All the pickups we use are custom wound to our specifications and made to project a particular voice for bass in which they’re installed. None of the pickups used on our basses are stock, off-the-shelf units, and every model has its own uniquely voiced set of pickups.

In the process of structuring a new model’s voice, we start by auditioning several pickups chosen with windings that represent the basic tonal characteristics we’re looking to realize in that instrument. One pickup may have mids we like, while another has the treble response we’re after. The real magic is combining the tonal elements we want from the various pickups into one set. This task finds us auditioning dozens of pickups over a period of several months, and they are wound and rewound with various wire sizes, number of turns (of wire around the coils), and coil configurations until we find the perfect combination. It’s an extremely time-consuming process, but one that’s critical to the instrument’s design. Once we construct the “holy grail” tone, the winding specs for that set of pickups are used for ALL the pickups employed on that particular bass model.

Electronics

The concept behind the design of our electronics is threefold.

One, the electronics should integrate seamlessly with the pickups, whereby transmission of the frequencies is unrestricted. The use of buffers and active circuitry in our electronics prevents any “loading” of the pickups. Such loading would negatively affect their ability to accurately reproduce the vibration of the strings in a clear, precise manner.

Two, we believe the function of the electronics is to transparently enhance the sound of the bass. Electronics shouldn’t mask or color the instrument’s natural tone. Our feeling is the presence of active electronics should blend with and enhance the acoustic qualities of the instrument so that whatever tonal shaping is done, it sounds musical, not “electronic.”

Third, the functionality of the system should be intuitive and versatile. The controls should be located in a logical and natural manner as to provide ease of use and accessibility. The overall performance of the circuit should provide useful and musical center-point frequencies for boost and cut, as well as the ability to significantly alter the dynamics of the instrument’s voice without making it sound “ugly.” All electronics used in Zon instruments are made exclusively to our specifications—nothing off the shelf here, either. We use the best quality components to attain excellent signal-to-noise ratios and longest battery life. All the circuits are hand assembled, with some circuits, such as the ZP series, built on aerospace-grade printed circuit boards.

As with the pickups, the process of designing one of our circuits is something of a trial-and-error process. To begin, the basic parameters for the desired tone and function of the circuit for that bass model are called out. From there, it’s a matter of listening and tweaking the circuit, by substituting various components, as a means to “harmonize” the circuit in combination with the voice of the pickups and interaction of the neck, body, and hardware materials. What looks good on an oscilloscope doesn’t always translate well to the ear, so the process is often arduous. In the end, though, it’s worth the effort, because the pickups, electronics, and all the other components act together to produce a unique tone.

 ©2012 Zon Guitars