pierreganseman

[quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1479203420' post='3174657'] OK, so I've had a flash of inspiration for a M custom that would be just perfect for me - don't know why I've only just thought of it. My absolute favourite bass is my Fender Rascal, but it's regrettably up for sale being just too heavy for long sets with my dodgy neck/shoulder. What I love about the Rascal is the unique pup/control configuration using 3 'lipstick' pups, a Strat-style 5-position slide selector switch, and a stacked tone pot. With the stack knob down your switching options are: 1) neck pup; 2) neck + mid; 3) mid; 4) mid + bridge; 5) bridge. Pull on the knob (!?) and the first 2 switch positions change to neck + bridge, and all 3 pups. I think this set-up is brilliant as it's quick and intuitive and gives you instant access to a whole range of different sounds without having to fiddle with tone and vol pot's. OK, so the idea is to ask Adrian to quote me for a s-s build based on the Elwood C with the same or equivalent pups/controls as the Rascal and lightweight construction around 3.5kg. Communicating with Adrian in English can be a bit tricky so I want to gather a bit more info first. Can anybody give me the correct generic description of the pups, switches etc Fender use on the Rascal and are the Fender or equivalent items readily available off the shelf? Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm guessing these things are not just picked from the Strat parts bin. Final question for pierreganseman: do you think Adrian would take this on? [/quote] waaaaw :-) ! I would make VERY clear what you want , as you've mentioned while he manages to get his point accross , his english is still kinda "broken" here and there. So make very crystal clear .... that's the main thing i would say. As for the rest , i suppose so yes ! lol , i've seen some of his basses with 3 pickups out there , so why not.... but in the end , i don't know... the only thing he told me he wouldn't do is custom shape... ever ... all the rest he answered "no problem"

[quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1479200653' post='3174624'] Thanks for the info. [/quote] my personal none chambered Alder Body P bass is 4,1 kilo

[quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1479142476' post='3174283'] Very nice pair of Jakes you've got there. How much weight does the chambering save? [/quote] Chambered J or P style from Adrian are usually around 3,5 kilo ... anywhere between 3,3 to 3,7 ... whatever that is in your things lol. cheers

they are absolute top notch. Like just about any high end Japanese brand. Danny from Bass Japan direct has them i think.

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1478194517' post='3167477'] Well, not the vat, they get the vat back from that paid to Maruszczyk, and then add it again, so they get 19% back and then pay 20% - not much in it. But if you look at the redburst one and look at my redburst one, same pickups, mine is a direct payment and is more expensive than that (not too much, and it would have been cheaper if I had paid for all of it a few months ago), so it doesn't seem that excessive, plus you get to take it back if you don't like it! [/quote] there's no VAT between them. Like there's No vat between me and Adrian. No Vat between VAT registered companies in EU

hi guys, Adrian is in Japan until Sunday for tokyo music fair / show thingy (Japanese NAMM basically), so don't stress out if your emails are not answered to lol. cheers

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1477925038' post='3165289'] he can certainly do full gloss neck: both of mine are that way, by request. It didn't add much (anything?) to the cost. [/quote] as far as i know the difference is indeed very small. Couldn't tell you precise number though.

[quote name='Quilly' timestamp='1477826765' post='3164623'] Personally I really don't like that glossy nitro finish on older basses. I fing they don't rest well to sweaty hands. I much rather Matt finishes. Each to their own I guess. [/quote] Adrian told me most people actually ask that. He can naturally do a full gloss neck too if requested but most orders are done with gloss body and matte neck !

if any of you wonder about the sparkle finishes.... that's how it looks with the LED panel. cheers

[quote name='Fisheth' timestamp='1476950033' post='3158653'] That Elwood video you guys uploaded (the one in Seafoam Green) Sounds amazing! [/quote] sure does. my specs i have in mind : Elwood L 5 2 bandActive Blue sparkle Blue LEDS Matching head Ebony fingerboard that's what i call pimp action :-)

[quote name='Fisheth' timestamp='1476644393' post='3155952'] Gassing for a Jake with a Rosewood board... [/quote] and i'm gassing for a blue sparkle ElwoodL 5 ... lol

Hi guys, please accept all my apologies. I just asked Adrian out of curiosity ... and it turns out you CAN visit the factory in Poland ! they are building next year a new showroom / hall there and new videos will happen from then (of the place) I guess policy has changed...

