Zon basses - is everything OK ?

[iTzPrime]

...

Unfortunately, that's happened. Joe mentioned in our last call that he has gotten a few cancellations of orders lately because of this thread. He DID NOT ask me to write this message, nor is he compensating me in any way shape or form. This comes directly from me for several reasons: 1. Zon makes a DAMN fine bass! 2. Joe Zon is a good person who has been in business for decades for good reason 3. Yes I do feel badly that this thread is directly affecting a business and I wish to correct that.

If I could place my order again with Zon, I would with the exception of being sure of what I wanted and remaining resolute in those things. If any one of those cancellations were from TB members who see this, I would ask that you reconsider. I do firmly believe Joe Zon and company are working breakneck speed to meet demand, and there is a lot of demand because they make exceptional instruments. To anyone reading this thread, I would still recommend Zon basses...I've owned 2 and cannot wait to take delivery of my custom Vinny.

I will also ask that any negative comments/posts/energy be put toward something else, and left out of this thread from here on out. If anyone has something positive to say (i.e. "Hey, spoke with Joe today, he was cool with such and such specs, etc), go for it. Thanks in advance, I appreciate you guys.

Joe, if you ever read this, thank you for not holding this thread against me or ever saying a negative word in my direction. I'm sure most would have been irate (even accounting for the fact that this was not the intended spirit of the thread). It's a reflection of the fact that you are a good person who just wants to make amazing basses.

You were not the only one that had delays, and every business owner had to deal with the pandemic and all the problems that has brought.
Regardless of the quality of basses and of Zon being a good person, how he conducted himself is purely unprofessional.
You can't do anything against that, the only one who can do something about that is Zon himself. I am amazed that after so many years that you still want the bass. In the time since you have ordered it, I have done my Bachelor degree, changed job once and was promoted twice. When I custom ordered my bass, I waited 9 months at a great German Builder, with regular pictures etc. I applaud your patience.

However given that situation, who can blame many people cancelling or not opening new orders? 7 years is a whole life section - and hardly anyone wants to wait that long and the headaches that come with basically always annoying the builder to finally finish the build.

Here is what I think Zon should do: Built the damn basses and finish them in a reasonable (2 years time). If you can't keep up with 2 years, get new employees. If you don't want, pause the orders.

 

[bigsnack]

Agreed 100%. Zon can fix this extremely quickly, by delivering the overdue orders. Problem solved!!!

 

[dhagopian]

 

[31HZ]

It's probably not your intention to do so, but please don't denigrate the conversation that those of us who are waiting for instruments are trying to continue to have with each other.

 

[dhagopian]

I'm waiting too. I just don't really see the value in the continued piling on here... Nothing new has been said for some time.

 

[gwangi]

I really, really want to order another Zon but the whole situation freaks me out to take a gamble that everything will be okay and not to mention what would be the real wait time now for a Zon, are we talking 2 years, 4 years, 7 years I mean I'm nervous to take that chance versus say take a company like Dingwall, they are back-logged as well on there Canadian made instruments and they are roughly 2 years out right now but the company has had no unstable situations going on, so a company like Dingwall gives me a better secure feeling to possibly go with on ordering a Lee Sklar Signature model I've been salivating on.
Don't get me wrong I have two Zon Legacy Elite's and they are WICKED!!!! and I'd like to get another Zon Legacy Elite but the situation doesn't feel secure to me.

 

[CryingBass]

I really, really want to order another Zon but the whole situation freaks me out to take a gamble that everything will be okay and not to mention what would be the real wait time now for a Zon, are we talking 2 years, 4 years, 7 years I mean I'm nervous to take that chance versus say take a company like Dingwall, they are back-logged as well on there Canadian made instruments and they are roughly 2 years out right now but the company has had no unstable situations going on, so a company like Dingwall gives me a better secure feeling to possibly go with on ordering a Lee Sklar Signature model I've been salivating on.
Don't get me wrong I have two Zon Legacy Elite's and they are WICKED!!!! and I'd like to get another Zon Legacy Elite but the situation doesn't feel secure to me.

Safest thing to do is play the one you got, like a monster

 

[slappahdabass]

It's probably not your intention to do so, but please don't denigrate the conversation that those of us who are waiting for instruments are trying to continue to have with each other.

