Official Zon Club Part 5

[Angus]

I don't think they do the same high-gloss poly coating anymore. I ordered that on my Hyperbass and- granted, it took a while- but he said he coated it but it's much more satin. Somewhere in between. I don't think I'd pay for the in-between version, having owned versions of all three.

 

[bobunit]

I've thought about having it done, but after hearing about yours I think keep mine as is.

 

[sullen-moon]

I've thought about having it done, but after hearing about yours I think keep mine as is.

View attachment 5095876

Awesome Hyperbass! Looks fantastic

what year / specs?

 

[Fuzzbass]

Thought I'd share.

When I got my custom Zon back in 2018, it was tuned to standard pitch. Not long afterward I decided to drop it a half step for my rock bands who detune, and it still played great even though I made no adjustments. This week, I played with a band that detunes a whole step -- not crazy about that, but the BL is coming back from carpal tunnel surgery so I understand. I set the Zon to ADGCF... and it's nicely playable even no adjustments!

When I dig in there's a bit of fret buzz evenly distributed, but it sounds great for rock. My recollection is that John Entwistle had his basses set up exactly like that, and I've been a huge fan of his since I began playing bass.

To recap: dropped tuning a full step, and the Zon was still playable with no adjustment necessary. With other basses, adjustment is usually required when shifting just a half-step.


P.S. This is also my only bass that comes out of the case perfectly in tune 95% of the time -- although the roller tuners at the bridge have a lot to do with that.

Rehearsal pic:

 

[sullen-moon]

Thought I'd share.

When I got my custom Zon back in 2018, it was tuned to standard pitch. Not long afterward I decided to drop it a half step for my rock bands who detune, and it still played great even though I made no adjustments. This week, I played with a band that detunes a whole step -- not crazy about that, but the BL is coming back from carpal tunnel surgery so I understand. I set the Zon to ADGCF... and it's nicely playable even no adjustments!

When I dig in there's a bit of fret buzz evenly distributed, but it sounds great for rock. My recollection is that John Entwistle had his basses set up exactly like that, and I've been a huge fan of his since I began playing bass.

To recap: dropped tuning a full step, and the Zon was still playable with no adjustment necessary. With other basses, adjustment is usually required when shifting just a half-step.


P.S. This is also my only bass that comes out of the case perfectly in tune 95% of the time -- although the roller tuners at the bridge have a lot to do with that.

Rehearsal pic:
View attachment 5110497

This bass looks absolutely incredible

TJ5?

 

[Fuzzbass]

This bass looks absolutely incredible

TJ5?

It's a custom Sonus 519, 34" scale - Zon recommended 34" and I was happy to go with it. I almost ordered a Billy Gould in 5 string, and headless. Changed my mind about the electronics, but stuck with the matte black finish.

 

[Benko]

I would not place an order to the shop but i'm so happy to see new instrument still coming out :

 

[Benko]

NBD : ZON Sonus 4/1

This one is a 2012 sent to a customer in Italy...then it seems that it changed hands a couple of time and was even discussed here more than 2 years ago.

It came on the market again end of 2022, and I could finally make a deal in February 2023...got it shipped to a friend in Paris and finally picked it up last week! (I know..what a logistic!)

Anyway, super cool bass with a BG4 feel albeit the pickups configuration that is a Bartolini MM, Stingray/Modulus FB4 vibes, this thing calls for SLAP

Overall clean and only the pickup case shows damage but it's not a huge problem

I don't play much 4 strings anymore but this one is really cool, so far the only inconvenience is the pickup size being wide aperture so if you anchor your thumb on the pickup there is more distance that with the traditional stingray casing size.

 

[Jefus]

Nice score! It is definitely reminiscent of the BGs but still has its own vibes. The story of acquiring it makes it special too

 

[sullen-moon]

NBD : ZON Sonus 4/1

This one is a 2012 sent to a customer in Italy...then it seems that it changed hands a couple of time and was even discussed here more than 2 years ago.

It came on the market again end of 2022, and I could finally make a deal in February 2023...got it shipped to a friend in Paris and finally picked it up last week! (I know..what a logistic!)