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1476342773' post='3153405'] If I run a factory I wouldn't want people traipsing round it, it would kind of interfere with the process of building things, require someone to organise and provide a tour etc, and I am sure have an impact on your insurance price. [/quote] I do know the company is already a very very full capacity. So i can personally completely understand.

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1476342246' post='3153401'] That's odd, why not? Or does the factory in Poland build for several brands, a bit like a European Cort factory or something? I would understand that. [/quote] i don't know anything about that, i personally never asked so i wouldn't know

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1476294504' post='3153154'] If it's only a hour from Pierre in Brussels it must be just over the border from Belgium. A road trip probably makes more sense.. [/quote] indeed sir, just after the border from Liège in Belgium....

[quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1476288215' post='3153076'] I thought the shop was at the factory. Anyway, while a factory tour would be nice, I wouldn't wish to disturb the Kobolds and Gnomes. All I really had in mind was a meeting with Adrian in the company of lots of finished basses, some of which I would hopefully be able to try out. [/quote] the shop is at adrian's house in Germany, around one hour from me. The Factory is in Poland.... somewhere

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1476280024' post='3152978'] In my mind I was thinking of the shop, rather than the Factory. That would be a nice enough visit.. [/quote] aah yes. Well for sure. Every body is welcome there for sure :-)

[quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1476260364' post='3152697'] OK then, who would be up for a UK M-Club factory visit in Spring '17? Perhaps based on cheap flights to a nearby airport (assuming there is one) and local B&B-type accommodation with at least a full day available in the factory. If there's a demand for a group of, say, 6-8 of us, I'll run this by Adrian, get some prices, and do the organising. Do you think Adrian would be OK with this pierreganseman? [/quote] Hi , I must say that as far as I heard its not possible. I heard from another Retailer who was eventually gonna have his brand that it was flat out refused when he asked.

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1476047662' post='3150871'] I so agree with this. I've lost count of the number of customers bemoaning the price increases on imported instruments and amplification since the £ started plummeting post Brexit vote. It's quite common for people to try and blame us, as a retailer, for price increases. One potential customer last week wanted us to sell below cost simply because prices have risen so much recently! [/quote] Morons indeed. No UK customers since all that. Since buying in EU requires more £ ....

[quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1476175754' post='3151909'] That nice little success story is good to hear. It's all about finding a 'niche' nowadays, and Adrian has obviously done that. Even better that it's all based on a core of local, skilled people rather than the usual 'let's design something nice and send the drawings to China'. [/quote] he's getting offers from China all the time , but will never work with such things.

[quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1476047926' post='3150874'] According to the very impressive glossy 56-pp catalogue that came with my bass, Mensinger Custom Guitars have been in business for 36 years and Maruszczyk Instruments for 11 (although Adrian M says in his notes: "For more than 35 years I've been putting my heart into music and everything related with it."). I'm guessing that Adrian brought the bass-building side to the Mensinger party. Anyway, like Fisheth said, it's one factory in Poland, two brands, and one 'Public Peace' trading operation run by Adrian from Germany. [/quote] indeed same people building both. When Adrian took over 11 years ago Mensinger had 3 or 4 people left working there (the Brand had its Golden Age in the 80's) and he put them back on track. There's now around 15 or so people working there. Keeping in mind communication in English is not always easy so it may not be totally accurate but its something like that.

[quote name='Fisheth' timestamp='1476027265' post='3150549'] I confirmed on the 12th of August, but payment went in on the 22nd. Aha, interesting. I'll get round to paying him tomorrow after I go to the bank in the afternoon then! [/quote] then roughly 12 to 15 weeks from then :-D

When did you confirm ? that's the orders i receive yes lol , 12/15 weeks eventually less if something similar is in production and can be adapted to customers request. I recently found out that Adrian actually doesn't know what custom instruments are finished , until the day he receives it and starts opening boxes. That's what he said for my Gold one. So he probably won't know for your one specifically. The Gold is great and ridiculous value for money as always. I know its been said and so on... but when i see what some people (or fender for that matter) do for 4k + and what he offers for 25% of the price. Makes me wonder ... lol ... but anyways.... been said in the thread i suppose :-) and yes , seeing how the £ is busy falling down.... if you can, i would pay now

[quote name='Fisheth' timestamp='1476025264' post='3150514'] For sure, it wouldn't be till sometime next year anyway, once I know what's happening with my life! Just I like pointy basses and there's nothing really for me out there, so thought I'd ask none the less though! [/quote] enjoy the custom when it comes ;-) i'm surely enjoying my gold ***** :-D !