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musashi
Member
Username: musashi

Post Number: 65
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Friday, December 25, 2009 - 9:44 am:   Edit Post

Hey Hal,

I had hope that you would realize your Dream on Christmas Day...

In any event, I know that you will be fulfilled by Alembic in the days to come.

Merry X-mas, from the Brotherhood of the Bass.

m
the_jester
Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 59
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 4:12 pm:   Edit Post

Musashi,

Thank you... (for your kind words).

Happy New Year's to you.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 6560
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 6:48 pm:   Edit Post

Everything's loaded:
ready to calibrate
Eduardo's is the next Series on dad's bench, then it's your bass' turn. Will keep you posted as to when he's finished and the bass is ready.
oddmetersam
Member
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 59
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 9:17 pm:   Edit Post

Hal,
I'm literally speechless. This is a stingray, a space ship, a royal scepter, a dream catcher, an alien artifact. I love the configuration of the knobs in relation to the body shape! A tribute to both you and the expertise and artistry of Alembic.

You better get clearance from the FAA, cuz' when you take delivery of this baby you're gonna be on cloud nine!!!

-Sam
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 103
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 11:53 pm:   Edit Post

GOD is good!

Mica, the picture says it all... you guys clearly out done yourselves on this one. I know, if this bass looks this good on camera, it must look fascinating with exquisite beauty in person.

I must admit, I was doing fine until I seen this picture. You know you just made it "extra hard" for me to fall asleep tonight...

But, I'm happy you post the picture anyway. Thank you Mica!

As I said many times, there was never a single question or doubt in my mind on the beauty and utility of this bass. The Toma_Hawk is a clear example of everything I imagined a bass to be, and more.

The whole presentation of the different woods, and colors are all there, and in clear view -- with nothing covered. The quality is in clear view, the quality of the work, is very close to the levels of divinity.

Sam, thank you for your kind words. This is an amazing bass indeed, and a true work of art.

Peace and Love,

Hal-
gregduboc
Advanced Member
Username: gregduboc

Post Number: 305
Registered: 11-2008
Posted on Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 6:06 am:   Edit Post

I don't have to say anything, right Hal?
Cause I'm speechless now...

Greg

(Message edited by gregduboc on January 14, 2010)
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 672
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 7:58 am:   Edit Post

The creation of this instrument brings forth imagery of the ALEMBIC logo in my mind with the hand giving Hal this Bass from the sky. DREAM MATERIAL ! CREATIVE MAGIC!_______ ART!



Congratulations___________________________________

Wolf .
cje
Junior
Username: cje

Post Number: 34
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 9:35 am:   Edit Post

All we need now are... sound samples from Hal!!
briant
Advanced Member
Username: briant

Post Number: 400
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 11:30 am:   Edit Post

Those controls are really close together.
crobbins
Senior Member
Username: crobbins

Post Number: 533
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 1:09 pm:   Edit Post

Very cool. Nice to see it completed. :-)
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 104
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 4:19 pm:   Edit Post

Here's what people had said my bass looks like...

1. A woman's swim suit
2. The Highway Sign of Route 66
3. A Police badge
4. The outline of the Tasmanian Devil cartoon
5. An Alembic Small Body "Smiling"
6. A Pit Bull's jaws and ears
7. A Whale Harpoon
8. A baby Gellyfish
9. A baby Octopus
10. Stitch's Space ship (From Lilo and Stitch cartoon)
11. A woman with a nice sweater reclined, and looking at the heavenly moon and stars...
12. A table lamp from the Victorian era
13. A Diamond
14. A Heart
15. A Car with racing stripes
16. Squidworth's head (Sponge Bob's friend)
17. A stingray
18. An Alien's head
19. An Alien Artifact

To me, I just think it looks Beautiful.

P.S.

As a design rule: Any curvy shapes which takes on the characteristics of a beautiful women, a sleek sports car, or an Alien Space Ship can't be bad... :-)


Peace and Love,

Hal-


(Message edited by the_jester on January 16, 2010)
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 105
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 9:57 pm:   Edit Post

Greg, as always and since day one, I love your bass too Playah.
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 106
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 - 10:05 am:   Edit Post

Wolf, sometimes, it's hard to express with words to describe my feelings of the joys of this creation. Sometimes words are not enough...

So, I thank Alembic for allowing customers (like myself) the freedoms to express the joys of having their once-in-a-life-time, expressions of happiness.

