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Zon basses build waiting times.....


Wayne Firefly
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I ordered a Zon Billy Gould signature BG4 last November.
Was told it would take 6 months on the waiting list / build schedule.
As I'd paid up front, I was told I'd be bumped up the build schedule.
Its 3 weeks away from it being 12 months and no bass or even any emails to explian either why, any progress or updates.
I drop a line every now and again (every 6 weeks or so) to ask whats happening to get a short reply.
Just wondered if anyone else had any experience in this situation and is it normal ?

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There was a thread a while back started by somebody waiting for a Hyperbass that took a lot longer than the time quoted.

I always found Zon to be particularly bad at answering emails. To be fair it's pretty much a one man operation but it's still not good customer service.

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[quote name='Wayne Firefly' timestamp='1475751247' post='3148416']
Hmmmm, starting to worry to be fair....
[/quote]
I find this a lot with these one man type set ups with a long waiting list. It's all "bud" and "mate" when you're making the order, once the money's paid you get the attitude and finally when it all comes good you get the "we got there in the end pal" nonsense.

It's extremely frustrating but also very typical. Remind yourself why you chose a Zon in the first place and if it's worth the wait then be patient.

That said don't be mugged off either. Let them (him) know your not happy and you think he's taking the piss. Which to be fair he is a bit at this stage.

Edited by the boy
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Well to be fair, I am starting to feel a bit mugged off. If I'd known it would have turned out this way, I probably wouldnt have made the order in the first place.
Due May 1st, as well as this year's gigs we had 8 festivals this summer, short run into Europe, album and E.P. sessions and a 2 week tour this November.... I was hoping to have had it for all this. Tough tittays I guess.
Im going to leave it until November properly until I start the 'come on fellas, this is getting silly' routine.
Exactly right with the friendly attitude at first too, Joe Zon rang me when I made the order (well, he said he was Joe Zon !!) which was pretty cool.
One thing that does make me think, is considering it dosent have a fancy exotic set of woods in the build, you'd think it'd be a quicker to do right ??

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[quote name='Wayne Firefly' timestamp='1475762251' post='3148561']
Well to be fair, I am starting to feel a bit mugged off. If I'd known it would have turned out this way, I probably wouldnt have made the order in the first place.
Due May 1st, as well as this year's gigs we had 8 festivals this summer, short run into Europe, album and E.P. sessions and a 2 week tour this November.... I was hoping to have had it for all this. Tough tittays I guess.
Im going to leave it until November properly until I start the 'come on fellas, this is getting silly' routine.
Exactly right with the friendly attitude at first too, Joe Zon rang me when I made the order (well, he said he was Joe Zon !!) which was pretty cool.
One thing that does make me think, is considering it dosent have a fancy exotic set of woods in the build, you'd think it'd be a quicker to do right ??
[/quote]

Annoying. Lord knows what I'd be like waiting for a custom build!
If it is any comfort, I've never heard any negative reviews of Zon's work or customer service before so hopefully it's just a glitch...

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Sounds like pretty standard custom builder behaviour to me - I've had a few things custom made to order in both the bass world & other industries; they are universally all unable to hit a deadline or communicate properly. You just have to remember you're paying all that money for their making stuff skills not their communication or business practice skills - it'll be worth it in the end so just hold on in there, though you should call every now & again to push them along a bit.

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Yeah Im aware I may be a PITA every 6 to 8 weeks or so I drop a line to say hows it going, but its a guy called Martin who is the sales / product specialist and he says that Joe has a small team that works with him. (I left it 6 weeks after the due date to ask..May 1st to June 16th or so until 1st email I sent, which I felt was justified) Then I think I sent one early August and the last one was around Sept 20th. I dont think thats harrassing someone, I'd foolishly wanted a progress report. Two or three sentences is all.

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I've got Overwater making a bass for me right now. Every few weeks or so, I get a call from Martin to let me know how its going and an update. There is no end of great feedback for them from other customers.

They are a team with the resources required to do this thing properly. They have the skills, the man power, the finance and the experience all behind them.

When I last delt with a one man band it was exactly as the OP describes. "it will be with you in six months, you are now bumped forward, ect ect".

18 months later......."its nearly there..."

A few times it was kind of worth the wait as in end as the results were in fact stunning. Shame was they were not ready when I really needed them so I ended up selling them.

And a few times I ended up with turkeys that the builder insisted were not turkeys and they were perfectly fine. Apparently it was due to my abilities or lack of and not the basses.

Lesson learnt there.

Hope it works out ok for you and the bass is great because if its not what can you actually do about it?

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[quote name='Wayne Firefly' timestamp='1475764921' post='3148589']
I know, Im doing my best to stay cool about it and not be that PITA guy.
Just hanging and hanging on.
[/quote]

I think you've got every right to be that guy, especially as you've paid in full up front. A couple of weeks either way is understandable, five months really is a PITA.

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Guest bassman7755

[quote name='Wayne Firefly' timestamp='1475764921' post='3148589']
I know, Im doing my best to stay cool about it and not be that PITA guy.
Just hanging and hanging on.
[/quote]

The reality of many businesses is that its a case of "he who shouts loudest ...". You wont get any thanks for not complaining - they will just assume your not that bothered and prioritise someone who is kicking up a fuss. Be firm but fair, tell them you've been reasonable up to now but now need to agree a deadline after which you will pursue them for the money.

Edited by bassman7755
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Being realistic custom made basses usually involve an extended wait time.

WAL is 2 years and some and apparently with Carl Thompson you get it when you get it.

I understand the irritation, but to be honest, no matter what you were told at the start, 12 months doesn't seem like a long wait for a hand made bass from a very small outfit. Hassling the guys will probably turn out to be counter productive.

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