Here ya go....black beauty in her full glory.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Mr.Ace
Bass players rule!
- Sep 8, 2015
- 1,120
- 1,050
- 49
- Disclosures
- Endorsed by Fusion ( maker of killer gig bags)
Other than natural finishes Black has always been my favorite. Had a few over the years.
Here’s two pics taken over 20 years apart of the peavey fury and esp ltd f-415fm
Here’s two pics taken over 20 years apart of the peavey fury and esp ltd f-415fm
Cheap and nothing Special, but I sure love it! One of my best sounding basses
Mr.Ace
Bass players rule!
- Sep 8, 2015
- 1,120
- 1,050
- 49
- Disclosures
- Endorsed by Fusion ( maker of killer gig bags)
Mr.Ace
Bass players rule!
- Sep 8, 2015
- 1,120
- 1,050
- 49
- Disclosures
- Endorsed by Fusion ( maker of killer gig bags)
There's something about this that's so black, it's like how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black
Well not to be Debbie Downer, but there ARE those MIJ P bass Specials with the painted-black necks....
So there is room to be THAT much more black.
Nice-looking fretboard, yours
1970's Jazz before and after removing ill-painted lettering 
Well i just got it yesterday, and only had time to play it for 2 hours, but me likey! The fanned frets do help the clarity of the pitches and the tension is even. I like the tones, the preamp is very versatile, and i didn't really notice the fanned frets. I've heard that and didn't believe it but it's true.
Aria Pro II CSB B&G I
Aria Pro II SB-CB
Aria Pro II B&G I
2000* Zon Sonus Custom 4
(I think.. maybe 2002)
I have much better pictures, they’re just now with me at moment. Anyway that’s an all black Zon Sonus Custom 4. Ordered new in 2000. (those “white” strings were coated DRs which I’ve since abandoned for the non coated ones, since I play with a pick - and after a while it starts... snowing, onto the pickups below) I’ve been thinking of changing the preamp and bridge; the preamp - first of all I have no idea what the one in my bass is. The manual says one thing but I’ve been told it’s another.
Not trying to knock off nyone at Zon or anything (they’re really very nice) but this the difficult;y in regards to communication between us was a little nerve wrecking at times, especially when you live ha;way across the world, despite bringing it down to something I was trying to convince myself of that wasn’t true, just wanting an email or two just to know the money I had didn’t just vanish. That’s how it was at the time, and yes I find sad but the bass - from the moment I got it - all of that, on a way, was worth it. Plus I did and still do understand they’ve got a lot of work to do, being a relativly small company consisting of artisans to be honest. Still, being not rich and saving up fpr something thwn heading crickets, or like a bloody tumbleweed goes past.. you know... seriously hope they sorted put their communication issues and I know it wasn’t just me saying this at the time.
Great bass in every way. It’s beginning to show signs of wear and tear, especially the pots, but the body itself still have no significant marks. At least, not ones that can’t be captured unless using a macro lens after knowing where to look.
The reason for the preamp upgrade, short story, I like the Wal system and I have lots of reasons why that type of configuration would be beneficial. There’s nothing “wrong’ with the Zon; in fact instead of selling it I want to keep it for its ergonomics; oh, and that neck, man... Anyway - I believe ACGuitars offers what essentially is a reproduction of it - called the EQ-01 or close to that, and I also recall you could get the Wal type pickups (the ones where each pole piece is coiled) from a luthier who’s name I embarrassingly cannot recall at the moment.
Any opinions/ideas/info on this? Should I get the Wal-type pups made, or will the stock Bartolinis work with it? Oh... and any know what the preamp is? I apologise as I know th e pics don’t exactly lend themselves to being easier to identify, but I’ve been told (first) it’s a Polyfusion, but then it could also be a Bartolini, which you can see in one of the pics, I’d’s\d by the name, but again, nothing. I have no idea re model names/numbers, not for certain. Also; how in the world would one remove that, especially the bit with the trim point for gain on the top - is it literally glued there? I wouldn’t it to be damaged in my removing it.
Ok... maybe it’s not all black.
In regards to my replacing the stock bridge - this is not at all on the same “level” as the preamp. I may not go thru with it. I do have a (literally) small problem in that a week ago - and I have no idea how this happened - but after recording fpr about 2, maybe 2 and a half hours, the E string started to wound and felt really strange, all of a sudden. Turns out those things - I forgot the name again god I’m old) you know, those small hex key/use to raise or lower height, has 2 per saddle... the one on the left of the E saddle just.. flew away or something. I seriously can’t explain it, but if anyone knows what this is, can I just buy that one little thing that would be compatible?
