Hal, I don't think you should get upset that some threads evolve into some other discussions... Every conversation leads to another, otherwise, we would stuck with silence.
I believe that you are probably feeling like this because this thread represents your dream, and some upsetting stuff happened here.
But let me tell you something: I'm placing all my bets that the Toma_Hawk is going to be one of the best basses around. Different, full of passion, original and unique. And you know that nothing should make you feel otherwise.
It is indeed a shame what happened here, but it happened. And I'm sure that will be soon forgotten... because bad stuff happens to give strength to the stuff that really matters.
I'm for sure one of the people here that will follow your bass step by step. Because I realized it is not only another custom bass, but another custom dream. And that is what Alembic does. They build dreams.
Sorry if I said anything wrong here, I never intended to say anything of such nature.
Greg