Official Zon Club Part 2

[ialma]

ehm... there is no truss rod in any of the two basses.
the Special's neck sounds much more dense (and heavy) than the standard's.

 

[Angus]

Sounds, or is?

Are you sure there isn't an adjustment rod in the special (if it's 2008)? You have to take the neck off to see it.

 

[ialma]

The 2001 Standard is seven years younger than my 1994 Special. Both don't have any truss rod.
The Special is much heavier than the Standard, cannot understand why (it cannot be the 3mm bubinga top since is also 4mm thinner than the Standard)

 

[Mike Dimin]

The 2001 Standard is seven years younger than my 1994 Special. Both don't have any truss rod.
The Special is much heavier than the Standard, cannot understand why (it cannot be the 3mm bubinga top since is also 4mm thinner than the Standard)

Bass is made of wood. Density of wood, even within the same species, can differ greatly

 

[Angus]

The 2001 Standard is seven years younger than my 1994 Special. Both don't have any truss rod.
The Special is much heavier than the Standard, cannot understand why (it cannot be the 3mm bubinga top since is also 4mm thinner than the Standard)

Oh, sorry- I had the 7 year difference backward.

 

[sps500]

Anybody got a direct line to the shop? Been trying to get Martin (Customer Service) but emails and phone calls don't seem to get any form of replies?

Been waiting on a VB4 that was supposed to be ready a month or so ago?

Anybody got anything on whats going on in the shop?

Thanks

 

[Angus]

Delays are pretty normal across the business.

The phone number is 650-366-3516- it's the direct line to the shop. Call on Tuesday.

 

[ehque]

Anybody got a direct line to the shop? Been trying to get Martin (Customer Service) but emails and phone calls don't seem to get any form of replies?

Don't worry about the long wait, how long did he quote you? My bass was supposed to be done in 8 months, I expected 12 but we're heading into the 17th month with delays from namm and bartolini factoring in.

Although I can usually get him by email, he also hasn't replied to mine since namm, however.

 

[sps500]

"Delays are pretty normal across the business." This isn't the first custom I've ordered so I am OK with the delays...Just want a little communication.

"The phone number is 650-366-3516- it's the direct line to the shop." Tried it a fortnight ago got an answer and left a message to call or email me back but got none!

"Call on Tuesday." I will try as suggested.

Why can't all bass makers have the customer service of Sadowsky or Nordstrand! Hell even Dave Segal (NYBW) and Ken Smith answer all their emails!!!

 

[earsmack]

Same boat. Don't mind the wait but communication is key.

 

[kesslari]

Joe and Co. are *usually* good about communication. I'd give thme about a 5 or 6 out of 10.
I've worked with custom builders who are a 0 out of 10 for communication, and who run WAAAY later - tear-your-hair-out frustrating. With Zon my experience has been "hang in there, try next week, you'll probably get through and have a satisfying conversation".

 

[Vic]

Why can't all bass makers have the customer service of Sadowsky or Nordstrand! Hell even Dave Segal (NYBW) and Ken Smith answer all their emails!!!

True, but unfortunately, the reality is, they set the bar, not the standard. That's why they're constantly prop'd everywhere. They wouldn't get that kind of notoriety if it wasn't (sadly) "unusual".

The unfortunate irony is, it's all too typical that you have to have both a thick wallet as well as thick skin at the high end. Once you understand/accept that, you can live a lot more stress free.

The other "trick" is, if you can, always have at least a second ultra fantastic bass. That way you can always find some satisfaction until the new guy shows up.

Another trick is, only do the minimum deposit. If you're like me, you need to pump money away from your normal accounts over the build time rather than put up with a huge payment upon completion. Do that in your savings account... don't send it to the builder. That way, the money's always there, and you earn whatever interest on it in the mean time... no harm done.

Bottom line is, with big stuff like this, it always hurts most if you put all your eggs in one basket and you have "nothing" until it arrives. Diversify.

That said, I know there are those who can only afford one bass at this level... for those folks, I'd say buy off the shelf or buy from a builder you know has a "particularly responsive" reputation. Most of the popular builders out there are known about on TB, so it's not hard to figure out which ones require more patience... or less.

In short, save yourself some stress... be a smart and/or patient buyer. Both if you can.

IMHO!!!!

