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The Official MARUSZCZYK CLUB!
- Thread starter ulasengin
- Start date
…..
Dayum! That is one helluva collection! I love those Rics. I did this comparison to give myself a sense of what to expect when I got the Frog:
Took the plunge and made my first Maruszczyk order - decided to go a bit more basic for my first build, I did spec out much more elaborate options but ultimately just went for what I already know I love in my current basses.. but more.
30" Elwood C, Delano AL P/MM pickups with a series/parallel/singlecoil switch for the bridge, Ultralite lollipops. I've wanted an orange Jazz bass since I watched Kill Bill 15+ years ago, so now I had the choice, it ended up being a no brainer to go with this finish.
The few non-configurator options I asked for (spare BWB guard, Hipshot 3 string retainer, rolled fingerboard edges) were no problem and didn't really add much to the quoted price. Went with Bass Direct here in the UK to avoid surprises with customs/VAT etc in the current landscape. All in, it comes to the same or maybe a little less than an American Performer Jazz, and considerably cheaper than an American Pro Jazz, with components I'll be happier with. Blows my mind a bit, hopefully it'll live up to my expectations in hand.
30" Elwood C, Delano AL P/MM pickups with a series/parallel/singlecoil switch for the bridge, Ultralite lollipops. I've wanted an orange Jazz bass since I watched Kill Bill 15+ years ago, so now I had the choice, it ended up being a no brainer to go with this finish.
The few non-configurator options I asked for (spare BWB guard, Hipshot 3 string retainer, rolled fingerboard edges) were no problem and didn't really add much to the quoted price. Went with Bass Direct here in the UK to avoid surprises with customs/VAT etc in the current landscape. All in, it comes to the same or maybe a little less than an American Performer Jazz, and considerably cheaper than an American Pro Jazz, with components I'll be happier with. Blows my mind a bit, hopefully it'll live up to my expectations in hand.
I got the shipping notification for my Frog. For the first time in this whole process, I'm getting antsy about waiting!
I'm planning my next build and i've noticed there was a Facebook post with, what looks like a (semi-)hollow elwood with a f-hole.
Has anyone ever asked about hollowbody options in other models than the joker/Cazpar?
A (extra deep) hollowbody Frog 6 would be pretty neat. I thought I'd check here first, before sending an email to Adrian
Has anyone ever asked about hollowbody options in other models than the joker/Cazpar?
A (extra deep) hollowbody Frog 6 would be pretty neat. I thought I'd check here first, before sending an email to Adrian
Just based on the shape of the frog, I'm guessing there wouldn't be a lot of volume available to be hollow, even if they did make it deeper. But I'll be interested in the response from Adrian.
I've been mocking up a possible Cazpar hollowbody build but not sure if and when I'll pull the trigger. To me the Cazpar looks like a slimmed down Frog so I'm thinking that if they can do it with the Cazpar they could also with the Frog? I didn't ask Adrian, I was initially just going off of the builder because the Cazpar has the hollowbody option but I'd be interested in the Frog if hollowbody is an option. If I get another bass from him hollowbody is the first option I'm after.
So I had my NBD a few days ago but been too busy to get any decent pics in light after work. I will say I love the bass and all the available tonal options. Took me a minute to understand which switch was which and the fact that with the Delano preamp for the midswitch to do anything you need to have it turned past the center dent, not used to that. The setup was tough too, personally don't know how anyone can play with action so low.
Overall fit and finish is very nice. To be picky there are some small nicks along the black binding on both sides of the neck, that will happen over time but not usually from new. The screws in the black hardware for the bridge have some of the black worn off from whatever screwdriver they used. The camera picked up on more dust than I was expecting with that shot.
My only real reservation is the fact that they didn't change the switch for the mid-select to black to match everything else. I did email Adrian about it and he said they don't typically change the hardware from what comes with preamps but after seeing it said it's something to consider. I feel like he should've told me up front and maybe I would've changed my color scheme. Outside of this I absolutely love it!!!
Overall fit and finish is very nice. To be picky there are some small nicks along the black binding on both sides of the neck, that will happen over time but not usually from new. The screws in the black hardware for the bridge have some of the black worn off from whatever screwdriver they used. The camera picked up on more dust than I was expecting with that shot.
My only real reservation is the fact that they didn't change the switch for the mid-select to black to match everything else. I did email Adrian about it and he said they don't typically change the hardware from what comes with preamps but after seeing it said it's something to consider. I feel like he should've told me up front and maybe I would've changed my color scheme. Outside of this I absolutely love it!!!
Congrats on the beautiful new bass! It's possible the neck might have settled a bit during transit, but assuming it's still set up like it was at Maruszczyk, that's not a bad problem to have. You can easily adjust the action up to your liking. It's a better problem to have than the opposite.
When I was in the Marine Corps, there was this flat black touch-up stuff you could get for rank devices that go on your collar. It was fairly durable but not permanent. You might consider getting a little bottle of that. Put some on with a Q-tip, and your metal switch becomes a black metal switch. (Just don't goop it into the switch part, duh.)
I've pretty much accepted the switch color. The day someone else says something is when my OCD will go off I'm sure.
Honestly not knocking it but this was the hardest setup I've ever had to do. After getting the action where I was comfortable with it the intonation was all out of whack. Fixed that then the neck really settled in and the action was a mile off the fretboard. I got frustrated on Sat and just put it in the case overnight and was able to fix everything Sunday afternoon. It plays and sounds amazing now.
Bonding time!
For the switches, when you can't stand it anymore buy a soldering gun swap out both--it should be fairly easy as preamp mods go:
3 Way Switch - On On Mini Switch - Best Bass Gear
2 Way Switch - On On Mini Switch - Best Bass Gear
I've been having this experience for a few days now and agree. The action was great with no buzzing but the strings were too stiff so I put on lower tension strings which caused some back bow. After adjusting the truss rod I had to re-set string height (and there is still a tiny buzz on one string). Then the intonation was off so I've been fighting with that for a few days but I think I may have it now (though I keep saying that but the next time I play I don't think it is perfect so I mess with it more). I don't want to raise the buzzing string anymore so I may need to make a slight neck adjustment - and it begins again. Good practice though I suppose.
The adjustments I had to do were really weird. I got so lost in it that I don't even know what I did. I've done my own setups for years and years and never have I had 2 extremes from an adjustment. Had I not gotten it Sunday I was about to call a pro to make sure everything was okay with the bass.
@Bartrinsic thanks for the suggestion, maybe one day. I did open it up to look at the electronics and I can see why Adrian doesn't willingly change out the switch. You'd have to really mark and know the order of the wiring because it's all one color off of the ribbon and not labeled.
I got pretty lost too, and also considered taking it in. Still might if I can't get it perfect but I'll keep tweaking.
I'll change out the strings first because that could be a factor. Finding 5 string sets for this is a pain, I found short scale DR sunbeams that should fit and they come in the mail tomorrow so I'll try them if I have to. This is the first bass where the bridge saddles are all over the place and not somewhat uniformed, as long as it's intonated I don't care.
I absolutely love the feel of the neck on this one, really fun to play now that I've got it right for how I like it setup.
"Customs has released item to post office USA"
"Expected delivery: Monday, Sept. 13"
"Expected delivery: Monday, Sept. 13"
This makes sense because at detent, your cut/boost is 0. Once you move past detent either direction, that’s when your specifically chosen frequency gets cut or boosted.
My question is…how do you intonate those bridge saddles? I don’t see an intonation screw…
I can see that there are two Allen set screws. One for string spacing adjustment, and one which looks like a saddle lock.
