In the pursuit of the “ultimate” gear, we often look toward the big names—the brands that have conquered the Instagram feeds and the professional stages. In January 2026, I thought that brand was Mayones. I was ready to bring in a Cali 4, but what followed was a masterclass in how not to treat a curator.
The Mayones Disconnect
I reached out to Mayones in Poland. I saw the guitar. I had the funds. But when it came to the transparency of the transaction—the simple human need to know my money was safe—the response was a wall of corporate indifference. They expected me to follow “the process” without addressing my concerns. Even my local dealer in Singapore, 35 Guitar Avenue, went silent.
In the trading world, silence is a red flag. If a brand isn’t sincere in the deal, how can the instrument be sincere in the hands? I boycotted both.
The Müb Sincerity
One week later, a Google AI search led me to Maurizio at Müb Guitars in KL. The contrast was startling:
- Direct Connection: No “sales staff.” Just the luthier and his WhatsApp.
- Radical Transparency: A 2-minute video of the instrument, personalised to me, addressing every spec and “scar” of its refurbished journey.
- The “Human” Spec: Maurizio was working and communicating during the Chinese New Year holidays, not because he had to, but because he cared about the placement of his instrument.
Introducing “Enza” (2023 Müb Miezo 18″/5)
I closed the deal in less than a week. Enza arrived from KL to Yishun via DHL almost overnight.
- The Math: Half the price of a Cali 4.
- The Soul: Built by hand by a man I can talk to whenever I have a question.
- The Result: A bass that has more resonance in its 18-inch scale than every 34-inch “standard” I’ve sold in the last decade.
The Lesson: I am not just a “commoner” buying a tool. I am a player living in a “Big World.” If a builder doesn’t have the soft skills to match their luthier skills, they don’t deserve a spot on my rack.