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Zon basses - is everything OK ?

#741
bigsnack said:
He said he currently has a 2 year backlog for orders, and I hope that is the message he communicates to new buyers. If he does that, I think they are absolutely on the right track.
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It certainly would seem to be the right approach for everyone involved. It isn't all that unusual for a small boutique builder to have a 2+ year wait time on new instruments due to the demand, so as long as the longer wait times are communicated to buyers and complied with it shouldn't be as much of an issue. I'm in the club whose experience with Zon was tainted mainly because of promises of a much quicker timeline than was actually delivered, rather than just because it took a long time in itself.
 
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#743
bigsnack said:
I was too, good thing I only ended up having to wait 44 months for it! :)

All, I definitely want to say a few things:

1. The bass is incredible. It sounds incredible, the setup is perfect, the fit and finish is (as far as I can tell) flawless. The weight is just under 9 lbs, the preamp sounds good, the tone is snappy, etc. The goal was to have this bass be my Aria Integra 2.0, and is that and then some. Bravo to Joe for making a fantastic instrument!

2. Joe also bent over backwards to get the bass delivered to me this week. I was in San Francisco with my family, and we coordinated an in-person pickup. In the end, he actually coordinated an in person delivery around my existing plans, and met me in the city right after the Giants game ended. I really appreciated it, and didn't have to cart the whole family out of the way to get the bass.

3. Joe is a sweet guy, and I really am rooting for him. We didn't have a ton of time to talk, but his description of how things have gone is certainly plausible and understandable to a degree. The shop move and COVID had him lose most of his entire staff, and he also had a massive influx of orders at the same time. He said that he's recently hired folks that are local to his new shop location, and feels very confident that delivery times and communication will improve. I told him that we are all rooting for him, and don't want the Zon legacy to have any blemishes. He certainly is still making instruments though, and the work is truly top notch.

I truly believe that if he can be more transparent with delivery times, the Zon legacy can continue on in a positive light. He said he currently has a 2 year backlog for orders, and I hope that is the message he communicates to new buyers. If he does that, I think they are absolutely on the right track.
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I hope this is true and he follows through. Love his instruments.
 
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#746
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#747
These are some killer looking basses!

The piano black is stunning :)

I have been so back and forth regarding getting a top...that myrtle with the wenge (?) accent veneer looks amazing. I ended up going with regular swamp ash because I felt it was becoming more about the top than any other part of the bass, you know? :) But that myrtle has me GASing again :D

BTW, my Lane Poors arrived at Zon HQ per USPS :) Let the record show the delay over the past few months was my fault, I own it. Honestly, my wife and children are well, everything else is gravy.
 
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#748
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#749
bigsnack said:
:) I got this exact bass:
Zon Guitars - Sonus BG4 Billy Gould Signature Bass

The only difference is that I wanted gloss black instead of matte. I've never personally been a fan of the matte color look, so it had to be gloss for me and I'm very happy.
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Billy's is gloss black, so it's interesting that the default for his sig model is matte. I was this close to requesting a headless BG5, but I don't believe the five string pickups were ready so I went with a matte black headless Sonus: I like the stealth visual vibe, and I already own a gloss black bass :D

Anyway, congrats! I'd love to hear sound samples of the distortion. I think I've only heard one demo (which was Billy at NAMM as I recall).
 
#751
Fuzzbass said:
I believe the dual buttons on the butt end originated with the Steinberger. One purpose is so it sits straight when on the floor, another is extra protection for the roller tuners at the bridge.

Based on my experience with my own headless Zon, I discovered a third purpose: strap adjustment! I've been using the lower button so the bass hangs just a smidge higher.
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hah, it's kinda the anti-Alembic. NO LEAN FOR YOU.
 
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#752
Apolicious said:
hah, it's kinda the anti-Alembic. NO LEAN FOR YOU.
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Ha. The "stinger" was cool but not exactly practical.

ff19670a32e5a6cafdb1b9dc29689c46.jpg
 
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#758
Hankenstein said:
So has everyone waiting for a bass received one?
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Nope:

------WAITING---------------
@Rumblefisher February 2017 Vinny paid in full upfront || neck changed some specification in 2020.-> wanted 1000$, then 500$
@jbae8907 around Oct 2020
@Jefus Jul 2021
@VTbassplayer 2 basses in Aug 2021 - quoted 12months delivery time
@InNoRush Sonus Special August 2020.

I'm still waiting. Last inquired in August last year and was told "Your bass is well into production and nearing the paint cycle. There have been serious delays in getting materials, from pickups to paint, but hope to have your bass completed sometime late September." but nothing since. Hasn't felt worth continuing to ask.
 
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#760
InNoRush said:
Nope:

------WAITING---------------
@Rumblefisher February 2017 Vinny paid in full upfront || neck changed some specification in 2020.-> wanted 1000$, then 500$
@jbae8907 around Oct 2020
@Jefus Jul 2021
@VTbassplayer 2 basses in Aug 2021 - quoted 12months delivery time
@InNoRush Sonus Special August 2020.

I'm still waiting. Last inquired in August last year and was told "Your bass is well into production and nearing the paint cycle. There have been serious delays in getting materials, from pickups to paint, but hope to have your bass completed sometime late September." but nothing since. Hasn't felt worth continuing to ask.
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Correct, I am still waiting. But I have not hit the 12 month mark that was mentioned when I placed my deposit.

I also have not finalized my electronics package with Joe. I have a test mule that I'm trying some things out on and I'm having a hard time getting the pots and capacitors I want to try. The supply chain issues are real.
 

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