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The Official MARUSZCZYK CLUB!

#5,461
road-cat1 said:
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
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Decisions like that are one of the reasons dartboards were invented. Assign each color to numbers -- one gets numbers ending in 1, 4, & 7; one gets 2, 5, & 8, one gets 3, 6, & 9. Zeros and bullseyes are do-overs.

Or just pick one. They're all gorgeous. But if you want something unique, go with that drum finish.
 
#5,462
road-cat1 said:
What are your thoughts on the Delano Xtender p'ups? And which preamp did you go with?
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The pickups are fantastic. Clean and clear in passive mode. The P pickup definitely has the P mojo and the bridge Xtender does everything well. It's probably the first bridge pickup that I'm comfortable with using full on for certain things like you'd use a MM Stingray for.

Now for active I went for the Delano Sonar 3MS/E. While I really like the tone of the bass in active mode there's just something to this preamp that feels like it puts a blanket over the overall tone. Very modern mid-rangey that sits well with a mix but not the tone I prefer for what I want this bass to be, a Swiss army knife for all genres. I play it mostly in active mode though but thinking to change it out one day. Funny thing is when I compare it to my other basses it just doesn't have that natural organic woody tone to it in active mode. I changed out the Maruszczyk rounds and that did help some. YMMV but I'd recommend a different preamp.

Edit: just a heads up if you go with black hardware and get any switches for coil split or mid control make sure to ask if they can swap out any switch that comes the preamp to black. I didn't so as you can see in the pic they don't match. I've come to actually like it, adds a little story to the bass.
 
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#5,463
mmbass21 said:
The pickups are fantastic. Clean and clear in passive mode. The P pickup definitely has the P mojo and the bridge Xtender does everything well. It's probably the first bridge pickup that I'm comfortable with using full on for certain things like you'd use a MM Stingray for.

Now for active I went for the Delano Sonar 3MS/E. While I really like the tone of the bass in active mode there's just something to this preamp that feels like it puts a blanket over the overall tone. Very modern mid-rangey that sits well with a mix but not the tone I prefer for what I want this bass to be, a Swiss army knife for all genres. I play it mostly in active mode though but thinking to change it out one day. Funny thing is when I compare it to my other basses it just doesn't have that natural organic woody tone to it in active mode. I changed out the Maruszczyk rounds and that did help some. YMMV but I'd recommend a different preamp.
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On my last Marus...build that arrived about a month ago, I have the Noll 4 band preamp. It is OK and I am seeing whether it is the one that I prefer or not. In other basses I have John East and Audere preamps. I like the Audere 4 band but it is not dead quiet. There is a very slight hiss when boosting the treble that absolutely can NOT be heard in any playing situation, but when sitting close to the speakers or with headphones, it is there. We all know that on almost every bass amp, there is a bit of "noise" when turning up the gain, etc.. so I may be a bit over the top (OCD?) in my desire to have everything "recording studio" quiet.
My choices are limited if I want the 4 band (Noll)..if I can decide on a 3 band, I have more choices on the configurator.

I am glad to hear "thumbs up" on the Delano Xtender...that seems to be the one that I will go with.
 
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#5,464
mmbass21 said:
The pickups are fantastic. Clean and clear in passive mode. The P pickup definitely has the P mojo and the bridge Xtender does everything well. It's probably the first bridge pickup that I'm comfortable with using full on for certain things like you'd use a MM Stingray for.

Now for active I went for the Delano Sonar 3MS/E. While I really like the tone of the bass in active mode there's just something to this preamp that feels like it puts a blanket over the overall tone. Very modern mid-rangey that sits well with a mix but not the tone I prefer for what I want this bass to be, a Swiss army knife for all genres. I play it mostly in active mode though but thinking to change it out one day. Funny thing is when I compare it to my other basses it just doesn't have that natural organic woody tone to it in active mode. I changed out the Maruszczyk rounds and that did help some. YMMV but I'd recommend a different preamp.

Edit: just a heads up if you go with black hardware and get any switches for coil split or mid control make sure to ask if they can swap out any switch that comes the preamp to black. I didn't so as you can see in the pic they don't match. I've come to actually like it, adds a little story to the bass.
Click to expand...
I'm going to agree with you…

I ordered Haussels and the Delano Sonar 3 MS/E preamp on my Elwood L. I found the preamp to be too midrangey and swapped it for an East Uni-Pre, and I had the pickups replaced with Nordstrands. Needless to say the bass sounds much better than it did before. If I was to order another one I would stick to preamps and pickups that I already know and like instead of experimenting.
 
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#5,465
DaveAceofBass said:
I'm going to agree with you…

I ordered Haussels and the Delano Sonar 3 MS/E preamp on my Elwood L. I found the preamp to be too midrangey and swapped it for an East Uni-Pre, and I had the pickups replaced with Nordstrands. Needless to say the bass sounds much better than it did before. If I was to order another one I would stick to preamps and pickups that I already know and like instead of experimenting.
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I'm not sure what I'd switch the preamp to. From my experience I'd go with Sadowsky or Nordstrand but not sure how I'd feel about having a dummy knob and switch with Sadowsky. With Nordy I think it would only be a dummy switch.

I'm perfectly happy with the pickups, if I wasn't I'd have to get some custom ones made to fit the routing.
 