 

[LeonD]

My perspective is that there are a lot of basses that sound good, that are quality, that I can get "my sound" from, etc. When I buy a bass of this caliber, I want more than just good tone; I can get that in a lot of places.

I want good tone and a good looking bass and a pleasurable ordering/buying experience and to be treated with respect by the builder (as I treat him with respect). The whole package needs to be positive.

If a date is quoted and it's going to be missed, I shouldn't have to call to find out. Things happen and dates slips. That's life. It's not that hard for the luthier to realize he's going to miss the date and pick up the phone and call.

I've had bad experiences (Six month quote to fix a backbowed neck. I got the neck back after a year and a half. And he never called me once during the entire processes.) and I've had good experiences. In all the cases, they were good quality, fine sounding instruments.

But guess who'll get my repeat business?

 

[Vic]

My perspective is...

...completely understandable.

Just to make sure we're on the same page, I don't condone that kind of lack of responsiveness at all... I'm merely just pointing out it's a sad, but at least well known reality, so it's easy to either deal with or avoid as everybody's personal tolerances dictate. Shouldn't come as any surprise to anyone for a given builder.

 

[LeonD]

I think we are on the same page. I just see some people have to put up with so much. If those companies were in other industries with practices like they exhibit in the music industry, they'd be out of business a long time ago.

And just so people don't misunderstand my rant, it's NOT directed towards Zon. I like Zon's. My Vinny is the fourth Zon that I've owned. I called them up twice this week to ask questions about my "new" bass and got thru both times. They were both pleasant and helpful both times.

 

[Vic]

I think we are on the same page. I just see some people have to put up with so much. If those companies were in other industries with practices like they exhibit in the music industry, they'd be out of business a long time ago.

And just so people don't misunderstand my rant, it's NOT directed towards Zon. I like Zon's. My Vinny is the fourth Zon that I've owned. I called them up twice this week to ask questions about my "new" bass and got thru both times. They were both pleasant and helpful both times.

Yeah, IMHO, you're absolutely right.

FWIW, I also know this about Joe and the crew, yet I still plan to get another new Zon at some point. I'm just personally willing to put up with the hassles to get it. I can also fully understand that wouldn't be everyone's choice.

 

[Mike Dimin]

My perspective is that there are a lot of basses that sound good, that are quality, that I can get "my sound" from, etc. When I buy a bass of this caliber, I want more than just good tone; I can get that in a lot of places.

I want good tone and a good looking bass and a pleasurable ordering/buying experience and to be treated with respect by the builder (as I treat him with respect). The whole package needs to be positive.

If a date is quoted and it's going to be missed, I shouldn't have to call to find out. Things happen and dates slips. That's life. It's not that hard for the luthier to realize he's going to miss the date and pick up the phone and call.

I've had bad experiences (Six month quote to fix a backbowed neck. I got the neck back after a year and a half. And he never called me once during the entire processes.) and I've had good experiences. In all the cases, they were good quality, fine sounding instruments.

But guess who'll get my repeat business?

Leon,

You make all very valid points. Yet as customers, I think that we don't really understand that these are VERY small companies. The do not have dedicated receptionists or even a marketing person (let alone department). They work VERY hard trying to build basses and get them to a customer in a timely manner. Since they are small, they are also, at times, at the mercy of suppliers who tend to service bigger accounts first. It is a tough place to be - the cutting edge

 

[earsmack]

With all due respect, being a small company is no excuse. Communication and the ability to manage workload are key in any business, regardless of company size and regardless of how well-respected your instruments are. I know plenty of one-man shops in various businesses that do this just fine - it is not rocket-science.

I will say this, when I did get Joe on the phone once he spent a LOT of time talking to me about my bass. I appreciated that and, in fact, that conversation and his reputation keep me from being more concerned.

But a phone call, photo, email, explanation - something - would be nice!

 

[Angus]

I have to agree- being a small shop is not an excuse for not keeping up to date with your customers. Yes, it takes time, but it takes less time than talking them down from anger, and if you keep yourself organized it doesn't have to take very much time.

It always takes less time to inform as you go than to try to soothe things down the road.

 

[Vic]

+1 again.

I can name shops that are just as small... and also smaller... who are more responsive. I love Joe and his products, but they really could do better.