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Official Zon Club Part 5

#2,842
Fuzzbass said:
19mm spacing, but when I was discussing my build with the shop they recommended 34" scale so I went with that. I've owned 35" fivers and have no trouble playing them, but I discovered that 34" scale can work great for five string, and it's absolutely true for the Zon.
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Do Sonus 519’s have different pickups than the more narrow spaced Sonus? I would like to go with the X45CBJD pickups but I have a concern because it says the magnetic field only covers up to 2.99” and the 519 of course is 19mm spacing. Isn’t that cutting it close?
 
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#2,844
I'm not sure whether this is helpful, but on speaking to Bartolini: I had 6-string bass with 18mm spacing, so a total of 90mm at the bridge. The pickup inside was denoted as having 84mm 'sensing width'. Out of curiosity, I emailed Bartolini whether this was 'enough', and they said that it should be fine, and pick up all of strings correctly.

From observation, I can't hear any 'weakness' on the outside strings (low-b or hi-c), so that story seems to check out. Fine and balanced, despite the 'sensing width' seems to be narrower than bridge spacing.
 
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#2,845
Just got my first Zon! Pictures to follow tonight. Its a 1993 Sonus in translucent turquoise w/o trussrod.

The preamp (all original electronics) has a super low output and has no trim pots. Its this normal for these basses t9 have a lower output than other active basses?

I'm also looking to send in the neck to Zon to have a trussrod installed, refinished in satin and new SS frets.

Does any one know if Zon is still taking in repairs? I have been following the other threads detailing people's recent frustration with the company.
 
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#2,846
Gfkfloyd said:
Just got my first Zon! Pictures to follow tonight. Its a 1993 Sonus in translucent turquoise w/o trussrod.

The preamp (all original electronics) has a super low output and has no trim pots. Its this normal for these basses t9 have a lower output than other active basses?

I'm also looking to send in the neck to Zon to have a trussrod installed, refinished in satin and new SS frets.

Does any one know if Zon is still taking in repairs? I have been following the other threads detailing people's recent frustration with the company.
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I can't speak for the preamp.
Regarding the neck, does it need adjustment? Those early necks were mostly super solid and didn't need adjustment, and I'm inclined to say if it ain't broke, don't fix it...
 
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#2,847
kesslari said:
I can't speak for the preamp.
Regarding the neck, does it need adjustment? Those early necks were mostly super solid and didn't need adjustment, and I'm inclined to say if it ain't broke, don't fix it...
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Ive read that the early necks had a bit more relief baked into them then they do now....mine is within "fender spec" but its more than I like. My thinking is, if I have the truss rod installed, finish repaired and frets replaced then the bass shouldn't need any work for the rest of my lifetime and Zon won't be around forever. Id hate to realize it needs work in 10 years and no longer have any graphite neck experts still taking in work.
 
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#2,848
They are taking repairs but have been more than a bit backed up. Currently they have a Legacy Elite fretless 5 of mine in for a trussrod/full refinish (which admittedly is a much bigger job than on a Sonus due to the set neck), and when I receive that I'll send them my Sonus 5/2 for a trussrod and electronics upgrade.

The Legacy had .030" relief and needed the work; the Sonus is about half that but it is still more than I like so back to Zon it'll go.
 
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#2,849
Thanks for the response! I'm glad to hear they are still retrofitting older basses with trussrods. Would you be comfortable sharing roughly what Zon is charging for that work and their quoted turn around time?

Thanks again!
 
#2,850
Gfkfloyd said:
Thanks for the response! I'm glad to hear they are still retrofitting older basses with trussrods. Would you be comfortable sharing roughly what Zon is charging for that work and their quoted turn around time?

Thanks again!
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I could be wrong but I was thinking it was around $700. I’m not sure what the turnaround time is
 
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#2,853
I just picked up a new-to-me TJ6 (34", with "ramp" at the end of the fretboard) and am beyond impressed. Pretty sure this is gonna be the top of the heap for me (a bit more ergo-friendly than my LES6), and I'll be selling a few basses.

A fresh set of Pure Blues, new battery, a few hits of DeOxit (5% fader lube), a pair of StrapLoks and a full clean-up, and it's ready for rehearsal tonight. Teaser pic below.

i-jmTCs2t-X3.jpg
 
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#2,856
sullen-moon said:
Played my 2001 fretless Sonus 5 today for the first time in a long time

it really is the best bass i’ve ever laid hands on, by a country mile

i kinda wish my 2007 fretted Sonus Custom 5 had the same “shallow D” neck that the fretless does, playability is out of this world
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How would you describe your 2007 neck? And the differences between them?
 
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#2,857
kesslari said:
How would you describe your 2007 neck? And the differences between them?
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The 2007 is a little (but noticeably) fatter — it’s sort of in between a “D” and “C” shape i’d say.

the 2001 neck is -quite- thin, which i like very much.

the two necks resonate at different pitches — each imparts a definite character to the notes played — the 2001 has a certain bell-like, very -ringy- quality, that is very pleasing to my ear

also, the 2007 has very subtly textured matte finish, whereas the 2001 is more or less glossy — it seems counterintuitive, but i like the feel of the glossy finish for some reason, it’s not sticky, it’s nice and smooth

both are phenomenal instruments that I intend to keep for my lifetime, but if i was -forced- to choose, I’d choose the 2001
 
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