Author Topic: Toma Hawk on Ebay (Read 806 times)

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #15 on:** December 13, 2011, 11:08:18 AM »

I have a suspicion that if a manufacturer approached Alembic with the stated purpose of exploring design ideas that would form the basis of a future line of non-Alembic instruments, that Alembic would interact differently with that person than the average customer seeking a personalized instrument. On the other hand, Alembic features have been copied by others for years now, and no one really starts from scratch when building a guitar. It's really of no consequence to me, and as I've said, I wish Hal nothing but luck.

lbpesq · « **Reply #16 on:** December 13, 2011, 05:07:52 PM »

I'm with Pierreyves. I just can't take this seriously. A bass company on whose website there is not one single picture of a bass they've produced? I looked up Daryl Hayott. He appears to have at least three different websites. On one he states that Hal endorses him, not that he endorses Hal's basses. And there's a pic of Hal's two Alembics, no other instrument. Why am I not surprised?

Bill, tgo

oddmetersam · « **Reply #17 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:01:26 PM »

Clearly, the mere mention of Hal's name elicits strong emotions in some quarters. To each his own, but for cryin' out loud, folks, aren't we just people first and foremost? For bass players and bass manufactures large and small, the success of one is the success of all. I personally wish Hal all the best, no matter what he chooses to pursue.

The legacy of Alembic speaks for itself, unchallenged among the pantheon of bass manufacturers. Let's just enjoy that, shall we? Especially as we approach the end of the past year and prepare to embrace the new and all the wondrous things that await.

pace · « **Reply #18 on:** December 14, 2011, 04:33:52 AM »

What are Pierre's qualifications for making a psychiatric diagnosis on a fellow club member? There are a lot of 'headstocks' around here that are a little 'off center', that's what I think makes this forum special.

I wish Hal all the best.... I wish I had the time to launch my own instrument line!

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 14, 2011, 04:42:58 AM »

Funk basses / Hal-burgers ?.....the fender jazz & the musicman stingray has got that Funk bass sound cornered. can you imagine marcus miller putting down his Jazz for a Hal-burger? hell no!

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #20 on:** December 14, 2011, 06:11:16 AM »

Clearly, the mere mention of Hal's name elicits strong emotions in some quarters.

Well, as they say, you reap what you sow.

/Enough said.
//Except for perhaps to note my best wishes to each and every member of this forum for health, wealth, and happiness. And not necessarily in that order.

bluplirst · « **Reply #21 on:** December 14, 2011, 10:46:52 PM »

Wow, you can buy both his basses for $2000 less than just the TOMA! That is a bargain right there! LOL!

bigredbass · « **Reply #22 on:** December 14, 2011, 10:59:02 PM »

I'm thinking if he makes a go of this, he'll probably need to hire someone to handle Customer Service.

J o e y

malthumb · « **Reply #23 on:** December 17, 2011, 05:15:23 PM »

Guys,

Seriously.....let it rest. I've been in touch with Hal through other arenas. He has built a number of basses on the Tomahawk body style. He is not fly-by-night and a number of bassists have expressed interest in his instruments.

As far as whether or not he was up front in his intentions with having Alembic build the original....I'll wait for Mica, Susan, Mary, or Ron to complain. Until they do, it is what it is. But remember, the body design is Hal's.

For the record, one of my basses that gets the most comment and questions was designed by a guy named Jon Clarke. He first had Chris Stambaugh build one for him. Then he had Jacob Marchlewski build one for him and was more satisfied with Marchlewski's product, a 4-string fretless. I asked Jon if he would mind if I had Marchlewski make a fretted 5 for me. Jon was not only accommodating, but he set up a website for me to track progress (ala Alembic's FTC). Point is, even though Stambaugh built the first one, it is still Jon's design to have built wherever he wants.

I think Hal is in the same position, provided he doesn't pinch Alembic's headstock designs or electronics designs.

