Switches are tricky to add from scratch but with the wiring in place they're independent of everything else--they sit in between things. If nothing else is changing it's not too hard.
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The Official MARUSZCZYK CLUB!
- Thread starter ulasengin
- Start date
Yeah I was surprised when I only found 4 to 5 flatwound options for a 30" 5 string. I didn't love the Maruszczyk flats or the Dunlops but am enjoying the lower tension LaBella Black Tapes. If there is a next time I would go for a 32" so I could use TI Jazz Flats or better yet a 32" string through so I could have more options - though I think the TIJF would be the only I need (and I don't remember seeing a Maruszczyk string-through). Is yours a 32" to fit the DR's?
First and foremost these are not like Ibanez MR5 monorails although I wish they were. There is no screw with the spring to make it easier for adjustments. If you look carefully at this pic the teal circle has an angled hex screw that locks the saddle to the bridge. You have to loosen that and the string to move the saddle. Then bring the string back in tune to check it, it's a very tedious task. Plus sometimes when you tighten that hex it'll move the saddle towards the end of the bass which is annoying as hell.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.
The red circle is another hex that tightens down the top saddle piece of it to the part of the saddle that slides back and forth. There isn't anything that adjust the string spacing like on an Ibanez.
@NinjaPyrate mine is a 32" scale. There's plenty of 4 string sets out there but virtually nothing for a 5 with rounds. I read some reviews that these sunbeams fit perfectly on their 32" 5 strings. I figure I'll hold up the B string for now to see how it looks like it'll fit since I'm comfortable with the setup now.
I have seen some string through Elwoods and I didn't think of asking for that on mine. I'm sure I would've needed a different bridge which in hindsight I probably wouldn't mind for easier intonation fixes. I have a 33" Overwater that can use standard strings because it's a string through.
@mmbass21 it took a while but this morning I played a bit and it seems that the intonation (and EQ settings) are finally to my liking. I have a list of what I would change "next time" (no-radius fretboard, 17mm spacing, carbon fiber rods, 32" string through, easier bridge, single coils, etc)
I'd absolutely change the bridge and have string through. I went with 17mm, 12" radius, carbon rods and I'm really liking the Delano's from Adrian's recommendation. The bridge pickup is a monster and sounds fuller than a MM to my ears. You bring up and interesting point on the radius, I personally prefer a more vintage radius so I went as close as I could with 12". Never had a 5 string under 14", I bet that was messing with me during the setup. I didn't account for that.
Those apparent lack of adjustment screws is one of the reasons I went with the Hipshot rather than individual rails.
All this talk about bridges and I just realized that 18mm spacing made the "standard" bridge the vintage F-style. I'm not a huge fan of the f-style and would have picked otherwise (the standard that comes with the 17mm and 19mm seem fine). So many details that it is hard not to miss something.
Quadzilla
Supporting Member
Hey all,
I have this Elwood coming to me (Delano pups, Glock pre. This will be my very first Maruszczyk. I've read great things about them.
Question: where do I order a replacement pickguard for it? I searched the thread and all I saw were some people saying to "order it from Adrian", but I don't know who Adrian is and what site to go to.
Also, I may switch all of the hardware to black. I have black Gotoh tuners sitting here along with a black Badass II. I will need to source a new string tee as well. Is that a Hipshot that's on it now?
Thanks all!
I have this Elwood coming to me (Delano pups, Glock pre. This will be my very first Maruszczyk. I've read great things about them.
Question: where do I order a replacement pickguard for it? I searched the thread and all I saw were some people saying to "order it from Adrian", but I don't know who Adrian is and what site to go to.
Also, I may switch all of the hardware to black. I have black Gotoh tuners sitting here along with a black Badass II. I will need to source a new string tee as well. Is that a Hipshot that's on it now?
Thanks all!
Attachments
Hey all,
I have this Elwood coming to me (Delano pups, Glock pre. This will be my very first Maruszczyk. I've read great things about them.
Question: where do I order a replacement pickguard for it? I searched the thread and all I saw were some people saying to "order it from Adrian", but I don't know who Adrian is and what site to go to.
Also, I may switch all of the hardware to black. I have black Gotoh tuners sitting here along with a black Badass II. I will need to source a new string tee as well. Is that a Hipshot that's on it now?
Thanks all!
View attachment 4397959
Lovely looking bass!
This is the contact page, there's email addresses on there. Adrian is the Maruszczyk go-to, nice guy but can come across as somewhat.. abrupt, as far as I can tell he's a very busy man, and there is a language barrier. But I don't doubt he can help you out!
Contact / Imprint | Public Peace
That string retainer looks like a Sandberg, not a Hipshot. Similar designs, but Sandberg's design is on a diagonal relative to the strings, while Hipshot's design is perpendicular.
Oh, and I think all black hardware would look really sharp!
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Quadzilla
Supporting Member
Quadzilla
Supporting Member
I’m pretty sure it’s the same one used on Kiesels, in which case I’ve had a couple. They were fine, did the job and locked in place well. Adjustments were no harder than any other bridge. The bonus was that you can find those bridges for very cheap on eBay, should you need any replacement parts. I actually bought a new bridge (I think it was like 18 bucks shipped) to swap out a saddle before I sold one of my Kiesels.
WSC parts can be found here.
High deluxe 4-string Bass Bridge
I think it is also used by Mayones and ESP.
High deluxe 4-string Bass Bridge
I think it is also used by Mayones and ESP.
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To prevent problems with string length, I go headless on shorter scale basses.
I've considered this but have never had a headless. Would a 30" headless be able to take any strings (like a 32" string-through could) or would it need to be 32"? Is there any benefit to one option or the other?
I'm using strings for 34" on my 30" 4 strings headless Elwood. Depending on the headpiece, I think that the B string can be used as well.
I think the clean sound of the headless will offset the muddy sound of short scales.
The balance can be improved, my Elwood weighs about 6lbs but there is no neck dive at all. The more strings you have, the more benefit you will get.
P.S. I once unwound a string and used it on a shortr scale length bass by force.
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