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Official Zon Club Part 4

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#81
I've had a mix- I've had two newer set necks with adjustment capability, and two older with no adjustment. The two older models didn't move much within the string gauge ranges I use (0.30-.118 to .045-.130), but the newer ones will a slight bit. Luckily the older models were static with light strings at a straight neck, and would move to very gradual relief with heavy gauges. I would not posit any confident hypothesis for why older vs. newer necks move differently, because the n is small and there are a lot of variables- minor changes in internal neck structure to accomodate adjusment rods, age, etc.

If I HAD to guess though, I would say with age and seasoning, the older necks settle into their 'equilibrium', and the stiffness of the carbon necks requires a large tension delta to get much change (relief or backbow). The newer necks move a bit more because they haven't hit their relaxed state with age. Carbon composite definitely settles over time in various ways, so it isn't surprising.

I've never owned one that was out of whack or screwy or that moved like a wooden neck with string gauge changes, but of course there is potential for getting a neck that is on the edge of relief with a particular gauge that will move into unacceptable with thicker strings.

It varies bass to bass. I'm really picky about it and I need a dead-straight, no-relief neck, so I would probably want to play an old set-neck bass before I purchased it, but most people would have no issue. I've seen that they generally settle into having a bit of relief, which for most people is ideal.
 
#83
I should mention that I've seen way more old Modulus basses with wayward necks than old Zons, so personally I would be much more hesitant to buy an old Modulus than an old Zon. But either has the rare potential for trouble.
 
#84
Angus said:
I should mention that I've seen way more old Modulus basses with wayward necks than old Zons, so personally I would be much more hesitant to buy an old Modulus than an old Zon. But either has the rare potential for trouble.
Click to expand...
Also good info, but at least in my case, kinda' moot. I've just never really gotten along with the Modulus tone/feel long term (regardless of bart/emg)... at least with the Quantums, which is mostly what I've had/played. Zons have always spoken to me much more.
 
#85
If anyone's interested, I brought my fretless to rehearsal for one of the bands I play with yesterday and took a vid of us jamming on a new tune... high energy blues stuff.

It's a brand new song so forgive me if it sounds unfocused, etc... I was still trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to play.

Anyway, it's low quality audio from an iPhone or whatever... but, it represents the punch, note clarity and throaty "mwah" that I can get from this bass if I want it.

Totally cuts through.



Amp is a TH500 into a DB112.
 
#86
A friend of mine who swaps gear with me once in a while came over the other day .He currently plays a Roscoe SG 3005.Said he did not care for the Zons when he tried them -about fifteen years ago .He was very impressed with my new Zon and really liked the changes that have been introduced with the necks .He claimed the old necks when he tried them were much fatter -? and that they were very Modulus like.He really dug the tone ,playability and feel compared to what they used to be and I am just repeating him .My Zon is the first one I have ever played and love it .He liked it alot .As much it seemed as his Roscoe wich he loves .We both respect all instrument makers and feel you just need to find out what you like and what works for you otherwise we would all be playing the same thing .I myself have never cared much for the Q5 for myself but love the Modulus vintage jazz all composite neck .

I just received this Zon Sonus 5-1 on the second of this year .I too like a pretty much flat neck.Last nite I was looking at the neck relief and it had bowed to where it needed to be flattened out some .This is the second time I took the neck off to adjust it .Iam a bit uncomfortable taking a neck off but it is is what it is .If I didnt do it someone else would have to and I would have pay them to do it.I can unscrew four screws and adjust another -its not brain surgery .I just try to be careful to not overtighten the screws putting it back on .Hopefully in the future you will not have to take the necks off to adjust the relief .The first time I adjusted it a quarter turn now a total of just over a half altogether .So ,like any thing in this bass world no matter what its made of it will take some time to age ,settle and fine tune .We have some pretty huge temp swings here in the Dakotahs.It was the same with my Modulus VJ4 .I ordered it new and had to adjust it three times before I got it to where I was happy and to where it was happy .I can see my neck adjusted nicely but I can also see it needs a little more tweek to get it where I want it ,I would have to agree there is a bit of curing that needs to take place with any instrument .Adjusting ,re adjusting ,but eventually I feel these composite necks offer the better stability and less expansion and contraction co-efficients.Thats why I own it .Iam very happy with this bass.The neck feels great and is fast .The back is very smooth and your hand does not stick to it like a traditional neck .The neck fretboard does have wood in it but it is very stable.The tone is great and it is a fun instrument to play .The low B is very taught and not sterile like the B on a Q-5 in my opinion or the Genesis. My Stingray five B string sounded better than the B on the Genesis and Q5. I did direct A-B comparisons . Leo Fender got the B tone right on those Stingray 5 's. I kept bouncing back and forth between the playability of the Genesis and the tone of the Stingray .This Zons B sounds right there with the Stingray -hard to describe just fantastic B tone .It is different obviously but great .Iam very satisfied with the tone of the B string on my Sonus . Grumbles low like a beastly beast ( I do love that Widespread Panicks bass players tone on his Q-5). Not downgrading Q-5 just was my opinion of tone comparison .Everyone likes different tones .I would buy a VJ4 in a second but in all honesty would have to compare it to a Zon four string first .
Iam pretty sure when this new instruments neck gets thru its new instrument settle in phase it will be like everyone has said -not having to be adjusted .Set it and forget it .Time will tell but thats been my experience with graphite .If you are interested in one of these basses get to a dealer and check one out .They are wonderful instruments.Iam glad I purchased one .Its been great!
 
