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Differences between Zon Sonus Special and Custom

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Dave Metts, Nov 25, 2001.

  1. Nov 25, 2001 #1
    Dave Metts

    Dave Metts Guest

    Nov 21, 2000
    Kansas City, MO
    I'm interested in getting a fretless 6-string Sonus Custom or Special. I was wondering what the main differences are, and whether or not one was better as fretless. Thanks!
     
  2. Nov 25, 2001 #2
    Angus

    Angus Supporting Member

    Apr 16, 2000
    Palo Alto, CA
    Special: Two stacked humbuckers, one in bridge position, one in mid position. Unless custom, only a bubinga top is available.

    Custom: Two humbuckers in bridge and neck position, any top available.

    It's really a preference thing, though a majority prefer the special because the character in the mids makes it cut through like hell. You really should go try both of them out, if possible. Maybe you could shoot Joe Zon an email and see if he has loaners that he can send out for you to test?
     
  3. Nov 25, 2001 #3
    Gard

    Gard

    Mar 31, 2000
    Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA
    As the owner of a Sonus Special fretless 5, I can vouch for Angus' description:

    This is the bass guitarists love to hate. Can't bury it in a mix, but it never sounds bad.

    The Custom is a bit more "polite", but still a killer bass.

    Oh, and as for fretless, the Special is THE fretless for me, sounds like Jaco's J bass on steroids! :D
     
  4. Nov 25, 2001 #4
    Dave Metts

    Dave Metts Guest

    Nov 21, 2000
    Kansas City, MO
    Thanks a lot!

    That's the basic impression I got from looking at the info on the Zon website. I'm definitely looking into the Special right now. I'd love to ask Joe if there's a loaner I could try, but I want to make sure I've got the money first. So now I just have to save up for a while!
     
  5. Nov 25, 2001 #5
    Dave Metts

    Dave Metts Guest

    Nov 21, 2000
    Kansas City, MO
    Yeah, I started thinking about which bass I wanted to get next, as I really want to go all out next time around. It was basically up between Sadowsky and Zon, and for a while I had basically decided on the Sadowsky. However as I listened to more music, I decided I really want to go 6-string. I'm primarily a metal, funk, and punk player, but since I don't have a gig I wanted something that would allow more expression. So I decided, why not kill off 3 birds with one stone and get a high-end 6-string fretless!

    I do love the idea of a mean fretless, so I'll probably go with the Special. Now I just need to talk to Joe and find out how much money I need to save (and also how long I can expect to wait!).
     
  6. Nov 25, 2001 #6
    Dave Metts

    Dave Metts Guest

    Nov 21, 2000
    Kansas City, MO
    Oh boy, I just made the mistake of checking out the Hanewinckel website. Those look like some amazing basses for a very nice price! Must keep focused....Zon Zon Zon Zon.........

    whew, this is going to be tough :)
     
  7. Nov 27, 2001 #7
    Dave Metts

    Dave Metts Guest

    Nov 21, 2000
    Kansas City, MO
    Nobody probably cares, but a quick question:

    Anybody know the approximate build time for Zon? I've heard 9 months to a year. I don't know if I could deal with that long of a wait.....
     
  8. Nov 27, 2001 #8
    Dave Metts

    Dave Metts Guest

    Nov 21, 2000
    Kansas City, MO
    yeah, I dropped him an email today. Actually, I thought I did yesterday, but in my excitement I actually sent it to customer service. :p

    I just hope it doesn't take him too long to respond. I'm thinking about going with a less costly Cirrus 6 fretless if the Zon thing just doesn't happen for me. Are the Cirrus fretlesses lined or unlined?
     
  9. Nov 28, 2001 #9
    embellisher

    embellisher Holy Ghost filled Bass Player Supporting Member

    Apr 18, 2000
    Heber Springs, Arkansas
    All of the Cirruses that I've seen were lined.

    I agree with Gard's and Angus' description of the tone of the Custom being more polite, but with the optional piezo bridge and the 2 humbuckers, my Custom can get very nasty when I need it to.
     
  10. Nov 28, 2001 #10
    Gard

    Gard

    Mar 31, 2000
    Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA
    David -

    Actually the average time from order to delivery from Joe Zon is 16 weeks (~4 months). Oh yeah, in addition to playing a Zon, I sell 'em ;)...

    Gimme a call at Bass Central (800-545-8813) sometime and I'll get you a price and ETA on one.
     
  11. Nov 28, 2001 #11
    Jeff in TX

    Jeff in TX

    Nov 1, 2000
    Lone Star State
    I've had 3 custom Zons made. The wait was about 4 months on each.

    Joe was great to work with, BTW...

    Jeff
     
  12. Dec 1, 2001 #12
    Ad Nauseam

    Ad Nauseam

    Nov 21, 2001
    East Bay, CA. and Denver, CO.
    I have a Zon Sonus Special Fretless, it is my main bass and it is well equipped for any situation. It has different electronics than the custom as well.
    The best reason for one is the fretboard, try to find some strings that'll eat through phenolic resin and birch!
     
  13. Dec 1, 2001 #13
    embellisher

    embellisher Holy Ghost filled Bass Player Supporting Member

    Apr 18, 2000
    Heber Springs, Arkansas
    That's one of the things that I like about my Custom fretless. I love stainless roundwounds, no worry about wear at all with phenowood.
     
  14. Dec 2, 2001 #14
    Dave Metts

    Dave Metts Guest

    Nov 21, 2000
    Kansas City, MO
    I'm both scared and excited at the prospect of getting this bass. I'm excited because I know it'll be an excellent bass. I'm scared because I've never owned a fretless and don't know how well I'll be able to play on it.

    If all goes well, it'll just force me to develop better technique!