Thanks DiMarco. Measurements and pics would be great. I'll try to the same for mine. Is you 94 a "special" also? I wonder if All the five necks from that era have the same profile/thickness as the Special.
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Sounds like you've already gotten some quality feedback from TB'ers that covers most possible solutions but I'll add my 2 cents worth (and it won't cost you anything).
I've done guitar/bass repair for 30+ years and the amount of relief that I put in the neck varies from instrument to instrument. It also varies from player to player (depending on his/her preferred action and how hard they dig in while playing). While .014 is a bit on the high side, it's not unheard of. I owned a really nice MTD 635 that could take really low buzz free action but if you didn't set the neck with around .014 relief it would buzz all over. The neck had some funky variations going on but it still was one of the best playing basses that I've owned.
I like low action (.06 [G] to .10 at the 24th fret and I typically try to set my fretted basses with minimal relief (neck as straight as I can get it without fret buzz). I typically end up with around .009.
Bottom line, does the bass play good to you? Any intonation issues in the area where the relief is the greatest? If the answer is that the bass plays good to you and there are no intonation issues I'd say that you're fine with the .014 relief. Don't get hung up on a number if the bass plays good. If not, and lighter string gauge doesn't solve it you'll need to have extensive neck work (or get a replacement neck).
Good luck!
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Incoming Zon!
It's been a couple years since I've owned a Zon but I always said I'd love to have fretless Zon. Well low and behold my wonderful wife informed me last week that she wanted to get me a new bass for our 40th anniversary gift (we should all have wife's like her!).
I was just about to give up looking for a Zon fretless and purchase another Roscoe fretless when a google found a really nice used mint Zon TJ-5 Custom.
The specs are: mahogany body, bubinga top, 34" scale set-neck with 26 position half-lined finger board, std Zon Barts, Darkglass pre and matching head stock. It'll be here Monday so I'll just post a pic from the sales ad.
I'll post some better pics after it arrives (along with my initial impressions). Looking forward to playing this one!
It's been a couple years since I've owned a Zon but I always said I'd love to have fretless Zon. Well low and behold my wonderful wife informed me last week that she wanted to get me a new bass for our 40th anniversary gift (we should all have wife's like her!).
I was just about to give up looking for a Zon fretless and purchase another Roscoe fretless when a google found a really nice used mint Zon TJ-5 Custom.
The specs are: mahogany body, bubinga top, 34" scale set-neck with 26 position half-lined finger board, std Zon Barts, Darkglass pre and matching head stock. It'll be here Monday so I'll just post a pic from the sales ad.
I'll post some better pics after it arrives (along with my initial impressions). Looking forward to playing this one!
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That's a beauty... it's a lot like mine.
It might be 33" scale, but it definitely doesn't have a 33 position neck.
It'll be a 26 position neck... try counting the half-line position markers.
It might be 33" scale, but it definitely doesn't have a 33 position neck.
It'll be a 26 position neck... try counting the half-line position markers.
You are correct Addison!
The ad stated 33 position neck and I never bothered to count .......
Oh well, I'll have enough challenges playing 26 positions in tune! It wouldn't have affected my decision to purchase it.
I was told it's a 34" scale.
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Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
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Congrats- it's lovely. Careful though- it looks like the previous owner kept it in a barn 
I never bothered counting them, but I did think that neck looked pretty normal to have 33 positions. I know some TJ's went to 29 or so, but the fretboard extended all the way to the neck pickup. Hope he was right on the scale length. I know some of the TJ's were 33", and he did say this one was originally strung E-C. Good news is Joe after this rollercoaster ride you'll be all set for Disney.
Details, details ...... LOL
I hope that it truly is 34" scale too. But as long as the mwah and growl are there (and the B string is decent) I'll eventually make the muscle memory adjustments. At least I know that it has a half-lined board. And I may end up stringing it E-C for recording anyway.
It'll be tough to leave it behind (the day after it arrives) for the Disney trip. It might just be a stow-away. Kicking back on the sofa playing it would be a great way to unwind after a long day at Magic Kingdom!
Details, details ...... LOL
I hope that it truly is 34" scale too. But as long as the mwah and growl are there (and the B string is decent) I'll eventually make the muscle memory adjustments. At least I know that it has a half-lined board. And I may end up stringing it E-C for recording anyway.
