'85 Modulus Custom 5 Neck Thru and Bartolini Electronics - Gotta LOOK at this one!
 

This is a very cool "vintage" Modulus Custom bass that I bought from the original owner. It has a neck through graphite neck, figured maple top AND back. I believe the center of the body is mahagony. The pick-ups are old school Bartolini humbuckers. The three switches are a neck pick-up splitter, 3-way frequence selector for the midrange cut/boost, and bridge pick-up splitter. The knobs are volume, volume, then a tone control that is push/pull - pulling puts the bass in passive mode where this knob acts as a regular tone pot, neck is the midrange cut/boost and finally stacked treble and bass cut/boost.

Although the bass is in great condition, it has been played and there is the typical players wear that you would expect on a bass this age. A few dings here and there and there is a little wear on the finish on the edge of the body where the arm would rest. There are no cracks or any damage. I bought this from the original owner who bought it at Star Guitars in San Francisco back in 1985. He definitely took care of this bass.

The neck is really nice and straight with just a hint of relief. It's a 34" scale with a surprisingly good sounding B string. The frets have a bit of wear, but still in very good condition - plenty of years of life left in them. The action is very low with minimal buzz. It's easy to fly around on this neck. The string spacing is 16.5mm, which is typical of early Modulus 5 string basses.

Due to all the electronics, this bass can get wide spectrum of sounds. You can go from a deep funk tone to a growly stingray tone just by playing with the coil taps and rolling off the bridge or neck pick up respectively. Switching to passive mode lets you get some nice round vintage tones. Boosting the mids in active mode lets you get some nice rock tones, and cutting and boosting the treble and bass gets you some really cool slap tones. I don't think the buyer will be disappointed by the versatility of this bass.

Its hard to know what to price this bass at since it's probably one of a kind. In a way, this post is kind of a feeler as I'm not quite sure I want to let it go, but I going to ask $2000 $1900 $1800 with a nice molded hardshell Gator case which fits the bass nicely. Trade offers (especially partial trades) will be considered.

Man u get some pretty sweet stuff where do find it at
Brian

NICE!!! JP, you have a sickness....and I got the fever!!!!

Oh. My. God.

What are your trade interests ???? im just a couple hours from you in mendo.Do you have others for sale/trade:)

I don't have any specific trade interests in mind. Just PM what you got to trade and we can start from there :)

Haha, I don't know Brian... As Dirk said, I "have a sickness..." I think rather these things find me and shout "Buy me! Buy me!" :D

Very cool.

Nice bass,you have my attention! 34" or 35" scale?

Ah, just updated the original post to add this information. It's a 34" scale with a surprisingly good sounding B string :bassist:

Do want...

I believe I saw this on CL here in the bay area not to long ago. Nice looking bass. Can we get some full shots of the front and back and some up close shots of front and back of headstock?

Wow, interesting mod.

As requested, here are some full shots of front and back.

Also a pic of the headstock. As you can see, it has the old school Modulus headstock shape and logo. I don't have a pic of the back of the headstock right now. There is no serial number on the back, but my other '85 Modulus 5 had the serial number scratched on the inside of the control cavity cover. I haven't been able to locate a serial number on htis bass but it was a custom order and I don't know how things were done with customs back then.

That thing is a beast. Bump for a sick bass!

That's a mean head, I love it!

So I'm pretty open on trade offers but just to give people an idea, I'd be interested in
Roscoe
Alembic
Elrick
Hanewinckel
Modulus
Warwick
MIA Fenders
Zon (graphite necks only)
Music Man
Status
Music Man
Pedulla, etc
Plus or minus appropriate amount of cash

Would prefer a 4 or a 5-string, the lighter the better. Not really intested in cabs. Amps are a possiblity - Genz Benz, MarkBass, Mesa Boogie, Thunderfunk, Epifani, etc

If it has no serial number that means it's a prototype. I own a 5 string feet less that was made for Bakhiti Kumalo. Reach out to Geoff Gould on Facebook, he is the founder of Modulus and if the bass was made for Jack Casaday he will confirm. He recalled my bass and he is very very nice.

Not sure that this is an accurate statement. My three pick up 88 Quantum 5 neck thru body has no serial number and was purchased (new) in a music store in New Jersey. I was told that it was made with a red tinted neck for a trade show but do not think it was a prototype.

Do agree that the OP should get in touch with Geoff. He is good about answering email or can be contacted through his Facebook blog.

email: geoff@ggould.com

G. Gould Music | Facebook