Anyway, super cool bass with a BG4 feel albeit the pickups configuration that is a Bartolini MM, Stingray/Modulus FB4 vibes, this thing calls for SLAP

Overall clean and only the pickup case shows damage but it's not a huge problem

I don't play much 4 strings anymore but this one is really cool, so far the only inconvenience is the pickup size being wide aperture so if you anchor your thumb on the pickup there is more distance that with the traditional stingray casing size.


View attachment 5120503

WOW this thing is fantastic! Nice score!

 

[The_Owl]

Speaking of BG models; my custom idea is still not out of the question (pink BG5).

 

[Jefus]

Speaking of BG models; my custom idea is still not out of the question (pink BG5).

Lol! When I ordered my Sonus-8 I set a deadline in my mind: if Joe delivered it by a certain date I was going to put money down on a BG; I was going to see if he could do a flat red the same color as the King For A Day album cover. But that day came and went, and I'm still waiting on my bass

 

[Benko]

Speaking of BG models; my custom idea is still not out of the question (pink BG5).

Lol! When I ordered my Sonus-8 I set a deadline in my mind: if Joe delivered it by a certain date I was going to put money down on a BG; I was going to see if he could do a flat red the same color as the King For A Day album cover. But that day came and went, and I'm still waiting on my bass

A (shell) pink BG5 would be pretty much an ideal one for me too if I still had trust in that shop I would probably have made a quote already. Luckily I have 2 modern and sweet ZON now...but another 5 would be wonderful

and...as I brought my 4/1 home and passed through airport security I can absolutely confirm this one has a truss rod Damn I wish I'd take the pics of the xray imaging of the bass

 

[JuanB]

A (shell) pink BG5 would be pretty much an ideal one for me too if I still had trust in that shop I would probably have made a quote already. Luckily I have 2 modern and sweet ZON now...but another 5 would be wonderful

and...as I brought my 4/1 home and passed through airport security I can absolutely confirm this one has a truss rod Damn I wish I'd take the pics of the xray imaging of the bass

That’s one way of confirming truss rod presence.

 

[The_Owl]

A (shell) pink BG5 would be pretty much an ideal one for me too if I still had trust in that shop I would probably have made a quote already. Luckily I have 2 modern and sweet ZON now...but another 5 would be wonderful

and...as I brought my 4/1 home and passed through airport security I can absolutely confirm this one has a truss rod Damn I wish I'd take the pics of the xray imaging of the bass

Oh, I’m talking full on, candy pink metallic-kind of pink. Neon pink that sparkles.

 

[31HZ]

I have a new-to-me TJ5 on its way to me, and I'm super stoked to receive it. This will be my 7th and likely last Zon.

 

[sullen-moon]

I have a new-to-me TJ5 on its way to me, and I'm super stoked to receive it. This will be my 7th and likely last Zon.

SWEET

can’t wait to see it!

 

[Benko]

I have a new-to-me TJ5 on its way to me, and I'm super stoked to receive it. This will be my 7th and likely last Zon.

Congrat! This one really looked good on the pictures and I'd love to see more

 

[Beezus]

Hey folks. I just thought I'd share this guy. I "loaned" it to my dad 25 years ago and just got it back. I forgot what an amazing instrument it is. I picked it up in '98, but it has a '92 serial number and I imagine it's part of the first Sonus production run. My first teacher worked in the shop in the early 90's, so I like to think he had a part in building it.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Hey folks. I just thought I'd share this guy. I "loaned" it to my dad 25 years ago and just got it back. I forgot what an amazing instrument it is. I picked it up in '98, but it has a '92 serial number and I imagine it's part of the first Sonus production run. My first teacher worked in the shop in the early 90's, so I like to think he had a part in building it.View attachment 5142851

When I decided to get a Zon bass in 1997 this is exactly what I bought. But, I returned it to the dealer after just a day because I changed my mind and decided to go with a 5-string bass, instead.

Through the dealer I ordered a new ('97) fretless Sonus Special 5. My two subsequent Zons were purchased directly from Joe ('98 Sonus 5/1, and '99 fretless Sonus 5/1).