The Official MARUSZCZYK CLUB!

[BlueTalon]

Trans Purple, then Blue Burst, then Red Burst, then last place Dragon Burst [1, 4, 2, 3].

Personally, I'm not a fan of Maru's "Fade To Black" bursts. I think they look harsh and unsophisticated. Their "Two-tone Bursts" exude an extra air of quality, in my opinion, and so I'd always choose those over these. Sorry!

Please don't apologize for your opinion! I specifically asked for opinions, and I value your input. I probably would have included a few two-tone bursts (specifically, the two-tone red and the two-tone purple), but I wanted to limit my options on this mini-survey.

Neck wood choice is also a factor, of course. What have you got in mind for the neck?

On my current-and-so-far-only Frog, the neck is a regular hard rock maple 3-piece set neck. I had the neck painted to match the Dragon Burst of the rest of the bass. Matte finish. I paid extra to have that happen because it wasn't an option at the time, but I think it might be an option now. Anyway, I plan to do the same thing again if I acquire another Frog, although I plan to inquire about the feasibility of a neck-through. With a top, the only place the neck-through would be visible is on the back.

 

[BlueTalon]

I've posted this before, but this is how the configurator mockup compared to my actual Frog:

 

[Barticus]

That's the way I'm leaning, but part of me is protesting that I'd be blowing an opportunity to get something different.

Also, I plan on eventually getting another BB3 with another painted baffle, which I'm inclined to have painted cyan unless something changes my mind.

The blue is cool as well, I'm big fan of blue fades so no argument here. A matching cab would be nice too.

 

[Oliver Stein]

2-1-4-(3) for me.
3 would be a No Go for me, but this is the pic from the configurator and only my taste...

 

[simisker]

Please don't apologize for your opinion! I specifically asked for opinions, and I value your input. I probably would have included a few two-tone bursts (specifically, the two-tone red and the two-tone purple), but I wanted to limit my options on this mini-survey.

Thank you for being gracious - I was worried I'd overstepped a mark!

Of course, I remembered far too late that asking Adrian for ANY type of burst is totally feasible these days.

And I've also just remembered that ESP have an awesome blue-to-black finish called "Reindeer Blue".

So what do I know, eh?

On my current-and-so-far-only Frog, the neck is a regular hard rock maple 3-piece set neck. [...]

Ah yes - I forgot about colour matching! Yeah, that's the only way to go with set/thru necks, IMO

 

[Core Creek]

I just bought a Headless Frog 6 from a local TB'er yesterday and took it to a gig last night. I'm a huge fan of Kiesel basses and own a bunch and I definitely think the Maruszczyk is a step up. I was hesitant about the passive electronics but I was really impressed with how clear and punchy the bass sounds, and the B string sounds amazing. My only concern was with ergonomics - like most headless basses, I found that my fretting hand had to reach a little to get to the lower frets and it put some pressure on my shoulder - I think a non-recessed strap button might solve this problem by moving the bass more to the right. But I plan to live with the bass and take it to a few gigs before making any decisions.

 

[Core Creek]

I've started reading through this whole thread… not sure yet if it's been asked… but has anyone been able to get stainless steel frets?

 

[fourstr00]

Got them ordered on my next build, should be here around February or March.

It's a guitar, so, you know, sorry.

To your point, it's a checkbox on the options. I got the impression adding steel frets is no big deal.

 

[AudioTaper]

I've started reading through this whole thread… not sure yet if it's been asked… but has anyone been able to get stainless steel frets?

I chatted with Adrian a few months ago when I was pricing a build. Stainless frets have an up charge, but I don't remember how much. It was reasonable.

 

[Core Creek]

Got them ordered on my next build, should be here around February or March.

It's a guitar, so, you know, sorry.

To your point, it's a checkbox on the options. I got the impression adding steel frets is no big deal.

I haven't seen it as an option on the builder but I figured they'd be available. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[BlueTalon]

I've started reading through this whole thread… not sure yet if it's been asked… but has anyone been able to get stainless steel frets?

I chatted with Adrian a few months ago when I was pricing a build. Stainless frets have an up charge, but I don't remember how much. It was reasonable.

I got a stainless steel zero fret on my Frog, after some discussion earlier in this thread about zero frets showing signs of wear. I wasn't charged any extra for it.

 

[Core Creek]

I got a stainless steel zero fret on my Frog, after some discussion earlier in this thread about zero frets showing signs of wear. I wasn't charged any extra for it.

Interesting… years ago when Carvin first came out with the Holdsworth headless guitar I had issues with grooves in the zero fret - and it was stainless steel. They replaced it under warranty - happened again. I learned to live with it and eventually sold it. Never had a problem with my Kiesel basses though.

 

[Metalmongrel]

Hey all,

I'm looking for some real world pictures of a couple Maru/Mensinger options. Does anyone have (or have images) of the below?

- Any Maru/Mensinger bass with a quilted maple top in transparent white with a glossy finish? I can only find matte white finishes of other wood types.
- Any close up pics of a Leaf that shows the bevel contour on the lower arm-side bout (where you rest your arm)? Any close-up/detail pics of the veneer on a Leaf would be appreciated too.


Thanks!

Hey all, just wanted to bump this, thanks.

