scrumpymike

[quote name='Paulhauser' timestamp='1476118429' post='3151501'] Sell it as it is with a honest description so the buyer knows what he's getting and can add up the cost of the fix. Who knows, he might have a fitting bridge and/or an expert at fret dressing so what you'd spend on the bass to fix things up may not worth the extra cost (and increased price) for the buyer in this instance. I personally would not do anything but sell the bass as it is with all the info (pics) so the buyer is safe. [/quote] Totally agree - you just wouldn't get back what you spend.

[quote name='pierreganseman' timestamp='1476169155' post='3151838'] 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] 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'.

"They're so ugly they're beautiful. Like a Bison. Powerful beast." Yep, know exactly what you mean - they ooze a kind of strange, generic quality.

I think it's down to the frequency of doing. If you only do a job once in a blue moon, it's like you have to start again - you never get into that routine that lets you do stuff on auto-pilot.

"Pictures show various divots infilled with mahogany and epoxy. Somehow very satisfying about shaping them to fit nicely." Can't speak as a luthier, but I find damage limitation is often one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of my diy projects. I can see how it must be even more rewarding to always get everything right first time though!

[quote name='Chienmortbb' timestamp='1476042968' post='3150806'] On the public-peace website they have both Maruszczyk and Mensinger, both Polish is there a connection? Also where are you guys ordering the custom instruments from? [/quote] 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 name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1476029135' post='3150580'] Ha ha.. this is hilarious. "Eeeh... I can't wait. I'm so excited. I was out buying new strings and a stand for it yesterday." "When's yours due? Have you had your 10-week sofa shot yet? Haussels or Delanos? Or are you just happy with whatever you get?" "Jimmy in Norwich's is due any day.. it's a couple of days late, but they reckon that's normal for this time of year. I can't wait to see it!" [/quote] Yep, it's turning into the Maruszczyk 'soap'!! (I bet Adrian's not complaining though.)

"12/15 weeks eventually less if something similar is in production and can be adapted to customers request." That's why I got my Cazpar in just over 3 weeks. It was virtually standard spec and the natural finish reduces the production timescale by 2 weeks - pure stroke of luck.

Just got my Mensinger Cazpar from Adrian Maruszczyk and it's the sweetest short-scale I've ever laid my grubby paws on - by a long way! [url="http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/DSCF1738_zpsnd4ee8xm.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/DSCF1738_zpsnd4ee8xm.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/DSCF1738_zpsnd4ee8xm.jpg[/IMG][/url] Although I've never played a Spector Shorty, I would say this is in the same league but at 1/3rd the cost. I love it!

OK guys (pause for drum roll / trumpet fanfare): And here she is!! Arrived this morning, since when I've looked, played, looked again, and played a bit more - and I'm over the moon with this! [url="http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/DSCF1738_zpsnd4ee8xm.jpg.html"]http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/DSCF1738_zpsnd4ee8xm.jpg.html[/url] [url="http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/DSCF1742_zpsy7cgygr6.jpg.html"]http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/DSCF1742_zpsy7cgygr6.jpg.html[/url] [url="http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/DSCF1743_zpsgebstu6w.jpg.html"]http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/DSCF1743_zpsgebstu6w.jpg.html[/url] [url="http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/DSCF1744_zpsyc3hnrrz.jpg.html"]http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/DSCF1744_zpsyc3hnrrz.jpg.html[/url]

Well done Rob - better upside-down than not at all, which was how my first attempt at forum posting went! Not seen these basses before, but I like them. What's the scale length?

We need pics!

I got bitten by the bug, bought the bass, and joined a band - pretty standard stuff in the early '60s!

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1475169160' post='3143741'] Now the waiting by the windows begins. [/quote] Certainly does!

WOOOOO-HOOOOO! Guess what I just got? [url="http://[IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/Cazpar%204%20Mike_zpsq8novrlc.jpg[/IMG"]http://[IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/Cazpar%204%20Mike_zpsq8novrlc.jpg[/IMG[/url] Shipping next week

What a beauty is that! Question: did you know in advance from the way you spec'd it that it would look like that or was it a pleasant surprise?

Didn't realise the 'sofa shot' was part of every buying experience - [i]really[/i] can't wait now!

For me and others who are counting the weeks down to Maruszczyk Christmas, could you lucky owners tell us how good he is at keeping to his delivery promises?

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1475056314' post='3142612'] Having no awareness of, or interest in anything to do with music. I can clearly remember having strange, new & interesting feelings towards a girl called Pauline Webster, though. Yeah - "should [i]of[/i]". Get with the times, Daddio. [/quote] After all these years I find out that Pauline has been two-timing me - bitch!

Bit quirky that - even for a Scott Whitley shortcake lover like me!

First year at Rochdale Grammer (OK, OK...), where 3 years on I would start playing bass and form a band with my mates Steve and Jim. And here I am/was (shadowy figure in the background, i.e. typical bass-player) last Sunday with the very same Jim (big dude on the left with baseball cap on wrong way round - or maybe his head) playing with the Coolers at the Clevedon Tides Fest! [url="http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/IMG_20160925_165443[IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/IMG_20160925_165443030_HDR_zps5fcuac4a.jpg[/IMG]"]http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/IMG_20160925_165443[IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/IMG_20160925_165443030_HDR_zps5fcuac4a.jpg[/IMG][/url]

Those Minotaur straps look really nice - not too expensive either IMHO.

These guys are pretty much switched on - now rush me my Cazpar 4P!