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Official Zon Club Part 5

#321
Basschanges, most small manufacturers go through periods where the quoted times and build times are not aligned- Fodera has their act together now, but I know people (myself included) who waited 4-5 years for an instrument before just getting their deposit back. Now-defunct dealers had a huge hand in that. I've heard similar stories about Ken Smith, Conklin, etc. And I've experienced much, much worse from a small luthier.

I would have no hesitation ordering from Zon (or Fodera, etc!) at this point, but just anticipate practicing patience. That is the situation in the instrument making world.

kesslari said:
Necks are molded but there's some flexibility in the spacing (just not in the neck width).
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That is just bridge adjustment/selection, so I don't think that falls in line with the question. You would not want 18mm spacing on a 19mm neck.
 
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#324
Angus said:
Basschanges, most small manufacturers go through periods where the quoted times and build times are not aligned- Fodera has their act together now, but I know people (myself included) who waited 4-5 years for an instrument before just getting their deposit back. Now-defunct dealers had a huge hand in that. I've heard similar stories about Ken Smith, Conklin, etc. And I've experienced much, much worse from a small luthier.
Click to expand...
Huge +1... Great post.
 
#326
kesslari said:
Maybe not. I've got 16.5mm spacing on a 17mm neck and it works fine for me.
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The amount of extra space at the edges of the neck is quite a bit different for 16.5/17 on a 5 versus 18/19 on a 6. One is a 2mm difference across the string width, the other is 5mm. I've seen basses that do that, and it looked pretty atrocious, and you end up with a wide neck you have to work around anyway. I think 16.5/17 on a 5 is about the only situation where that works well, imo.
 
#327
Thanks for all the info guys. I really appreciate it. I put in a call to the shop today and apparently they are short staffed at the moment. I was told Joe or Mike will get back to me tomorrow and the process will begin. I'll let you guys know, if it's not annoying to you all, how things go. Beyond all of my apprehensions about waiting until I am 28 for an instrument, I still think that Zon's instruments are the perfect combination of utility and art and am very enthusiastic about purchasing the two of them. As for the talk about string spacing, I'm hoping to make it easier on the guys there and request 19mm spacing on the TJH 32", and have the neck be a bolt on instead of a set neck. The VB4 is fairly standard.
 
#328
Okay, so it is done. I had an awesome conversation with Martin, (misheard it as Mike first time on the phone) and I put down a deposit two basses: 1.) Vb4 with black hardware, abalone fingerboard dots and a ramp 2.) Todd Johnson Headless 6 32" scale with 19mm spacing (adjustable to 18mm- Martin said they'd use the same neck either way) Black hardware, Wenge tone plate, Guanacoste body and Myrtlewood top, and ramp. I was given an 8-10 month lead time. I'm so excited.
 
#330
Angus said:
The guanacoste body is awesome. Congrats!
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Thanks! Apparently the Guanacoste is known for its light weight. Apparently they only have necks that accomodate the 16.5-17.5 mm spacing and 19mm spacing. I can technically adjust the hipshot bridge to make the string spacing 18mm but based on your previous comments Angus, I'm not sure how comfortable that would be. Still, 19mm spacing is fine for me. It's the tighter spacing that gives me trouble when playing octaves and single note lines.
 
#331
I ordered a standard VB6 with black hardware and dual coil pickups this week. I will put nickel strings on it, 130 on the B. I am looking forward to getting it. I am currently playing a headless Status Stealth 6, but I think the VB6 with composite neck and the wood body will give me more of the sound I want.
 
#333
I'm not jealous at all 'cos my Zon is perfect for me!
I am, however, extremely stoked for both you you :D
And a big +1 on Guanacoste. I love it.
You going for gloss finish or matte? Just curious...
 
#334
Matte finish. I don't like gloss- makes me feel like I'm playing a piece of expensive furniture instead of a bass (that's just me) For all those who are jealous, my plan is to sell off my entire collection (2 pedullas, a renaissance, 2 ken smiths) and to have the VB4 and the TJH 6 be my only basses. I think the proceeds from the sales will be enough to cover it.
 
#335
basschanges said:
... my plan is to sell off my entire collection (2 pedullas, a renaissance, 2 ken smiths) and to have the VB4 and the TJH 6 be my only basses.
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don't do something foolish like selling both your Smith's, keep your fave one :bassist:. Me, I have a Sonus 519 and a Smith BSR-5 stringer. They are very different beasts, and hey you never know, you could end up in a situation where the Smith might be more appropriate for the tone goals of the band/gig.
 
#336
I'm going to do exactly that, azwhofan. The price on these two basses is close to 10k, and rent in NY is so high it's almost funny, so I was a little nervous about the big chunk of cash. I've since settled down and decided to keep a fretless, a J-bass, and a Smith.

Edit: "favorite smith?" Sophie had it easy.
 
#338
can I put forth my vote for most beautiful walnut top ever?

(from Bass San Diego)

719_ZON_Sonus_4_Franq_Walnut_NAMM_GS_1_.jpg
 
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#339
gwangi said:
Okay I can't take this any more Tom did you get your Legacy Elite IV, any feedback at all, it looks like Zon is possibly shipping my Legacy Elite VI the end of next week and I'm freaking out beyond belief.
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Nope. I thought it was going to be done at Winter NAMM, but they were waiting on a bridge. I keep hearing that it will ship soon, but nothing yet. :(
 

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