 

[BlueTalon]

Interesting… years ago when Carvin first came out with the Holdsworth headless guitar I had issues with grooves in the zero fret - and it was stainless steel. They replaced it under warranty - happened again. I learned to live with it and eventually sold it. Never had a problem with my Kiesel basses though.

I've had my Frog for a couple years now, and I haven't seen any evidence of wear. I use nickle rounds on it. Do you remember what strings you had on your Carvin? Wear would make more sense if the strings were stainless steel.

 

[Core Creek]

I've had my Frog for a couple years now, and I haven't seen any evidence of wear. I use nickle rounds on it. Do you remember what strings you had on your Carvin? Wear would make more sense if the strings were stainless steel.

Standard elixirs….

It was apparently some kind of design flaw because a lot of people had the problem. I have a couple of newer Kiesel headless guitars with no issues - but I actually can't recall off the top of my head if they have zero frets!? I think their new headpiece solved the problem.

I love the hipshot headless guitar trems and think the headless bass bridges are awesome, but I think the design on the Marusczyk is better. I was noticing last night on a gig how much lower the action feels and how much closer the strings get to the pickups with the two piece design on the Marusczyk. I think the head piece on the Kiesel is a little more low-profile. Nothing inherently wrong with the Hipshot, just a different way of getting to the same solution.

 

[BlueTalon]

I love the hipshot headless guitar trems and think the headless bass bridges are awesome, but I think the design on the Marusczyk is better. I was noticing last night on a gig how much lower the action feels and how much closer the strings get to the pickups with the two piece design on the Marusczyk. I think the head piece on the Kiesel is a little more low-profile. Nothing inherently wrong with the Hipshot, just a different way of getting to the same solution.

I don't have any experience with headless basses, so some of what you said went over my head. But the thing I like about Maru's zero fret is that it takes all the guesswork/calculations/measuring out of getting the string height right at the nut. The nut's only job is to hold the string in lateral alignment, the string height is taken care of by the zero fret, and it's just one more fret on the fretboard. Assuming all the other frets are placed correctly, getting it right is a no-brainer. And the resulting low action is wonderful!

 

[Core Creek]

I don't have any experience with headless basses, so some of what you said went over my head. But the thing I like about Maru's zero fret is that it takes all the guesswork/calculations/measuring out of getting the string height right at the nut. The nut's only job is to hold the string in lateral alignment, the string height is taken care of by the zero fret, and it's just one more fret on the fretboard. Assuming all the other frets are placed correctly, getting it right is a no-brainer. And the resulting low action is wonderful!

I looked at my headless Kiesel bass and guitars and they now use just a regular nut. I guess it achieves the same goal as a zero fret.

 

[frostyman1962]

Although I do appreciate when people are posting about bad experiences I'd be interested in hearing sound samples showing the problem. Maybe people here can help you fix it?
Of course I'd try a new set of strings first, even if the current ones are new(ish). Another brand and/or gauge might work wonders.

I've taken it to a Master Luther in my home town Vessel Stringed Instruments who builds custom Violins and works on box instruments in the 500k range, the man knows his craft. He said there's nothing he can do. I tried 2 other luthiers who did did some fret work. They measured the neck with strings on and strings off and proceeded to make adjustments. It got slightly better but it's still horrible bad compared to my other much less expensive Basses. I thought I was taking a big step up, I literally took 3 steps back. I have replaced 4 sets of new strings on the Bass and had 2 complete set ups done. I've spent over 350 dollars to get just slightly better results. Adrian Maruszczyk told me that they discourage the requests of some builds. That makes no sense because I see the same combination on Basses he builds.
I have never had this much trouble with any Bass I've played. It's so bad I refuse to sell it to anyone because I don't want my reputation marred by such a horrible instrument. It's beautiful but that's about it. I'll try to record some samples of the B and E strings before and after the 12 fret. I assure you you'll be shocked at how horrible it is.
I was considering dropping 350 dollars and getting it PLEK'ed at San Francisco Guitarworks but at this point I really think its a lost cause.
I would discourage anyone from buying an instrument from this builder.
If you think you have a solution I'm open to any suggestions. I really like the look and feel of this Bass, it just sounds like a cheaply made Bass.

 

[Barticus]

Adrian Maruszczyk told me that they discourage the requests of some builds.

@frostyman1962
I'm not following or understanding his response on this issue, as this is a Paddock five string headless, which is a standard build for Maruszczyk. What did he mean by that statement? What was he implying that they discourage?

I have actually ordered this config as a fretless Paddock five string headless version and had no issues with the B string. I've not encountered significant dead spots with headless instruments (I own many) not that it's not possible I'm just curious to learn more about this one.

When you play an open B string is it dead as well or just when fretted?

After having all of these master Luthiers evaluate this bass, what has been their assessment of the problem? is there a common theory of what's causing the issue? Can you please provide sound samples so we can hear what you're describing?

 

[Barticus]

By far the worst Bass I've ever owned. It's beautiful to look at but my Ibanez BTB just kills it. From the 13th fret on the B string it goes dead, I mean like incredibly dead, like a rubber band strung across a Coffee can dead. I emailed Adrian, since I bought it used he couldn't help me. The Bass brand new was like 3500.00. I'm so glad I didn't pay that for it. Never again!
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@frostyman1962 What type of strings are on this?