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NBD, so... I heard you like P basses?

#21
I like it-- a lot-- looks like it can really produce some horsepower. I'm usually more of a minimalist, but I could get to like that. Never be able to afford it, though-- so I'll just have to be happy with my American Standard Jazz V and its nine or ten cousins <sigh>. [/sarcasm]-- it really is pretty-- may have to start another build--
 
#22
Nohrellas said:
Well too bad, this is a "Jake".
View attachment 1009429

Full name: Jake 5a+ 24 custom 35''
Anyway, it's a Maruszczyk bass.
35'', 24 frets, Delano AL pickups, Noll 3-band electronics with passive tone control in passive mode, 3-way switch for the humbucker, hipshot A-style bridge and ultralite tuners.
It's an ash body with a maple neck, maple fretboard (ebony dot inlays instead of acryllic), maple pickguard, all with a matte finish. Just a lot of maple and ash really. I'm still terrible at taking pictures but here they are anyway.

View attachment 1009430
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#24
Jake Blues?

With a bass like that, you need to be on a mission from God.

The_Blues_Brothers.jpg
 
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#29
Man that's a beaut!

I've always felt that Maruszczyk basses are some of the best crafted instruments available anywhere. I think the build quality is on par with anything out there, regardless of country of origin. Their prices are extremely competitive as well. OK, yours had some custom appointments which added to the final cost, but if you check out the off-the-rack inventory on their website, there are some really beautiful basses available for a lot less scratch than you'd expect. They use top quality pickups and electronics too. I know a couple guys who own one, so I've had a chance to see them up close and play them...they are really, really nice. I'm seriously considering ordering one for myself (as if I didn't have enough basses already). Must...resist...GAS.
 
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#30
MrMoonlight said:
Man that's a beaut!

I've always felt that Maruszczyk basses are some of the best crafted instruments available anywhere. I think the build quality is on par with anything out there, regardless of country of origin. Their prices are extremely competitive as well. OK, yours had some custom appointments which added to the final cost, but if you check out the off-the-rack inventory on their website, there are some really beautiful basses available for a lot less scratch than you'd expect. They use top quality pickups and electronics too. I know a couple guys who own one, so I've had a chance to see them up close and play them...they are really, really nice. I'm seriously considering ordering one for myself (as if I didn't have enough basses already). Must...resist...GAS.
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Definitely, I don't want to finalize my opinion yet but I'd say that my Jake is on par with my Sandberg Classic 5. They're very different basses but the craftsmanship and the attention to detail on both seems really really close.
It's no secret that they're made in Poland, and that the labor cost in Poland is obviously considerably lower than in Germany or other places, but they're built by a team of luthiers and that's what counts. The skill of the people making the instrument, not the country of origin.
 
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#35
I feel like the way (or where) the B tuning peg was installed is an error in craftsmanship. Every other string is direct straight to the nut. Not the B. Probably doesn't affect sound but looks strange on a bass that looks so good.
 
#37
FingerDub said:
I feel like the way (or where) the B tuning peg was installed is an error in craftsmanship. Every other string is direct straight to the nut. Not the B. Probably doesn't affect sound but looks strange on a bass that looks so good.
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I wouldn't necessarily say an error in craftsmanship. The craftsmanship is fine. It's a design/aesthetics thing. But I've test-driven a Jake 5 before and it doesn't affect the sound at all. As I understand it, all Jakes and Elwoods come standard with a zero fret (unless you specify otherwise) so as long as that B is coming down from the nut to that zero-fret OK, the B-string will be fine. Most of the Maruszczyks I've seen have a black-colored nut on darker finishes to kind of camouflage the zero-fret configuration, making it less obvious at first glance and helping the visual aesthetics. Attention to little details like that is a testament to the quality of these instruments.
 

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