#87
Addison said:
If anyone's interested, I brought my fretless to rehearsal for one of the bands I play with yesterday and took a vid of us jamming on a new tune... high energy blues stuff.

It's a brand new song so forgive me if it sounds unfocused, etc... I was still trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to play.

Anyway, it's low quality audio from an iPhone or whatever... but, it represents the punch, note clarity and throaty "mwah" that I can get from this bass if I want it.

Totally cuts through.



Amp is a TH500 into a DB112.
Click to expand...


Nice!!! wish you had pointed the camera at the bass...:(, but it sounds great!!!
 
#88
My wife listens to country so we go to country shows once in a while .One of the reasons I switched to graphite was due to seeing Tim McGraw live in concert .His bass player plays a Q5 and I was so impressed with the tone of his B string that I went out and got a Genesis .Because I had tried the Q5 and it just was not for me .
The only Zon I have ever heard in concert was in the late nineties .Machine Head bowled everyone over and their bass player Adam Deuce played one .They were very powerful and it was pretty exciting music .Real intense !I like heavy music like that and the Zon bass fit the bill for that style..He played it cranked thru Ampegs and the groups music was just brutal heavy.It was a great show .
Approaching 10,000 Lakes Fest in Detroit Lakes Minnesota,Widespread panic was on .I was over the hills and thru the woods from the mainstage but man did the
sound of that Q5 carry .I could here the distinct tone of that Graphite neck and did it sound great !
I like to hear what other people have to say about gear .Talkbass is a superb place to gather info on something you have an interest in .If you are reading gathering info because your interested in a Zon ,I will tell you that you should really give graphite a good look .I would never own a bass without the modern attributes of graphite stability .I love graphite , do yourself a favor and go check out some basses that incorporate it into the neck .They play super duper nice .The tone on my Zon is just plain fabulous as is the playability .In my opinion these basses are premium in all respects.There is no struggle .It is just pure fun .Awesome tone .Good looks . :)
 
#89
Does anyone know what the bridge is on the old Zon 5/1? I have one (1996) which needs a black saddle height adjusting screw. This bass has no neck adjuster, but in the 10 or more years I've had it no adjustment ever needed. The odd thing is, this bass really works for country. I'm now in my second country band and both bands preferred it. It wears TI flats, but really? It has beat out a 55-94, US Sadowsky JJ V, Modulus Genesis, '66J, Fender '59 Custom Shop NOS P. Sadly, I was looking for another to leave at practice but can't justify the expense, wow they seem to hold their value! I hope the P5 I have inbound can hang with it.
 
#90
If you post a picture of the bass, I can tell you which bridge it is. If it is really old, though, it probably has a Wilkinson. They've gone through a ton of different bridges, so hard to guess without seeing it.

To get a new screw, the best bet is to measure the diameter of the screw accurately and order one of the right length and finish from McMaster-Carr (mcmaster.com).
 
#91
Thanks Angus, I will look for a photo or take one. And since I'm asking, I've read it has a Seymour Duncan PUP so is it a P type or Mm? I am curious because both country bands I've been in love the tone (TI flats). Also is Zon any more responsive (customer service) than they were in the past? My tone knob (stacked bass/treble) is showing signs of wear (scratchy and wobbly) and would like to replace it before it fails. The last time I emailed they never responded.
 
#94
Angus said:
The 5/1s are standard with MM, and the 5/2s are MM+P, unless yours is a weird custom order, which I doubt.

But yeah, call if you want to get to them.
Click to expand...

Nope, not a custom. Funny, I used to think of it as my beater bass, guess it still is since it routinely beats out everything else, even my beloved 55-94. I am thinking heretical thoughts, considering flipping my Lakkie for a 5/2. Hope the P5 works out!
 
#100
rulyongo said:
The electronics seem very interesting, I always try to set my amp that the harder I push it, it distorts a little... I wonder how it sounds playing fingerstyle...
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's exactly what's going on in the video, except it's with the onboard preamp instead of the amplifier's preamp. BG is a very, VERY aggressive live player and it's pretty obvious that he's laying into the preamp as hard as possible to hear how it breaks up, if at all.

If I'm remembering correctly, the onboard preamp was designed to break up musically like a good overdrive pedal would when driven hard, rather than farting out... Which is why they approached an effects pedal manufacturer to make it.

A similar idea would be something like a tube screamer.

It's a very cool idea and isn't anything I've ever heard of in regard to onboard preamps before. I've heard of onboard fuzz and distortion circuits but this is different.

As a former metal band guy and closeted metal head these days, I'm really looking forward to checking out the finished product.

\m/
 
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