My new Alembic concept coming soon...

[hendixclarke]

Bill you don't have to lose any sleep... this bass will look awesome when its done... I promise.

[mica]

I don't think that clear plastic knobs will wind up looking too good - you'll see the bushing and shaft of the pot, plus the holes for the two set screws and the set screws themselves. These holes will be milky unless you have them buffed, which would be rather costly. Unless you can find a 1/4 shaft knob for the pots and a 1/8 shaft knob for the selector switch that is already made, having these parts custom made will probably be shockingly expensive.  
 
Also note that knobs can be changed at any time! So if you start with a standard knob, and then later find the knob you love, you can always switch them out.  
 
I know you're not going for a clear plastic backplate, but on that note, in case anyone else gets any ideas, that won't quite work because we need to complete the shield with the interior of the backplate, so if it were clear plastic, you'd see the silver paint through it.

[hendixclarke]

Therefore, in moving forward -- The Toma_Hawk bass will be built with traditional standard black plastic knobs and selector switches.  
 
Thank you Mica,  
 
Hal-

[gregduboc]

Hal, if I may, I think the Toma_Hawk will look better with the black plastic knobs. But if you are looking for some sort of invisibility, why don't you try some wooden knobs of the same wood of the top of your bass? That would blend well, if that is what you are looking for. And will definitely keep the looks discrete, in case you still want to keep it that way...
Greg

[hendixclarke]

Greg, your reasoning is impeccable.
 
Discreetness was exactly what I am looking for with the controls...
 
If you remember from other posts, I was trying to do more with less. less, is more...
 
My first attempt were to keep the controls down to only two controls with multifunctional pots, but after learning from others, including Mica it was too much of a major feat, and not practical for the size in mind, for this bass.  
 
I am sure over the many years, after this bass is made (of course...) like Mica said, I will try other knob configurations, and perhaps even wooden ones.

[moonliner]

Since, as you say the trigger has been pulled (or the axe has swung) will we be seeing this move over to the FTC thread?

[hendixclarke]

The suspense is terrible. I hope it'll last
 
Willie Wonka -

[gregduboc]

Hal,
Yes, I was thinking on the original theme of keeping the bass simple, the less, is more...!
I'm glad your bass is about to come out!  
Something tells me that you are gonna have one busy FTC thread!
Greg

[altgrendel]

Are you going to do a boomerang direction change so that the ones above the 12th fret point to the nut and the ones below the 12th fret point to the bridge?

[hendixclarke]

GREAT CALL Altgrendel! That is a wonderful idea!

[hendixclarke]

Fingerboard directional change!!!

[hendixclarke]

UPDATE ON NECK.....  
 

[hendixclarke]

Haste make waste...  
 
Take it slow, that's surly the way to go...
 
Measure twice, cut once...
 
Patients is a virtue...

[elwoodblue]

cool...the twelfth fret markers look like akin to two interlocking hands.
wave on,wave on...

[hendixclarke]

The boomerangs pointing downward, almost symbolically begs  you to go high/low in a flurry solo in an almost arrow like suggestible way...
 
In search of the perfect neck...
 
From the results of my my rulers and digital calipers, and taking neck measurements from an existing Alembic Short Body, made it easy...
 
As a Sub class of the Toma_Hawk project, I dub this name for the neck work...
 
OPERATION: Broom Stick, Quick.