has so
many great similated
drum tracts, you could
tell a story with the
drum kit alone, and I
also have an Alesis DM5
which has 21 internal
Drum Sets, where each
Drum Set contains 61 Notes,
thus each Note is treated
as a voice. So that's a
1,281 voices and combinations
are endless...

Working out the bugs of a song,
starts with the drums and it keeps
my drummer happy too, because
he appreciates my approaches, his
edits.

Peace and Love,

Hal-
otis
Intermediate Member
Username: otis

Post Number: 162
Registered: 10-2008
Posted on Monday, March 08, 2010 - 7:24 pm:   Edit Post

Hal,

Congrats, Brother! I'm so happy for you- I remember what I felt like when I first picked up an Alembic.

I drove 7 hours, one way, with my guitar player at the time, and we finally got there- I was so excited I didn't even want to take the time to hit the bathroom to take a pee- I wanted to see that son of a gun, right away. But I think I really had to go, so I went, but when I came out of the bathroom, I saw that open case, and she was a laying in there, all pretty like, and such...

Here's a picture of the two of us, before I broke her- it's a long story I'll tell some other time, LOL, and I actually have a picture of me and her after I broke her at a show- I'm crying, and I just didn't care...


My and my old shorty;(


Six years later, I found myself holding in my hands the bass of my dreams- a Series II Six. I never thought it would happen, and I didn't even realize that I wanted it, until I broke my 4, sent it to Alembic to be repaired, and purchased my Zebrawood Epic 6 from them (and later sold it to purchase my Brown 6- which I was perfectly happy with until I discovered the possibility of getting my hands on a Series II Six via good old Shawn C. of the Club).

Anyhow, I hope you're crying tears of joy, now, my friend- you deserve it! Play, play, and play some more, it's all you'll be able to do, in response to receiving your dream instrument.

Peace;)

Frank
toma_hawk01
Junior
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 35
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, July 12, 2010 - 12:03 pm:   Edit Post

This first original oil painting of it's kind
and ever will be...

Once completed... The Toma_Hawk oil painting will be auction on Ebay.

One hundred percent (100%) of the monies made from the auction, will go to medical charities.

The music will follow... (FUNK is it's own reward...)



Peace and Love,

Hal-



(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 12, 2010)
musashi
Member
Username: musashi

Post Number: 82
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 12:54 am:   Edit Post

Hello Hal,

Welcome back.
toma_hawk01
Junior
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 36
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 7:23 am:   Edit Post

If you have no critics, you'll likely have no success.

Thank you Musashi.

Peace and Love,

Hal-

(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 13, 2010)
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 1138
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 7:39 am:   Edit Post

That is a cool painting Hal !
toma_hawk01
Junior
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 37
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 8:35 am:   Edit Post

Thank you warmly Wolf.

Oil painting is challenging, because you have to mix the right colors to blend into the right hues of wood tones.

The oil I am using on this painting (for about the past 6 months now), would probably take a few more months -- before its done.

The oil I am using, is a very slow
drying linseed oil base, imported
from the Mediterranean -- so with each
stroke of paint on the canvas, it literally takes weeks to dry.

But, what's the hurry?

I am healthy enough to paint, and I am listening to "Bitches Brew" in the background, and drinking black coffee... being cool --
and all at the same time, praying for world peace, with hopes to celebrate #46 this week
with my children.

Peace and Love,

Hal-



(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 13, 2010)
artswork99
Moderator
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 1201
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 8:55 am:   Edit Post

Happy "upcoming" Birthday Hal!
toma_hawk01
Junior
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 38
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 9:39 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Art...

Peace and Love,

Hal-
toma_hawk01
Junior
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 39
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 3:39 pm:   Edit Post

toma_hawk01
Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 74
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 12:04 pm:   Edit Post

I made it!

I feel good, (and I knew that I would)!
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 1163
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 12:22 pm:   Edit Post

Happy Birthday Hal !
toma_hawk01
Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 75
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 2:18 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Wolf!

Peace and Much LOVE!

Hal-
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 9476
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 4:45 pm:   Edit Post

Happy Birthday Hal!!!
oddmetersam
Member
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 78
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 11:03 pm:   Edit Post

Hey, Hal!
Happy Birthday
-Sam
toma_hawk01
Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 77
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 12:52 am:   Edit Post

Dave, Sam... Ain't that a groove!

Thanks fellas!

Right on -- to the right on!

Peace and Love,

Hal-
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 778
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 6:18 am:   Edit Post

Beat your Bass today & make it Holla sooo loud i Could hear it here in chicago land..........Happy B-Day Funkster!
toma_hawk01
Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 78
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 6:59 am:   Edit Post

#12,

I am Pimp Slap-in,
Body Slam-in,
Thunder Thump-in,
Lightning Lick-in, with Jimi's Voodoo Child-in
to make the ladies in Chicago say: "Oh Sweeeetback, please do it one more time "ah-gin"!
without any Sin.


