I took some pictures with my phone (Moto Q) - not up to snuff. I'll take some better pics and post them. The top is a quilted maple that was naturally stained by minerals in the water.
Mike
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Zon
- Thread starter MammaryVest
- Start date
I took some pictures with my phone (Moto Q) - not up to snuff. I'll take some better pics and post them. The top is a quilted maple that was naturally stained by minerals in the water.
Mike
I know it was weird to me too at first. I don't do it too often. You can usually tell when it starts to look grey like that. The WD40 will make it nice and black again. Plus you'll see the dirt on the rag. Just a small drop on a rag and work it in. Then wipe off the excess with a clean one. I don't know if it matters too much how often/when you do it. It's not like oiling wood which needs to be reconditioned all the time since it's drying. On the Zon it's just a matter of cleaning really.
I have had the Zon Sonus Custom for a few days now and I really hate to say it, but I am not as thrilled as I thought I would be. This bass plays really nice and is comfortable all the way around. The fit, finish and attention to detail are top notch. The sound is very unique and very punchy. I am finding this bass whooly with strange inconsistencies in tone. Some frequencies (note area's on the bass) are really radical sounding and not consistent with the notes around them. I am also getting feedback, which is something I have never had before (except for an acoustic bass). I have not yet played the bass through all my rigs, so there is still more research to do. I am still trying to dial the bass in, so I haven't made any decisions yet.
One thing that is a factor is that I have been playing my Modulus Q5 bass for 3 years. I am so used to the way this bass behaves that I have to keep an open mind when it comes to other instruments. Anyway, time to go play some more.
One thing that is a factor is that I have been playing my Modulus Q5 bass for 3 years. I am so used to the way this bass behaves that I have to keep an open mind when it comes to other instruments. Anyway, time to go play some more.
Feedback???? What the heck??? I've NEVER heard of this... ever! What bass preamp settings, what amp settings, tons of certain frequencies?
I've played my Custom at stupid volume levels, while standing no more than a few feet from my rig, which is either a (conservatively rated) 550W TFB or a 1200W Eden, on top two vertically stacked EA 210 cabs (so the bass is being held "at speaker level"), and never had feedback. Never. I play pretty much with the EQ on the bass flat, I might roll the treble off slightly, 'cause the Custom is particularly sizzly on the high end... kinda' like EMGs sorta'. I might boost the bass and mid a little when soloing the bridge pickup, but that's about it.
Also the tonal inconsistency thing is COMPLETELY anti-Zon... I'm extremely confused by this post... never heard anyone say these things about a Zon.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not challenging your experiences... I'm sure you're hearing what you're hearing, I just can't imagine how it's happening, that's all.
I know, it is totally weird. I usually practice in this room and have never had feedback from anything but my Tacoma Thundercheif.
I am using an Eden navigator thru a QSC PLX 1602 to an Ampeg BXT 4x10 with flat eq settings. I am actually going to move to a different part of the house, maybe the room has some weird mojo going on. Maybe its that amp/cab/bass combination that is throwing things off. I am going to try my SWR rig and Schroe cab to hear how that sounds. I'll also use my SWR head with Ampeg cab.
I will post back with my findings, any and all help is appreciated. I am also trying to set up a jam to hear the bass in a live setting.
So I'm assuming you're talking about a midrange or at least a generally lower freq feedback, right?
Your Navigator/PLX rig should be real similar to my Eden 1205 in power/tone, and while your cab is more "squat" than mine in physical stature, should also be in the same tonal neighborhood at least... unless there's something about that cab. I must admit, I'm really not a fan of Ampeg stuff, but I'd never guess their cabs could be that diff from other similar stuff, or at least cause a problem like this.
Still stunned... not seeing a problem with the setup...
Definitely try the other stuff and post...
That is definitely most bizarre. I play facing my rig all the time at home and have never experienced feedback either. Strange. Keep us posted as you try things.
Ok.
BTW, it's irrelevant to the problem, but could we see a pic or two of the bass? I'd just like to see it.
Seansbrew,
I was going to suggest before you pass final judgement on the bass, try it in different contexts (i.e. recorded, in a group, etc.). While I still think you should do that, your problems shouldn't be happening.
Is the Zon new? If not or if it's been on the wall for a while, the first thing I'd do is put new strings on it. And a new battery.
I play through both SWR and Eden and have no problems. One thing I did notice when I started playing the Zon is that the tone was different from what I was used to. But it was consistant across the bass. Again, it sound different from what you are hearing.
I know they're busy with NAMM but maybe a quick call to Zon could answer some questions. Joe doesn't seem like the type who'd want one of his basses less than perfect out there.
I'd also be interested in seeing a pic of the bass.
LeonD
I was going to suggest before you pass final judgement on the bass, try it in different contexts (i.e. recorded, in a group, etc.). While I still think you should do that, your problems shouldn't be happening.
Is the Zon new? If not or if it's been on the wall for a while, the first thing I'd do is put new strings on it. And a new battery.
I play through both SWR and Eden and have no problems. One thing I did notice when I started playing the Zon is that the tone was different from what I was used to. But it was consistant across the bass. Again, it sound different from what you are hearing.
I know they're busy with NAMM but maybe a quick call to Zon could answer some questions. Joe doesn't seem like the type who'd want one of his basses less than perfect out there.
I'd also be interested in seeing a pic of the bass.
LeonD
I agree 100% I can't begin to make a fair assesment of this instrument without playing it in different contexts.
Nice!Here are some pics with different settings. Also, this bass is brand new.
BTW, I figure you're talking about the camera regarding "settings" but FWIW, assuming the bass EQ settings (looking at the knobs on the bass) are typical for what you do, I've used EQ settings stronger than that without having anything strange happen. Mine's not totally brand new, but at least it's the same generation with the external mid control.
How much did they sell it for?
Here are some pics with different settings. Also, this bass is brand new.
Hey that's my bass!
Except i've got a different top. That does indeed sound very wierd about the problems your describing. My Zon never feedsback, and sounds 100% consistent tonewise on every fret.
Mike,
That's gorgeous! The only thing I'd change about mine if I had it to do over-- I'd have sprung for a top.
Congrats on a great choice. I think for the traveling you do it'd be pretty tough to find a better solution.
Peace,
Matt
