Setup talk needs to go elsewhere, y'all. This thread is about Zon delivering basses (or not).
Back on topic, please.
Back on topic, please.
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Zon basses - is everything OK ?
- Thread starter Rumblefisher
- Start date
Hello everyone,
Just checking in has anyone had any encouraging correspondence with the shop?
Just checking in has anyone had any encouraging correspondence with the shop?
Got an email yesterday. Mr Zon has a private, family related matter he is tending to. I hope the best for him whatever it is, I can certainly understand family above all else.
Only my holiday email that I mentioned back on the 30th. I consider it encouraging.
May he rest in peace. I know I will be a wreck when my dear father passes (hopefully many, many years of good health down the road). I wish the best for Mr Zon and his family.
I apologize that I don't know the general synopsis as I don't have time to go back & read a lot of older messages. But in general; what are you waiting on that's been 6 years? Thanks
I apologize that I don't know the general synopsis as I don't have time to go back & read a lot of older messages. But in general; what are you waiting on that's been 6 years? Thanks
I do believe he is waiting for a custom build VB Series Zon.
This is RumbleFisher original post:
In 2016, I bought a Zon Vinny 4 from Maidenbass here on TB. I loved the bass, pictured below. Humbuckers, composite neck, small form factor...awesome. I started speaking to Martin Peters about pretty much recreating this bass but in set-neck form.
I am a big of Mr. Peters and Mr. Zon. They were always nice, personable, and responded within 24-48 hrs for most things. We ended up exchanging many emails over the ensuing few months, and I gave them a "spec sheet" of exactly what I wanted. I reviewed it with Mr. Peters and he spoke to Mr. Zon, stating that all specs were easily doable.
I was initially quoted a lead time of 8 months in February 2017. There was a little hiccup along the way (accidental battery route was added, and they warned me it would definitely add to the lead time to wait for another super lightweight piece of wood, but I told them I was ok with it). I was and am perfectly OK with waiting a bit longer to find quality materials, and I let them know that REALLY wanted them to stick to the spec sheet.
I am creating this thread because, over the last 2 months I've been unable to get in contact with Mr. Peters. I've called a few times, and I spoke to Mr. Zon on one occasion. He was very, very nice and he recalled some of the things I wanted, but also stated he still had to make a battery route and some other small things I didn't really want. No problem, he's a very busy man with a lot on his mind, and my spec sheet is definitely not at the top of the priority list. He was very nice and we reviewed the spec sheet together and again he stated that there was no problem doing it all. He also said he would ask Mr. Peters for a print out so that he had it right by his bench as he worked on the instrument. Awesome, I felt happy about that.
I tried following up with Mr. Peters and asked him to confirm receipt of my emails over the last 2 months. I've tried calling them a couple of times but I understand that they are very busy and I don't at all want to be a nuisance. Based on my previous interactions, I'm actually a bit worried that Mr. Peters might not be alright (i.e. hospital visit or something else awful).
Does anybody know if he is OK? Perhaps there's a TBer that lives by the Zon shop that can visit and let them know I'm trying to get in touch?
The email listed on the site is the one I already use, and I'll try calling again later today (I'm on vacation at the moment, 10 hr time difference).
Overall, I'm still excited about the bass, and I'm happy with the company and people who have interacted with me. I just want to ask the largest bass community I know of if it has any "inside" knowledge of the happenings over at Zon.
In 2016, I bought a Zon Vinny 4 from Maidenbass here on TB. I loved the bass, pictured below. Humbuckers, composite neck, small form factor...awesome. I started speaking to Martin Peters about pretty much recreating this bass but in set-neck form.
I am a big of Mr. Peters and Mr. Zon. They were always nice, personable, and responded within 24-48 hrs for most things. We ended up exchanging many emails over the ensuing few months, and I gave them a "spec sheet" of exactly what I wanted. I reviewed it with Mr. Peters and he spoke to Mr. Zon, stating that all specs were easily doable.
I was initially quoted a lead time of 8 months in February 2017. There was a little hiccup along the way (accidental battery route was added, and they warned me it would definitely add to the lead time to wait for another super lightweight piece of wood, but I told them I was ok with it). I was and am perfectly OK with waiting a bit longer to find quality materials, and I let them know that REALLY wanted them to stick to the spec sheet.
