The Official MARUSZCZYK CLUB!

[BlueTalon]

I noticed the Sputnik places the pickups closer to the bridge, that would be my preference (I used the Sputnik placement on this image below). Has anyone requested a custom pickup placement on a Frog? is there a surcharge for that?
View attachment 4354349

I didn't on mine, but I reserve the right to order another one in the future with three pickups. And if that happens, probably every pickup would be custom placed.

And I'm pretty sure there would be a surcharge, even with just two pickups.

By the way, your picture prompts me to post once again post a gratuitous image of my Frog.

 

[Barticus]

I didn't on mine, but I reserve the right to order another one in the future with three pickups. And if that happens, probably every pickup would be custom placed.

And I'm pretty sure there would be a surcharge, even with just two pickups.

By the way, your picture prompts me to post once again post a gratuitous image of my Frog.
View attachment 4354368

yeah, that color is pretty killer!
Have you received it yet?
Is that the Poplar Eye top?

 

[TK4261]

Got the dreaded FedEx Operational Delay notice for my Elwood.....Hope they work it out soon...the thought of it sitting somewhere for an extended period of time is not ideal.

 

[BlueTalon]

yeah, that color is pretty killer!
Have you received it yet?
Is that the Poplar Eye top?

Yes on the Eye Poplar, no I haven't received it yet. I expect it in about 4-6 weeks. And thank you!

 

[kingmusicism]

I've received LED info back it adds cost but not too crazy, so I'm doing my final research on LED components now. I've finalized my inlay design, since it is a Frog from Germany, shouldn't it have a Frog holding a beer-stein? Of course it should!!!

I'm still on the fence about Frog vs. Sputnik body, I really like the size/height of the Sputnik body as I think my Frog 5 is a little too tall... but If I go Sputnik it may still get the beer-stein holding frog

View attachment 4353717

Thanks for making this point. I thought smaller on the Frog.

 

[NinjaPyrate]

I've never understood why basses like the Sputnik do not have an upper cutaway. I thought it would add weight and contribute to the neck dive factor. Is there a benefit or is it aesthetics? Please enlighten me fellow Maruszczyk owners.

 

[Barticus]

I've never understood why basses like the Sputnik do not have an upper cutaway. I thought it would add weight and contribute to the neck dive factor. Is there a benefit or is it aesthetics? Please enlighten me fellow Maruszczyk owners.

It's just a single cutaway (SC) style, like a Les Paul or Tele. Usually neck dive is associated with balance is the strap on the upper horn isn't far enough forward (usually around the 12th) and the body being too light. I've owned a couple different SCs, style preference really. This is somewhat shown in my avatar with several different headless.

 

[mmbass21]

Just curious what everyone is using for strings on their 5 string 32" scale basses. I prefer nickels but not sure what out there fits when I get mine. Especially since I hear the Maruszczyk strings are soso.

 

[BassmanM]

Just curious what everyone is using for strings on their 5 string 32" scale basses. I prefer nickels but not sure what out there fits when I get mine. Especially since I hear the Maruszczyk strings are soso.

I no longer have my Elwood, but I remember that a 130 b-string did not fit, so I couldn't use my preferred 45-130 Ernie Ball set. I ended up getting a Maruszczyk set with a 125 b-string.

 

[mkr1]

Just curious what everyone is using for strings on their 5 string 32" scale basses. I prefer nickels but not sure what out there fits when I get mine. Especially since I hear the Maruszczyk strings are soso.

One option - DR Sunbeams Nickel Short Scale 45-125 have a 33.75" ball-to-taper length and that appears to clear the zero fret of my 32" Elwood w/top-load Monorail bridge. The stock Maruszczyk strings sound just fine to my ear, compared with D'Addario, DR, and EB strings I've had on 34" scale basses, but have not had a chance to swap in any other brand on my 32"s.

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[PotsdamBass8]

I no longer have my Elwood, but I remember that a 130 b-string did not fit, so I couldn't use my preferred 45-130 Ernie Ball set. I ended up getting a Maruszczyk set with a 125 b-string.

What kind of bridge did it have? I have the 17mm bridge with quick release and it fits fine.

 

[BassmanM]

What kind of bridge did it have? I have the 17mm bridge with quick release and it fits fine.

It had the 17mm standard bridge too. The problem was not at the bridge, but behind the nut.

 

[Barticus]

I'm hooked on the Skjold Nickel Hybrids because they have a tapered B and E which I have found are much easier to intonate and get low action on my Frog.

 

[Rocket Queen]

I've never understood why basses like the Sputnik do not have an upper cutaway. I thought it would add weight and contribute to the neck dive factor. Is there a benefit or is it aesthetics? Please enlighten me fellow Maruszczyk owners.

I believe that the primary rationale for a single-cut bass is that with the upper bout attached to the neck, it substantially stiffens the neck; and since the upper strap button is no closer to the body than with a conventional upper horn, the balance is just as good.

 

[mmbass21]

One option - DR Sunbeams Nickel Short Scale 45-125 have a 33.75" ball-to-taper length and that appears to clear the zero fret of my 32" Elwood w/top-load Monorail bridge. The stock Maruszczyk strings sound just fine to my ear, compared with D'Addario, DR, and EB strings I've had on 34" scale basses, but have not had a chance to swap in any other brand on my 32"s.

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Good to know this. I've never played on DRs but I'd certainly try these. I guess I'll need to do some measuring from ball end to taper. Annoying that manufacturers don't post this info on all their strings.

 

[Barticus]

I believe that the primary rationale for a single-cut bass is that with the upper bout attached to the neck, it substantially stiffens the neck; and since the upper strap button is no closer to the body than with a conventional upper horn, the balance is just as good.

Agree, I think this was originally done as a way to provide additional stability for Anthony Jackson by Fodera on his 6 string contrabass bass.

 

[phillipkregg]

Has anyone here played a Maruszczyk along with a Sandberg?

I'm considering either an Elwood or a VM5 for my next 5 string.

 

[BassmanM]

Has anyone here played a Maruszczyk along with a Sandberg?

I'm considering either an Elwood or a VM5 for my next 5 string.

I used to own an Elwood (still own a Mr Tee and a Frog) and have tried many Sandberg basses in music stores. The Sandbergs always felt very solid and well built, perhaps with a little more attention to detail than the Maruszczyks.

However, I often found the Sandbergs, especially the California series basses, to be very "lifeless" in sound. I think this is mainly due to those pickups with the large pole pieces, which the majority are equipped with, and the unimpressive pre-amp. I am also not a fan of reversed p pickups.

Maruszczyk definitely offers more customization for the same or less €$£ and their configurator is much much better. On top of the options available there, I have heard of hardly anything they wouldn't be willing and able to build. And you don't have to wait for your bass as long as for a (custom) Sandberg.

Probably nothing wrong with a Sandberg either, as long as it comes with some decent pickups that one enjoys the sound of.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Has anyone here played a Maruszczyk along with a Sandberg?

I'm considering either an Elwood or a VM5 for my next 5 string.

I have a short scale Elwood 5 and just got a Sandberg Lionel (short scale P). They're obviously different in many regards, but they both seem to be very close in quality (and both very good). I think it probably comes down to if you can get the options you want on both, and then the cost. For example, I don't know if Sandberg lets you choose different pickups, but that's a big plus for Maru in my opinion. However the Sandberg comes with their branded hardware, which feels nicer than the (fine, functional, but generic) standard Maru hardware.

 

[TK4261]

Has anyone ever received a one piece solid body Maru before? I know its very rare for some manufactures but I've seen one piece Swamp Ash bodies from other builders before.