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Zon basses - is everything OK ?

I could wait 2-3 years for a new build , but certainly not 5 years. I don't know how much I like the uncertainty of paying a down payment and not having the bass ever finished though.

I'm sure they have commitments to endorsed artists, NAMM shows and dealers as well.

My understanding is that it's just Joe and Martin the shop? Wasn't there a Mark Guillo, or is that Martin? And how old is Joe, close to retirement?

I'm starting to realize that there will be a finite amount of Zon and Carl Thompson basses out there.....scary.
 
When did you place the order? Anything fancy? (we should maybe make a sticky post with the list of ongoing order of TB member)

Well, for people looking for a VB4 or Fretless 5, I have one of each in the classifieds :)

(sorry for the shameless plug)
Off the top, I don't recall when I placed my order. It was about 2 years ago, and I was told it would be an 18 month wait. I ordered the bass I've dreamed about since 1996: a Sonus 8, in transparent purple. It's going to be fantastic. And now that I'm playing in a trio basement band again (we may get out someday) an 8 string is just the ticket.
:thumbsup:
 
My understanding is that it's just Joe and Martin the shop? Wasn't there a Mark Guillo, or is that Martin? And how old is Joe, close to retirement?

I'm starting to realize that there will be a finite amount of Zon and Carl Thompson basses out there.....scary.
Yes, it was these thoughts and Rob Allen stepping back that made me realize that I could either take a chance and order what I have been dreaming of, or sit on the sidelines and wish I had.
;)
 
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I could wait 2-3 years for a new build , but certainly not 5 years. I don't know how much I like the uncertainty of paying a down payment and not having the bass ever finished though.

I'm sure they have commitments to endorsed artists, NAMM shows and dealers as well.

My understanding is that it's just Joe and Martin the shop? Wasn't there a Mark Guillo, or is that Martin? And how old is Joe, close to retirement?

I'm starting to realize that there will be a finite amount of Zon and Carl Thompson basses out there.....scary.
I don't think they've been to NAMM in a long time, nor do I believe that they are supplying any dealers.
 
Any word yet? I know you said you was going to contact them around the end of March if you hadn't heard anything.
No word yet. I will be running over here to say when I have the bass.

Similar to @RodRy I felt like it was worth it to take the risk. I wish I’d ordered a Pedulla when I could, and we never know how many more Zons will be produced.
 
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So, you're saying I should place an order as soon as possible then? 😊

Do you guys pay in installments after the deposit is made, or wait until the bass is at/near completion for paying the remaining balance.

I've been eyeing the markets, but they are not popping up often. If I go with a new build, I get all the woods and options I want.
 
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So, you're saying I should place an order as soon as possible then? 😊

Do you guys pay in installments after the deposit is made, or wait until the bass is at/near completion for paying the remaining balance.

I've been eyeing the markets, but they are not popping up often. If I go with a new build, I get all the woods and options I want.

You're in for MINIMUM 3 years if you place an order now, and looking at other backlog I think to plan for 4 years is not unrealistic...and if you want something a little bit more exotic / special it will add on the leadtime.

What kind of specs were you looking for? Sonus are coming still quite regularly on the market but Legacy are rare.
 
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Sonus/Sonus Special/TJ4 4-String Fretless.

Undecided between lined or not, love the aesthetics of a clean board but like lined for intonation.

TJ4 are pretty rare (I actually have never seen one), the Sonus 4 are simpler build but yeah, probably 3 years.

I think there is a good chance one will come on the market before.

You can also come to the facebook community page and make a wanted post, who knows someone has one for sell (I'm selling an incredible and modern 5 fretless and it does not had the crowd excited so far)
 
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I'm watching the Facebook community, Ebay and Reverb. Haven't found any other only sites that stock or carry Zons.

I had a 1996 Legacy Elite 6-String, very crisp sound and the harmonics were crystal clear. Later sold and bought Redwood Sonus V, much more comfortable bass to play. Lighter and contoured, still very clean sound, but warmer. Both had signs of "finishing folding" or cracks near the fretboard or neck which were only cosmetic. Never had the fingerboard separate like other horror stories.

My first fretless was a Carvin LB76F 6 String. It was way too large of a jump from a fretted 4 at the time. After about 6 months I gave up because I just didn't have the time to commit.


It's strange, something really has to jump out for a bass to be appealing, sometimes it just "fits". Could be the finish color, string spacing, hardware.... whatever. "GAS or Pass" Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. GLWTS!
 
So, you're saying I should place an order as soon as possible then? 😊

Do you guys pay in installments after the deposit is made, or wait until the bass is at/near completion for paying the remaining balance.

I've been eyeing the markets, but they are not popping up often. If I go with a new build, I get all the woods and options I want.
Personally, I am not saying to place an order. I gave my reason for doing so, each person should carefully review their reasons to see if it makes sense.
:thumbsup:
 
No word yet. I will be running over here to say when I have the bass.

Similar to @RodRy I felt like it was worth it to take the risk. I wish I’d ordered a Pedulla when I could, and we never know how many more Zons will be produced.
Heard yesterday that my bass's top wood has been glued to the body wood, and was asked a question about location of the bridge pickup, so I'm taking this as a positive sign.
:thumbsup:
 
I'm watching the Facebook community, Ebay and Reverb. Haven't found any other only sites that stock or carry Zons.

I had a 1996 Legacy Elite 6-String, very crisp sound and the harmonics were crystal clear. Later sold and bought Redwood Sonus V, much more comfortable bass to play. Lighter and contoured, still very clean sound, but warmer. Both had signs of "finishing folding" or cracks near the fretboard or neck which were only cosmetic. Never had the fingerboard separate like other horror stories.

My first fretless was a Carvin LB76F 6 String. It was way too large of a jump from a fretted 4 at the time. After about 6 months I gave up because I just didn't have the time to commit.


It's strange, something really has to jump out for a bass to be appealing, sometimes it just "fits". Could be the finish color, string spacing, hardware.... whatever. "GAS or Pass" Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. GLWTS!
Do you still have the redwood Sonus V?
Sounds like a very nice bass!
 
Do you still have the redwood Sonus V?
Sounds like a very nice bass!
This was the original ad, Brad DeMoss was standup guy for what it's worth.

Sadly, no. I later sold it in a local sale as I was focusing more on my career and playing less and less bass.

Looking back, I should've never let go of this! I can't believe how much prices have changed since then too!

I am going to reach out to Zon this week, have been think hard about placing an order for a new Sonus custom.
 
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Well..... I now officially have a Sonus Custom 4 fretless on order! I placed the order yesterday and selected my top, could barely sleep last night!

Martin was super helpful throughout the process, feeling grateful and honored to be part of the Zon family again.

Perhaps you should post this news over in the Official Zon Club thread. You're welcome here too, but this is not the Zon club you want to join. ;)
 
Well..... I now officially have a Sonus Custom 4 fretless on order! I placed the order yesterday and selected my top, could barely sleep last night!

Martin was super helpful throughout the process, feeling grateful and honored to be part of the Zon family again.
Congratulations ! That’s exciting. I never let this ZON thread dissuade me from placing my order either. Cheers🍻
 
Good evening.

I’m helping a colleague begin the process of liquidating his instruments due to advanced medical issues.

He has this USA Zon Legacy Standard, which is a single pickup configuration. I’m not finding much info on this specific set up. It appears to be an early model.

I didn’t find an exterior serial number, and didn’t have tools to open up the cavity.

Any help or info would be appreciated.
 

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