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Mum's the word, I guess. I certainly understand not wanting to talk about it especially after the years long wait time. Best of luck to him on getting it fixed.
Not mum, just been super busy and the response takes a bit to type out. Working with Hipshot to find a solution. Long story short, the tuners on it only detune a half-step max. They can’t reach a whole step even. Supposedly they were redesigned recently and I think I know the problem but it’s not a quick solution. One of the tuners also chewed its detuning lever up within the first day, so there’s a bunch of little things.
I haven’t even been able to fully test the bridge yet. Waiting on a part for it as well.
I haven’t even been able to fully test the bridge yet. Waiting on a part for it as well.
Currently, don’t know. It has varied, but I think Mark (his main business partner who has been there since the beginning) is always there.
Ah, so in this case it's the 3rd party hardware that is the issue. I hope this can be resolved. I would have thought that this would have been tested at the workshop before the bass went out.
NBD and Happy to join the ZON owner club.
I've been reading the thread and lurking at the amazing basses but could only dream of owning a ZON until I snatched this Sonus 5/1 in august ( SOLD - Zon Sonus 5/1 )
It's been a bit of a roller coaster to bring it to Japan (I use a US based shipping company to TB seller only has to do CONUS shipment and their operation has been severely impacted by Covid to a point where the bass was lost in their warehouse...), but anyway it arrived in one piece.
I'm already the 4th (that I could track) TB owner :
SOLD - Zon Sonus 5/1 Quilted Maple top Like New Condition
SOLD - Zon sonus 5 final price drop!
A quick email to ZON and Martin confirmed it was made in April 1998, condition is excellent for a 22 years old instrument so I assume it stays as a closet queen for a long time.
I was really worried about the neck as this one has no truss rod, reading the Club threads make you a bit worried, if it had not budged in 22 years should be good for a few more years.
What I got to learn is that ZONs are pretty unique (specially the USA made ones), the 5/1 which would appear to be a common model has actually very little materials on the internet (review, youtube video, artists playing it). I thought I would be missing not having the more standard Bart pickup but in respect I'm so happy with this model : very full one single pick up, straight forward electronics (a-la-musicman, less bite but full growl), lightweight, VERY cool-looking. It also has the black hardware which I largely prefer.
The following day it was test drive for the first jam in 6 months
So the love story is beginning, contrary to curing the GAS now I'm thinking of getting another a first owner, wondering what would compliment the 5/1
On grip is the battery directly in the electronics compartment and that require a screw driver to change...anyway to mod that a bit more clean? Cut a hole? shielding would be gone?
I've been reading the thread and lurking at the amazing basses but could only dream of owning a ZON until I snatched this Sonus 5/1 in august ( SOLD - Zon Sonus 5/1 )
It's been a bit of a roller coaster to bring it to Japan (I use a US based shipping company to TB seller only has to do CONUS shipment and their operation has been severely impacted by Covid to a point where the bass was lost in their warehouse...), but anyway it arrived in one piece.
I'm already the 4th (that I could track) TB owner :
SOLD - Zon Sonus 5/1 Quilted Maple top Like New Condition
SOLD - Zon sonus 5 final price drop!
A quick email to ZON and Martin confirmed it was made in April 1998, condition is excellent for a 22 years old instrument so I assume it stays as a closet queen for a long time.
I was really worried about the neck as this one has no truss rod, reading the Club threads make you a bit worried, if it had not budged in 22 years should be good for a few more years.
What I got to learn is that ZONs are pretty unique (specially the USA made ones), the 5/1 which would appear to be a common model has actually very little materials on the internet (review, youtube video, artists playing it). I thought I would be missing not having the more standard Bart pickup but in respect I'm so happy with this model : very full one single pick up, straight forward electronics (a-la-musicman, less bite but full growl), lightweight, VERY cool-looking. It also has the black hardware which I largely prefer.
The following day it was test drive for the first jam in 6 months
So the love story is beginning, contrary to curing the GAS now I'm thinking of getting another a first owner, wondering what would compliment the 5/1
On grip is the battery directly in the electronics compartment and that require a screw driver to change...anyway to mod that a bit more clean? Cut a hole? shielding would be gone?
Welcome @Benko!
As it pertains to the battery placement, I hate it when the battery is stored in the preamp compartment, and particularly hate that the screws are wood types screwed into bare wood, which deteriorates fast. A lot of builders install separate battery compartment but still use the wood screws!
I don’t know about your early model, but with my Zon Sonus Joe got it right by using metal screws with the metal sleeves (don’t know the proper name) which can withstand the wear from accessing the battery often.
As it pertains to the battery placement, I hate it when the battery is stored in the preamp compartment, and particularly hate that the screws are wood types screwed into bare wood, which deteriorates fast. A lot of builders install separate battery compartment but still use the wood screws!
I don’t know about your early model, but with my Zon Sonus Joe got it right by using metal screws with the metal sleeves (don’t know the proper name) which can withstand the wear from accessing the battery often.
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I asked Joe to use inserts and machine screws for the two custom Sonus 5/1s he made for me in '98 & '99. Once the basses were in my hands I installed battery clips in the control cavity to hold them in place vs. the foam and rubber bands he was using at the time.
I wonder if the person who ordered the bass I have ask for those machine screws with inserts. I certainly do like those over the wood screws!
Foam and rubber bands? I’ve seen the foam, but not the rubber bands. I suspect those details are too minor after a build.
Foam and rubber bands? I’ve seen the foam, but not the rubber bands. I suspect those details are too minor after a build.
Maybe it was just foam (?), that was a long time ago, but, no matter, I came up with a better solution, anyway.
Glad to hear that you are loving your new bass! I had an idea on the battery cover, but it may require more mods that you are interested in:
Bond some flat steel discs to the cover, and have small neodymium magnets glued into holes in the wood. Most likely, a small divot in the wood (carefully done, and just as carefully finished) would allow you to get a fingernail under the edge of the cover and pop it on and off as needed.
Or, have threaded inserts put in the wood, and just use small machine screws. It's easier to do, but slower to install/remove the cover.
Yep this would be the "dingwall" way right? replace the screw by strong magnet, let me look at it
When i got the bass the battery got loose out its "folded foam" compartment, the electronics is clean but that part did not felt aligned with the overall craftmanship
Maybe i worry too much, it's just you know, i had it once with the bass set up for a gig, but left plugged, then battery dead as you're about to start. I guess ZON player have a much more professional behavior
I had a battery to go dead at a gig and I vowed not let that happen again, so I carry extra fresh batteries in my gig bag (and a small Philips screw driver) and also always check the status of the batteries in the bass chosen for the gig with a Keith McMillen Batt-O-Meter. The 1/4 " plug on the tester doesn't fit some basses, like MTD, and gives a strange 10.2 reading on 18 volt systems, but other than that it works fine for testing single 9volt batteries. A small multimeter does the trick also.
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Yeah, my 1990 had the foam and rubber band. The rubber band was completely dried out and broke as soon as I tried to deal with the battery.
I'm a big fan of the magnetic covers like on the Dingwall. Seems like a thing everyone should do.
And yeah, always carry spare batteries. And check the date on them too!
I'm a big fan of the magnetic covers like on the Dingwall. Seems like a thing everyone should do.
And yeah, always carry spare batteries. And check the date on them too!
I try to bring spare batteries, but bigger picture, all my actives have a push-pull bypass switch just in case. That includes my Zon.
I change batteries every spring and fall (reminds me, I'm due!), and can't remember the last time a battery went dead on me. That's probably why I haven't yet gotten that Batt-O-Meter. I really should, though.
