A certain defeatist tone to some of the comments here that I can't understand. They have a known address. You can call the shop and tell them to return the instrument or you will file a report with the local authorities.
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Zon basses - is everything OK ?
- Thread starter Rumblefisher
- Start date
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I have an '86 Legacy Elite in need of FB planing and refret + refinish. I've been wanting to send it back for years but since following this thread I feel it would akin to kissing it goodbye. I played it relentlessly for 10 years until the frets wore out and the neck bowed. I would've really liked to have it back again, just not in my dotage...
I have only sporadically checked in on this thread over the years but has anyone shown up at the shop to get their bass back or coordinated with another TB'er who is local to do the same? Or show up with paper work, lack of responses to return the bass over time, and police escort if needed to prove ownership and get your bass(es) back?
If there is an actual bass in their possession that you own and it's just sitting in there I would have a tough time accepting it's just gone. Not being critical of your situation or others with a bass that is sitting in the Zon shop for a repair but it's different than those that put money down and nothing has been built.
It had to be fully dismantled (set-neck removed, fretboard removed), reassembled, refretted and refinished, and then a new electronics package was to be installed. It would be useless to me in an incomplete state.
Still your bass regardless of status and should be in your hands. I am really sorry to hear that.
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To be clear, I'm not open to accepting "legal" advice regarding the ongoing delay of the completion of my instrument. Thank you, but no thanks.
I'm sharing my story simply because it feels wrong to be silent when others are considering sending money or instruments to their shop without an understanding of the risks involved.
I'm at peace with what's transpired, and I have other instruments to play. Also, Joe Zon builds about the best bass on the planet when he's so inclined. I sincerely hope they get their act together and I wish them well, because the world will always need more excellent basses. And I'd also like to get my bass finished and returned to me; those outcomes needn't be mutually exclusive.
I realize that not everyone will understand this approach, and I'm OK with that.
I'm sharing my story simply because it feels wrong to be silent when others are considering sending money or instruments to their shop without an understanding of the risks involved.
I'm at peace with what's transpired, and I have other instruments to play. Also, Joe Zon builds about the best bass on the planet when he's so inclined. I sincerely hope they get their act together and I wish them well, because the world will always need more excellent basses. And I'd also like to get my bass finished and returned to me; those outcomes needn't be mutually exclusive.
I realize that not everyone will understand this approach, and I'm OK with that.
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Hi folks, been lurking here for awhile and finally made an account and decided to post. How many of you are still waiting for your basses? Has anyone been in contact with Martin Peters? If so what has he been saying? I placed an order for a custom Sonus in August 2021, quoted ship date in July 2022, and despite hounding them I still do not have a good idea of how far along my bass is. I got some pictures around February and it looks like the body and top wood were glued together and roughly milled, which seems like pretty abysmal progress for being well past the quoted ship date. It seems that Martin is purposely vague and delayed in his email responses/communication when I ask about the status of my bass. It also seems like they always have some excuse and I can’t seem to get any accurate information despite a couple terse emails. Every time I ask they always tell me some variation of “I’m confident your bass will be done by the end of the month” and at this point it seems like I’m being strung along. I also notice in his email responses he often does not address all of the line items I mention in my email, generally pertaining to the status of my bass and specific details as to its current status and it is getting very frustrating for me.
I've had some communication with him recently. He had asked me what pickup positioning I wanted, had said PJ and then remembered I spoke with Mr Zon maybe 3 years ago about doing a "twin jazz" in the P position. I sent 2 follow up messages apologizing and asking if the twin jazz thing was still viable. Have not yet heard back. That was maybe 2 weeks ago.
Haven't heard a peep in ages about the sonus special I ordered in August 2020
My bass was not started 1 year and 3 months after ordering it.
Is that the current status or have you since received it?
I have not received my order, I am approaching the two year mark soon.
best luck to everyone.
best luck to everyone.
I was hoping the numbers here would dwindle, but that is not the case. 
Condolences and best wishes to you all.
Condolences and best wishes to you all.
That’ll teach you to sign your emails “InNoRush”.
Sadly, I suspect that the title of this thread will soon be amended to add the word "WARNING".
I’m starting to wonder what can I do at this point? I’ve been contemplating legal action but I’m not even sure it would be worth it, as I have only put $1000 down on the bass and would probably end up spending more on a lawyer. It really bums me out that this can happen and I’m powerless to fix it. After being led on time and time again, I’ve become pretty soured on the brand at this point. Part of me just wants my deposit back and to just be done with it, I’m considering asking for it back if it gets past the 2 year mark. I also wonder that if they were contacted by a lawyer maybe that would scare them into getting their act together?
We are thinking the same. I am about 4 grand into them.
Part of me does not even want the bass at this point.
Joe seems to be a nice caring guy. As far behind as he his I wonder if a few cancelled orders would be an actual relief for him.
Does anyone know how many employees work at Zon.
As the president he appears to be very involved in the building of each bass. Last time I spoke to him he had just finished finishing a bass.
Have good weekend everyone!
Part of me does not even want the bass at this point.
Joe seems to be a nice caring guy. As far behind as he his I wonder if a few cancelled orders would be an actual relief for him.
Does anyone know how many employees work at Zon.
As the president he appears to be very involved in the building of each bass. Last time I spoke to him he had just finished finishing a bass.
Have good weekend everyone!
Maybe this a dumb question, but has anyone shared the existence of this thread with Zon? As someone who just put a deposit on an instrument and then saw this thread, I’ve been thinking about it, just to see what the response was. I can’t imagine they’d be thrilled with it if they are earnestly trying to do the right thing.
Stop this farce do it!Sadly, I suspect that the title of this thread will soon be amended to add the word "WARNING".
Why should these people continue to be ripped off by this time swallowing scam.
I don't care if they are supposed to be good. They are not that good. Plenty of boutique builders out there at a good delivery and far less money.
I've got a so and so. It's all ego tripping!
Walk away they spent your money. Don't ask on what.
Well maybe if a group of us share this thread with them and threaten legal action if we don’t have completion by x date, that might scare up some action from them. Thoughts?
I’ve honestly done my best to work with them and be incredibly understanding and polite but all I get is vague replies, empty promises or radio silence from Martin Peters. And I think I am reaching my break point.
I’ve honestly done my best to work with them and be incredibly understanding and polite but all I get is vague replies, empty promises or radio silence from Martin Peters. And I think I am reaching my break point.