The using of 2-D, 3-D, and low-level animation to me, was a harmless act, and if I had offend anyone, please except my humble apologies.

I just want to assure those who were offended, it was out of expressing my overwhelming expressions of sheer joy of the moment, and on high levels of sheer ecstasy combined with discovery, and joyful anticipations.

So, as a caveat to those who taken offense of the art displayed, I didn't find anything graphically offensive.

Alembic has shown great tolerance, and arguably I had read other FTC's were both language and antics I felt was despicable, and of poor taste, and very racy for me, yet I had not called anyone, or uddered an itch of complaints to Alembic authorities.

PS (Just for the record...).

Just for the record, I never used PhotoShop in my life. I use a rendering tool called: "Blender" for 3-D, and I use a program called: Photo Impact (no longer available...).

J-FYI...
I was not the author of Toma_Hawk-Monalisa art, I loved it so much... I enhanced it :-)

Peace and Love,

Hal -

(Message edited by the_jester on January 15, 2010)
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 107
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 - 10:24 am:   Edit Post

Mica, I LOVE the "Black" 5 pin XLR connector plate.

I was thinking chrome XLR connector plate at first, but I prefer the black back plate instead...

So, please (with sugar on top) "DON'T" remove the black back XLR connector plate.

Everything looks perfect!

Peace and Love,

Hal-



(Message edited by the_jester on January 15, 2010)
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 678
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 - 11:15 am:   Edit Post

Hal,
I have always enjoyed your creative visual offerings .
It is obvious that you possess BOTH the creative vision and the talent to express your self in such a way. Creative expression is where it's at .( art & music context)

Wolf.

(Message edited by sonicus on January 15, 2010)
hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 743
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Friday, January 15, 2010 - 12:08 pm:   Edit Post

Some people get bent out of shape over the most harmless things. Alembic already has its own moderators, and since they seemingly had no problems with any of your graphical offerings, it would seem to me to be in bad taste for guests of their forum to complain about it. I never took these creations as anything more than an expression of your excitement and anticipation. Just my humble opinion.
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 114
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - 2:41 am:   Edit Post

My New Desktop Background Art...
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 687
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - 4:52 am:   Edit Post

Designed by Hal
Built by Alembic
Painted by Van Gogh

I like that Hal, what ever you did makes it look like brush strokes from the hand and technique of Vincent Van Gogh.
( at least to my eyes )
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 115
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - 8:14 am:   Edit Post

Hey Wolf,

Photographer by the Legendary Mica.

What's interesting to note: This is the first photograph taken of the Toma_Hawk, fully assembled.

Enlarging the photo to poster size, would be a very grainy picture to frame therefore, I converted the original caption to a water color art format -- which actually looks like an authentic hand painting. I love the gray background patterns behind the bass -- it adds texture and contrasts the bass very nicely. Frankly, the gray mat, looks Alien like.

I already have the 30" X 25" glass frame, which the picture will be very fitting for my music room.

I also love the guitar photos, on the burgundy couch at Alembic HQ.

Peace and Love,

Hal-


(Message edited by the_jester on January 19, 2010)
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 688
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - 8:40 am:   Edit Post

Hal , that will be great.
Art, Photography , Music & Verse go so well together.
It's a double whammy when your music is performed on a work of Art !
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 116
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - 10:12 am:   Edit Post

Wolf,

Once I take possession, I would be able to render full 3-D graphical images of this bass, and integrate (hopefully interesting) sound and motion along with my original recordings.

Creativity is endless.

I am presently working a custom low-maintenance website to house my body of work. So, after I take delivery, I will not be posting anything other than links to things I'd done, or working toward completing. It's something I can see doing for the next 40 years :-)

Oh yeah, Alembic will always have my support, and gratitude.

Peace and Love,

Hal-

(Message edited by the_jester on January 19, 2010)
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 117
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 9:34 am:   Edit Post

silversurf.jpg
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 6580
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 1:44 pm:   Edit Post

Been sifting through some pictures, and I found this one of the electronics before they were mounted on the bass:
electronics
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 119
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 5:55 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Mica, do you have any shots of the entire bass with the sum of all it's parts? :-)

A nice picture it would be, if you could have someone stand next to the bass (or yourself) for a memory photo shot.

Peace and Love, (Meaning...)

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."

-Jimi Hendrix

Hal-


(Message edited by the_jester on January 20, 2010)
garth4664
Member
Username: garth4664

Post Number: 86
Registered: 10-2008
Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 10:48 pm:   Edit Post

Hello Hal,

Congrats on this coming together. Brilliant and IMHO it really came out exactly as you described it.

