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The Official MARUSZCZYK CLUB!

Looking for opinions....I have been really drooling over the JOKER B with F holes and can not decide on color and whether to go 32" vs the 34" scale. I really do not play up at the extreme higher frets but there is no choice to go with 21 or 22 frets.
I sent an email to Adrian and he responded quickly that he would be able to match the color/wood appearance of a drum that a friend showed me.
View attachment 4463849

But after playing with the configurator, I also have a high desire for one of these finishes:

View attachment 4463850 View attachment 4463851-----------------------------------------
ALSO, I welcome opinions on the Delano Xtender pickups. Are these traditional Alnico magnets or ceramic magnets? What is your experience with these pickups for getting a "swiss army" bass that can capture Jazz bass vibe, P bass vibe, full range modern sound??
:)

I favour the blue. I also would have preferred a 21 fret board, only because I like having more room between the pickup and edge of the fingerboard. Initially I almost flipped this bass because I was having trouble getting used to the smaller gap, but I have learned to stop worrying and love the bomb. The Xtender split coil is a joy! My preference is definitely 34 scale for a fiver. The B on my 34 is superb.
971512F8-9E7B-468D-B3FF-EB71C292CDC1.jpeg
 
Going off script is tough, even if it is just the colour.
I like the blue, but they say people dont buy blue.

I have a Custom coming and had the same decision and gave an picture example of the colour I wanted.
It should be at least 90% of the example I provided so I'm waiting with trepidation.
 
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Looking for opinions....I have been really drooling over the JOKER B with F holes and can not decide on color and whether to go 32" vs the 34" scale. I really do not play up at the extreme higher frets but there is no choice to go with 21 or 22 frets.
I sent an email to Adrian and he responded quickly that he would be able to match the color/wood appearance of a drum that a friend showed me.
View attachment 4463849

But after playing with the configurator, I also have a high desire for one of these finishes:

View attachment 4463850 View attachment 4463851

I wonder what OUR TEAM feels about my choices:
#1 ---the blue to white burst on a highly figured top wood
#2--- the 3 tone sunburst
#3--- the 2 tone blue/green burst
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALSO, I welcome opinions on the Delano Xtender pickups. Are these traditional Alnico magnets or ceramic magnets? What is your experience with these pickups for getting a "swiss army" bass that can capture Jazz bass vibe, P bass vibe, full range modern sound??
Sorry for all of the opinions/questions, but all of you know the commitment in cost and build time and I don't want to get it wrong :)

That blue combo from the drum would look amazing on that semi hollow, that is such a cool bass!!! Go for it in that color, love the blue! 24 frets for sure.
 
Just got a (very low res) couch photo through from the dealer. Should be with me tomorrow.

View attachment 4446423

So, I was really hoping to be leaving an in-depth review of this soon, and would have gigged with it tonight (if covid hadn't struck my band), but unfortunately that isn't the case.

Got the call that it had arrived with my dealer (who I won't name at this point - got no inclination to shame anyone, just need to blow off some steam) on October 21st - as it was a Thursday, I arranged delivery to me on the Saturday, despite being offered Friday, because of my work schedule. Wasn't given the tracking info, so I just waited in.. didn't arrive. Frustrating, but these things do happen. Dealer refunded the additional Saturday delivery charge, rebooked for Tuesday and gave me the tracking number etc.

The parcel did arrive that day, Tuesday 26th, and the box had a few dings in it so I took photos as I unpacked it just in case. As I opened it, I was a bit mystified as to how the bass was so short.. upon opening the gig bag, it turns out they'd mistakenly sent a very nice headless 6 string Frog to me. I presume the dealers shipped out two custom basses that day and got the labels mixed up. Bass was in great condition, looked like a top quality build, but it was decidedly NOT my bass!

Rung the dealer, packed it up, courier collected it the next day, went back to the dealer to check over and send to the right customer. Just like what would happen to my bass, right?

Sadly, wrong, at least to this point. 10 days or so later, my bass hasn't been returned to the dealer - as far as I can tell it wasn't delivered to the wrong customer so it's been with the courier company the entire time. They don't seem in a hurry to deliver it, and they certainly don't seem to be replying to the dealer's questions and concerns. By the same measure, I'm not hearing anything from the dealer until I contact them (at least every other day at this point), mostly because they have nothing to tell me. At this point that instrument seems to be in the ether. I've requested escalation so hopefully will be told something at the start of the week, because it's getting absurd now.

