The Official MARUSZCZYK CLUB!

[swartzfeger]

I am tempted to order a second Elwood in cream white, but I haven’t decided and I don’t know if it’s a good idea.
Just to add a few details, I also have a Jake 4 (main P bass) and a PJ Yamaha BB734A. Obviously the Public Peace configurator doesn’t help!

They all look super classy, sorry can't be any help! (the tort is probably my least fave)

 

[swartzfeger]

+1 for #3

#3 for me. I hope it has the carbon rods!

If the wood is seasoned I don't know if carbon rods are necessary.
I always though carbon make the notes a little stiffer sounding, not as round.
As for dead spots a well made bass should never have dead spots.

Another +1 for #3.

Randy got back to me: no carbon rods in the Maple Burl. :/

Told him I would have a decision by end of day. I may just leave this up to She Who Must Be Obeyed and she can pick her favorite finish and say to hell with the specs.

EDIT: it's worth noting that if I'm parsing the Maple Burl's model number correctly -- elw190182 -- this bass was finished in 2019. So has been sitting there for at least 3 years. Does this sound right? If it's had a chance to sit maybe the neck has had it's chance to dance and settle down (maybe wishful thinking).

 

[TK4261]

Randy got back to me: no carbon rods in the Maple Burl. :/

Told him I would have a decision by end of day. I may just leave this up to She Who Must Be Obeyed and she can pick her favorite finish and say to hell with the specs.

EDIT: it's worth noting that if I'm parsing the Maple Burl's model number correctly -- elw190182 -- this bass was finished in 2019. So has been sitting there for at least 3 years. Does this sound right. If it's had a chance to sit maybe the neck has had it's chance to dance and settle down (maybe wishful thinking).

You might be correct about the Rock Maple neck settling after a few years. Rock Maple is pretty stable to begin with. I live in Las Vegas and it is also a very dry climate here but I have a fairly cheap humidifier in my music room and I keep that room at a constant 35% humidity. seems to work out well....My Maruszczyk basses do have carbon rods but I have a couple of other Basses with regular maple necks and they seem to do fine with the humidifier and I haven't had an issue with them since getting the humidifier.

 

[swartzfeger]

You might be correct about the Rock Maple neck settling after a few years. Rock Maple is pretty stable to begin with. I live in Las Vegas and it is also a very dry climate here but I have a fairly cheap humidifier in my music room and I keep that room at a constant 35% humidity. seems to work out well....My Maruszczyk basses do have carbon rods but I have a couple of other Basses with regular maple necks and they seem to do fine with the humidifier and I haven't had an issue with them since getting the humidifier.

Maybe it's not as bad as I thought... my old home (just south of Pittsburgh, PA) was damn humid, starting at 85% in January, dipping down to low 80s in the summer and then back up to mid 80% by the end of the year. All my basses seemed ok there except for my Rick but I think it had a garbage neck to begin with. Close to a dozen basses there over 20 years were fine.

I lived a few years in Hawaii and the humidity was a constant low-to-mid 72-75% and all basses were fine. The Spector had carbon rods though, and the fretless had a phenolic board which may have added to the stability.

Here in Cottonwood, AZ humidity starts around 55% in the beginning of the year, dips down to 25% in the summer, then by July quickly jumps up to the low 40s and hits 55% again by the end of the year. Vegas looks to average about 10% lower overall throughout the year.

I think I'm worrying about it too much and my bad experience w/ the Rick has me tweaked.

Looks like Public-peace is sitting at 90% humidity right now.

 

[BassParrott]

They all look great to me. I personally would not worry too much about the carbon rods. While nice to have, most basses still don’t have them.

 

[road-cat1]

Just to let you know, I am selling one of my (5) Marus/Mensinger basses so that I can order a NEW one!! Want to make some changes....For Sale - Maruszczyk Elwood Absolution 5 Turquoise gloss..MINT!!
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It's sold!!..Replaced it with another MARUSZCZYK!

 

[2ndBassGuitar]

They all look great to me. I personally would not worry too much about the carbon rods. While nice to have, most basses still don’t have them.

I never put carbon rods in the necks of the basses I have built and have never had an issue. I just had a look on the Public Peace website at the spec basses they have for sale, and it appears there are more basses built for spec without the carbon rods than there are with.

Mind you I never buy extended warranties or shipping insurance because (after working in insurance for 37 years) I learned a long time ago to accept the risk on anything you can afford to lose - you save a lot of money in the long run.