Peace and Love,

Hal-
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 779
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 7:21 am:   Edit Post



(Message edited by serialnumber12 on July 25, 2010)
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 780
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 7:21 am:   Edit Post

What the hell you know bout Sweetback?........I went to Aptos jr high School with his Son/Actor Mario-Van Peebles.http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/Mario-Van-Peebles
toma_hawk01
Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 79
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 8:07 am:   Edit Post

#12, let me know when you are back in town
on the West Coast, it would be my treat
on dinner at The Ginger Bread House in
Oakland, Auntie Kizzy's or Roscoe's chicken and waffles in Los Angeles.

Man, when you told me you attended John Muir Elementary School is San Francisco
(my school as well...) and attended
Lincoln High -- I know you know D'wayne Pettway? I been married to his sister for 18 years now. LOL!!!

What you know about that!

Peace and Love back at ya!

Hal-

(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 25, 2010)
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 693
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 2:20 pm:   Edit Post

Happy belated, Hal! Here's to many more!
malthumb
Senior Member
Username: malthumb

Post Number: 475
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 4:51 pm:   Edit Post

Hal,

Happy birthday!

Keavin....
"good pic Hal......for a minute i thought i was the only Black guy here!.....(besides jazzyvee)."

Really? This picture has been floating around the A-Club for years....

Malthumb with both Alembics
toma_hawk01
Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 85
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 1:27 am:   Edit Post

Thanks James.

My first Alembic was an Omega Series 1 just like the one you have. I am still hurting when I think of my dumb teenage years in selling it.

Lovely basses man.

Peace and Love,

Hal-
funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 598
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 6:52 am:   Edit Post

Add the me to the list with Serial#12, Jazzyvee, Toma_Hawk01, and Malthumb.

The great thing about this forum is that it does not matter.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 4508
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 7:46 am:   Edit Post

The Gingerbread House closed a few years ago. It was a great restaurant, but no more.

Bill, tgo
tmoney61092
Senior Member
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 414
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 10:07 am:   Edit Post

color doesn't matter here, we're all musicians who love our Alembics and just want to play them!

~Taylor
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 458
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 12:01 pm:   Edit Post

Hey, Hal, happy birthday man (hope not too late to congrat you...)!

By the way, dug your "jetson's" retro-futuristic drawing. What is written on the LP?
toma_hawk01
Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 87
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 1:25 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Mario, never too late.

Just art man... It's all about capturing a mood and an ideas, on life's very few known pleasures.

Peace and Love,

Hal-
toma_hawk01
Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 88
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 1:46 pm:   Edit Post

Edwin, what's happening baby!

Thanks brother man!

Peace and Love bass play-ah!

Hal-
malthumb
Senior Member
Username: malthumb

Post Number: 476
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 8:47 pm:   Edit Post

tmoney61092 said.....

"color doesn't matter here, we're all musicians who love our Alembics and just want to play them!

~Taylor"

No doubt. I'm just surprised Keavin didn't remember that picture, since he commented on it when I first posted it.

Peace,

James
malthumb
Senior Member
Username: malthumb

Post Number: 477
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 8:51 pm:   Edit Post

Hal,

Didn't realize you are the artist of the "Jetson's picture". That is really nice.
toma_hawk01
Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 94
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 10:02 pm:   Edit Post

That's my cartoon picture of myself, doctored from a picture some else sent me for my Birthday.

However, I do more computer 3-D rendering and animation, and I love working with oil resins.

If you'll provide me a picture of your basses, I might make a oil painting of it.

(It might take a year or two, but I would love to tackle it. I donate my art to charity).

Peace and Love,

Hal-


(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 26, 2010)
chuckc
Member
Username: chuckc

Post Number: 74
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - 9:59 am:   Edit Post

So Hal, I've seen your bass from the start of the project through the completion stages. I always had one question that I don't recall seeing anyone ask. Does the smaller, angular body cause you any problems with neck dive? It appears that would be a problem but thought I would ask and see how the overall balance of this design works.
toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 101
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - 11:42 am:   Edit Post

Chuck, (for me) "Shape matters" and I believe
the bass should always be played in the most neutral position as possible.

Not only must you find the groove
that move, but you must be in
complete "Yoga" balance for your body
to hold the sound, to keep it going
until the next cord change happens.

I respect your question in reference
to my Toma_Hawk, because from the time
people first seen my renderings, some
asked the same questions in the
"Dreaming... for now" section.
It's a valid question bro.

When I play any bass,
my arms are in a approximate 90
degree angle. Although I seen
players who play their basses with
their arms in a 45 degree or even
in 180 degrees but it's up to you
and the style you like.