Financially, I'm not worried. The dealer is a reliable name, I've bought a fair amount of accessories etc from them and never had an issue, they aren't ignoring me, and I'm sure whatever the outcome they'll make it right. Besides, I paid by credit card, so I'll be covered I'm sure. It's just really taken the shine off my first custom order, sadly.

The irony is, I didn't go direct to avoid Brexit/customs issue and to make life easier on my end. If I'd bought from Maruszczyk I'm sure it'd be in my hands now! C'est la vie.

Hopefully I'll be able to follow up with good news next week, but at this point, I'm fearing the worst - and the couriers complete inaction backs that up.
 
Going off script is tough, even if it is just the colour.
I like the blue, but they say people dont buy blue.

I have a Custom coming and had the same decision and gave an picture example of the colour I wanted.
It should be at least 90% of the example I provided so I'm waiting with trepidation.
The whole point of the configurator is to build a bass anyway you want, so really there is no "off script".

Not sure who says they don't buy blue but I have a PRS wood library with a single piece Quilted Maple top that's in blue. I have an Ibanez in blue, a Warwick Streamer FNA in blue… AND I have a custom headless that I built in blue!

So… folks like me definitely buy blue :woot:
 
If you look at what they offer and then the amendments they are prepared to make, means they pretty much do what you want, imv.
Trying to get your head around all the permutations including scale lenght and models is tricky.
I have a blue bass and in itself, it is a looker but can see why the colour is less popular and why i didn't go for another in that colour.
I've seen a few MARUSZCZYK recently, I thought they were well made but poorly set up.
Having said that, that might have been the owners
 
So, I was really hoping to be leaving an in-depth review of this soon, and would have gigged with it tonight (if covid hadn't struck my band), but unfortunately that isn't the case.

Got the call that it had arrived with my dealer (who I won't name at this point - got no inclination to shame anyone, just need to blow off some steam) on October 21st - as it was a Thursday, I arranged delivery to me on the Saturday, despite being offered Friday, because of my work schedule. Wasn't given the tracking info, so I just waited in.. didn't arrive. Frustrating, but these things do happen. Dealer refunded the additional Saturday delivery charge, rebooked for Tuesday and gave me the tracking number etc.

The parcel did arrive that day, Tuesday 26th, and the box had a few dings in it so I took photos as I unpacked it just in case. As I opened it, I was a bit mystified as to how the bass was so short.. upon opening the gig bag, it turns out they'd mistakenly sent a very nice headless 6 string Frog to me. I presume the dealers shipped out two custom basses that day and got the labels mixed up. Bass was in great condition, looked like a top quality build, but it was decidedly NOT my bass!

Rung the dealer, packed it up, courier collected it the next day, went back to the dealer to check over and send to the right customer. Just like what would happen to my bass, right?

Sadly, wrong, at least to this point. 10 days or so later, my bass hasn't been returned to the dealer - as far as I can tell it wasn't delivered to the wrong customer so it's been with the courier company the entire time. They don't seem in a hurry to deliver it, and they certainly don't seem to be replying to the dealer's questions and concerns. By the same measure, I'm not hearing anything from the dealer until I contact them (at least every other day at this point), mostly because they have nothing to tell me. At this point that instrument seems to be in the ether. I've requested escalation so hopefully will be told something at the start of the week, because it's getting absurd now.

Financially, I'm not worried. The dealer is a reliable name, I've bought a fair amount of accessories etc from them and never had an issue, they aren't ignoring me, and I'm sure whatever the outcome they'll make it right. Besides, I paid by credit card, so I'll be covered I'm sure. It's just really taken the shine off my first custom order, sadly.

The irony is, I didn't go direct to avoid Brexit/customs issue and to make life easier on my end. If I'd bought from Maruszczyk I'm sure it'd be in my hands now! C'est la vie.

