- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,233
- 45,119
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
It's custom - a Sonus with a TJ cutaway and a set neck.
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- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,233
- 45,119
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
It's remarkably thin front to back. Can't imagine how much thinner the pre-TR necks would be.
My 90’s four string has a much thinner neck than my Sonus 5 that is the same era as yours. It’s noticeable even though all of their necks are fairly thin.
My dream of a custom Zon build still exists. I wouldn’t have the patience to wait several years, however.
If you are wondering, that would be a 5-string BG model with 19 mm spacing at the bridge. In candy pink metallic. Possibly headless to upset people even more.
If you are wondering, that would be a 5-string BG model with 19 mm spacing at the bridge. In candy pink metallic. Possibly headless to upset people even more.
Love my custom headless Sonus 519 (ordered mid-2017, arrived March 2018). I was this close to ordering a headless BG5 with 19mm spacing instead. The shop said the pickups were already in progress so they could do it, but I took what I felt was a safer route and went with dual soaps and standard bart pre.
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 concur. Scored a TJ5 frettless recently and it's a brilliant design. This one has the set neck and a Bartoli NTMB preamp. Also came with flats, not sure the make (blue silks) but they sound way better than I expected. Planned to string her with 40-120 Pure Blues but I think I'll hold off.
I strung the TJ6 with PureBlues since it doesn't need the extra zing of, say, a set of HiBeams, and I'm only using DRs these days.
I can't get over how slammed the action is on it, and how good it sounds like that. At first I thought I'd raise it, but it would be good for my technique to adapt to it (since I've been moving in the direction of less effort, more precision, better muting etc.).
It's an incredible bass and I feel very lucky to own one.
I think that if I were ever to order a custom, I'd order one with similar specs to yours.
Hope my fretless Elite Special makes it home from Zon HQ soon.
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,233
- 45,119
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
It's not quite a TJ because it has a set neck. It's the closest thing to mine that I've seen, and I recall the the fellow who ordered it had seen mine and wanted something similar. I believe the body is Guancaste with a Bubinga top. It is a beautiful bass!
Regarding the set neck, I was wondering about that... And now that you mention it, it doesn't have then fingerboard extension thingy, which wouldn't have suited me anyway. It sure does look like a mahogany body though. Guancaste is a bit more obvious in my experience. Maybe I'll drop Martin a note. Either way, I love it!
For those that also play fretless Zons with flats, what has been your preferred go to? I had planned on Pure Blues rounds, but when the bass arrived with a set of D'Addario Chromes, I rethought things. TIs were my first instinct but I don't really have an appetite for that price range currently. So I have a set of LaBellas DTs coming instead. I've played D'Adarrio Chromes in the past but the higher tension just isn't my bag.
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,233
- 45,119
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,233
- 45,119
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
Reading your sig I am tempted to change mine to "Zon's Zoink the Zoo!"
45-132 I intend to move them to the classifieds when the others show. They are still plenty viable. Feel pretty new to me.
I used 40-95 (4-string set) with the .060 D replaced with a . 55. Made for a very nice lowish tension set, almost as nice as TI Jazz Flats. For a B string I have used their .110 string to good effect (that was with Half Rounds, but I would expect that Chromes would work just as well, too).
Zon's what Zoinks the Zoo?Reading your sig I am tempted to change mine to "Zon's Zoink the Zoo!"
And, how would Joe feel about something of his zoinking the zoo? 
You mentioned you don't want TI's, but that's precisely what I've found the best match for me. Chromes were also ok, but for some reason, LaBella flats didn't sound good on mine (pre-trussrod Sonus 5 fretless). Curious to hear what you settle on
The LaBella gold flats are also nice. They have a very full low mid, very present mids, and brighter than the regular LaBella flats. The DR legends also sound nice, but I have always experienced a mismatch is tone between the E/A (very growly) strings and the D/G strings (more dead, like a LaBella Jameson). This may just be a gauge issue, though, for the basses I tried them on.
