The Official MARUSZCZYK CLUB!

[foothilla]

Even so, the ratio between these cases (where we have mostly only heard one side to the story) and the hundreds, perhaps even thousands of basses Maruszczyk / Mensinger have produced so far wouldn't worry me. It also happens that I have had 3 basses made in 6 years with no problems, including a headless.

What I am reading about the string clamp has me concerned. Have you changed the strings much on your headless? How does it work with tapewounds and flats?

I am reading about the headless system snapping G strings. I have also read cautions about the head piece potentially unraveling nylon tape windings, and flatwound windings.

While the headless design has it's appeal,....the more I read, the more gun shy I become. At least it is killing my GAS a bit.

 

[BassmanM]

What I am reading about the string clamp has me concerned. Have you changed the strings much on your headless? How does it work with tapewounds and flats?

I am reading about the headless system snapping G strings. I have also read cautions about the head piece potentially unraveling nylon tape windings, and flatwound windings.

While the headless design has it's appeal,....the more I read, the more gun shy I become. At least it is killing my GAS a bit.

I just tried to take a pic of the head piece of my Frog, but it is in the evening here and the light is mediocre for my phone... Will take one in the morning so you know which one I am talking about.

I own the bass since 2016, so yes, strings have been changed a couple of times. However, I only use roundwounds on it, so cannot comment on flats etc. I believe these string types have been a topic here or in the headless basses thread before, but can't remember the outcome. It would be a question to ask Adrian. In fact, I strongly recommend to discuss your doubts with him. I see him as very knowledgeable and trustworthy too.

So far, none of my strings have snapped and I leave them on for quite a while.

If you are on fb, you could also contact Lorenzo Feliciati or Jukka Haavisto, both professional players who use headless Frogs, as part of your due diligence so to speak.

 

[eude]

I just tried to take a pic of the head piece of my Frog, but it is in the evening here and the light is mediocre for my phone... Will take one in the morning so you know which one I am talking about.

I own the bass since 2016, so yes, strings have been changed a couple of times. However, I only use roundwounds on it, so cannot comment on flats etc. I believe these string types have been a topic here or in the headless basses thread before, but can't remember the outcome. It would be a question to ask Adrian. In fact, I strongly recommend to discuss your doubts with him. I see him as very knowledgeable and trustworthy too.

So far, none of my strings have snapped and I leave them on for quite a while.

If you are on fb, you could also contact Lorenzo Feliciati or Jukka Haavisto, both professional players who use headless Frogs, as part of your due diligence so to speak.

I believe most if not all headless systems don't necessarily get on with flats or tapes, simply down to the way th strings are clamped down. It can potentially upset th wraps, not sure why it's not an issue with rounds, but it isn't.
I think of you're careful you can get away with it, but it's something you'll encounter on most headless systems.

Eude

 

[DaveAceofBass]

I'm sort of thinking that a 4 string, 24 fret Jake model with a P/humbucker setup might be pretty much my ideal custom bass. One question: how is the upper fret access? On the custom builder, the upper fret access looks terrible in the provided image on the 24 fret version, like the body is clearly made with 21 frets in mind. But I see basses around that look like they have nice upper register access, like this one:

SOLD - *reduced* Maruszczyk Jake 4p 24 w/z Aguilar, charcoal frost

So, if you get one custom built, does how do you get it with the nice fret access cut away like in the link?

 

[DuluthDank]

Qustion for Maruszczyk owners: How would you rank the quality of the workmanship of your instrument against that of other companies in the price range? I'm thinking 1200 to 2200 USD or so, the range of Lakland Skyline to Ernie Ball Musicman, roughly. I did a bit of searching and although the majority of owners seem satisfied, there was definitely a sizable group who seemed to have complaints, large enough to motivate me to ask. I'm specifically talking workmanship/attention to detail/quality of materials and components. Thanks!

 

[flameknight00]

Not really,....as I read through this thread I am encountering numerous issues that have me concerned. Such as, I was going to go headless,....now I read some people have had issues with the string retainer snapping strings.

I was kind of cautious as well.
Ordered a custom bass and received it in February.
Usually if a bass is good, people will post a pic or a comment and that's about it, if something is wrong, they complain multiple times.
If there are any issues, you can contact Adrian directly and see how things can get sorted.

 

[gigetto]

Qustion for Maruszczyk owners: How would you rank the quality of the workmanship of your instrument against that of other companies in the price range? I'm thinking 1200 to 2200 USD or so, the range of Lakland Skyline to Ernie Ball Musicman, roughly. I did a bit of searching and although the majority of owners seem satisfied, there was definitely a sizable group who seemed to have complaints, large enough to motivate me to ask. I'm specifically talking workmanship/attention to detail/quality of materials and components. Thanks!

