The Official MARUSZCZYK CLUB!

[c5hokie]

I've been lurking in this thread on & off for months, playing with the configurator and in general drooling to order a custom bass. Anyway, here is where I think I've settled (for today, tomorrow may be a whole different story).

Mr Tee, 30" short scale
Body - Ash with Flame Maple Top
Finish - Tobacco Burst, Gloss
Neck - 38mm, Vintage Tint Maple with Carbon Rods, Gloss
Fingerboard - Wenge, with MOP dots and Blue Luminlays side dots
Electronics - passive, Nordstrand NP4V
Hardware - Hipshot Vintage Steel bridge and ultralight tuners

To be honest, the configurator is a bit overwhelming. I have made so many different configurations trying to decide on what I wanted (I've been focused on a P-style Mr Tee or Jake). So any commentary on missteps or things you think I may have made bad choices on are welcomed.

Also, there aren't a lot of comments in regards to the Mr Tee in general or a short scale Mr Tee in particular. Anyone have a 30" Mr Tee and can share their thoughts?

 

[seescottrock]

I've been lurking in this thread on & off for months, playing with the configurator and in general drooling to order a custom bass. Anyway, here is where I think I've settled (for today, tomorrow may be a whole different story).

View attachment 4413122

Mr Tee, 30" short scale
Body - Ash with Flame Maple Top
Finish - Tobacco Burst, Gloss
Neck - 38mm, Vintage Tint Maple with Carbon Rods, Gloss
Fingerboard - Wenge, with MOP dots and Blue Luminlays side dots
Electronics - passive, Nordstrand NP4V
Hardware - Hipshot Vintage Steel bridge and ultralight tuners

To be honest, the configurator is a bit overwhelming. I have made so many different configurations trying to decide on what I wanted (I've been focused on a P-style Mr Tee or Jake). So any commentary on missteps or things you think I may have made bad choices on are welcomed.

Also, there aren't a lot of comments in regards to the Mr Tee in general or a short scale Mr Tee in particular. Anyone have a 30" Mr Tee and can share their thoughts?

I will say that after seeing the grain in the ash on my bass I somewhat wish I had skipped the flame. This config looks really cool though!

 

[who]

Also, there aren't a lot of comments in regards to the Mr Tee in general or a short scale Mr Tee in particular. Anyone have a 30" Mr Tee and can share their thoughts?

@BassmanM has a Mr. Tee, though I think his is a 32" scale, but he can correct me if I'm wrong.

Also, if we're posting potential builds, here's what I put together recently, somewhat inspired by @jbassy's Paddock:

32" scale, E-C, 17mm string spacing
Alder body
Metallic sunset orange finish
Pau ferro fretboard with 0 radius, 45mm nut width
Nordstrand Zen Blades
Possibly a Nordstrand preamp, otherwise would just go passive
Hipshot Ultralites

"Off-menu" options I would like to have, if possible, would be 28 frets, and a Hipshot A-Style bridge with through-body stringing.

 

[c5hokie]

I will say that after seeing the grain in the ash on my bass I somewhat wish I had skipped the flame. This config looks really cool though!

The flame is probably the one thing I'm 100% sold on. I really want a flame top with a burst finish (tobacco or 3-tone sunburst). Everything else is debatable, and my whims seemingly change on a daily basis.

 

[c5hokie]

@BassmanM has a Mr. Tee, though I think his is a 32" scale, but he can correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm pretty sure it is 32" also. I saw several of his comments on how much he liked his Tee as I searched the thread.

 

[BassmanM]

I've been lurking in this thread on & off for months, playing with the configurator and in general drooling to order a custom bass. Anyway, here is where I think I've settled (for today, tomorrow may be a whole different story).

