Yet another comparison thread

WARNING! MY OPINION AHEAD!!!



I've owned both a Zon Sonus Custom 5 and Sadowsky Vintage 5. Both fretted. Both made-to-order. IMHO, the Zon Custom model is the best of the Sonus versions.

I prefer the Sadowsky for "cutting thru" the mix. So do my band mates... and by a large margin. I've owned Modulus, Warwick, Zon and Carvin within the last 4 years and the Sadowsky has the best tone of all the basses I have owned or played. YMMV...

I have not found that a 34" vs. 35" scale makes any difference if the bass is designed correctly. Both my Zon and the Sadowsky have 34" scale where the Modulus had 35". The Sadowsky has a better (more articulate) "B" than either of them - and it has a one-piece maple neck. I think it's all in the design execution.

I've seen Zon Sonus Custom 5s going for around $1500. Sadowskys at around $2200. I'm sure there are deals around.

Nino can give you a great perspective on Spector and Sadowsky.

Bottom line, all three are great basses. It really will come down to what you prefer.

Good Luck!!
Jeff

 

My Sonus 5/1 is 35". I thought all Zon 5's were. And the 4's were 34".

 

All three Zons I have owned (2 Sonus Customs, fretted and fretless and a Lightwave fretless) were all 34". All were 5 string.

Jeff

 

Wow, you really do learn something everyday.

 

Sadowsky basses do not have this artificicial "list" price that is designed to make you "think" you're getting a deal because NO ONE actually sells the instrument for that price. A 5 string will run around $3000 - $3500 US depending on options. IMHO, they are worth every penny.

You can get a custom-made Zon Sonus Custom with a figured top and matching headstock for under $2500 US. Again, a great bass.

Both Joe and Roger are great to work with although I've found Roger to be more responsive and more accurate with his time estimates.

Jeff

 

I've never hyad the pleasure to play a Zon bass because if I do, there will probably be a new thread in basses, "Went to lunch & bought a Zon."

Spector's & Sadowsky's. I have both & they're both 34" scale & the B's on both KILL!!!!!! They both cut through EXTREMLY WELL!!!!!! They both sound great. I don't like one's sound over another.

The thing is the Spector is kinda heavy. I love the countour of the body!!!!!I love the super quilt, I love the gold hardware. When I bought the Sadowsky, I kinda went in the opposite direction. No fancy figured top, black hardware, etc. It's a really tough choice!!!!!! Both basses will run you new @ about $3000. I've seen & sold Sadowsky 24 fret 5's in the $2000-2500 range used. I've seen Spector's sell for $1500-2000 used. Since you have an NS-5 CR, I'd personally go for the Sadowsky. But there is a nice Spector NS-5 XL on ebay for $1750 w/no reserve. <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1479554240"><b>CLICK HERE</b></a> to check it out.

 

I checked Zon's site, and even though my Sonus 5/1 as well as the Sonus j/j basses are 35" scale, their other Sonus 5's (Customs, etc.) are 34" scale. I wonder why. Any ideas?

 

I would call Roger to discuss the difference between the the 2 PU choices. He will definately provide you a thorough answer taking into consideration your specific needs. My fretted Sadowsky has single coil "J" Pups. I wanted that tone and it has worked well for every situation I've needed. The fretless I am having built will have EMGs based on Roger's recommendation regarding what i was searching for in a fretless design. Also, Roger probably has someone in your area that wouold let you check out their bass.

Regarding the Zon question, I asked the same question of Joe when I ordered mine. Ash is brighter. Also according to Joe, the top does make a difference - although I think it is very subtle.

I think you're asking great questions!

Jeff

 

My experience is the same as yours with fretless Zons. When I ordered my first Zon it was a fretless Custom (the one embellisher has now). I loved that bass! It wasn't too bright at all. Well, I wanted a fretted just like it! So, when I got it, I was surprised at how bright it was. I talked to Joe several times about it - I wanted it to sound more like the fretless. In the end after playing several models, I realized I just wasn't crazy about fretted Zons - just wasn't my thing. Very different than the fretless models. I ended up returning it to him and having him make a fretless Lightwave instead.

Thinking I didn't need two fretless basses, I sold the Custom and kept the Lightwave. What can I say - I was wrong! I DO need 2 fretless basses! (The fretless Sadowsky is due in November )

Jeff

 

Actually, the fact that Jeff bought it made it easier. He's a great guy and the fact he was local made it even better. I know he takes great care of it. The LW is also a beautiful bass. There's pics of it on my bass album below.

I'm really excited to get the fretless Sadowsky. It will be the first one Roger has ever built with a spalted maple top. He tells me it's beautiful... and I trust him

Jeff

 

Thanks, Jeff.

 

I saw the bodies before finishing & they're ABSOLULTY GEORGOUS!!!!!! If I wasen't in the hunt for a 4 stirng Sadowsky, the 2nd would be mine. It is INCREDIBLE LOOKING!!!!!!

 

If you wanted the other spalted body, I would bet you could choose most if not all the additional options, including the neck. Call Roger.

BTW, ebony boards are available...

Jeff

 

Here's my theory and as usual I could be wrong...

It is much easier to offer a 35" scale 5 string than try to convince people 35" is not absolutely neccesary

My Legacy Standard fretless 5 is a 34", so is my 84 Tobias, so was my Surine 7, etc. They all have or had excellent B's.