I'm happy to take the blame on the Mona_Lisa_Hawk and I’m glad that you liked it. For anyone else who was offended by it please feel free to send me your bill for the tissues used to wipe away your tears.

On a serious note, I'm also eagerly awaiting sound samples and a full post-playing review. The bass has a really solid - "going to last forever" - kind of look about it.

Much to be said of people who have a clear vision and set about achieving it.

Kudos to you mate - well done.
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 306
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 5:38 am:   Edit Post

Hal:
A thought for you: after the conclusion of one of my custom orders I asked Mica to have Ron, Susan herself and others who worked on the bass to sign the inside of the control cover with a Sharpie. That way, the beauty of the instrument wasn't defaced but I had a personal reminder and connection to the people at Alembic who are, of course, the source of the love and commitment to excellence that is the source of all of their goodness. Just sayin'
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 120
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 8:28 am:   Edit Post

Hi Garth,

Thank you for taking your share of the heat :-).

Although honestly, I'd wished I had been the first to combine both works of art as you did -- but you beat me to it my friend...

What's also interesting, both names (Mona_Lisa and Toma_Hawk) uses (2) words and (8) letters for each object. There's a connection even here... (Who would had guessed this?) Wow, it looks like the spirits are in agreement too. :-)

Frankly, this bass is built with the same mind-set of a "Formula 1" Indy car, with least resistance to friction. (In this case, the friction, is my forearm and wrist movements).

The sound of the Toma_Hawk will be what I expect any Alembic bass to project however, with slight variations (as to every Alembic differ in tone). So, since I presently own an Alembic in my lab, my analysis could helpfully make for a fun and easy bed-time read.

I'll create a thread called: "Post Toma_Hawk review."

Steve, your story was a wonderful read (Thank you for sharing...). All Alembics are the best basses in the world, and while some people just own them, and others (including myself) like to answer with answers to: "why -- Alembics are the best in the world...".

Peace and Love,

Hal-

(Message edited by the_jester on January 21, 2010)
hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 746
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 10:55 am:   Edit Post

I'll echo the call for sound samples, particularly something that highlights the ability to change playing form from slap to plucking that you designed it for. Best wishes.
the_jester
Intermediate Member
Username: the_jester

Post Number: 121
Registered: 12-2009
Posted on Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 11:43 am:   Edit Post

Garth, in the beginning, before the bass was created, both Mica and myself discussed the thickness of this theoretical Toma_Hawk bass. She was making a point pointing towards thinner basses and older basses (like my shorty) are thicker than the newer basses. Technology had vastly improved, and boy, the things they can do now... However, I wanted a thick bass. I didn't want the vastly improved thin bass. I wanted a bass as thick as my 76 shorty body -- which is about 1.73 inches in thickness. I just love the solid feel.

Also, there was someone who said the short horns on a shorties are no good for establishing balance, and shorties necks are prone to be "neck heavy".

I owned a classic S1, and yes there are differences, but none of the differences had nothing to do with neck balance; large horns, or small horn. It's a complete myth because shorties are very well balanced and necks are shorter to counter the weight distribution, and in some cases the bodies weigh just as much or the same as omega like S1's.

Technically speaking, short horns are built with a greater emphasis on being built balanced than long horn basses. This makes sense, when short horn strap pin's are not placed on the top horn, but placed on the back of the neck (somewhere around the 21st fret area...).

However, with long horn basses, the emphasis on balance is less of an issue, because the pin's are attached to the ends of the longer horn. Surly from this perspective, you could support a longer scale neck, because it would be like taking a short horn bass, and moving the pin from the 21st fret to the 17th or 16th.

So, having a long horn bass, and attaching the pin to the longer horn beats attaching it within the same area of the neck, and longer horn basses were built to somewhat eliminate the question of balance all-together.

But for me, I love smaller horns because the balance question, can't be ignored and Alembic engineers had already solved this question a long time ago. So, with Shorties, all issues are mindful, and considered.

Peace and love,

Hal-





(Message edited by the_jester on January 22, 2010)
altgrendel
Intermediate Member
Username: altgrendel

Post Number: 116
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 3:44 pm:   Edit Post

Finally, the completed project is revealed!

Congratulations are in order!


Very organic looking, I like it. Can't wait to hear how you like it. I'm curious about how the balance turned out.

Please don't forget to post sound clips somewhere.

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