I am creating this thread because, over the last 2 months I've been unable to get in contact with Mr. Peters. I've called a few times, and I spoke to Mr. Zon on one occasion. He was very, very nice and he recalled some of the things I wanted, but also stated he still had to make a battery route and some other small things I didn't really want. No problem, he's a very busy man with a lot on his mind, and my spec sheet is definitely not at the top of the priority list. He was very nice and we reviewed the spec sheet together and again he stated that there was no problem doing it all. He also said he would ask Mr. Peters for a print out so that he had it right by his bench as he worked on the instrument. Awesome, I felt happy about that.
I tried following up with Mr. Peters and asked him to confirm receipt of my emails over the last 2 months. I've tried calling them a couple of times but I understand that they are very busy and I don't at all want to be a nuisance. Based on my previous interactions, I'm actually a bit worried that Mr. Peters might not be alright (i.e. hospital visit or something else awful).
Does anybody know if he is OK? Perhaps there's a TBer that lives by the Zon shop that can visit and let them know I'm trying to get in touch?
The email listed on the site is the one I already use, and I'll try calling again later today (I'm on vacation at the moment, 10 hr time difference).
Overall, I'm still excited about the bass, and I'm happy with the company and people who have interacted with me. I just want to ask the largest bass community I know of if it has any "inside" knowledge of the happenings over at Zon.
I apologize that I don't know the general synopsis as I don't have time to go back & read a lot of older messages. But in general; what are you waiting on that's been 6 years? Thanks
Zon vinny 4, 32 scale. Lane poor pickups I bought separately and sent for installation.
Thank you. I've had two Zon Sonus basses and have spoke w/ Joe several times over the years. I concur, one of the nicest guys on the planet. But 6 yrs seems like a bit much. I hope you get your instrument soon.
Not making excuses, it has been a bit of extenuating circumstance. A global pandemic, warehouse fire, ultimately a move of the entire shop and then a family death definitely add time. Not to mention I DID request a scale change. It's been a long time, but not all of it was me being put on the backburner (maybe a little though
)
I still have dreams of a BG 5-string in Candy Pink Metallic…
Sent an email about a year ago, and they replied within 24 hours that such a particular order should be able to be done within the standard 13 month timeframe. I might be moving soon, and get some money over in the process that I would love to turn into a custom build. My last custom build was about a two year wait.
Sent an email about a year ago, and they replied within 24 hours that such a particular order should be able to be done within the standard 13 month timeframe. I might be moving soon, and get some money over in the process that I would love to turn into a custom build. My last custom build was about a two year wait.
Love the build concept.
As for placing the order: this is a caution thread, so I suggest negotiating the lowest possible down payment.
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,074
- 9,790
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
I just put this thought on the page, as it's been stewing for a while. Custom build deposit PSA
Im curious re: these ZON orders, how many were paid in full upfront? I know with ZON, there are other delaying factors, like custom hardware or electronics and custom necks or neck dims/shapes that require custom molding. So this thread link is not a callout to this particular situation but Im curious nonetheless.
Im curious re: these ZON orders, how many were paid in full upfront? I know with ZON, there are other delaying factors, like custom hardware or electronics and custom necks or neck dims/shapes that require custom molding. So this thread link is not a callout to this particular situation but Im curious nonetheless.
Rumblefisher said he paid in full up front, and so did Maidenbass for both of his orders that were >2 year waits. There may be more but that's all I know of.
Maidenbass thought that full payment would speed production given that the builder wouldn't have to worry about the remaining balance... but that's usually not how the thinking works. Can't speak for Rumblefisher, but many years ago I put 100% down on a custom from a different builder because I had it in my pocket and didn't want to worry about it 6 months later or whatever when the build was complete (there wasn't a delay that I can recall).
Yup, I know I’ve mentioned this idea to you several times now, haha. Might even make it headless for the kicks.Love the build concept.
So many traditionalists over here that would recoil at the very thought, worth it JUST for that!
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,074
- 9,790
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
yeah I talk about that phenomenon in that post. It seems like a misguided nicety. I totally get wanting to put the money to where it's going while you have it though.
I thought it a sign of appreciation and trust toward the builder. Probably old school. My grandfather and dad did this with anyone who rendered a service (plumbing, electrical, etc) so that's the example I had growing up.
Also, because of my line of work, i have a "do it now so you dont have to worry about forgetting later" mentality.
Experiences like this dissuade me from paying in full in the future as not everyone will reciprocate the appreciation.
Also, because of my line of work, i have a "do it now so you dont have to worry about forgetting later" mentality.
Experiences like this dissuade me from paying in full in the future as not everyone will reciprocate the appreciation.
