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Custom Bass Wait Support Group Needed [Part 3]
- Thread starter Ryan L.
- Start date
Envious of these acoustics. If I'm being honest, I'm set for solid bodied basses and an acoustic is the only thing I "need."
Okay, I need two: a fretted and a fretless.
Thanks. Acoustic has been a fun journey, albeit fueled by a lack of bass spots in local bands. I'm sure you've seen the article about the death of electric guitar. I kinda feel like the acoustic guys are stepping it up a few notches while typical rock bands are staring at the floor insisting that less is more.
Much like a nice bass, the resonance of handmade acoustics are nothing short of impressive. It's also fun to extend the lower range after many moons of traditional sounds and tunings.
My beautiful chambered 6 string bass is just sitting in the corner. I've been using my Martin Keith for everything! (Yes, you need one..... )Envious of these acoustics. If I'm being honest, I'm set for solid bodied basses and an acoustic is the only thing I "need."
Okay, I need two: a fretted and a fretless.
My wife said to me two days ago...."I know you're going to end up with another acoustic bass from Martin". She's a musician and can see my love for this instrument. It's deeper every day.
I actually hadn't seen that article, but just looked it up in the Washington Post. Thanks for mentioning it. Interesting article...can't say I disagree.
My beautiful chambered 6 string bass is just sitting in the corner. I've been using my Martin Keith for everything! (Yes, you need one..... )
My wife said to me two days ago...."I know you're going to end up with another acoustic bass from Martin". She's a musician and can see my love for this instrument. It's deeper every day.
I'm happy with my five from Martin, but I would like to get one more like yours. Not sure when/if I'll be able to swing for one though.
Haha, I'm also envious of you having a spouse that is a drummer! You lucky duck. I'm going to work on one of my kids-- built in rhythm section!
Ready for JD and Warrior to paint to Trans Blue Clear.
OK, as of 6/8 I'm in the Zon waiting list.
Yes, I am well aware that Zon wait times can be wildly volatile. Took the chance anyway, despite the fact that I'm getting an unusual build, possibly first of its kind. I guess I like living dangerously.
Specs in a nutshell:
Sonus 519H
Headless
24 frets, 34" scale, no face dots
Matte black with black hardware
The good news is that time slows down when you're on a waiting list, and at my age that's a good thing. But no, I don't want to wait one year for this bass, let alone three (the wait time for a recent delivery)! Here's hoping that the Zon machine is well oiled and my fears are unfounded.
Dude you cant go wrong with a Zon! I have my 4th Zon on order now!
Definitely worth the wait!
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Dude you cant go wrong with a Zon! I have my 4th Zon on order now!
Definitely worth the wait!
If you don't mind me asking, how long were the wait times on your first three?
I'm aware that Zons are sometimes delivered within a year, but I've also read about some extreme wait times. Just one example: a TBer I PM'd who received a Zon a month ago said his order took 3 full years to complete, so he'd never order another Zon... but it was definitely a great bass. I've played a couple, I know they are great, which is why I rolled the dice, but I am nervous. Mine is a headless, which is definitely NOT one of their well established models.
If memory serves me correctly I believe 6 months is the average wait time for a Zon. Now there are periods when it could take even longer due to having many orders ahead of you and there are periods when it could be quicker due to not having as many orders in front of you. Joe Zon and his crew are totally awesome and I'm sure there were some unknown variables to cause someone to have to wait several years for a bass. Knowing Joe the way I do, I don't believe at all that was something intentional.
My last Zon, which I believe is the very first ever Sonus Custom Special Headless 5, is currently having some changes done to the pickups and electronics at the Zon factory, but I believe that Bass took about 6 months for delivery, give or take a couple months. Sorry I don't recall exactly how long it took but it was in the 6 month range for sure.
See attached pics of my bass that I received earlier this year. I am having the Bart pre-amp changed to a different model and also the Bart pickups changed to different models (P in a humbucker shell in the middle position and switchable humbucker/single in the bridge position). IMO you can spend more money on another brand, but it won't be better than a Zon.
I also have a Sonus J/J 5 on order now, which I'm expecting by the end of this summer, which is also in the 6 month range.
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My outlook was different in a way.