I think this was more referring to the monthly influx of "omg someone should take them to court".

 

[Fuzzbass]

I'm waiting too. I just don't really see the value in the continued piling on here... Nothing new has been said for some time.

I partially agree: there can be a lot of drive-by nonsense, such as from non-lawyers with no skin in the game who insist that the justice system is ready to swoop in to save the day. But there have been updates from those waiting: even if it's "I have not heard from Zon", that's still newsworthy.

I think this was more referring to the monthly influx of "omg someone should take them to court".

I get that now (I hope it's correct anyway), but it should have been made more clear.

 

[dhagopian]

Updates on waiting/communication from Zon is one thing... was mostly referring to the continuous piling on of the beat down. Don't really feel that that's adding anything but hey if it makes people feel better that they got in their "yeah!"

 

[31HZ]

Updates on waiting/communication from Zon is one thing... was mostly referring to the continuous piling on of the beat down. Don't really feel that that's adding anything but hey if it makes people feel better that they got in their "yeah!"

Thanks for clarifying, I'm right there with you!

 

[Angus]

Having had the longest wait of anybody in this thread, I will say, despite the order arriving with a few specs wrong, it's objectively an amazing instrument, in both sound and construction.

 

[Vic]

My gosh... I was hoping things would have improved. I still just have my one Sonus 5 and love it to death. I guess I'm glad I'm not trying to spec a new one at this point.

 

[Angus]

I am amazed that after so many years that you still want the bass. In the time since you have ordered it, I have done my Bachelor degree, changed job once and was promoted twice. When I custom ordered my bass, I waited 9 months at a great German Builder, with regular pictures etc. I applaud your patience.

I didn't see this earlier, but FWIW in the time it took to finish mine, I completed 2 bachelor degrees (already started when ordered; a little unfair) and 2 doctorate degrees. The bass that arrived was amazing, but I just don't have the time to dedicate to learn how to use it at this stage. That's the real unfortunate thing.

He makes incredible instruments and he is genuinely a great guy. Not all artists are businessmen.

 

[sullen-moon]

I didn't see this earlier, but FWIW in the time it took to finish mine, I completed 2 bachelor degrees (already started when ordered; a little unfair) and 2 doctorate degrees. The bass that arrived was amazing, but I just don't have the time to dedicate to learn how to use it at this stage. That's the real unfortunate thing.

He makes incredible instruments and he is genuinely a great guy. Not all artists are businessmen.

Is it the full-monty Hyperbass that you’re referring to?

 

[iTzPrime]

I didn't see this earlier, but FWIW in the time it took to finish mine, I completed 2 bachelor degrees (already started when ordered; a little unfair) and 2 doctorate degrees. The bass that arrived was amazing, but I just don't have the time to dedicate to learn how to use it at this stage. That's the real unfortunate thing.

He makes incredible instruments and he is genuinely a great guy. Not all artists are businessmen.

Then he should make basses just as an art, how he likes them without custom config.
Congrats on the doctorate degrees and hilarious that it took him longer to finish a bass.

 

[Angus]

Is it the full-monty Hyperbass that you’re referring to?

Yep!

I have four Zons- 3 that are armed to the hilt, and 1 that is a basic Sonus customized by me (with two switchable preamps and a bunch of nonsense) and they're all awesome.

(But for the last while, I've primarily being playing my Foderas. My Zon TJ6 was my main bass for a LONG time though, and will be buried with me.)

 

[BAG]

My Zon TJ6 was my main bass for a LONG time though, and will be buried with me

I've never understood this unless you're just exaggerating...... why would anyone prefer to be buried with an instrument? If it's that good, pass it on when you can no longer play it.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I've never understood this unless you're just exaggerating...... why would anyone prefer to be buried with an instrument? If it's that good, pass it on when you can no longer play it.

On a similar note: it'll require some creative cadaver origami, but I would like to be buried in my Bergantino NV610 cabinet.



yes, of course we're exaggerating

 

[Thegreatzambini]

I've never understood this unless you're just exaggerating...... why would anyone prefer to be buried with an instrument? If it's that good, pass it on when you can no longer play it.

Yeah, figure of speech…. He’s just trying to make the point that he will never part with it.
But you had to go and take it literally and scold him for it.