The quality is better than the models it is inspired of major brands....for the money. If you spend the money for a Maruszczyck you will not disappoint. In same fascia there are the Sandberg that are good or for the same price but made in Asia Ibanez, Yamaha, or the NS wav

 

[gln1955]

Qustion for Maruszczyk owners: How would you rank the quality of the workmanship of your instrument against that of other companies in the price range? I'm thinking 1200 to 2200 USD or so, the range of Lakland Skyline to Ernie Ball Musicman, roughly. I did a bit of searching and although the majority of owners seem satisfied, there was definitely a sizable group who seemed to have complaints, large enough to motivate me to ask. I'm specifically talking workmanship/attention to detail/quality of materials and components. Thanks!

With my N=1, I'd say they fare very well against those brands and throw in USA Fenders as well. When you factor in the worth of a custom configuration, I would buy another Maruszczyk well before I'd buy any Fender, MM or Skyline. This is especially true since I'm a short or medium scale player and those brands have pretty limited offerings.

 

[xbud]

I have a couple of Maruszcyck 5 strings and the quality, attention to detail, feel, and sound is exceptional for the money. I would definitely put Maruszcyck in the affordable custom category.

 

[AcridSaint]

The Elwood L 24-fret has incredible access and a nice cutaway. The configurator doesn't show that.

Do you have an Elwood C to compare it with? My first order was a pretty straightforward configurator order with a couple upgrade requests in the notes. If I order again I'll have to talk with Adrian and get the scoop on how best to order. I love my bass, but if I could change one thing it would be the basically all of the body dimensions

 

[BassmanM]

Perhaps some of you could chime in here Maruszczyk build quality? to help @DuluthDank with his worries and upcoming decision.

 

[AcridSaint]

Perhaps some of you could chime in here Maruszczyk build quality? to help @DuluthDank with his worries and upcoming decision.

Mine is very well-made. Better than any Fender in the same price range and, imo, higher quality parts all around. The Skylines are nice basses, but I don't think they hold up to Maruszczyk. They also just don't have the finish or build options.

 

[flameknight00]

My Maruszcyk - custom made is something entirely else.
Since I knew exactly what I wanted ( after a long research ), I got the perfect bass for me.
I don't think anything else compares, unless it's maybe another custom made for me

 

[Pierre Ganseman]

Qustion for Maruszczyk owners: How would you rank the quality of the workmanship of your instrument against that of other companies in the price range? I'm thinking 1200 to 2200 USD or so, the range of Lakland Skyline to Ernie Ball Musicman, roughly. I did a bit of searching and although the majority of owners seem satisfied, there was definitely a sizable group who seemed to have complaints, large enough to motivate me to ask. I'm specifically talking workmanship/attention to detail/quality of materials and components. Thanks!

unrivalled. Custom shop sub 2000 USD and 100% made in Europe (and not Far east) , as far as I know. doesn't exist anywhere else.

 

[TonyRo]

I have owned two Maruszczyk instruments and still have one (I sold the other for reasons not related to workmanship), and also own other high end instruments: Wal, Dingwall, Warwick, EBMM, etc. I don't find there to be any difference in the actual craftsmanship of Maruszczyk compared to any of the others. No reservations about getting another either - as far as custom instruments go, unless I was really dead set on something specific to one company, I'd go with Adrian. The freedom to do pretty much whatever at that price point is very, very hard to beat.

 

[flameknight00]

I have another update on my bass.

I have used the initial setup and strings for a while now and the action was medium with a bit of a bow.
This is a good setup for most people, I just prefer everything to be lower.
The new strings, sound a lot better then expected. I really enjoy it.
Currently the bass is at almost no relief and it doesn't have any fretbuzz. This is very cool !
I'm wondering how low can I go with it.

 

[Pierre Ganseman]

I have another update on my bass.

I have used the initial setup and strings for a while now and the action was medium with a bit of a bow.
This is a good setup for most people, I just prefer everything to be lower.
The new strings, sound a lot better then expected. I really enjoy it.
Currently the bass is at almost no relief and it doesn't have any fretbuzz. This is very cool !
I'm wondering how low can I go with it.

with the right "touch" you can go low as s***t ;-)

 

[flameknight00]

I agree, but I still need to wait another 24 hours, don't wanna force the truss rod too much

 

[Pierre Ganseman]

I agree, but I still need to wait another 24 hours, don't wanna force the truss rod too much

sure. Honestly in my experience that truss rod can handle a lot. However can't hurt obviously.

 

[flameknight00]

sure. Honestly in my experience that truss rod can handle a lot. However can't hurt obviously.

There are two reasons for this . The first reason is not to force it , and the 2nd one is to let it " settle" for a bit. Since I might need more or less adjustment then needed.
Why can it handle so low action with no fret buzz ? is it because of the zero fret ?