I ordered from Sadowsky as well, but it was an in-stock bass that someone else had ordered and changed their mind on...so I agree that their service is excellent, but I did not go through the custom build process.
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Zon basses - is everything OK ?
- Thread starter Rumblefisher
- Start date
I ordered from Sadowsky as well, but it was an in-stock bass that someone else had ordered and changed their mind on...so I agree that their service is excellent, but I did not go through the custom build process.
I can also confirm this with my Mike Lull PJ, extremely positive experience and the bass was finished ahead of schedule.
I think we can all agree that most established luthiers have a reputation for delivering quality products in a reasonable period of time. Otherwise they would have stickied threads about them. Like this.
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,222
- 45,003
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
Read this thread. All i can say is good luck and i would never ever ever consider ordering or even buying a used zon.
I have a rickenbacker 4005xc on order (will be about a year wait all said and done… spring 2022).
i also have a custom dingwall on order (my first truly custom bass). But i bought a build slot in april 2022 to shortcut the 18 month typical wait.
4-5 years??? No bass is worth that. I dont care how graphite the neck is.
And yeah… they spent your money long ago. Thus the delay. And shops that dont pay suppliers their outstanding bills get lower shipping priority. Just saying.
That being said (harshly), good luck. If you are upset you have every right to be.
I have a rickenbacker 4005xc on order (will be about a year wait all said and done… spring 2022).
i also have a custom dingwall on order (my first truly custom bass). But i bought a build slot in april 2022 to shortcut the 18 month typical wait.
4-5 years??? No bass is worth that. I dont care how graphite the neck is.
And yeah… they spent your money long ago. Thus the delay. And shops that dont pay suppliers their outstanding bills get lower shipping priority. Just saying.
That being said (harshly), good luck. If you are upset you have every right to be.
Rent for a commercial building in CA must be very high. Not sure what commercial rents are like but some 1 bedroom apts are going for $2500/mo in Livermore (where the shop is located. Makes you wonder how many build deposits and completions you need per month to stay afloat. I wish everyone here (as well as the Zon shop) luck.
Especially the shop that take your deposit and doesn't order parts for a couple years.
Finally received email response from Joe
still waiting on pickups electronics and hardware no photos ordered in 2016.
This thread is getting more depressing, and in the back of my mind I'd possibly like to get a 3rd Zon Legacy Elite but in a 5 string version but with the situation being as it is I would be very nervous to even thinking about putting a deposit down.
Very sorry to hear this.
I hope that I am wrong, but I am pretty sure that even the body and neck of your bass don't exist...
Otherwise you would have received photos I think.
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That's longer than a wait for a Wal.
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,222
- 45,003
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
That is true.
There are 2 crucial differences.
That is the wait for pretty much any Wal you order. There are 3 Zon's (that we know of here) with that backlog - most are delivered more or less on time.
The other is that with Wal you know up front that's your wait. These 3 Zons were promised long ago and far away. The "where is my bass? it was supposed to be sent to me years ago" factor doesn't exist with the Wals.
The other crucial difference is that Paul Herman is honest with his clients and keeps them apprised of build progress.
If you go through the Zon Club thread there have been other examples of Joe not stepping up. If @basschanges is around he can attest to a very difficult interaction. These are not isolated incidents.
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Agreed on the last couple of points. I ordered a Wal new in 2013, and the quoted wait time was 24 months. I got my bass in exactly 24 months, I got multiple unprompted emails along the way, I got photos of the neck and body, and a picture of the bass in its case just as it was being shipped. Compared to other premium builders, there is a stark contrast.
With the prices that Wal charge for relatively simple builds I'd expect them to chauffeur the new bass to my house in a Rolls Royce, never mind sending a few emails!
Man the suck-a$$ thing now is Wal is not taking orders right now and you have to be put on a list and wait til Wal gets back with you once they get caught up on there orders and the last time I heard they were roughly 4 years out so that's why Paul isn't excepting orders.
The other drag thing is once you are able to put in a deposit on a Wal, Wal won't give a finalized price just due to the fact that once you put your deposit in it will be roughly 3 to 4 years til your bass is finished and the cost of woods and customs taxes and shipping will be that more expensive.
The other drag thing is once you are able to put in a deposit on a Wal, Wal won't give a finalized price just due to the fact that once you put your deposit in it will be roughly 3 to 4 years til your bass is finished and the cost of woods and customs taxes and shipping will be that more expensive.