I’ve 4 other basses but this is the one I almost always grab, a lot like an involuntary action almost. I also really would love to do a one off custom thing with Zon but I dunno...
I’ll update this when I get some better pics in a day or so. Any help ‘ suggestions would be really awesome and greatly appreciated!
Cheers everyone,
Trevor
PS: I just recalled; the gold/bronze “Sonus” decal on the headstock has gradually faded over the last decade or so. Does anyone know why? Just an maesthetic thing; doesn’t affect anything else of course. Unless the headstock is haunted. As my friend just said, weird cos now I have a feeling the headstock is gonna haunt some part of his anatomy soon. No not that, geez.
EDIT: Stil unable to get the pics so I’d say Tuesday at most. Also my apologies for the numerous typos and such. Tends to happen when you don’t sleep for I dunno how many hours now.
(I think.. maybe 2002)
I have much better pictures, they’re just now with me at moment. Anyway that’s an all black Zon Sonus Custom 4. Ordered new in 2000. (those “white” strings were coated DRs which I’ve since abandoned for the non coated ones, since I play with a pick - and after a while it starts... snowing, onto the pickups below) I’ve been thinking of changing the preamp and bridge; the preamp - first of all I have no idea what the one in my bass is. The manual says one thing but I’ve been told it’s another.
Not trying to knock off nyone at Zon or anything (they’re really very nice) but this the difficult;y in regards to communication between us was a little nerve wrecking at times, especially when you live ha;way across the world, despite bringing it down to something I was trying to convince myself of that wasn’t true, just wanting an email or two just to know the money I had didn’t just vanish. That’s how it was at the time, and yes I find sad but the bass - from the moment I got it - all of that, on a way, was worth it. Plus I did and still do understand they’ve got a lot of work to do, being a relativly small company consisting of artisans to be honest. Still, being not rich and saving up fpr something thwn heading crickets, or like a bloody tumbleweed goes past.. you know... seriously hope they sorted put their communication issues and I know it wasn’t just me saying this at the time.
Great bass in every way. It’s beginning to show signs of wear and tear, especially the pots, but the body itself still have no significant marks. At least, not ones that can’t be captured unless using a macro lens after knowing where to look.
The reason for the preamp upgrade, short story, I like the Wal system and I have lots of reasons why that type of configuration would be beneficial. There’s nothing “wrong’ with the Zon; in fact instead of selling it I want to keep it for its ergonomics; oh, and that neck, man... Anyway - I believe ACGuitars offers what essentially is a reproduction of it - called the EQ-01 or close to that, and I also recall you could get the Wal type pickups (the ones where each pole piece is coiled) from a luthier who’s name I embarrassingly cannot recall at the moment.
Any opinions/ideas/info on this? Should I get the Wal-type pups made, or will the stock Bartolinis work with it? Oh... and any know what the preamp is? I apologise as I know th e pics don’t exactly lend themselves to being easier to identify, but I’ve been told (first) it’s a Polyfusion, but then it could also be a Bartolini, which you can see in one of the pics, I’d’s\d by the name, but again, nothing. I have no idea re model names/numbers, not for certain. Also; how in the world would one remove that, especially the bit with the trim point for gain on the top - is it literally glued there? I wouldn’t it to be damaged in my removing it.
Ok... maybe it’s not all black.
In regards to my replacing the stock bridge - this is not at all on the same “level” as the preamp. I may not go thru with it. I do have a (literally) small problem in that a week ago - and I have no idea how this happened - but after recording fpr about 2, maybe 2 and a half hours, the E string started to wound and felt really strange, all of a sudden. Turns out those things - I forgot the name again god I’m old) you know, those small hex key/use to raise or lower height, has 2 per saddle... the one on the left of the E saddle just.. flew away or something. I seriously can’t explain it, but if anyone knows what this is, can I just buy that one little thing that would be compatible?
I’ve 4 other basses but this is the one I almost always grab, a lot like an involuntary action almost. I also really would love to do a one off custom thing with Zon but I dunno...
I’ll update this when I get some better pics in a day or so. Any help ‘ suggestions would be really awesome and greatly appreciated!
Cheers everyone,
Trevor
PS: I just recalled; the gold/bronze “Sonus” decal on the headstock has gradually faded over the last decade or so. Does anyone know why? Just an maesthetic thing; doesn’t affect anything else of course. Unless the headstock is haunted. As my friend just said, weird cos now I have a feeling the headstock is gonna haunt some part of his anatomy soon. No not that, geez.
EDIT: Stil unable to get the pics so I’d say Tuesday at most. Also my apologies for the numerous typos and such. Tends to happen when you don’t sleep for I dunno how many hours now.
Last edited:
