Hakeem's Custom Bass "Tomahawk"

[toma_hawk01]

Smokeinbear,
 
Yea, I think things are really coming along, and I was really happy to had been given a heads up from Mica. That was great. Moving the knobs, gives appearance of a wider arrow shape and  bringing the Q switch aligned, and centered with the adjacent controls makes a great difference.
 
This bass is Magical.  
 
The wood colors of this bass, along with shape orientation, really moves the eyes to (5) magical locations:
 
1. The Top Horn
2. The Bottom Horn
3. The Top Wing (the area above the bridge pickup)
4. The Bottom Wing (the area below the controls)
5. The Pointed Tail-end
 
and you can see all five wood types, and colors in one camera angle.
 
Woods:
1. Vermillion  
2. Maple
3. Mahogany
4. Purple Heart
5. Ebony
 
I always believed less is a lot. If you remember, I was going to have some chic pattern on the fingerboard, but I had felt the ebony wood itself was the chic pattern. With the black pickups, control knobs and darker finger board is more natural, and also totally essential to the bare-bone statement this bass makes.  
 
On the other hand, if the bass was larger and a different theme, I probably would add inlays on the fretboard to complement the bass.
 
Maybe next time...
 
As for the ebony without inlays, it's more beautiful, and it contrast smoothly and seamlessly to the head, and down the body.
 
Bear, that was one of the best complement I heard about this bass. It was not to long ago, I had Stanley Clarke's Dragon Breath on my Windows computer; as a Desktop Background.  
 
Once this bass is released for production, not only will I create an archive of pictures, I will be on a personal journey to allow artist to play it and learn their reactions of the magic!
 
Thanks Bear!
 
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 04, 2009)

[toma_hawk01]

Here's a recreation of the Toma_Hawk based upon the body....  
 
I feel like an archeologist  
 

[sonicus]

Very cool and amazing!

[smokinbear]

Hey Hal I know it's your baby so i am just asking not suggsting, have you thought about the possibility of side mounting the 1/4 jack(if possible Mica?) and just having the 5-pin on the top?Also have you photo shopped a black 5-pin jack, might look cool with the pick-ups and q-switches etc. Either way you do it I love this instrument, truely a work of art!!!     Bear

[toma_hawk01]

Thanks Wolf, its getting there...
 
Bear,
 
In the beginning, we kicked around the idea of having the 1/4 jack on the side, and I didn't like it. It looked hidden and took away from the nostalgia of the Short Body pedigree. I also didn't like the idea of drilling through the core where a cord could rest up against the basses and possibly and potentially fracture the area around the hole. I will personally never own a Alembic with a hollowed core from the perimeter walls. I hope this makes sense...
 
So, as far a a primitive hammer/axe goes, The Toma_Hawk must keep things basic and respect the past. Therefore, it was decided to keep the 1/4 on the front just like my 76 Shorty.  
 
As far as black 5-pin back plates goes, I think most of the new series basses have them installed. Again, I am old school with this bass. Don't get me wrong, I like the black plates, but I love the reflective virtues of a chrome metal shine my friend.
 
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 05, 2009)

[mario_farufyno]

Just 2 cents...
 
And what about moving the PU selector to the traditional place (on lower horn)? I'm guessing you are a slapper guy and thats why you choosed to move it first time, but seems a bit crowded there between bridge PU and Pots... Don't you think it could visualy balances better changing?

[toma_hawk01]

Hi Mario,
 
You raise a very good question on the selector switch...
 
In the very beginning, like traditional series basses, the Toma_Hawk's selector switch was going to be on the bottom horn. However, because the potential risk in a person who styles of playing which includes slapping, thumbing, and strumming cords, Alembic proactively moved the selector switch away from areas where people would most likely collide with them. So, being that this bass was designed as my ultimate Funk bass, I would do anything to make sure when the bass was under attack, the bass didn't attack back...
 
As far as visually and balance, I like the arrow pattern far better than having the selector switch on the horn. You have to remember, the arrow pattern also brings balance to the eyes; also if you include all the controls (Q-switches), you will see the pattern of a star.
 
Also, this bass has the magical triangle. Just like when you are in the kitchen... The sink, stove and the refrigerator are within a few steps from each other... in complete harmony.  
 
The first switch I come into contact, and the last, is the selector switch. This said switch is the top switch literally and figuratively speaking. Having the switch at the top and turning my bass on - off/on stand by, means let the show begin or Thank you, Good night.  
 
But when it comes to personal decision as this issues, was not as easy, as I originally thought.  
 
Heck, this goes for the whole bass in general...  
 
Like I said, it's easier to pay the toll, and not be bothered by details. But I am a fool for details...  
 
But the bottom line is: even if this was a larger body, I would still keep the same control layout.
... and with a larger body, it wouldn't be a Toma_Hawk. Therefore, it's like a perfect dog, chasing his own perfect tail.
 
There's more magic in the pattern than meets the eyes my friend.
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 05, 2009)

[altgrendel]

Every time I read this thread, I have to smile.
 
Looking good, Hal.

[toma_hawk01]

That's great to know Altgrendel.
 
I will remember everybody's message from the Toma_Hawk threads. I remember you saying; you looked forward to see this bass in the FTC. That was back in February, on the second day of the announcement.
 
I had no idea how this bass would eventually evolve, but looking back, I love the transformation. Everything looks wonderful. Everything. The raw essentials are intact.

[smokinbear]

Makes sensimilla to me.... By the way did i say how much I like the neck recipe on your bass? Gee I sure do like that neck on Hal's bass;-)

[toma_hawk01]

Here's something I will probably save for memory sake...
 
This is a very close to scaled Toma_Hawk mock bass I made from Styrofoam.  
 
The neck is real, from an older basses I scraped 25 years ago.  
 
(Being a pack-rat pays off...)  
 
The Toma_Hawk prop is good for (2) things:
 
1. Building a custom case, and
2. getting barrings on size and proportion and physical ranges of arms, limbs and fingers, while playing.
 
This mock Toma_Hawk has strap pins, and it's own strap.  
 
If you are wondering if I tried it on for size... You better believe it!
 
Obviously, the neck's heaver than the Styrofoam body, but once the prop is around the shoulders, you really get a clear physical perspective in relationship to size and physical reach while mock playing.  
 
Based upon my analysis with this mock bass:  
 
I predict, the Toma_Hawk will differ from any bass I ever played and better than anything I ever played.
 
Just from the proportion, and the freedom the design provides, are very important clues toward understanding the greatness of this bass.
 
Enjoy the pictures...  
 
 
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 05, 2009)

[mikeyv]

the Toma_Mock

[serialnumber12]

Toma_Hawk you sound like a child on Xmas eve,Happy as Hell.....when was the last time you slept???

[pierreyves]

I'm not alone now to say what I think... sorry it's YOUR thread. Serialnumbertwelve, toma_hawk is sleeping at this time, I hope, because there is no answer here ;o) LOL

[garethnh]

I think that Toma_Hawk is exceptionally excited about his bass - and very rightly so. It is all from his head and imagination and he is seeing his dream brought to reality... what could be exciting than that?  
People with negative opinions needn't post their thoughts - it really is as simple as that; and I for one do not see the need to be negative about someone else's ambitions and dreams - it is just an attempt to 'energy sap' and thankfully T_H seems to have his positive energy carefully guarded - others may have had their dream sullied somewhat and that would just be a shame.
T_H I think your bass looks great and I'm sure it will play great too; I also love your 'Jester Bass' concept too. Good health to you and I am really enjoying YOUR FTC thread.
Kindest regards.