• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Official MARUSZCZYK CLUB!

#9,401
bassmanmicah said:
After many years of owning a Maruszczyk (or 2, or 3...) I decided I should probably "join the club"! Are membership numbers still being given out?

It all started on a whim a few years ago when I saw a used Frog Beta on Reverb. I loved the looks and always wanted to try one, and I fell in love. Later came a purple Elwood that a dealer had in stock. I drove to his house and tried it out, and was sold. I also ended up buying a Mensinger Joker that I recently parted with. I used this dealer for my first custom build, which was a Paddock, and he helped me with getting a couple from the instock section of the website as well, which are my Jake and Elwood PJ. Finally, my second custom order was my golden Frog, and my third was my Elwood in red flake finish.

Top row then bottom row, left to right:

  • Elwood L5A-24: Delano HE/M2 pickups, Maruszyck Toneformer 3 band preamp, alder body with flame maple neck and Indian rosewood board
  • Elwood L5A-24: Delano Times Square pickups and Sonar 3 band preamp, alder body with maple neck and Macassar ebony board
  • Elwood L5A-21: Delano PC5AL/M2 / JC5AL pickups, Maruszczyk Toneformer 3 band preamp, ash body, quilted maple top, maple neck and board
  • Frog Beta 5A: Bass Culture pickups, Delano 3 band preamp, ash body, padouk board, pickup covers, and custom knobs (aftermarket)
  • Frog Alpha: Nordstrand Big Singles, Aguilar OBP-3 preamp, alder body, 3 piece flame maple neck, wenge board, Dingwall 4-way rotary blend (aftermarket)
  • Paddock 5A: Nordstrand Big Split/Big Splitman pickups, Sonar 3 band preamp, Front/Parallel/Rear wiring for bridge pickup, alder body, maple burl top, birdseye maple board
  • Jake 5a+: Delano PMVCFE/M2 and MC5FE pickups, Toneformer 2 band preamp, ash body, Indian rosewood fingerboard

View attachment 7288311

Still the best deal going in basses! Someday I see a fretless Frog and a Jazzus pseodo-Wal in my future!
Click to expand...
Wow, nice collection. 😃
 
  • Love
Reactions: bassmanmicah
#9,404
bassmanmicah said:
After many years of owning a Maruszczyk (or 2, or 3...) I decided I should probably "join the club"! Are membership numbers still being given out?

It all started on a whim a few years ago when I saw a used Frog Beta on Reverb. I loved the looks and always wanted to try one, and I fell in love. Later came a purple Elwood that a dealer had in stock. I drove to his house and tried it out, and was sold. I also ended up buying a Mensinger Joker that I recently parted with. I used this dealer for my first custom build, which was a Paddock, and he helped me with getting a couple from the instock section of the website as well, which are my Jake and Elwood PJ. Finally, my second custom order was my golden Frog, and my third was my Elwood in red flake finish.

Top row then bottom row, left to right:

  • Elwood L5A-24: Delano HE/M2 pickups, Maruszyck Toneformer 3 band preamp, alder body with flame maple neck and Indian rosewood board
  • Elwood L5A-24: Delano Times Square pickups and Sonar 3 band preamp, alder body with maple neck and Macassar ebony board
  • Elwood L5A-21: Delano PC5AL/M2 / JC5AL pickups, Maruszczyk Toneformer 3 band preamp, ash body, quilted maple top, maple neck and board
  • Frog Beta 5A: Bass Culture pickups, Delano 3 band preamp, ash body, padouk board, pickup covers, and custom knobs (aftermarket)
  • Frog Alpha: Nordstrand Big Singles, Aguilar OBP-3 preamp, alder body, 3 piece flame maple neck, wenge board, Dingwall 4-way rotary blend (aftermarket)
  • Paddock 5A: Nordstrand Big Split/Big Splitman pickups, Sonar 3 band preamp, Front/Parallel/Rear wiring for bridge pickup, alder body, maple burl top, birdseye maple board
  • Jake 5a+: Delano PMVCFE/M2 and MC5FE pickups, Toneformer 2 band preamp, ash body, Indian rosewood fingerboard

View attachment 7288311

Still the best deal going in basses! Someday I see a fretless Frog and a Jazzus pseodo-Wal in my future!
Click to expand...
Welcome! I already saw your collection on fb. I am digging that golden Frog! 👍🏻☀️
 
#9,405
Got my couch shot 👍

I provided the top-wood, glad it turned out nice!

Leaf Couch Shot.jpg
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: MrWolf14, Esdamion, Odelle and 5 others
#9,407
Yep, that's the Leaf model. It's far less common than their other models, but I like it. I'm hoping that upper bout angle on the leg side helps keep it more balanced (than traditional P and J designs) when playing it sitting down.

The top wood is Lacewood. That's a clear stain finish too - no color added. 👍
 
  • Like
Reactions: TK4261
#9,408
Metalmongrel said:
Yep, that's the Leaf model. It's far less common than their other models, but I like it. I'm hoping that upper bout angle on the leg side helps keep it more balanced (than traditional P and J designs) when playing it sitting down.