Hopefully I'll be able to follow up with good news next week, but at this point, I'm fearing the worst - and the couriers complete inaction backs that up.
Wow sorry to hear that, truly a bummer.
The anticipation of waiting for a custom build is enough anxiety, without a goof up from the dealer or the shipper.
My last custom got held up for 2 weeks by US Customs Game and Fishing division as they thought my bass was a "bass" :woot: as in 'the fish' :)
 
If you look at what they offer and then the amendments they are prepared to make, means they pretty much do what you want, imv.
Trying to get your head around all the permutations including scale lenght and models is tricky.
I have a blue bass and in itself, it is a looker but can see why the colour is less popular and why i didn't go for another in that colour.
I've seen a few MARUSZCZYK recently, I thought they were well made but poorly set up.
Having said that, that might have been the owners

I think that it may have been previous owners that messed up the setup:

I have 3 Marus...basses.
1 was bought directly from Adrian at the website and arrived with a fantastic setup and was actually in tune from Brussels to Phoenix, AZ...low action and no buzzes. I am not personally crazy about his strings and changed them pretty quickly but only had to make minor tweaks to the truss rod to accommodate the different tension.
Another one from a different dealer but set-up well and after the slightest amount of tweaking to my "liking", they are wonderful. The 3rd was from a previous owner that, from all appearance, never played this bass and it also was setup and played great right out of the box.
 
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If you look at what they offer and then the amendments they are prepared to make, means they pretty much do what you want, imv.
Trying to get your head around all the permutations including scale lenght and models is tricky.
I have a blue bass and in itself, it is a looker but can see why the colour is less popular and why i didn't go for another in that colour.
I've seen a few MARUSZCZYK recently, I thought they were well made but poorly set up.
Having said that, that might have been the owners
I really think you're talking about blue cars and not blue guitars, as I've never heard of this phenomenon you keep referencing. Although my son just bought a 2021 Toyota Tacoma in Voodoo Blue, which is one of the most desirable colors… and one of the hardest to get from a dealer. :)

Custom instruments are just that, custom.
Resale is a different issue all together, in my humble opinion. But like they say, every item has a buyer.
 
Having waited weeks for shipment...i wouldn't be too concerned. Frustrated yes, but not concerned.
I got mine delivered..eventually...despite both shippers completely losing it. Long story but i think there are big problems and delays in couriers these days.
 
I favour the blue. I also would have preferred a 21 fret board, only because I like having more room between the pickup and edge of the fingerboard. Initially I almost flipped this bass because I was having trouble getting used to the smaller gap, but I have learned to stop worrying and love the bomb. The Xtender split coil is a joy! My preference is definitely 34 scale for a fiver. The B on my 34 is superb.
View attachment 4463965
Wow, this is such a cool bass! I bet it sounds great. :thumbsup:
There is a 6 that was in the classifieds that I've been watching, such a cool bass.
 
No, I'm talking about blue basses and of course, there are variations of blue, but even if I think of all my playing friends who must add up to a ridiculous amount of gtrs and basses, i can recall the amount of blue ones on one hand...and one of those is one I have.
 
No, I'm talking about blue basses and of course, there are variations of blue, but even if I think of all my playing friends who must add up to a ridiculous amount of gtrs and basses, i can recall the amount of blue ones on one hand...and one of those is one I have.

Blue is my favorite color (in general) but I do have 3 basses currently that are blue or sort-of blue. Even a couple of green ones, too.
The Bassmods has a great grain that is not photographed well in this shot, the FGN is more of a burst and then there is the Sadowsky that is like a mint-blue. SO...do I have too many blue basses and go for the 3 tone sunburst...or is the Blue-to-Grey burst distinctive enough (the drum color) to make it a "go for it" choice?
20211106_165521.jpg
 
Blue is my favorite color (in general) but I do have 3 basses currently that are blue or sort-of blue. Even a couple of green ones, too.
The Bassmods has a great grain that is not photographed well in this shot, the FGN is more of a burst and then there is the Sadowsky that is like a mint-blue. SO...do I have too many blue basses and go for the 3 tone sunburst...or is the Blue-to-Grey burst distinctive enough (the drum color) to make it a "go for it" choice?
View attachment 4464131
I think that drum is pretty unique looking... I'd say 'go for it' :thumbsup:
 
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Blue is definitely my favorite color. There's a luthier out there that likes the joke that Blue guitars sound better. I tend to agree as this is 1 of 5 of my Blue basses. One of them is called transparent blue but appears more aqua.

This is blue burst, I did want a thinner blackburst but it's such a great bass overall I'm perfectly fine with it.View attachment 4464330
What are your thoughts on the Delano Xtender p'ups? And which preamp did you go with?