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Official Zon Club Part 2

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#701
LeonD said:
It seems like I'm not the only one with a Zon that has a crack in the finish. I'm not sure if that should make me feel better or not. :rolleyes:

I think it's kind of cool when basses are show wear from being played but this is a little different. Other than the aesthetics though, everything else seems fine. I guess I'll just live with it.

Below are a couple of pics of the cracks.

Thanks for the input.

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Hey Leon,

I too am sorry to see this happened. It really doesn't make sense to me since the transport from my house to yours really wasn't that long of a drive.

I had this issue before on a Sonus I used to own and I just used brush-on super glue to make sure the crack didn't spread. Doesn't look to good in the area, but it does work. In your case, you can save the visible areas.

-A
 
#702
LeonD said:
It seems like I'm not the only one with a Zon that has a crack in the finish. I'm not sure if that should make me feel better or not. :rolleyes:

I think it's kind of cool when basses are show wear from being played but this is a little different. Other than the aesthetics though, everything else seems fine. I guess I'll just live with it.

Below are a couple of pics of the cracks.

Thanks for the input.

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Click to expand...


So sorry! Although it doesn't seems deep, but I know how you must feel...:rollno: My Sonus was made in 2009 and until now haven't had problems with it... (knock on wood, or graphite?)
 
#704
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#705
I'll reiterate just in case anyone missed it: if anyone is looking to place an order for any Zon other than a Vinny, let me know. I can either get you a lot more bass for the same money, or save you a bunch. I can do it for 2 people, though one might be taken. It would also get them made RIGHT NOW. Contact me if interested.
 
#709
Thanks for all the comments and thoughts on my finish crack issue.

At this time, I do believe it's just a cosmetic issue. I guess what surprises me the most is how fragile this finish is. I can understand older lacquer cracking but I would think two year old poly would be a little more durable.

I'm still enjoying the bass and learning the different tones it has so I'll be keeping it. At least till the next round of GAS sets in. :D
 
#710
For what it's worth, my 6 string bolt-on has the exact same crack. It's pretty normal. It's not that the finish is so fragile so much as it's not very flexible, and sharp edges always propagate cracks. Mine did it within the first two months or so, and hasn't moved since. I've put a bunch of other marks in it, so a finish crack is hardly the least of my issues, but it is something they should theoretically find a solution for.

My 5 string, which is a setneck, hasn't had any issues, for obvious reasons.

Small issue, yeah, but really the only blemish on the normally incredible finish work they do. I don't think there are many in the business who can equal the quality of their finishes.
 
#713
Zon owners and experts please advise me:

I want to make sure I am waiting for the right Zon ??

I am patiently waiting for a used Zon special 4 string fretless bass to show up. Ideally, it would have the mid EQ control but that is not critical. It MUST be 4 string though. It could even be fretted and I could have Mike Lull de-fret it as he has done on a number of basses for me.

I have four fretless basses already: 2 Turners, a Wendler and a Cort. I am looking for a specific sound leaning to the Michael Manring tonal world but I will not be getting a Hyper bass. The Zon will round out my fretless family !!

The reason I am asking for clarification is to try to find out how much of the " sound " I am looking for is in the specific pickups and pickup placement of the special. If this were not the case, it would open up my options to other Zon models.

The sound I want comes from this bass:
alvin_photo_2_final.gif

A special with the mid eq. A clip is here: Link Removed Please excuse the quality. Recorded from CD to Digital voice recorder to computer to Audacity LOL !

There is a new special here: Link Removed Just can't justify $3,600.00 when they are so much less used.

This one on ebay did not sell today [ reserve not met]. Not a special. And as eager as I am, don't know if I can do baby blue: http://cgi.ebay.com/ZON-1996-SONUS-...D-/230587401759?pt=Guitar&hash=item35b014861f

Anyway, if those of you in the know can tell me if there are other models other than the special that will get me in this tonal range, please let me know.

Thanks much!
 
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#714
jibreel said:
Zon owners and experts please advise...
Anyway, if those of you in the know can tell me if there are other models other than the special that will get me in this tonal range, please let me know.
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I guess the short answer is, if you're spending this kinda' money and pretty much know what you want, don't settle for something else (it'll bug you more and more as time goes on after the honeymoon phase dies off, and you'll flip for a loss.) That's not to say other Zon models wouldn't make fantastic fretless basses, because they do, but I just think staying on familiar ground is best.

However, if it's hard to find the specific model you're after in your price range, and another model came along at such a price that you could flip it for little or no loss when the right model came along (or even if you just decided to move it), that's typically a safe bet, so go for it. Who knows, maybe you'll find your tastes aren't as specific as you thought and you'll be just as happy with it. You never know. :)

That said, I do personally like the Special best for a fretless in the Sonus family. The extra emphasis on the midrange due to the pickup types and location just make it a completely wonderful fretless.
 
#715
jibreel said:
Zon owners and experts please advise me:

I want to make sure I am waiting for the right Zon ??

I am patiently waiting for a used Zon special 4 string fretless bass to show up. Ideally, it would have the mid EQ control but that is not critical. It MUST be 4 string though. It could even be fretted and I could have Mike Lull de-fret it as he has done on a number of basses for me.

The reason I am asking for clarification is to try to find out how much of the " sound " I am looking for is in the specific pickups and pickup placement of the special. If this were not the case, it would open up my options to other Zon models.
Click to expand...

Since many luthiers (even Zon) will happily install a 3 band EQ for you, just keep your eyes open for a 4 string special. Frankly I've seen them for sale occasionally. I wouldn't go for a regular sonus, the sound may not be the same and it would be quite hard to retrofit to special specifications.
 
#716
Stick with the Special. If you know that is the sound you like, then that is absolutely what you should go with, or else you'll always be wondering if you should have gotten something else.

A midrange control can always be added (really, they would just swap another board in), and that is cheaper than having a fretted bass defretted (especially at Mike Lull's prices), so don't worry about that.

If you want to save cash, just wait out until you see the one you want and jump on it. They've have no changed dramatically over the years, except for the bridge and the addition of an adjustment rod. It'll come around eventually.

Also, that bass in San Diego has the LAMEST bubinga top. I wouldn't buy that one, either.
 
#717
Thanks to all of you !!!! This is what I needed to hear. You guys are saving my a lot of grief.

I am in Seattle so I get to peruse Bass Northwest regularly but there just have not been any Zons coming through to try out.

There was a killer Zon special 5 string fretless WITH the mid eq that sold on ebay about a month ago for $ 1550.00. I have two 5 string fretless basses already and I am clear it has to be a 4 so I will TRY to be patient. It seems like there are more 5's for some reason.
 
#718
+ 1 to what has been said.
Pickup placement is a key to sound. The Sonus Special has *that* fretless sound, and that's the sound you want.
Patience, grasshopper... the Special you seek will arrive.
 
#719
kesslari said:
+ 1 to what has been said.
Pickup placement is a key to sound. The Sonus Special has *that* fretless sound, and that's the sound you want.
Patience, grasshopper... the Special you seek will arrive.
Click to expand...

LOL !!!

Thanks, you all have actually made it easier. Knowing that it is just the one model keeps it very clear.

Now for the waiting..............
 
#720
While I agree that pickup placement is huge in getting a certain sound, one thing about Michael's sound is that his bass has a coated fretboard.

I know that coated fretboards can have a drastic impact on tone. And the fretless Zons that I've had did not.

I'm not saying you can't get a great sound from a non coated Zon fretboard but something else to consider.
 
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