Maruszczyk

[Green Knight]

He's a monster player for sure; I knew this already from Youtube. It's like a fat chef: you know the food must be good there!

 

[Micha84]

I'm blown away by their diversity in terms of scales, electronics, and styles. (...) what's their business model in comparison to other builders, both big-time and boutique?

Well, exactly this.
They offer something for everybody and then some more, so their circle of potential customers is quite large. Add to that the cheaper cost of labor in Poland and it seems you have a functioning business model.

The downside of this also explains the lower resale value: You don't really know what you get with a Maru. The craftsmanship is great, no question (a Maru J is my main bass) but is it to my taste? I know what I get from a Fender or an Ibanez Soundgear, but with a Maru I really have to know what specs I like beforehand - and even then it might turn out that the combination of all that simply doesn't work.

I would always recommend trying them out, though. If you find something you like (or really know what you're doing when ordering new), you can get incredible value for your money.

 

[T McClure]

He needs to put his price up then.. lol
Built in Poland so the buyer benefits from lower build cost, I'm thinking.

Doesn't in itself make it a poorer product ....old east Europe is building some nice stuff, but resale is not the same as some prestige U.S names.

Maybe rarity is its own thing regarding prices.

I think a big factor with resale is this not being a brand name very well known over here. There might be only one or two shops in the U.S. selling new Maruszczyks. You're only really finding out about this brand if you're a gear nerd, so I bet most bass players wouldn't even think to consider one.

 

[ELG60]

Here are a few I drew up using their design tool:

 

[logdrum]

Compared to Kiessel, you can spec known pickup and preamp choices

 

[iTzPrime]

I think a big factor with resale is this not being a brand name very well known over here. There might be only one or two shops in the U.S. selling new Maruszczyks. You're only really finding out about this brand if you're a gear nerd, so I bet most bass players wouldn't even think to consider one.

The resale value isn't great in Europe either.

 

[KJMO]

I thought Mesinger was the other partner and he focuses primarily on guitars, not basses.

My understanding is that he contracts with the factory to make his designs but that they sell their own designs under the Mensinger name. I think public peace sells some of the Mensinger designs too. There are definitely Mensinger basses (Caspar, Joker, etc.), not just guitars.