Hal's Toma_Hawk - 2010 - Pure Funk Bass

[malthumb]

Hal,
 
Didn't realize you are the artist of the Jetson's picture.  That is really nice.

[toma_hawk01]

That's my cartoon picture of myself, doctored from a picture some else sent me for my Birthday.  
 
However, I do more computer 3-D rendering and animation, and I love working with oil resins.  
 
If you'll provide me a picture of your basses, I might make a oil painting of it.  
 
(It might take a year or two, but I would love to tackle it. I donate my art to charity).
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 26, 2010)

[chuckc]

So Hal, I've seen your bass from the start of the project through the completion stages. I always had one question that I don't recall seeing anyone ask. Does the smaller, angular body cause you any problems with neck dive? It appears that would be a problem but thought I would ask and see how the overall balance of this design works.

[toma_hawk01]

Chuck, (for me) Shape matters and I believe
the bass should always be played in the most neutral position as possible.  
 
Not only must you find the groove  
that move, but you must be in  
complete Yoga balance for your body  
to hold the sound, to keep it going  
until the next cord change happens.
 
I respect your question in reference  
to my Toma_Hawk, because from the time  
people first seen my renderings, some  
asked the same questions in the  
Dreaming... for now section.  
It's a valid question bro.  
 
When I play any bass,  
my arms are in a approximate 90  
degree angle. Although I seen  
players who play their basses with  
their arms in a 45 degree or even  
in 180 degrees but it's up to you
and the style you like.
 
I love the 90 degree bend of my  
playing and swinging right arm and  
hand, while the neck is almost appearing at 0 degrees -- allowing my left hand  
(my note playing hand) palm completely  
up,and flat/balanced -- (without tilting  
more in either direction) with my knees,  
and legs in a almost KUNG_FU forward  
leaning -- (knees bent) stance/posture.
 
As for the The Toma_Hawk, this is the most balance bass I ever played, so far...  
(as an adult), and it's the most easiest,
and most joyful too.  
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 28, 2010)

[toma_hawk01]

Chuck, if I may add...
 
When Slapping the bass, neck balance  
is much more important than playing  
the bass in traditional finger play.  
 
Please allow me to explain:  
 
With finger play, your arm  
can brace, or nest up against  
the top wing of the bass, thus  
holding it place, while gracefully  
moving your fingers. So, with  
the extra support of your arm,  
you may get away with a neck  
heavy bass.
 
However, for playing the bass  
in the attack mode or slap  
style playing, your arm may  
leave the entire bass all together  
thus, your bass balance is  
potentially more at risk.  
 
Because my playing consist of these  
air attacks (where my arm, leave  
the entire bass) I absolutely,  
positivity, without compromise,  
can-not play a top heavy neck,  
nor a bottom heavy bass, for an
unbalance bass, must be sized and
correctly fitted... (just like  
shoes or seeing glasses).  
 
So balance, may be looked in multiple  
ways, and depending on the unlimited  
ways the bass is played, I believe  
every individual should consider their  
multiple styles their bass is played,  
and to make sure the balance from  
the bass are considered, and supported.
 
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 29, 2010)

[funkyjazzjunky]

Hard to believe this beauty is now for sale

[bigredbass]

After reading the length and breadth of this post . . . it's not THAT hard to believe . . . .
 
J o e y

[serialnumber12]

people who sell their alembics tend to regret it later.

[funkyjazzjunky]

Tell me about it.

[klinkepeter]

I?m still waiting for a piece of music  or at least a soundfile , so many words were spoken......

[malthumb]

Folks,  please keep in mind that Hal has started a company producing basses inspired by the Tomahawk design.  His selling the Alembic Tomahawk is more a reflection that he has everything he needs in a Tomahawk bass in his own products.
 
Me personally, I'd keep the prototype.....the granddaddy.  But Hal is going into this thing (the company and selling the Alembics) with eyes wide open.
 
Peace,
 
James

[slacker42uk]

Sometimes after spending so much time designing a bass, you end up hating it. To be honest, the bass doesn't look good. A real shame, because Alembic bent over backwards to come up with the goods for this guy.

[klinkepeter]

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

[malthumb]

You can like Hal....You can dislike Hal.....You cannot question his conviction.  This is a shot of some of his in-progress work.
 

 
Peace,
 
James

[hydrargyrum]

Some of those look like really handsome instruments.  I hope he has lots of luck with his design.