It'll be tough to leave it behind (the day after it arrives) for the Disney trip. It might just be a stow-away. Kicking back on the sofa playing it would be a great way to unwind after a long day at Magic Kingdom!
People!
I can't imagine that bass won't absolutely sing no matter the scale length or number of fret positions. Maybe in honor of Johnny you should name it the Atom Bass. ..and if you have enough energy to play bass after all day in Magic Kingdom, you've got more gas in the tank than I do! That place is exhausting!
Haven't got around to measuring anything as I got hit with the flu this week and spent most my time in bed. But here's an image of the neck curve on the '94 Sonus 5. I think that if I get the frets leveled by my luthier this bass will be capable of very low action, the neck curve seems to be ideal with a set of .045 - .125 DR lo-riders on it.
Cheers, Marco
Incoming Zon!
It's been a couple years since I've owned a Zon but I always said I'd love to have fretless Zon. Well low and behold my wonder wife informed me last week that she wanted to get me a new bass for our 40th anniversary gift (we should all have wife's like her!).
I was just about to give up looking for a Zon fretless and purchase another Roscoe fretless when a google found a really nice used mint Zon TJ-5 Custom.
The specs are: mahogany body, bubinga top, 34" scale set-neck with 26 position half-lined finger board, std Zon Barts, Darkglass pre and matching head stock. It'll be here Monday so I'll just post a pic from the sales ad.
I'll post some better pics after it arrives (along with my initial impressions). Looking forward to playing this one!
You lucky SOB! I was watching that post on Reverb! That is literally my dream bass. It is perfect!
- Dec 21, 2007
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Play great music on that beauty!
As far as "dream bass" - I was just looking at the pics from NAMM and thinking "Wow, what a lot of beautiful basses, but none I like more than mine..."
For comparison, mine...
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View attachment 1036192
As far as "dream bass" - I was just looking at the pics from NAMM and thinking "Wow, what a lot of beautiful basses, but none I like more than mine..."
For comparison, mine...
Absolutely Beautiful! I love the custom knobs too. They match the top perfectly!
What pre do you have in yours?
That might be the only questionable component of mine (the Darkglass). I must say though, the idea of separate high and low mids (without the treble control) does appeal to me. I almost always cut the treble (highs) on my fretless basses. Particularly when panning primarily to the bridge pup.
Worst case is I replace with my fretless preamp of choice (3-band Bart).
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,232
- 45,109
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- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
t
In fact I have the 3 band Bart. I toy with the idea of putting an ACG in it, but the thought remains just that - a toying around thought. I'm happy with her as she is.
Here's my weird lefty cousin to both of yours...
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Mine has a spalted alder body and a wenge tone plate, with koa top.
The headstock (as seen in my avatar) is a righty (or reversed for me) and there is enough room to add a Hipshot detuner to the E string, so I can get drop D if I need to.
I also have the Darkglass pre in mine and I honestly love it. For me, fretless tone is all about the mids and the Darkglass pre is absolutely perfect for dialing in some barky tones that you can't get on other preamps.
In fact, I honestly kind of hate preamps in general I think they get in the way of natural tone and wreak havoc on pedal boards and make dialing in an amp extra difficult. However, even though Darkglass is known for balls-to-the-wall coloration and aggression, their preamp is incredibly mild and natural sounding to my ears. YMMV, of course.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Mine has a spalted alder body and a wenge tone plate, with koa top.
The headstock (as seen in my avatar) is a righty (or reversed for me) and there is enough room to add a Hipshot detuner to the E string, so I can get drop D if I need to.
I also have the Darkglass pre in mine and I honestly love it. For me, fretless tone is all about the mids and the Darkglass pre is absolutely perfect for dialing in some barky tones that you can't get on other preamps.
In fact, I honestly kind of hate preamps in general I think they get in the way of natural tone and wreak havoc on pedal boards and make dialing in an amp extra difficult. However, even though Darkglass is known for balls-to-the-wall coloration and aggression, their preamp is incredibly mild and natural sounding to my ears. YMMV, of course.
This is very reassuring news (about the Darkstar pre)! Sounds exactly what I'm looking for!
Beautiful bass!
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- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,232
- 45,109
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
@JOME77 I just want to say how amazed and happy I am that you scored that bass. And owning it's near-twin, I'm blown away that someone would order it and then sell it - it is (for me anyway) the ideal fretless bass. I know, different strokes etc...
Glad you scored, amigo.
Glad you scored, amigo.
