Official Zon Club Part 5

[Fuzzbass]

For those of you who have played both....

Does the 35" on the 519 make much a of a difference one the tightness/response of the 'B' string when compared to a Sonus Special?

I have not played both, but when I was discussing my custom headless Sonus, Joe Zon recommended 34" scale instead of 35", saying he stood by the tone of 34" on his neck. I've owned and played various 35" basses including Modulus and MTD USA. I am comfortable on them, but never felt they were superior to 34" -- just different -- and that includes the B string. I had already drifted away from 35" basses, so I was happy to accept Joe's recommendation for 34".

 

[Benko]

(also note that usually the 35 inch neck have 22 frets vs 24 on the 34 inch neck. if you care for the extra notes...)

 

[RodRy]

(also note that usually the 35 inch neck have 22 frets vs 24 on the 34 inch neck. if you care for the extra notes...)

Interesting. I only have two 5-string basses, both are 35" scale, and both have 24 frets.
Sample size of 2.

 

[31HZ]

The 34"-scale B strings are crazy good, and the description "piano-like" is accurate.

The only palpable difference between the neck scales is the reach and the string tension of the B string itself. 35" is a *smidge* better if you compare back-to-back but there's no need to ever do that.

I would not enthuse so about the 34" B string of any other bass, including my beloved 34" Fbass BN6D (which is good but it's not Zon good).

Source: I have seven Zons

Edited to add that I regretfully advise you to consider the cautions of the stickied thread.

 

[Iron Ostrich]

Right on, I am leaning towards the Sonus Special as this point. I don't have huge hands, so there's no great benefit from the 35" for me.

Yes, I have read the stickied thread from start to finish and it's a risk I am willing to take at this point in life.

Any chance, you have a family photo of all the Zons?

 

[31HZ]

Right on, I am leaning towards the Sonus Special as this point. I don't have huge hands, so there's no great benefit from the 35" for me.

Yes, I have read the stickied thread from start to finish and it's a risk I am willing to take at this point in life.

Any chance, you have a family photo of all the Zons?

I don't think I do but I should post one up. Note that one of them is at the Zon shop for a repair, and has been for *checks watch* over five years, so it'll be incomplete.

 

[Vic]

Here is my PERSONAL opinion :

- I did not enjoy so much...

Funny, your avatar is the custom Zon I ordered a while back. 19mm spacing 34" scale. Premium koa top on an ash body, bart 3-band with mid switch. Fantastic bass.

 

[Benko]

Funny, your avatar is the custom Zon I ordered a while back. 19mm spacing 34" scale. Premium koa top on an ash body, bart 3-band with mid switch. Fantastic bass.

Yep, after you let it go it changed hand a bit but that one will never leave me, I have to say this one changed the GAS game for me.

You know I changed the pickup for the only available option which is a set of dual coil in the lipstick ZON size (took 5 months to get from Bartolini...)..but lately I'm feeling like putting back the original single and get that super-jazz sound.

While asking a shop to add back the Single I'd also like to add a active/passive switch..this one being the only jazz I have in the arsenal.

What an incredible one!

 

[31HZ]

Yep, after you let it go it changed hand a bit but that one will never leave me, I have to say this one changed the GAS game for me.

You know I changed the pickup for the only available option which is a set of dual coil in the lipstick ZON size (took 5 months to get from Bartolini...)..but lately I'm feeling like putting back the original single and get that super-jazz sound.

While asking a shop to add back the Single I'd also like to add a active/passive switch..this one being the only jazz I have in the arsenal.

What an incredible one!

Are those the dual-coil candybars? Those are my favorite Zon-offered pickups, I'd love to put some in my TJs.

 

[Benko]

Are those the dual-coil candybars? Those are my favorite Zon-offered pickups, I'd love to put some in my TJs.

Those ones. the X45CBJD

https://bartolini.net/product/x45cbjd/

they are the only alternative option to the original candy bar for my Sonus.

My goal was to be able to get some versatility and be able to solo one of the pickup with no noise and a more dual coil sound, lately I've been thinking the standard full on single coil sound is cool and I have other Sonus if I want a different flavor

 

[31HZ]

I was wrong, I have 8.

Quick rack pic for right now. My favorite is the mid-90s Sonus Special 6 at the far end, the tone is unbelievably good.

 

[Benko]

I was wrong, I have 8.

Quick rack pic for right now. My favorite is the mid-90s Sonus Special 6 at the far end, the tone is unbelievably good.

Holly molly!!!!!!

 

[Iron Ostrich]

I was wrong, I have 8.

Quick rack pic for right now. My favorite is the mid-90s Sonus Special 6 at the far end, the tone is unbelievably good.

The dream team right there!

 

[Jeff Scott]

I think three is the perfect number. I used to have My Three Zons. Those younger than a certain age won't get it.

 

[RodRy]

I think three is the perfect number. I used to have My Three Zons. Those younger than a certain age won't get it.

"Starring Fred MacMurray!" I can hear the theme song now.

 

[bobunit]

My three Zons.

 

[RodRy]

My three Zons.
View attachment 7497822

Love the Sonus 8! I have one on order, and it's downright painful waiting for it.

 

[King V]

My three Zons.
View attachment 7497822

Ugh....a Hyperbass V2? Just a little jealous over here.

 

[bobunit]

Love the Sonus 8! I have one on order, and it's downright painful waiting for it.

I bought it years ago from a shop in New Hampshire. So much fun to play.

 

[winegamd]

Here is a blast from the past with a vintage Zon in a video that I have never seen before.