View attachment 4413122

Mr Tee, 30" short scale
Body - Ash with Flame Maple Top
Finish - Tobacco Burst, Gloss
Neck - 38mm, Vintage Tint Maple with Carbon Rods, Gloss
Fingerboard - Wenge, with MOP dots and Blue Luminlays side dots
Electronics - passive, Nordstrand NP4V
Hardware - Hipshot Vintage Steel bridge and ultralight tuners

To be honest, the configurator is a bit overwhelming. I have made so many different configurations trying to decide on what I wanted (I've been focused on a P-style Mr Tee or Jake). So any commentary on missteps or things you think I may have made bad choices on are welcomed.

Also, there aren't a lot of comments in regards to the Mr Tee in general or a short scale Mr Tee in particular. Anyone have a 30" Mr Tee and can share their thoughts?

Spec'ing out a bass is a very personal thing. For example, I am not a fan of sunburst. Other than that, your configuration looks good to me. I sometimes think that lollipop tuners might look good on a Mr Tee.

@BassmanM has a Mr. Tee, though I think his is a 32" scale, but he can correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm pretty sure it is 32" also. I saw several of his comments on how much he liked his Tee as I searched the thread.

Indeed, mine is 32".

 

[mkr1]

String change PSA - I had been toying with throwing a set of flatwounds on one of my M's for a while - and today was the day. My first time actually playing an instrument with flats besides the bottom four strings of an ES-175. I had measured my 32" Elwood from the Monorail saddles to the zero fret and DR Legend Short Scale Flats with 33 3/4" ball to taper seemed like they would work - but I hadn't factored in how far down the silk would start. These sound just fine to my ears, no difference in tone between the zero and other frets - so I don't think I need to touch the silk. The E sits a bit lower in the nut slot than the original roundwound .105 but this doesn't seem to be an issue.

 

[Bartrinsic]

Glad to hear it sounds good. I've played a set with the silk out beyond a nut just barely, but not over a zero fret like this. I wouldn't worry about the nut on this one since it acts as a string guide here not a witness point. The zero fret is where badness could creep in. In addition to tuning stability, I check both attack level and sustain--ears work but a meter on an interface helps too--just compare to the A. I'd be a little concerned about the silk introducing some muting. If that doesn't happen then it should be OK.

 

[Iridescentone]

Elwood anyone? Got this one a few weeks ago. A nice modern take on a classic Jazz bass sporting Nordstrand NJ4 60's wind, Sadowsky preamp and Babicz bridge. Plays great, sounds killer.

 

[pepj]

The P bass config wouldn't be my choice but the flame wood and colours defintely work.

My pref would be to gloss the paint..

Like that Jazz in light blue.

 

[mmbass21]

So between Maruszczyk's semi-hollow Cazpar post today with the Joker headstock and this Elwood above with a Sadowsky pre has me thinking. I wonder if Adrian can source and install the Sadowsky pre or if I have to mail it in.

I'm still trying to figure out the EQ on my Elwood L 5a with the Delano Xtender P HE-M2, HE/S and the Delano Sonar 3MS/E. The overall tone of the instrument isn't as open and clear like my Sadowsky or Overwater. Comparing it is like there's a blanket over my amp or headphones. I do like the tone of it but it's very different. I did try some things yesterday and got it opened up more but it was some very different EQ settings with my amp.

 

[TK4261]

Had my buddy make me a mockup of how my 30" Jake will look with the Koa top I chose. I'm excited...It will have a gloss finish for the body though

 

[BlueTalon]

So between Maruszczyk's semi-hollow Cazpar post today with the Joker headstock and this Elwood above with a Sadowsky pre has me thinking. I wonder if Adrian can source and install the Sadowsky pre or if I have to mail it in.

I'm still trying to figure out the EQ on my Elwood L 5a with the Delano Xtender P HE-M2, HE/S and the Delano Sonar 3MS/E. The overall tone of the instrument isn't as open and clear like my Sadowsky or Overwater. Comparing it is like there's a blanket over my amp or headphones. I do like the tone of it but it's very different. I did try some things yesterday and got it opened up more but it was some very different EQ settings with my amp.

Honestly, before doing that, I'd recommend giving the Maruszczyk preamp a shot. The Maruszczyk preamp might just give you what you want without any issues, plus it's going to cost less, and it will be certain to fit.

