• 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.

Official Zon Club Part 3

Status
Not open for further replies.
#581
Vic said:
I don't think so, BUT, Carey has been known to do custom pickup covers for existing pickup models... in fact, there might even be the possibility of getting some NJ5 or NJ5S pickups under those shells if the route is long enough, not sure. May be worth asking Carey.
Click to expand...

That would look nice under a set of custom covers with tops that match the fingerboard.
Are the pickups on a regular Sonus and a Custom centered at the same point along the scale length? If not, placement may play a role too, but I agree with Vic that the difference between dual coil and single coil pickups is a big factor in the tone.
Another option may be installing a coil tap (if those pickups can be wired that way).
 
#584
I don't think the centerline of the stacked duals is the same as the humbuckers. If had a true single made inside a dual-sized shell, you'd probably have to have the pickup offset inside the shell to make sure it ends up in the correct spot.

If someone still has both types, though, they could verify. Vic?
 
#586
Angus said:
I don't think the centerline of the stacked duals is the same as the humbuckers. If had a true single made inside a dual-sized shell, you'd probably have to have the pickup offset inside the shell to make sure it ends up in the correct spot.

If someone still has both types, though, they could verify. Vic?
Click to expand...
Nope. I've only owned one Custom, and later one Sonus 5 converted to the Classic pickups, I decided pretty quickly after both of those I'm only into the J style pickups in Zons, so that's all I have now. Just the two. My older Redwood topped one and the newer Koa topped one. And I believe I'm "done" now too. They both satisfy all my Zon GAS. :)
 
#588
Twin Zon Vinny VB5 basses received today. My slightly enebriated tirades related to gig bags a month or two ago no longer relevant to my own considerations.

22-month wait on these twin Zon VB5s fulfilled today.

p.s. On the same visit, I set up that spalted Zon Sonus 5 fretless to be transformed to unlined fretless. Also pic'd in version 3 of this Zon club thread, much earlier. My fiancee' was just watching this all in true awe.
 

Attachments

  • Vinces_Zon_Vinny_Twins_2.JPG.jpg
    Vinces_Zon_Vinny_Twins_2.JPG.jpg
    110.2 KB · Views: 170
  • Vinces_Zon_Vinny_Twins_3.JPG.jpg
    Vinces_Zon_Vinny_Twins_3.JPG.jpg
    94.7 KB · Views: 160
#590
Those have some interesting differences with the Vinny I have; the "Zon" name is on the fretboard end rather than the body, and the bridge is place slightly higher up the body with stalks between the bridge and the tuners. Were these requests or the new standard?
 
#591
Is your bolt-on or setneck?

There have been multiple iterations on the bridge design and manufacturer (same for the head piece). Of the ones I've tried, I like the integrated solution the best, even if it isn't as pretty as the two-piece stuff.
 
#592
Mine's a bolt-on. It has the same one-piece bridge as onewebfoot's basses have, but the bridge is slightly lower on the body, so no extension stalks are needed between the bridge and the tuners. I'm curious if it's a new design choice or something that pertains to scale length, etc.
 
#593
I will confess to having no sophistication, but predictable ... (something that rhymes with "-ation").

These two Vinny VB5 basses are rock bottom, base model Vinny 5 basses, by the CURRENT definition. That means 17mm spacing. Order one off their form, and this is what you get. With one exception. I opted for GLOSS, not satin.

I deeply respect both options on the finish, but I've seen satin, I've seen gloss, and my intense pref is for gloss. I know that might go against the majority taste, which I respect, but I like and LOVE gloss, even on the rock bottom bass ash. I love it. @$%# the the public personality contest winners (and kick me if I'm off taste here, but I'm always on my own path anyway, you know it).
 
#594
oh yeah, there's one more dif. That fretless has Circle K strings at .146" BALANCED on the B string. That fretted has the heaviest standard Zon strings (.135" on the B string). I was a fan of Circle K before they became whatever they are today in separate threads.

I have to COMPETE with a GRAND PiANIST, and pipe ORGANIST, AND a full-sized SYNTHESIZER, all on the stage at precisely the same time. And I like the balanced wanderings. Joe said it was a test to get that friggin .146" B string to work but it DOES, and by HIS tastes, he LIKED the sound.

Otherwise, that headless Todd Johnson 6 is staggering. That's the bass Joe used to teach me about switching out strings. My claim to fame for maybe 1.25 minutes.
 
#595
Bryan R. Tyler said:
Those have some interesting differences with the Vinny I have; the "Zon" name is on the fretboard end rather than the body, and the bridge is place slightly higher up the body with stalks between the bridge and the tuners. Were these requests or the new standard?
Click to expand...

The logo placement probably had something to do with your bass having 26 frets. There may not have been enough room left on the neck extension for it to fit.
I don't know about those "extensions" though. It does seem that the bridge was moved a little farther forward on these two compared to yours.
 
#596
TapyTap said:
Is anyone else here waiting for Todd Johnson to receive his new 32" scale headless Zon?
Click to expand...

onewebfoot said:
Yeah, but I saw this baby in person in Zon's shop today. The reason for that (non-related, directly) posted in a few minutes.
Click to expand...

onewebfoot said:
Otherwise, that headless Todd Johnson 6 is staggering.
Click to expand...

Wasn't Mike Dimin waiting for a new bass from Zon too? I remember a post of his from a while ago saying that he has something new from Zon coming. Did he announce it and I missed it?

I'm really hoping it's something that will replace his VB5. I think he may have the only VB5 with 3/4" spacing at the bridge. I think that bass is darn near perfect.

Of course, I'm really hoping to win the lottery too. That way if he does ever sell it I'll be able to afford it! :help:
 
#598
Depends. Some years it's on the bottom of the body by the strap pin, other years it's at the neck joint on the body (visible with the neck on), and I think other years had other locations. It should be visible and on the body.

fretless_guy said:
I'm really hoping it's something that will replace his VB5. I think he may have the only VB5 with 3/4" spacing at the bridge.
Click to expand...

There have been others, though that one was probably the first.

I'm waiting for something, too, and we just hit the 5 year mark. Hooray.
 
#600
fretless_guy said:
Wasn't Mike Dimin waiting for a new bass from Zon too? I remember a post of his from a while ago saying that he has something new from Zon coming. Did he announce it and I missed it?

I'm really hoping it's something that will replace his VB5. I think he may have the only VB5 with 3/4" spacing at the bridge. I think that bass is darn near perfect.

Of course, I'm really hoping to win the lottery too. That way if he does ever sell it I'll be able to afford it! :help:
Click to expand...

Actually I was getting a Standard, nothing new custom for now (although i did just get a REALLY nice tax return). I almost sold the VB5 about a year ago, or at least was contemplating it. I wanted a TJ fretless. Fortunately I was able to get a cool fretless at a reasonable price (not a Zon).

I am really glad I did not sell it. It shares the #1 spot with my TJ. I cannot say that one is demonstratively better than the other.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back