#5,469
mmbass21 said:
I'm not sure what I'd switch the preamp to. From my experience I'd go with Sadowsky or Nordstrand but not sure how I'd feel about having a dummy knob and switch with Sadowsky. With Nordy I think it would only be a dummy switch.

I'm perfectly happy with the pickups, if I wasn't I'd have to get some custom ones made to fit the routing.
Click to expand...
The Aguilar OBP-1 with a tone control is very similar to the Sadowsky.
 
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#5,472
pepj said:
Not a fan of Delano's. I have it in mind to swap mine out...if I keep the bass.

I have a Flexicore and Nordstrands coming.
Looking forward to that.
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Maybe just the version of pickups you had?
Sometimes certain pickups just don't do it in certain basses or could also be the pre… I've had Bartolini's in certain basses and hated them, in passive or active but loved the tone in another bass. My Delanos with the Noll TCM 4 XM preamp sound awesome and are super versatile.
5AF2186D-AC86-4365-9808-FC33A8B7F4BA.jpeg
 
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#5,473
Barticus said:
Maybe just the version of pickups you had?
Sometimes certain pickups just don't do it in certain basses or could also be the pre… I've had Bartolini's in certain basses and hated them, in passive or active but loved the tone in another bass. My Delanos with the Noll TCM 4 XM preamp sound awesome and are super versatile.
View attachment 4466407
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Is that the MC5 FE in the bridge (the ceramic magnet version)? I have one in the bridge position on a Corvette $$, paired with a HE/S in the neck. In that configuration, the differences are obvious. The exposed pole ceramic (bridge) pup is bright, modern, and in-your-face bass. The HE/S is warmer, a bit mellower, and has a nice mid-burp to it, so it makes a great alternative to the split you have. If I balance toward the bridge and flip the ceramic MM into serial, it's as bright and modern as any Nordy. I suppose the HE/S pup, in every shape, is a middle-of-the-road choice, and very good if that's what you want--it can be 'P'-like in the neck, but it's not overly colored or dark. HE/S is well balanced all around but its not going to light a fire under your fingers.
 
#5,474
Bartrinsic said:
Is that the MC5 FE in the bridge (the ceramic magnet version)? I have one in the bridge position on a Corvette $$, paired with a HE/S in the neck. In that configuration, the differences are obvious. The exposed pole ceramic (bridge) pup is bright, modern, and in-your-face bass. The HE/S is warmer, a bit mellower, and has a nice mid-burp to it, so it makes a great alternative to the split you have. If I balance toward the bridge and flip the ceramic MM into serial, it's as bright and modern as any Nordy. I suppose the HE/S pup, in every shape, is a middle-of-the-road choice, and very good if that's what you want--it can be 'P'-like in the neck, but it's not overly colored or dark. HE/S is well balanced all around but its not going to light a fire under your fingers.
Click to expand...
It's the PC5 AL/M2 split coil in the neck position and the MC 5 AL Humbucker at the bridge. That split is the best P Sound ever, even better than my old American P Deluxe I sold off a couple years ago. :)
It's just a super versatile setup with those two and the pre.
 
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#5,475
Barticus said:
It's the PC5 AL/M2 split coil in the neck position and the MC 5 AL Humbucker at the bridge. That split is the best P Sound ever, even better than my old American P Deluxe I sold off a couple years ago. :)
It's just a super versatile setup with those two and the pre.
Click to expand...
Good choices. I think those are both underappreciated Delano pups. Most builds seem to get some version of HE/S by default. There are other great choices, like yours.
 
#5,476
DaveAceofBass said:
Which Delano's?
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Good question. FE's which are Jazz 5's.

But... since I posted, I have done an awful lot of work on the bass and neck and it is much more playable. Having a plex job means I can go low, and as neck is also sorted this also means the bass speaks differently.
I'm now liking the bass very much so a string change will hopefully confirm the bass is a keeper.

My reservations on pickups and pre amp have rescinded a touch.

It normally takes me a while to groove in the bass but this one took longer.
The bonus is its a looker and it is light despite being swamp ash and maple.
 
#5,477
pepj said:
Good question. FE's which are Jazz 5's.

But... since I posted, I have done an awful lot of work on the bass and neck and it is much more playable. Having a plex job means I can go low, and as neck is also sorted this also means the bass speaks differently.
I'm now liking the bass very much so a string change will hopefully confirm the bass is a keeper.

My reservations on pickups and pre amp have rescinded a touch.

It normally takes me a while to groove in the bass but this one took longer.
The bonus is its a looker and it is light despite being swamp ash and maple.
Click to expand...

Cool. I would definitely give the Jazz 5 FEs a chance.
 
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#5,479
pepj said:
Good question. FE's which are Jazz 5's.

But... since I posted, I have done an awful lot of work on the bass and neck and it is much more playable. Having a plex job means I can go low, and as neck is also sorted this also means the bass speaks differently.
I'm now liking the bass very much so a string change will hopefully confirm the bass is a keeper.

My reservations on pickups and pre amp have rescinded a touch.

It normally takes me a while to groove in the bass but this one took longer.
The bonus is its a looker and it is light despite being swamp ash and maple.
Click to expand...
Which Maruszczyk bass model is it?
 
#5,480
It is not a Maruszczyk. It is a K534.
The pickups are FE split coil humbuckers in a Jazz 5 casing. Standard config for Jazz type basses.

I didnt know the pickups before I got the bass and it took nearly 6 months to get the bass right.
So it wasnt the pickups at issue
 

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