My Frog has Delano pickups with a Maruszczyk preamp, and I'm very happy with it (I get no "wet blanket" feeling whatsoever with it). (But since your ears are not my ears, YMMV.)

 

[mmbass21]

Honestly, before doing that, I'd recommend giving the Maruszczyk preamp a shot. The Maruszczyk preamp might just give you what you want without any issues, plus it's going to cost less, and it will be certain to fit.

My Frog has Delano pickups with a Maruszczyk preamp, and I'm very happy with it (I get no "wet blanket" feeling whatsoever with it). (But since your ears are not my ears, YMMV.)

Thanks for the suggestion, I'm nowhere near ready to change anything. I didn't have expectations for it to sound like a Sadowsky. I'll say it's more midrange modern and for all I know it could be the Maruszczyk strings. I dig it's tone and it sounds good in a mix.

Now for a semi-hollow Cazpar with a Nordy big split in the neck and dual coil in the bridge with 17mm spacing and 32" scale could get me to sell my Sadowsky.

 

[HOLM]

So between Maruszczyk's semi-hollow Cazpar post today with the Joker headstock and this Elwood above with a Sadowsky pre has me thinking. I wonder if Adrian can source and install the Sadowsky pre or if I have to mail it in.

I'm still trying to figure out the EQ on my Elwood L 5a with the Delano Xtender P HE-M2, HE/S and the Delano Sonar 3MS/E. The overall tone of the instrument isn't as open and clear like my Sadowsky or Overwater. Comparing it is like there's a blanket over my amp or headphones. I do like the tone of it but it's very different. I did try some things yesterday and got it opened up more but it was some very different EQ settings with my amp.

IMO, The sonar sounded a bit muffled to me as well, so I opted for passive to get a clearer sound.

 

[mmbass21]

IMO, The sonar sounded a bit muffled to me as well, so I opted for passive to get a clearer sound.

Interesting, I'll play around more in passive mode then to see. I did notice in passive the treble knob is a passive tone control which is unexpectedly nice.

 

[BlueTalon]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'm nowhere near ready to change anything. I didn't have expectations for it to sound like a Sadowsky. I'll say it's more midrange modern and for all I know it could be the Maruszczyk strings. I dig it's tone and it sounds good in a mix.

Now for a semi-hollow Cazpar with a Nordy big split in the neck and dual coil in the bridge with 17mm spacing and 32" scale could get me to sell my Sadowsky.

Ah, I misunderstood. I thought you were talking about doing a new build, and putting a Sadowsky preamp in that.

 

[mmbass21]

Ah, I misunderstood. I thought you were talking about doing a new build, and putting a Sadowsky preamp in that.

Oh I do mean that if Adrian can install a Sadowsky pre and then put in the Nordy's it could very well replace my Sadowsky. I've just been drawn to shorter scale basses now and find them easier to play.

 

[Rocket Queen]

String change PSA - I had been toying with throwing a set of flatwounds on one of my M's for a while - and today was the day. My first time actually playing an instrument with flats besides the bottom four strings of an ES-175. I had measured my 32" Elwood from the Monorail saddles to the zero fret and DR Legend Short Scale Flats with 33 3/4" ball to taper seemed like they would work - but I hadn't factored in how far down the silk would start. These sound just fine to my ears, no difference in tone between the zero and other frets - so I don't think I need to touch the silk. The E sits a bit lower in the nut slot than the original roundwound .105 but this doesn't seem to be an issue.

View attachment 4413432

l’d be happy to be corrected by more knowledgeable folks, but isn’t having the silk start before the taper a definite defect, if the winding length is specified as being to the taper?

 

[mmbass21]

l’d be happy to be corrected by more knowledgeable folks, but isn’t having the silk start before the taper a definite defect, if the winding length is specified as being to the taper?

I think it depends on the manufacturer. I just checked 2 basses that I have with cobalt flats and Sadowsky blue label and both of their silks go past the taper by about a half an inch.