The Official MARUSZCZYK CLUB!

[BlueTalon]

For anyone feeling bad about their Maruszczyk build taking longer than expected, I just got my build pictures from Adamovic, of a bass I commissioned a year and a half ago. I say this not to complain about the build time (Nikola had some unusually challenging challenges to deal with), but to add some perspective.

Of course, the fact that I already had my Maruszczyk made it really easy to be patient.

 

[twangcat]

For anyone feeling bad about their Maruszczyk build taking longer than expected, I just got my build pictures from Adamovic, of a bass I commissioned a year and a half ago. I say this not to complain about the build time (Nikola had some unusually challenging challenges to deal with), but to add some perspective.

Of course, the fact that I already had my Maruszczyk made it really easy to be patient.

I just visited the Adamovic website for the first time. Wow! Some very sexy looking instruments.

 

[BlueTalon]

I just visited the Adamovic website for the first time. Wow! Some very sexy looking instruments.

My process for deciding on getting an Adamovic was very similar to my process for deciding to get a Maruszczyk. I had not played, held, or even seen a bass by either builder before making the decision to acquire one. I spent many hours reading stuff on their websites and playing with their configurators, read comments on TB and elsewhere, thought a lot about it, and then trusted my intuition that the quality would be top notch. In this case, I really liked what Nikola Adamovic had to say about how he builds and finishes his necks specifically.

This is the video that got me started.

 

[twangcat]

My process for deciding on getting an Adamovic was very similar to my process for deciding to get a Maruszczyk. I had not played, held, or even seen a bass by either builder before making the decision to acquire one. I spent many hours reading stuff on their websites and playing with their configurators, read comments on TB and elsewhere, thought a lot about it, and then trusted my intuition that the quality would be top notch. In this case, I really liked what Nikola Adamovic had to say about how he builds and finishes his necks specifically.

This is the video that got me started.

Thanks very much for sharing this video! It's an excellent window into the ideas and execution of these exquisite instruments. I was particularly impressed by the care taken regarding the choice of neck woods and the process and time involved in building them. These are totally out of my league, both in terms of my own needs as a player and also beyond my price point. But I can easily see the idea of owning one if things were different. REALLY impressive instruments and an obviously dedicated luthier. Thanks again for sharing.

 

[carlosjrf]

Did anyone order their bass with natural top and painted back? Did you have to get binding or veneer to do it? I'm thinking about a Jazzus with natural top, either poplar or maple burl with painted black back and sides.

 

[ole Jason]

For anyone feeling bad about their Maruszczyk build taking longer than expected, I just got my build pictures from Adamovic, of a bass I commissioned a year and a half ago. I say this not to complain about the build time (Nikola had some unusually challenging challenges to deal with), but to add some perspective.

Of course, the fact that I already had my Maruszczyk made it really easy to be patient.

Is your Adamovic close to being finished? Funny enough I read a ton of your posts about the build process last year. Ultimately I went with Manne, which I'm extremely happy with, instead of Adamovic due to build time and the features I was looking for but ordering a bass from Nikola is something I hope to revisit in the future.

 

[TK4261]

Did anyone order their bass with natural top and painted back? Did you have to get binding or veneer to do it? I'm thinking about a Jazzus with natural top, either poplar or maple burl with painted black back and sides.

My most recent build I was able to have the top stained turquoise and leave the body/back natural so I would think just having the body painted and leaving the top natural will be possible without needing binding or a veneer.

 

[carlosjrf]

My most recent build I was able to have the top stained turquoise and leave the body/back natural so I would think just having the body painted and leaving the top natural will be possible without needing binding or a veneer.

Awesome. Now you put another option in my head. Now back to indecisiveness.

 

[BlueTalon]

Is your Adamovic close to being finished? Funny enough I read a ton of your posts about the build process last year. Ultimately I went with Manne, which I'm extremely happy with, instead of Adamovic due to build time and the features I was looking for but ordering a bass from Nikola is something I hope to revisit in the future.

Oh, it's done! Nikola is going to ship it out this week, so I should be receiving it next week, depending on the shipper. Pictures here.

 

[BlueTalon]

Did anyone order their bass with natural top and painted back? Did you have to get binding or veneer to do it? I'm thinking about a Jazzus with natural top, either poplar or maple burl with painted black back and sides.

My most recent build I was able to have the top stained turquoise and leave the body/back natural so I would think just having the body painted and leaving the top natural will be possible without needing binding or a veneer.

Awesome. Now you put another option in my head. Now back to indecisiveness.

I like the idea of a natural top and black sides & back. For whatever that's worth.

If you decide to do that, go with all black hardware. That will look sharp.

 

[carlosjrf]

I like the idea of a natural top and black sides & back. For whatever that's worth.

If you decide to do that, go with all black hardware. That will look sharp.

That's the plan.

 

[BlueTalon]

Thanks very much for sharing this video! It's an excellent window into the ideas and execution of these exquisite instruments. I was particularly impressed by the care taken regarding the choice of neck woods and the process and time involved in building them. These are totally out of my league, both in terms of my own needs as a player and also beyond my price point. But I can easily see the idea of owning one if things were different. REALLY impressive instruments and an obviously dedicated luthier. Thanks again for sharing.

The segment about his selection of neck wood, and how he approaches building his necks, had a huge persuasive influence on me. Reading through the website was the same, just with more details. When I contacted Nikola, I asked if it was OK to make regular payments instead of a few large lump sums. He was flexible with me, and that made it possible to order one, whereas otherwise it would have been beyond my reach.

And now, because I feel a little guilty for hijacking the thread, here's some artwork someone did of me and my current #1.

 

[2ndBassGuitar]

The segment about his selection of neck wood, and how he approaches building his necks, had a huge persuasive influence on me. Reading through the website was the same, just with more details. When I contacted Nikola, I asked if it was OK to make regular payments instead of a few large lump sums. He was flexible with me, and that made it possible to order one, whereas otherwise it would have been beyond my reach.

And now, because I feel a little guilty for hijacking the thread, here's some artwork someone did of me and my current #1.
View attachment 4975531

great artwork CJ

 

[BlueTalon]

great artwork CJ

Thanks! I wish I knew who did it, because I'd love to give them credit for it.

 

[AK3000]

Does anyone have any experience with the Jake 55? I have always liked the retro look. But, I'm worried about the body shape / blocky-ness. Do they do a good job with body contours?

 

[2ndBassGuitar]

Does anyone have any experience with the Jake 55? I have always liked the retro look. But, I'm worried about the body shape / blocky-ness. Do they do a good job with body contours?

The Jake body style is great. There are lots of photos online where you can check out the contours if it helps you and you were close to where I am on Vancouver Island, you can try my Jake. PM sent

 

[AK3000]

For a moment, I thought the Jake 55 had a slightly different body. It looks like they are the same actually?

 

[StrivingOn]

Awaiting this one, 32" scale, Delano PUs, passive. Ordered on 1/18/2023, thinking April delivery hopefully...

 

[TK4261]

Awaiting this one, 32" scale, Delano PUs, passive. Ordered on 1/18/2023, thinking April delivery hopefully...View attachment 4977201

That will be a nice medium scale Jazz. Looking forward to seeing the finished build. Seems like the wait is not as long if ordered during Winter (before tax season)

 

[2ndBassGuitar]

Ordering this gorgeous Elwood L5A-21 today. With Nordstrand Warm and Woolley single coils and a Noll preamp.