The Elwood has arrived! So much to say... for starters, I know FedEx has gotten a lot of grief in this thread. No complaints here. I got my bass four days early. Box looked in great shape. Packing was superb.
Got the usual Maruszczyk folder w/ manual and certificate, plus a CD + some stickers, nice! Very nice gig bag.
Bass is light but not unusually so. 7.98 pounds.
It's gorgeous and the build quality and craftsmanship appear to be top notch. Frets are smooth. Neck is wide but somewhat thin front to back like my old PRS Bass 4. Smooth satin feel. The bridge feels like a solid chunk... if anyone could ID I would love to know. Very happy with the bridge. The tuners... it came very detuned, which is no big deal (maybe it's better to ship it not under tension). A few times, it felt like the string would snap and I still had a few whole steps to go... and the string would slip, which I've never experienced. Not a biggie, I assume it happened due to being seriously detuned. I'll keep an eye on the tuners not that they're within range.
The top really is as -- even more -- beautiful than the only picture on their site. Growing up I kinda had an anti "coffee table" bass bias. Everyone I listened to had a solid finish. Geddy, Chris Squire, etc. Steve Harris' blue sparkle P being the 'outrageous' exception in my book, lol. But over the years I've developed a begrudging like for natural finishes. Super pretty and it feels like it's mine and mine alone. Matching headstock with black "M" looks so classy.
Pau Ferro -- honestly can't stand the look on most Fenders. It doesn't look like Rosewood, and it looks cheap. Many time way too streaky for my taste. On this Elwood I think it looks fantastic. Feels like Ebony, looks like an exotic not-quite-Rosewood. I definitely need to look into the care of Pau Ferro.
Sound -- I've owned many active basses. Prefer passive. These are my first Delanos. I can honestly say, I don't know if I can own any other pickups now. I love the sound of these pups and the preamp. I'm gonna probably kills some sacred cows here...
I can't stand Stingrays. I love EBMM. Owned a Bongo and probably one of the best built basses I've owned. But Stingrays, despite people saying they "grind", sound the opposite to me. Very broadband, wide spectrum, but thin/a little scooped. I would love to buy an EBMM Stingray off the rack and be done with it. Great looks. Great quality. Just can't dig the sound.
This Elwood sounds like you would think the Stingray would sound. Clear, thick, but with a definite broadband vibe. It can 'ping', but it has meat. I didn't think I would ever own an hbucker bass as I'm always worried about clarity/brightness and mud. Not an issue at all here. These Delanos to me are definitely the best of all worlds. 50/50 balance, both pups parallel, just sounds so clear, full and bright. Love it.
One last thing I noticed... testing sustain, I hit the open E. Something crazy happened... maybe I never paid attention before. But as this E rang and sustained out, I could feel it vibrate through the neck. Particularly my left thumb on the back of the neck could feel it vibrate. And vibrate. And vibrate. And vibrate. The neck and body seemed to resonate and sustain for a very long time. Truly wonderful.
Thoroughly impressed with this bass. My next bass -- I want a custom headless Jazzus/Frog 6.
If anyone could ID this bridge it would be appreciated!
Love this bass. At $1450 shipped including fees, it's definitely the best value out there.
View attachment 4905692
View attachment 4905693
. Happy this is going to workout as I believe it should 
.
