The Tale of the Maruszczyk Elwood 5a Absolution (Syfon bass)

[basexperience]

Hello all!

 

I purchased this a while back on Basschat, a beautiful blue burst Maruszczyk (I was attracted by the finish, if I'm honest, but the bass is a wonderful recording bass, being completely and eerily silent with the Glockenklang preamp it has). All was pretty good for a while, but I never quite got the neck as flat as I wanted it (relief). I knew about the reverse truss rod, so no worries there. I also always had some trouble getting the Allen key into the rod, seemed like it was too far into the neck (it's mounted at the body end).

 

Last year, as Winter came in, I kicked off the humidifier in the studio, and set about mitigating any relief issues I saw on the basses (I monitor humidity in the office to keep it above 45% or so) - Rikkers, Warwicks, Tobias, SRAS7 (twin rod!) etc - then I get to the Maruszczyk, and I decide this year I'm going to get that relief where I want it (I love a very, very straight neck).

 

I run out of adjustment. WTF?

 

I try slackening it off, taking the strings off, putting them back on, etc, nothing gives me any more adjustment. I turn a little more, and... SNAP - there goes the head of the rod! I take the neck off and confirm my suspicions. Yep. Then I spot posts over here on BC about it, so I get in touch with @Andyjr1515 (IIRC) and he directs me to Robin Manton over at @Manton Customs, who tells me he's really busy and he could look at it sometime in March 2025, so I stash the bass (which isn't getting any worse) and wait.

 

Well, it's been interesting so far - I've been introduced to Lenspeed Logistics, who are EXACTLY who you want if you want to courier instruments and gear around the UK - don't use anybody else, guys, these guys are musicians and they know how to transport gear, from what I see. Even chatted to the courier who did the pickup about venues, gigs, the state of live music etc. Great company.

 

The bass should get some attention this week. Robin reckons the usual hot iron treatment should get the neck off - the bass is rather heavily ornamented, shall we say - there's binding around the entire thing, including the neck, so I'm interested to see what Robin can do. Given the discussions I've seen on getting Maruszczyk to engage with this issue, I decided to go straight to a UK luthier to fix, negating issues with shipping a neck (or even sourcing one...). Robin's been great with communications, very patient 😉 

 

Here's a droolsome listing for the same bass on Bass Direct. You can see why I want this thing to work properly, it's gorgeous.

 

https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product/maruszczyk-elwood-absolution-5a-gloss-blueburst/

 

Edited March 17 by basexperience

[basexperience]

I’ve heard back from Robin at @Manton Customs - it’s going really well so far. 
 

- fingerboard is off, took a lot of work. Maryszczyk apparently go for serious glue. 
- truss rod looks like it’s some generic threaded rod which has been fashioned into a truss rod, so my guess is this is why it’s failed - the materials aren’t designed for this purpose. 
- the binding on the sides of the fretboard is pickguard material (plastic) and didn’t do well with the heat, but it’s already on order along with a suitable proper truss rod. 
- the good news is the neck is in good shape and with a proper rod, it’ll play nicely. 
 

this confirms what others have said about their Maruszczyk when the truss rod broke - that for some reason, they don’t put decent rods in their basses. 
 

can’t wait to see and play the result!

[lemmywinks]

Do you have a pic of the rod they used? Might help other folk if the owner of the company is being difficult about repairs/replacements.

[basexperience]

1 hour ago, lemmywinks said:

Do you have a pic of the rod they used? Might help other folk if the owner of the company is being difficult about repairs/replacements.

I think @Manton Customs is going to send me one - perhaps Robin could comment on here directly? I'd like to see a picture of the old rod vs a proper truss rod, too - Robin is ordering something suitable.

[Manton Customs]

Sure, will post some pics as I go 😃 

[basexperience]

I have an update - Robin reckons put carbon rods in would be a worthy upgrade, so the neck is getting those too. Anything which helps me get that neck flat!