 

[Joshcbass724]

Pulling the trigger on this baby within the next week or two. All this excitement built up while putting together different configs just to wait another few months Guess that’s part of the fun

 

[Joshcbass724]

I never put carbon rods in the necks of the basses I have built and have never had an issue. I just had a look on the Public Peace website at the spec basses they have for sale, and it appears there are more basses built for spec without the carbon rods than there are with.

Mind you I never buy extended warranties or shipping insurance because (after working in insurance for 37 years) I learned a long time ago to accept the risk on anything you can afford to lose - you save a lot of money in the long run.

I wouldn’t be too worried if I was buying used or pre-built but 50 bucks for carbon rods on a custom build just seems like a no brainer to me.

 

[2ndBassGuitar]

I wouldn’t be too worried if I was buying used or pre-built but 50 bucks for carbon rods on a custom build just seems like a no brainer to me.

and of course that is your choice. Elwood C or L?

 

[Joshcbass724]

and of course that is your choice. Elwood C or L?

This one will be an Elwood L but I can already feel the gears turning towards future ideas. Oh Lordy….

 

[scott sinner]

My Frog arrived today!
Key, non obvious specs:

• Ash body
• Eye Poplar top
• Transparent white
• Macassar Ebony Fingerboard
• Delano JMVC 4 FE/M2 and MC 4 FE/M2

Objective details:
This bass came, all the way from Deutschland to the USA and you could have gigged with it immediately. Intonation was spot on. Action was comfortably low.

Neck and fretwork - I prefer quite low action and I am particular about my strings so I set it up with my own strings and it took a quarter turn of the truss rod to compensate, to give just a sliver of relief. I lowered the action to my silly level, 1.25mm on the g and 1.5 on the e at the 12th. There is no fret buzz anywhere at those specs playing moderately. Going beast mode, the fret buzz is nice and even across the frets. Nothing fizzling out.

QA type stuff - everything seems neatly put together. No little gaps, no loose hardware. Pickup height was good, didn't need to adjust. Electronics seem like good build quality.

Subjective details:
Sound - Sits somewhere between my beloved Warwicks and a more classic bass. Neck position could even be mistaken for a rather modern J with the tone rolled a hair. Pretty damn growly in the middle and aggressive even on the bridge. So in short, nicely versatile.

Neck - there are satin finishes and then there are satin finishes that are smooth as silk. This is a silky smooth neck finish.

Appearance - I really wanted something with stark contrasts but still a hint of detail. It did not disappoint for what I was aiming for. I didn't really know exactly how it would turn out to have a clear white gloss over a figured wood, but it was quite true to the configurator. It may be hard to see in the picture, but the darker specs aren't any issue with the finish. If you look in the light, it is utterly even and smooth. That's just how the grain of the wood interacted. I like it. It was definitely the look I wanted. In lower light, you can mistake that it is just off white, but in full light you see the detail. A cool little trick of the eye that combines with the glow in the dark inlays. My drummer said it looked like a French sweet. He wasn't allowed to lick it...he did ask.

Ergonomics and stuff - I don't know. I've never had an instrument feel uncomfortable. Maybe someone would ask. Preemptive answer. idgaf. Neck dive - also don't know. I am usually holding the damn necks. Weight. I'm blessed with super human strength. Not sure.

Overall
Overall, totally happy with it. Would definitely consider getting another Maruszczyk.

 

[Shibata]

My Frog arrived today!
Key, non obvious specs:

• Ash body
• Eye Poplar top
• Transparent white
• Macassar Ebony Fingerboard
• Delano JMVC 4 FE/M2 and MC 4 FE/M2

Objective details:
This bass came, all the way from Deutschland to the USA and you could have gigged with it immediately. Intonation was spot on. Action was comfortably low.

Neck and fretwork - I prefer quite low action and I am particular about my strings so I set it up with my own strings and it took a quarter turn of the truss rod to compensate, to give just a sliver of relief. I lowered the action to my silly level, 1.25mm on the g and 1.5 on the e at the 12th. There is no fret buzz anywhere at those specs playing moderately. Going beast mode, the fret buzz is nice and even across the frets. Nothing fizzling out.

QA type stuff - everything seems neatly put together. No little gaps, no loose hardware. Pickup height was good, didn't need to adjust. Electronics seem like good build quality.

Subjective details:
Sound - Sits somewhere between my beloved Warwicks and a more classic bass. Neck position could even be mistaken for a rather modern J with the tone rolled a hair. Pretty damn growly in the middle and aggressive even on the bridge. So in short, nicely versatile.

Neck - there are satin finishes and then there are satin finishes that are smooth as silk. This is a silky smooth neck finish.