The top wood is Lacewood. That's a clear stain finish too - no color added. 👍
Click to expand...
I thought it was lacewood, nice looking wood. It's a great body shape. Also is it 34" scale, or something shorter?
 
#9,410
BassmanM said:
Welcome! I already saw your collection on fb. I am digging that golden Frog! 👍🏻☀️
Click to expand...
Thank you! I'm a big fan of Here Come The Mummies, and the gold Cliff Bordwell that C.W.Tut plays is kind of the inspiration for it as far as looks go. I also took a little inspiration from the Tony Puleo signature model Lull. I had never played one in person, but was intrigued by the idea of Big Singles with the option for parallel/series. So I ordered the Frog with Big Singles and an Aguilar OBP3 preamp, and then added the Dingwall rotary in myself in place of the stock blend. Killer sounding bass, and in series mode, it is a beast!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BassmanM and TK4261
#9,411
Markku said:
Man I'm on my 5th one but not all the same time. I thought I was crazy
Click to expand...
I know I'm crazy! 😅I tend to find a company I like, and then can't seem to stop at just one . In years past 5 tended to be around my magic number. At one time I had 5 Modulus basses, and then later, did the same with Lakland. I still have my original Lakland, which is one of my top basses, and I will always keep my 2 remaining Modulus, which are both Flea basses. But Maruszczyk has definitely found a home with me. Their necks fit my hand perfectly, and I love the options they have. Someday I could definitely see parting with some of my other basses and adding a couple more to the mix. Would love a nice Maruszcyk fretless even though I just bought a different one (CR5 Radius). Others would be a Jazzus with the Wal style pickups and filter preamp, Phonix 5 (T-bird copy), and maybe even a Mensinger Joker again someday. I had a Mensinger Joker 6, but ended up parting with it since 5 is my preference. The Mensinger 6 was a pretty massive neck. The only 6 string I have now is my May custom.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TK4261, BassmanM and Markku
#9,412
bassmanmicah said:
I know I'm crazy! 😅I tend to find a company I like, and then can't seem to stop at just one . In years past 5 tended to be around my magic number. At one time I had 5 Modulus basses, and then later, did the same with Lakland. I still have my original Lakland, which is one of my top basses, and I will always keep my 2 remaining Modulus, which are both Flea basses. But Maruszczyk has definitely found a home with me. Their necks fit my hand perfectly, and I love the options they have. Someday I could definitely see parting with some of my other basses and adding a couple more to the mix. Would love a nice Maruszcyk fretless even though I just bought a different one (CR5 Radius). Others would be a Jazzus with the Wal style pickups and filter preamp, Phonix 5 (T-bird copy), and maybe even a Mensinger Joker again someday. I had a Mensinger Joker 6, but ended up parting with it since 5 is my preference. The Mensinger 6 was a pretty massive neck. The only 6 string I have now is my May custom.
Click to expand...
As someone who'd like to get a Maruszczyk, how would describe the feel of the neck on an Elwood L5-A, if you know? Are they thin from to back, chunky, or in between? I like thin necks myself.
 
#9,414
  • Like
Reactions: morrisonhendrix
#9,416
bassmanmicah said:
I know I'm crazy! 😅I tend to find a company I like, and then can't seem to stop at just one . In years past 5 tended to be around my magic number. At one time I had 5 Modulus basses, and then later, did the same with Lakland. I still have my original Lakland, which is one of my top basses, and I will always keep my 2 remaining Modulus, which are both Flea basses. But Maruszczyk has definitely found a home with me. Their necks fit my hand perfectly, and I love the options they have. Someday I could definitely see parting with some of my other basses and adding a couple more to the mix. Would love a nice Maruszcyk fretless even though I just bought a different one (CR5 Radius). Others would be a Jazzus with the Wal style pickups and filter preamp, Phonix 5 (T-bird copy), and maybe even a Mensinger Joker again someday. I had a Mensinger Joker 6, but ended up parting with it since 5 is my preference. The Mensinger 6 was a pretty massive neck. The only 6 string I have now is my May custom.
Click to expand...
I'm letting my two Cazpar 6er go. I have a bad wrist. But they are so fun to play. Might let them go cheap thinking of a Elwood fretless 32" 5 string
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5320.jpeg
    IMG_5320.jpeg
    1.2 MB · Views: 27
  • Like
Reactions: gscroggin, BassmanM and andronik
#9,418
#9,420
That's KW Tutt...K Will**** in Nashville, outstanding bassist and sound engineer. Great player..sshhh.... BTW, I own a CB and have owned several. Probably (along with Shawn May) one of THE best builders out there in terms of quality, craftsmanship, playability, tone and price. His is criminally under-rated, or at least under-exposed to a large chunk of the bass playing community. IMO
That being said, I owned a Maruszczyk Sputnik 5....another great instrument that I would have kept if it was a 4. Need to order another...maybe a Leaf this time, even though it is through Public Peace.
 
  • Like
Reactions: andronik

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back