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Tone: Modulus vs. Zon

#24
Well, with all the positive Zon comments, I figured I had to try one.

My local music store where I initially tried the Modulus has a Zon Sonus. It's a brand new 2004 that was completed in 2005. Just sitting there, waiting for me. :hyper:

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I gave it a try and liked the tone and feel enough to want to take it home. Six months of practice and gigging will determine if it's a keeper. But for now, it sounds real fine. :p

It should be at my door sometime on Tuesday.

Thanks for all the input and suggestions,
LeonD
 
#25
I have a Zon 5/2 with a bacote top that is on the way .I should receive it mid next week as well .
I have a sonus 4 fretless and a sonus special 5 . These basses have a simple functional elegance about them .The 5/2 has an internal mid control 15 db boost/cut at approx 300hz which seems a bit odd to me seeing you have to open the bass up to change mid freq !!
 
#27
Ever since Modulus softened their necks and added truss rods, Zon is the obvious choice since it remains a pure, honest graphite design. The modulus necks are now a compromise, trying to make one bass fit everyone by offering relief adjustment. BOTH companies should offer a range of reliefs in a trussrod-free bass. Just A, B, and C where A is like an old modulus (flat!) and C is like an older Zon (spongy). IMHO/IME.

Remember also that the tone of the different Zons are all quite different ... so model selection makes a big difference there.
 
#28
I've played pretty much nothing but Modulus for 13 years - my experience is obviously very different to that of many of you, in that I've never found the modulus tone to be anything other than rich, inspiring, beautiful and maleable. I wouldn't swap my Moduli for anything.

I really really like Zons, I think Joe makes great basses, and they do sound different from the Moduli - I guess that what makes duetting with Michael Manring so much fun - our tones compliment each other very well, and rarely get mistaken for one another.

If you head to Link Removed - every sound you'll hear there is my Moduluses.

Steve
www.stevelawson.net
 
#29
I just got my Modulus TBX6(neck through)the other day & all I can say is it's beautiful! I'm a die-hard Zon man but the TBX sets apart a total different sound from any bolt-on Modulus(which I really never cared for)& is a whole different vibe than a Zon(a good thing). Pics soon...

~S~

PS: Has anyone else here owned or currently own a TBX?
 
#31
I currently own both a Zon Legacy Elite and a Quantum 6 (Bart pre and pickups). To me they each bring something different to the table. The Zon is has a more woody and 'grittier' tone whereas the Modulus has a more clean and modern tone. I can't really is better than the other, although I've always really loved Joe Zon's craftsmanship. This particular Modulus (25th Anniversay model) is impeccible in fit, finish, and playability. The only thing that is definitive in my view is that the Modulus' 35" scale gives it a better "B" than the Zon.

At this time, I'm selling the Zon, so I guess you could say I've made somewhat of a judgement call on what enjoy playing. However, I'm definately getting another Zon in the future.
 
#33
Vic said:
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

wow... I've NEVER needed to do that... I can't imagine the bass up all the way, that'd clip most preamps.
Click to expand...

i guess its just the sound i like. that's with my DI on passive.

which keeps me wondering why im gunning for a 36" bass. from what i heard its easier to get that sound out of a short scale bass.

ill soon experiment with the sub-contra strings, tho.

too bad zon doesnt come with different scales. does it?
 
#34
ehque said:
i guess its just the sound i like. that's with my DI on passive.

which keeps me wondering why im gunning for a 36" bass. from what i heard its easier to get that sound out of a short scale bass.

ill soon experiment with the sub-contra strings, tho.

too bad zon doesnt come with different scales. does it?
Click to expand...

I believe the Zon Sonus 519 is a 35" scale. He doesn't do 36" though.
 
#36
I've owned three modulus basses. One was a fantastic Modulus Sonic Hammer which inspired me to get a pair of fretted and fretless Quantum 5's. To be honest I got a range of experiences with Modulus.

The fretted bass was very light but the sound was very brittle with an EMG pickup and circuit. Not a lot of lower mids which caused me no end of frustration. However the neck was great.

The fretless bass was a mixed bag. It had a neck which was bowed so I asked Rob Green (Status basses) to sort it out to some great expense. He said the phenolic mix used on the fingerboard wasn't stiff enough to resist the pull of the strings. However the sound of this bass was a lot warmer and less brittle. I put this down to it being slightly heavier and the Bartolini electronics taming the brittleness a little. I preferred the sound of it to the fretted.

The Modulus Sonic Hammer was just like a stingray on steroids. Superb neck, incredible engineering tolerances on the neck pocket. Very, very aggressive sound.

So I don't think you can judge Modulus as a brand, there's a real variability to the basses they make.

As for Zon, I've never owned one and I've only ever played a couple. I found them a little too brittle for my liking.
 
#37
I have played many Zons and I have owned a Zon Sonus for almost 10 years now. I think the Zon Sonus find it to be the singular nicest I have have come across in my 20 years of playing, playabilty + tone. Joe makes some amazing basses.

I have also played several Moduli in my time, and while they are very, very nice basses, Zon generally trumps them with a warmer sound, a more comfortable body shape, a lighter overall wieght and a better aesthetic presentation. This is my opinion, and such matters are highly subjective.

Bottom line, if my Sonus got stolen tomorrow and I would buy the exact same bass again.

Good luck!
 
#38
Steve Lawson said:
I've played pretty much nothing but Modulus for 13 years - my experience is obviously very different to that of many of you, in that I've never found the modulus tone to be anything other than rich, inspiring, beautiful and maleable. I wouldn't swap my Moduli for anything.

I really really like Zons, I think Joe makes great basses, and they do sound different from the Moduli - I guess that what makes duetting with Michael Manring so much fun - our tones compliment each other very well, and rarely get mistaken for one another.

If you head to Link Removed - every sound you'll hear there is my Moduluses.

Steve
www.stevelawson.net
Click to expand...

the first song i heard was really nice. i really like the tone alot. grace and gratitude i think it was
 
#40
I have a real nice Modulus Q5 with me right now on loan from a buddy. My Zons both feel and sound a lot better to me. He wants to cut me a really good deal on it and I'm not even interested. Others may feel the opposite, as this is purely subjective... Modulus quality is great... just not my thing.
 

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