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Zon/Modulus tone question

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Javy, Jun 30, 2003.

  1. Jun 30, 2003 #1
    Javy

    Javy

    Sep 15, 2000
    I'm gonna have to drive about two and a half hours again just to check out a Modulus Quantum and Zon Sonus. (Nobody where I live sells high-end basses like these.) Until then, maybe some of you could help me with this...

    I like an aggressive, growling sound---like a lot of fretless basses are good at, though I'm looking for a fretted instrument at this time. Can a Bart-equipped Quantum 5 do a good growl, or would I be better off with a Sonus 5/2? (It's my understanding that the Sonus has custom-made Barts that emphasize low mids to get a more traditional J-bass sound. Would that make the Sonus 5/2 more aggressive and growly sounding?)
     
  2. Jun 30, 2003 #2
    Larzito

    Larzito

    Aug 1, 2000
    Dallas, Texas
    I have a Q5 with EMG soapbars and EMG preamp. The EMG's are a more aggressive, growly sound than the Barts, which have a smoother, scouped sound. Try the Q5 with both if possible. EMG slices through thick guitars better than Barts. EMG's are aggressive and edgy (can't really dial up a "puffy" blues sound).
     
  3. Jun 30, 2003 #3
    mikezimmerman

    mikezimmerman Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2001
    Omaha, Nebraska
    Javy -- a couple of clarifications:

    1) Though most Zons use Barts, the 5/2, 5/1, 4/2, and 4/1 use custom pickups made by Seymour Duncan. The 5/2 has a split-coil in the neck position and a wide dual-coil in the bridge position.

    2) The Zon with "custom made Barts to emphasize the low mids" is the Sonus Special--not all Sonuses use the same pickups.

    I'd say that if you're looking for maximum growl, the Sonus Special is probably the way to go, based just on the specs and reviews. I haven't compared a lot of the models side by side, though.

    Mike
     
  4. Jun 30, 2003 #4
    DaveB

    DaveB

    Mar 29, 2000
    Toronto Ontario
    I've got a Q5 with Barts with the 3 band EQ and a Chechen fingerboard and midrange growl is something you can get by the truck load.Even with the Bass and the amp controls flat it has a ton of mid growl. Give the mid band on the bass a bit of a boost and there's a ton more.Solo the bridge pickup and boost the mid band and it's "way over the top" Jacoville.

    I have seriously auditioned Zon too and you can get much the same mid growl from it too.I'm not a fan of EMG's on a Mod or anything else so my view there is irrelevant.
     
  5. Jun 30, 2003 #5
    embellisher

    embellisher Holy Ghost filled Bass Player Supporting Member

    Apr 18, 2000
    Heber Springs, Arkansas
    The ultimate growl machine IMHO is the Sonus Special, fretted or fretless. It has those specially designed Barts in just the right place to tick off guitarists everywhere.

    My Sonus Custom has lots of growl too, but it is a fretless. The Sonus Custom fretteds that I have played, while having a lot of growl, do not IME have the growl that the Specials do.