Appearance - I really wanted something with stark contrasts but still a hint of detail. It did not disappoint for what I was aiming for. I didn't really know exactly how it would turn out to have a clear white gloss over a figured wood, but it was quite true to the configurator. It may be hard to see in the picture, but the darker specs aren't any issue with the finish. If you look in the light, it is utterly even and smooth. That's just how the grain of the wood interacted. I like it. It was definitely the look I wanted. In lower light, you can mistake that it is just off white, but in full light you see the detail. A cool little trick of the eye that combines with the glow in the dark inlays. My drummer said it looked like a French sweet. He wasn't allowed to lick it...he did ask.

Ergonomics and stuff - I don't know. I've never had an instrument feel uncomfortable. Maybe someone would ask. Preemptive answer. idgaf. Neck dive - also don't know. I am usually holding the damn necks. Weight. I'm blessed with super human strength. Not sure.

Overall
Overall, totally happy with it. Would definitely consider getting another Maruszczyk.

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Looks amazing!! I really like the way the transparent white worked with the grain.

 

[swartzfeger]

Invoice paid... now the wait begins!

 

[BaileyMan]

Sweet!

 

[Shibata]

Invoice paid... now the wait begins!

View attachment 4897594

Congrats!! I enjoyed following your journey to a decision. You chose a beauty! Cant wait to see your reaction when you receive it.
I love my two Maruszczyk's and am in the process of deciding on what my third one will be. 6 String Sputnik is currently the front runner.

 

[swartzfeger]

My Frog arrived today!

Objective details:
This bass came, all the way from Deutschland to the USA and you could have gigged with it immediately. Intonation was spot on. Action was comfortably low.

Truly a stunning finish. How long was the shipping process?

 

[swartzfeger]

Congrats!! I enjoyed following your journey to a decision. You chose a beauty! Cant wait to see your reaction when you receive it.
I love my two Maruszczyk's and am in the process of deciding on what my third one will be. 6 String Sputnik is currently the front runner.

Thanks Shibata, I am excited! My next will probably be a 6 as well, probably a 6 string headless Frog.

 

[AudioTaper]

My Frog arrived today!
Key, non obvious specs:

• Ash body
• Eye Poplar top
• Transparent white
• Macassar Ebony Fingerboard
• Delano JMVC 4 FE/M2 and MC 4 FE/M2

Objective details:
This bass came, all the way from Deutschland to the USA and you could have gigged with it immediately. Intonation was spot on. Action was comfortably low.

Neck and fretwork - I prefer quite low action and I am particular about my strings so I set it up with my own strings and it took a quarter turn of the truss rod to compensate, to give just a sliver of relief. I lowered the action to my silly level, 1.25mm on the g and 1.5 on the e at the 12th. There is no fret buzz anywhere at those specs playing moderately. Going beast mode, the fret buzz is nice and even across the frets. Nothing fizzling out.

QA type stuff - everything seems neatly put together. No little gaps, no loose hardware. Pickup height was good, didn't need to adjust. Electronics seem like good build quality.

Subjective details:
Sound - Sits somewhere between my beloved Warwicks and a more classic bass. Neck position could even be mistaken for a rather modern J with the tone rolled a hair. Pretty damn growly in the middle and aggressive even on the bridge. So in short, nicely versatile.

Neck - there are satin finishes and then there are satin finishes that are smooth as silk. This is a silky smooth neck finish.

Appearance - I really wanted something with stark contrasts but still a hint of detail. It did not disappoint for what I was aiming for. I didn't really know exactly how it would turn out to have a clear white gloss over a figured wood, but it was quite true to the configurator. It may be hard to see in the picture, but the darker specs aren't any issue with the finish. If you look in the light, it is utterly even and smooth. That's just how the grain of the wood interacted. I like it. It was definitely the look I wanted. In lower light, you can mistake that it is just off white, but in full light you see the detail. A cool little trick of the eye that combines with the glow in the dark inlays. My drummer said it looked like a French sweet. He wasn't allowed to lick it...he did ask.

Ergonomics and stuff - I don't know. I've never had an instrument feel uncomfortable. Maybe someone would ask. Preemptive answer. idgaf. Neck dive - also don't know. I am usually holding the damn necks. Weight. I'm blessed with super human strength. Not sure.

Overall
Overall, totally happy with it. Would definitely consider getting another Maruszczyk.

View attachment 4897515View attachment 4897549
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View attachment 4897519

Great looking bass! How close can it sound like a MusicMan Stingray?

 

[Danger McLovin]

Adrian just sent me my couch picture.
I am so excited.
I know that it will probably be January 2023 before it gets to Australia.
But, now I have my couch shot.