I love the "90 degree bend" of my
playing and swinging right arm and
hand, while the neck is almost appearing at 0 degrees -- allowing my left hand
(my note playing hand) palm completely
up,and flat/balanced -- (without tilting
more in either direction) with my knees,
and legs in a almost KUNG_FU forward
leaning -- (knees bent) stance/posture.

As for the The Toma_Hawk, this is the most balance bass I ever played, so far...
(as an adult), and it's the most easiest,
and most joyful too. :-)

Peace and Love,

Hal-



(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 28, 2010)
toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 103
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2010 - 8:48 am:   Edit Post

Chuck, if I may add...

When Slapping the bass, neck balance
is much more important than playing
the bass in traditional finger play.

Please allow me to explain:

With finger play, your arm
can brace, or nest up against
the top wing of the bass, thus
holding it place, while gracefully
moving your fingers. So, with
the extra support of your arm,
you may get away with a neck
heavy bass.

However, for playing the bass
in the "attack mode" or slap
style playing, your arm may
leave the entire bass "all together"
thus, your bass balance is
potentially more at risk.

Because my playing consist of these
"air attacks" (where my arm, leave
the entire bass) I absolutely,
positivity, without compromise,
can-not play a top heavy neck,
nor a bottom heavy bass, for an
unbalance bass, must be sized and
correctly fitted... (just like
shoes or seeing glasses).

So balance, may be looked in multiple
ways, and depending on the unlimited
ways the bass is played, I believe
every individual should consider their
multiple styles their bass is played,
and to make sure the balance from
the bass are considered, and supported.


Peace and Love,

Hal-



(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 29, 2010)
funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 717
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Monday, December 12, 2011 - 11:26 am:   Edit Post

Hard to believe this beauty is now for sale
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 1784
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post

After reading the length and breadth of this post . . . it's not THAT hard to believe . . . .

J o e y
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 931
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2011 - 4:44 am:   Edit Post

people who sell their alembics tend to regret it later.
funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 719
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2011 - 10:15 am:   Edit Post

Tell me about it.
klinkepeter
Junior
Username: klinkepeter

Post Number: 39
Registered: 2-2008
Posted on Friday, December 16, 2011 - 6:59 am:   Edit Post

I´m still waiting for a piece of music or at least a soundfile , so many words were spoken......
malthumb
Senior Member
Username: malthumb

Post Number: 502
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, December 16, 2011 - 9:57 am:   Edit Post

Folks, please keep in mind that Hal has started a company producing basses inspired by the Tomahawk design. His selling the Alembic Tomahawk is more a reflection that he has everything he needs in a Tomahawk bass in his own products.

Me personally, I'd keep the prototype.....the granddaddy. But Hal is going into this thing (the company and selling the Alembics) with eyes wide open.

Peace,

James
slacker42uk
Junior
Username: slacker42uk

Post Number: 12
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Friday, December 16, 2011 - 11:56 am:   Edit Post

Sometimes after spending so much time designing a bass, you end up hating it. To be honest, the bass doesn't look good. A real shame, because Alembic bent over backwards to come up with the goods for this guy.
klinkepeter
Junior
Username: klinkepeter

Post Number: 40
Registered: 2-2008
Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2011 - 5:07 am:   Edit Post

just in case, if I would thinking about to buy one of his basses (not the alembic..), where the hell i should ask or look for it?
His webside is just a joke, no basses, no offers, not even something in progress, only bla bla about "funk bass" and " The beginning of a new era for basses", isn´t that a bit too pathetic for something nobody has seen before?
And what makes the phantom so funky like nothing else, the alembic electronics? ( very funky indeed!), the bodystyle, the spirit of the "luthier"?
Correct me, if I´m wrong but usualy people start there company and the advertisement for it on a real product instead selling a custom bass made from a major company for a ridiculous price.
Sorry, but that drives me crazy.....,
Peter
malthumb
Senior Member
Username: malthumb

Post Number: 504
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2011 - 9:16 am:   Edit Post

You can like Hal....You can dislike Hal.....You cannot question his conviction. This is a shot of some of his in-progress work.



Peace,

James
hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 1099
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2011 - 9:32 am:   Edit Post

Some of those look like really handsome instruments. I hope he has lots of luck with his design.
klinkepeter
Junior
Username: klinkepeter

Post Number: 42
Registered: 2-2008
Posted on Monday, December 19, 2011 - 10:01 am:   Edit Post

a picture tells more than 1000 words....
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 1121
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Monday, December 19, 2011 - 10:59 am:   Edit Post

....and the first of those words is Photoshop. The buckeye grain runs through the maple & ebony, and the edges & angles are wrong.

Peter
artswork99
Moderator
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 1632
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Monday, December 19, 2011 - 11:11 am:   Edit Post

As mentioned in another thread that has derailed onto the same subject... Several moderators have discussed this and feel that the subject would be best if it were given a rest.

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