In 2006, I custom ordered an Elan Five from Alembic. I knew their features and spoke 'Alembese' pretty well. I went over with Susan all the particulars, tied up any loose ends. Paid for it in full Dec 2006 so they could begin.
Now Alembic goes to the trouble of having a 'Factory to Customer' page in The Alembic Club, so they can keep customers posted as to where along the process they are. And probably (though the atelier that is Alembic would never mention any of that in broad daylight) they get a LOT of anxious phone calls, and spend more time than they have talking guys 'down off the ledge'.
I never did any of that. I told them 'I'll see it when I see it, Thanks !', and that was it. Never called once. Had to F-T-C thread. Nothing.
You see I have this belief that you wouldn't tell Gordon Ramsey how to cook, or get on Emeril's case that he's taking too long, etc. I'm a big believer in going to talented, accomplished people with proven track records, and getting the hell out of their way while they're doing what they do for me. If I was lucky enough to win one of those Honda contests, you think I'm gonna worry with Mario Andretti driving me around ?
So . . . . . the following November, I get it. EXACTLY what I told them, no runs, no errors, no men left on base. Perfect.
And I got to skip worrying me and them to death over something they've done thousands of times.
I can highly recommend this method . . . . If you're not dealing with beginners, cons, or an 'artiste' !
In 2006, I custom ordered an Elan Five from Alembic. I knew their features and spoke 'Alembese' pretty well. I went over with Susan all the particulars, tied up any loose ends. Paid for it in full Dec 2006 so they could begin.
Now Alembic goes to the trouble of having a 'Factory to Customer' page in The Alembic Club, so they can keep customers posted as to where along the process they are. And probably (though the atelier that is Alembic would never mention any of that in broad daylight) they get a LOT of anxious phone calls, and spend more time than they have talking guys 'down off the ledge'.
I never did any of that. I told them 'I'll see it when I see it, Thanks !', and that was it. Never called once. Had to F-T-C thread. Nothing.
You see I have this belief that you wouldn't tell Gordon Ramsey how to cook, or get on Emeril's case that he's taking too long, etc. I'm a big believer in going to talented, accomplished people with proven track records, and getting the hell out of their way while they're doing what they do for me. If I was lucky enough to win one of those Honda contests, you think I'm gonna worry with Mario Andretti driving me around ?
So . . . . . the following November, I get it. EXACTLY what I told them, no runs, no errors, no men left on base. Perfect.
And I got to skip worrying me and them to death over something they've done thousands of times.
I can highly recommend this method . . . . If you're not dealing with beginners, cons, or an 'artiste' !
I was quoted 8 months, and I'll definitely be happy with that.
I also ordered a headless, but mine will have wide string spacing, essentially a headless Sonus 519, which they haven't done before. From everything I've read, Zon won't release a bass that isn't done right. My concern is only about build time: I really don't want to be one of those customers who has to wait 2 to 3 years because of complications. Got my fingers crossed.
My bass will finally receive its last coats of nitrocellulose clear. 1 month away from the final assembly. It's been a long run since I placed the order. I had the chance to try my custom P prior to finish and it was amazing, I just can't wait.
If Joe quoted 8 months then you can bet that's exactly how long he things it will take. He can't really guarantee it, but he's telling you his honest opinion of how long he thinks it will take him.
Maybe he even surprises you and gets it done early!
If Joe quoted 8 months then you can bet that's exactly how long he things it will take. He can't really guarantee it, but he's telling you his honest opinion of how long he thinks it will take him.
Maybe he even surprises you and gets it done early!
Most of the Zon owners I've pinged have told me to expect a longer wait than whatever I was quoted, but the bottom line is that my Zon will either be early, on time, or late
, and I won't make any assumptions.Anyway, it's been awhile, but I'm back in the support group, and I'll post here when I get updates from Zon. For the record, my shortest wait here was just 4 months, for a custom Martin Keith I received 3 years ago this month: that was an amazingly quick turnaround, and I gotta give props where due.
I don't think I have received any custom bass on the quoted date for my current build I didn't ask at all.
Finally, a Stewbass w/kn0bs!
- Jan 12, 2011
- 4,578
- 2,460
- Disclosures
- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
This eventually turns into selling a Custom Made Bass for a loss Club 
And switches! I has lost my fragile little mind!Finally, a Stewbass w/kn0bs!
