Author Topic: Toma Hawk on Ebay (Read 804 times)

moonliner · « **on:** December 11, 2011, 01:22:53 PM »

Hey all,
Saw this on Ebay and thought some might find it interesting.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-Toma-Hawk-FUNK-Bass-/320812054489?pt=Guitar&hash=item4ab1e377d9

tmoney61092 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2011, 02:04:10 PM »

he's also selling his short scale series 1, hmmmm wonder what happened

~Taylor

ajdover · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2011, 02:12:00 PM »

I was thinking the same thing.

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2011, 09:24:24 PM »

Just because it's listed on eBay doesn't necessarily mean it's for sale. After all, this is Hal we're talking about!

Bill, tgo

jazzyvee · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2011, 11:18:01 PM »

Hmm...... It may be simply that he is happier with his own designed and built basses. Which is a view I'm more inclined to take until he comments.

I just had a look at his ebay ad and he does make reference to his own line of Funk basses so I guess I may not be too far off the mark.

Jazzyvee

(Message edited by jazzyvee on December 11, 2011)

jacko · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2011, 04:26:21 AM »

I wonder if Alembic knew they were building a prototype for Hal's own brand instruments?

Graeme

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2011, 05:39:41 AM »

Interesting point Jacko ,but if Im not mistaken Alembic have always had a consultancy role in the industry so I don't see why they would be concerned as long as there are no copyright issues. They were provided with a body style to produce and apply their craftsmanship and electronics to and for that they got the price they expected.
Its along the the same lines as that UK American Guitar Company asking Alembic to make some Fender Jazz bass body shaped basses. I doubt whether Alembic would copy another manufacturers design unless specifically asked as they would quite rightly want to produce their own body shapes. ( which I prefer anyway)

Jazzyvee

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2011, 06:51:17 AM »

. . . Alembic have always had a consultancy role in the industry so I don't see why they would be concerned . . .

Well for one thing, most consultants get paid for their efforts.

However,I doubt the good folks at Alembic are going to lose any sleep. I wish Hal nothing but good luck, but starting any small business is difficult, and breaking into a market like this one which is dominated by major international manufacturers and an untold number of hobbyist builders (who would love to make instruments for a living) must be even more difficult. But who knows? Maybe he'll get lucky and secure an endorsement deal from a famous artist. He seems to be advertising only to funk musicians, but sometimes finding a niche market is the best strategy. I'm impressed that he has the guts to give it a shot, wherever it leads.

keith_h · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2011, 07:04:38 AM »

He's also selling his small body Series 1.

Keith

crobbins · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:12:57 AM »

Hal's Funk Basses.

http://thefunkbassdiary.wordpress.com/category/hals-funk-basses/

pierreyves · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:25:00 AM »

maybe Hal suffer of bipolar affective disorder ?
for a few months we have not heard, and then there is a phase of hyperactivity like it was on his FTC ?
just a hypothesis..
someone has already heard playing bass ?
just a question...

bsee · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:31:36 AM »

Kevin, Hal did pay Alembic for their consultation, at least indirectly. It would appear that he paid them to build the Toma-Hawk as a prototype. He seemed to be in such constant communication that he probably got pics and info during construction to get an idea of how things were done as well.

Once he got his hands on it and found that it was good, he was in a position to duplicate the construction if his wood-working skills and wood supply are up to the task. I went to the link that Craig posted, and there doesn't seem to be any information there. The best I could find was a picture that looked like he was doing some final sanding on the neck of a completed instrument.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #12 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:50:39 AM »

Bob, I suppose someone could make that argument, although I suspect that if it had been the CEO of Fender in the same situation instead of Hal, there would be more than a few eyebrows raised when they started production on basses inspired by the design.

keith_h · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2011, 10:17:08 AM »

As I recall Hal provided the initial drawings and I seem to recall he even made a mock up of the body that went to Alembic. I did notice that he has changed the peg head shape on his bass.

Keith

gtrguy · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2011, 10:44:07 AM »

Oddly enough, musicians are a pretty traditional bunch of people when it comes to new designs of guitar shapes, as many a builder has found out to their dismay. However, best of luck to him.

Dave