Zon bass left in variable temps

[DBENT]

I have a small mountain cabin in the California sierras. 6k elevation. Cabin is currently bassless. I’ll hide up there a week at a time and hermit. I prefer to hermit w a bass.

I have a zon legacy elite bass I want to bring up there and leave it for me to jam on when I’m up there.

The temperature fluctuation goes from 90 in the summer with 60 degree summer nights down to 40 days in the winter with 10 degree nights (sometimes colder).

I’m fearful to leave a bass up there but thinking if I’m going to do it the zon w graphite neck is the one to do it with.

...problem is I love that bass and don’t want to ruin it. It’s not my main bass but it is a loved bass.

Thoughts?

I spent about a week a month up there so it’s worth it if it’s a viable option.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Dude, you’re just asking for mountain lions to steal that bass.

Zons tend to be more stable than most but I would advise just taking it up and leaving it there when the weather is consistent and taking it back with you when the temperature or humidity is due to shift in your absence. Unless you’re planning on taking a motorcycle up there most times there’s not much reason to risk the bass when you can just put it in a gig bag and take it with you.

 

[DBENT]

Dude, you’re just asking for mountain lions to steal that bass.

Zons tend to be more stable than most but I would advise just taking it up and leaving it there when the weather is consistent and taking it back with you when the temperature or humidity is due to shift in your absence. Unless you’re planning on taking a motorcycle up there most times there’s not much reason to risk the bass when you can just put it in a gig bag and take it with you.

More afraid of fire than theft. 25 cabins up there and everyone up there is way too cautious with anyone they don’t recognize. Almost to an annoyance. I can’t let anyone stay up there without letting everyone in the community know.

appreciate the response. I really like the zon. Piling it in the car each time is 100% doable but the dog will have to squeeze a bit to fit. One more thing to pack etc etc.

Was hopeful the neck would be stable w the changing temps and humidity. I don’t temp control it when I’m not there. It only has a wood burning stove for heat.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Put the dog in a matching gig bag- problem solved!

Most people wouldn’t guess it but the temperature and humidity swings in Connecticut are pretty huge, and often change very quickly. The Zons I’ve owned have had the most stable necks of any of my basses. You also might want to invest in a humidifier for your case, and if you do leave it up there maybe put it in some sort of well insulated area.

 

[drumvsbass]

As long as it's in a case and doesn't experience a drastic shift in temperature, no problem.
I had a Zon Legacy Elite shipped to me in Winnipeg, in February 2019. Case was very cold when it got here, but I let it warm up before I cracked it open. No problem.
However, A friend of mine had a 5 string Sonus that he cracked the finish on (that Zon fixed for him. $$$?) due to a climactic change event, so it is a thing that can happen.
I love Zons, where did you say your cabin was again?

 

[Volker Kirstein]

... Piling it in the car each time is 100% doable but the dog will have to squeeze a bit to fit. One more thing to pack etc etc. ...

This is probably your best/safest bet.

That being said, if you absolutely, postively have to leave the bass there, as long as it's in a case/gig bag, and the temperatures don't swing 30° in the space of an hour, your bass should be fine. No guarantees, tho!

 

[spufman]

My Zon necks were very stable. But Zons still have wood bodies, susceptible to finish cracking and all.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

When I was a kid in the 60’s-70’s I left my Fender basses in below zero weather in cars and trucks overnight many dozens of times. I’ve never had a bass damaged, let alone ruined by those temperature swings. I think those days, over many years, probably contributed to the crazing of the nitro finish. In my opinion it lends character to the instrument. But the necks were always fine. After all, the tree survived freezing temperatures many times long before it was ever turned into a bass neck! This bass for one, spent many a night in a trunk or truck, on the road.

 

[stringtheory6]

My Zon necks were very stable. But Zons still have wood bodies, susceptible to finish cracking and all.

I have sometimes wondered if pics like these were from impact or temperature fluctuations.

 

[gwangi]

I have sometimes wondered if pics like these were from impact or temperature fluctuations.View attachment 4351588

Most definitely!!!!

 

[IronLung1986]

I have a small mountain cabin in the California sierras. 6k elevation. Cabin is currently bassless. I’ll hide up there a week at a time and hermit. I prefer to hermit w a bass.

I have a zon legacy elite bass I want to bring up there and leave it for me to jam on when I’m up there.

The temperature fluctuation goes from 90 in the summer with 60 degree summer nights down to 40 days in the winter with 10 degree nights (sometimes colder).

I’m fearful to leave a bass up there but thinking if I’m going to do it the zon w graphite neck is the one to do it with.

...problem is I love that bass and don’t want to ruin it. It’s not my main bass but it is a loved bass.

Thoughts?

I spent about a week a month up there so it’s worth it if it’s a viable option.

Graphite should in theory be fine. I left a Status graphite neck (not attached to a bass) in a shed for a year and a half here in NH, which if you don't know goes from 85-90 and humid in the summer to single digits and sub-zero in the winter. It didn't suffer any perceptible damage from this. I'd be more concerned about the wood stove drying out the body over time. It's a bit precious to worry about such a thing, but a Zon is a nice bass and lord knows getting a new one is not a sure bet these days.