Official Zon Club Part 5

[sullen-moon]

Thanks for the reply! I am really puzzled about the hum/noise that you both mention. I wonder if JZ has done something about the electronics... I just listened to the bass through headphones and there is literally no noise at all (or my middleaged ears are just fooling me - also a possibility...).

Could you upload a pic of the lines? I would be very curious to see other examples of this. Any idea why that happens?

I'll upload clips shortly!

The lines are because “phenowood” is made of many thin layers of wood sandwiched together with phenolic resin, somewhat like Micarta but much coarser

then when it’s shaped, the wood layers are more or less visible depending on shaping depth

 

[Morten Nielsen]

The lines are because “phenowood” is made of many thin layers of wood sandwiched together with phenolic resin, somewhat like Micarta but much coarser

then when it’s shaped, the wood layers are more or less visible depending on shaping depth View attachment 5027451

Thanks for the reply - it makes a lot of sense. However, if you see the lines on my fingerboard (to me), the lines look different. They look as if they were made during the coating. But since the fret lines are on top of them, I thought that they would be in the phenowood. But maybe its actually in the coating.

 

[Morten Nielsen]

Regarding the buzzing, could it possibly be the nut is cut too low?

Thanks for the reply but would that affect also the buzzing when you fret a note? I only have buzzing from fretting notes between 14-17 frets.

 

[sullen-moon]

Thanks for the reply - it makes a lot of sense. However, if you see the lines on my fingerboard (to me), the lines look different. They look as if they were made during the coating. But since the fret lines are on top of them, I thought that they would be in the phenowood. But maybe its actually in the coating. View attachment 5027590

I see what you mean—

yours are definitely more straight and regular in appearance than the ones on mine

they still have a woodgrain-like appearance though, and clearly they are underneath the fretlines— maybe it’s the same phenomenon but you got a slab that was more uniform?

do the “stripes” have any detectable texture, or are they completely smooth like the black part of the board?

 

[sullen-moon]

Thanks for the reply - it makes a lot of sense. However, if you see the lines on my fingerboard (to me), the lines look different. They look as if they were made during the coating. But since the fret lines are on top of them, I thought that they would be in the phenowood. But maybe its actually in the coating. View attachment 5027590

On second look, i zoomed WAY in snd now i can see that in some places, the “fibers” of those stripes actually do go partially over the fretlines in a few places

that is interesting

i’m less confident on the phenowood hypothesis now, tho it may still be that

I bet someone in this thread will know what they are, anyway

 

[Morten Nielsen]

I see what you mean—

yours are definitely more straight and regular in appearance than the ones on mine

they still have a woodgrain-like appearance though, and clearly they are underneath the fretlines— maybe it’s the same phenomenon but you got a slab that was more uniform?

do the “stripes” have any detectable texture, or are they completely smooth like the black part of the board?

No, no texture at all and they don't affect the sense or playability of the bass whatsoever. Its purely an aesthetic issue. I was still just wondering, though, what caused them to appear. A renowned Danish luthier (Jakob Reitzer) argued that it might have occurred during the final work on the fingerboard before giving it the epoxy coating.

 

[31HZ]

One way to check to see if it is the nut is to determine whether it's buzzing behind the fretted note (aka "back buzz") or whether it's in front of the note. Back buzz = nut too low. Buzzing between fingered note and bridge = problem is board, relief, and/or saddle height.

I've never seen a nut cut too low on a fretless, although Fbass gets pretty close. Joe's nut slots are usually a bit high for my liking IMO.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Joe's nut slots are usually a bit high for my liking IMO.

Better they be high than too low.

 

[31HZ]

True. Although, based on some work I've seen recently, I suspect that not all instruments spend as much time in Joe's hands as they might have in the past.

 

[JuanB]

True. Although, based on some work I've seen recently, I suspect that not all instruments spend as much time in Joe's hands as they might have in the past.

What makes you say that? As far as I know, he doesn’t have too many people working for him.

 

[Benko]

Thanks for the reply! I am really puzzled about the hum/noise that you both mention. I wonder if JZ has done something about the electronics... I just listened to the bass through headphones and there is literally no noise at all (or my middleaged ears are just fooling me - also a possibility...).

The singles on mine are VERY quiet, but if I place the bass in front of my computer monitor (a large 31inch) I hear the hum = confirming they're singles. Easy check, and if they don't hum then you got the split-coil humcancelling ones

 

[ronin614]

I’ve been offered this for $1700 (can probably get it for $1500). I think that’s a pretty good price, but I’m not positive. I know Zon’s are expensive new, but I’m not familiar with the used market. Thoughts?

 

[31HZ]

I’ve been offered this for $1700 (can probably get it for $1500). I think that’s a pretty good price, but I’m not positive. I know Zon’s are expensive new, but I’m not familiar with the used market. Thoughts?

Really good price.

 

[kesslari]

I’ve been offered this for $1700 (can probably get it for $1500). I think that’s a pretty good price, but I’m not positive. I know Zon’s are expensive new, but I’m not familiar with the used market. Thoughts?

If you don't want it, let me know the seller and I'll buy it!

 

[Benko]

If you don't want it, let me know the seller and I'll buy it!

Yep, was gonna say the same, at 1500 I'll jump right on it

 

[kumimajava]

I’ve been offered this for $1700 (can probably get it for $1500). I think that’s a pretty good price, but I’m not positive. I know Zon’s are expensive new, but I’m not familiar with the used market. Thoughts?

Great price, would happily buy it if you don't

 

[sullen-moon]

I’ve been offered this for $1700 (can probably get it for $1500). I think that’s a pretty good price, but I’m not positive. I know Zon’s are expensive new, but I’m not familiar with the used market. Thoughts?

Absolutely killer deal, I’d yump on that with no hesitation (assuming there are no obvious issues)

 

[sullen-moon]

Took a new photo of the fretless 519 today

Love this thing

 

[Halegroove]

What kind of tuners come standard on Zon basses? Gotoh? Resolite?

 

[kesslari]

Mine has Gotoh.