Peace,

James

(Message edited by Malthumb on December 17, 2011)

sjhoffma · « **Reply #24 on:** December 18, 2011, 12:15:02 AM »

Prices seem to keep going up on ebay... I haven't posted my thoughts on this before... but are you F-ing kidding me!?! His bass is a regular Series bass with a modified body shape. The contours, the way the sides are carved, the heel, is all ALEMBIC.

From what I remember reading about the toma hawk and watching the updates as the build went on, Hal was just a normal customer who was excited about his custom instrument.

Seems to me like he regrets paying the ridiculous price (a fault of the economy's, not our beloved Alembic's) that a custom Series II instrument costs and sees this as a way to make back his investment?

From the pics on his site it just looks to me as if hes having a whack at building a hippie sandwich neck through, which up until the point I see it on the site, has just been gluing, cutting and sanding, so who knows how the final product will even turn out... especially considering he probably won't be able to put Series electronics on his basses, which means they likely wont be anything in comparison to an Alembic... which makes me wonder why anyone would pay so much for them....

It all sounds a little crazy to me... just saying.

I built my first A style Mandolin this month, I'm not about to make a blog/website advertising myself as a luthier, talking about the start of a new business, and posting up photos of the build process. If I did I would sell the first few instruments I built for next to nothing. I could imagine if he wants 18,000 for the toma hawk, he probably wants a ridiculous amount for a funk bass

I also wouldn't order a custom build based on my specs, then re sell it as my own.... thats what custom builds are... the customers specs!! It doesn't mean you are the maker!!

Sorry if anyone disagrees with me, that's just my 2 cents.

klinkepeter · « **Reply #25 on:** December 18, 2011, 05:10:07 AM »

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

lidon2001 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 18, 2011, 05:58:30 AM »

Is this going to be the next new (what a joke THAT is - where's the warranty?) Alembic Series that keeps popping on ebay with a high dealer price like the burled Triple-O? All it needs is some pictures taken from the second floor of a Days Inn or Motel 6 balcony and he's all set!

charles_holmes · « **Reply #27 on:** December 18, 2011, 06:56:43 AM »

Hmmmmm...All I can say is that I hope that Hal's product is successful and I will not assinate his character, pass judgement concerning Hal's vision. This is America where vision, creativity and hard work are still valued.....Imagine if FORD, the Wright Brothers succumbed to all of the negative comments,.. let's not forget Leo Fender (RIP),... what if he gave up his vision and courage to build the electric bass because some people said it wasn't plausible or stupid or the bass costs way too much and no one would play it because it's not a real bass like the Double Bass? I say to all, send out the positive vibrations to Hal in hopes that he is successful because his bass will yet be another canvas for all of us to choose upon to paint (so-to-speak) our expression of our love of the Low Frequencies if we so desire!!!! Peace to all!! From Chalie Holmes

wookie · « **Reply #28 on:** December 18, 2011, 09:01:26 AM »

I'm with the good wishes to the guy. I don't know him but I think to imply that he's ripping someone off is a bit much. I have some alembics that look an aweful lot like the cutaways of a Pbass with the lower bout of a J and the headstock of a thunderbird flipped around. I also read somewhere something about Alembics early triple omega was ghost built anyway. I love Alembics and everyone here does too but who can look at an Elan or Europa etcetera body style and not see a fender design? Last time I looked the flying V peghead came out in like what the 60's? but I'm not complaining all of these features that I associate with other manufacturers (businesses that I'm not a fan of) Alembic does better and they have the best designs in the world and they are great people to deal with.

It was his drawings Alembic built from if I'm reading these rants right, and Alembic put their electronics in it. they set a price that he agreed to and that was that. it's his to do whatever he pleases right? he could smash it on stage or change a few things and make his own line....if that's what he wants. He and we know it's going to be pretty tough competition to survive making instruments. What are the chances of userping Alembic? Pretty much every bass player dreams of getting ONE Alembic before they die, how many builders have that kind of street cred? Let's wish him luck.

malthumb · « **Reply #29 on:** December 18, 2011, 09:22:39 AM »

As I said in the other thread on this topic....You can like Hal....you can dislike Hal......You cannot question his conviction. Here's some of his in-progress product....

Peace,

James