O/T: Modulus action

VroomVroom · #1 09-08-2010, 01:36 PM

Hey Folks,

In a hunt for something else, I came across a demo recording from back in ~ 1998. Thought I'd share some clips as a few of us are former (or current) Modulus aficionados. For me, my Q6 was my main bass for nearly 11 years. Great bass...my introduction to the magical Bart NTMB pre, and a very comfortable form-factor. Loved the instrument, even if the company truly was/is the anti-Roscoe. Horrible service and a total lack of regard for the customer. Ultimately, it was with great pleasure that this particular bass was sold so I could purchase my beloved #5520.

Anyway, bittersweet memories with this recording. This was THE band for me, back in the day. Smokin' players, fun tunes, and the hope for many, many gigs. This was a quick demo for marketing purposes, and unfortunately things never quite panned out. Guitarist moved out-of-state, singer moved out-of-country, and the sax player just moved on to different things. I still play frequently with the drummer (Pete...the drums on these clips are the full set of Noble & Cooleys you mentioned in another thread.) Aside from the overly zealous use of reverb, I thought the production was pretty good - especially for a super quick effort. I hope you enjoy my little trip down memory lane...

Mahjong

Blues for John

Wave

What Are You Doing

Street Scene

Gard · #2 09-08-2010, 02:10 PM

In defense of Modulus, the guys there really ARE good people, and I have always gotten along with Anderson Page.

Also, Ryan, their former final assembly/electronics tech is now OUR final assembly/electronics tech...and he's the center on our basketball team, as he's 6'6"!!!

(...not really, no basketball...but he is an AWESOME tech/assembly/setup dude!)

RocketMusic · #3 09-08-2010, 02:17 PM

Awesome, Jerry! Great playing, you and everyone involved.

Being a huge Oteil fan, I've been hankering for a Modulus for, oh, coming up on 15-20 years now... I've never owned one, and probably never will at this point. But man, there was a time when I wanted one in the worst way.

This should be fun - what was your amp rig back then?

**Bipslapper** · #4 09-08-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

In defense of Modulus, the guys there really ARE good people, and I have always gotten along with Anderson Page.

Also, Ryan, their former final assembly/electronics tech is now OUR final assembly/electronics tech...and he's the center on our basketball team, as he's 6'6"!!!

(...not really, no basketball...but he is an AWESOME tech/assembly/setup dude!)

Gard ain't lyin. I had the pleasure of speaking to Ryan and he was very helpful with My Quantum. As a matter of fact, he was most likely the guy who assembled it. I will most likely keep my Moddy for a long, long time- it really is beautiful and the neck never moves. Now if we can work on their CS!

VroomVroom · #5 09-08-2010, 03:30 PM

No disrespect to the craftsmen intended, for sure. They've made some wonderful instruments over the years. And no doubt they probably still do...I just haven't seen one in years, and because of their track record as a company, wouldn't consider buying one. These guys are local to me, and the stories...good & bad, funny & sad...over the years related to actions/decisions by the principals are nothing short of amazing. On one hand, I'm amazed they don't have a much larger share of the market. On the other hand, I'm amazed they're actually still in business.

Nonetheless, lots of fond memories of my bass. One of the most beautiful spalted maple tops I've ever seen, and the sound was awesome. Greg, my rig for all those years was something I think you'll relate to nicely... Alembic F1-X > Crown Power Base 1 > one or two Eden 210XLT cabs.

LilRay · #6 09-08-2010, 03:39 PM

You're a helluva player Jerry. Doesn't matter the manufacturer of the instrument, you still come through smokin'. Now having said that, tonally I'd prefer your Roscoes and GB/Berg setup you're using now. No disrespect to Modulus or Eden.

God Bless, Ray

VroomVroom · #7 09-08-2010, 03:46 PM

Thanks, Ray! Totally agreed on the rig. Times change. Interestingly, lots of things happened at roughly the same time, back in early-mid 2004. First, I blew out both speakers on one of my Eden cabs. (Later learned this was fairly common.) After finding the love of an Epifani 410 (beefier AND lighter than the Eden 210), my 10+year-old Crown power amp started having issues. After huntiung around for a few months, I ended up going with an Epifani amp. With the new rig, the Modulus just didn't sound as good...which coincided with the fingerboard literally blowing up on me. (Phenolic layers separating...another common issue.) At that point, I was in no-man's land. No way of getting a new neck, no realistic way of repairing the current one. Fortunately, even @ full disclosure, I found a buyer - a metal head who played hard with a pick and accordingly wanted the action much higher - and all was well with the world.

Anyway, you're spot-on. I much prefer the sound of my current rig, bass and amp. And there's absolutely no arguing the portability. On loud gigs, lugging 120 lbs of cabs and 40 lbs of amp gear was painful.

**Bipslapper** · #8 09-08-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Hey Folks,

In a hunt for something else, I came across a demo recording from back in ~ 1998. Thought I'd share some clips as a few of us are former (or current) Modulus aficionados. For me, my Q6 was my main bass for nearly 11 years. Great bass...my introduction to the magical Bart NTMB pre, and a very comfortable form-factor. Loved the instrument, even if the company truly was/is the anti-Roscoe. Horrible service and a total lack of regard for the customer. Ultimately, it was with great pleasure that this particular bass was sold so I could purchase my beloved #5520.

Anyway, bittersweet memories with this recording. This was THE band for me, back in the day. Smokin' players, fun tunes, and the hope for many, many gigs. This was a quick demo for marketing purposes, and unfortunately things never quite panned out. Guitarist moved out-of-state, singer moved out-of-country, and the sax player just moved on to different things. I still play frequently with the drummer (Pete...the drums on these clips are the full set of Noble & Cooleys you mentioned in another thread.) Aside from the overly zealous use of reverb, I thought the production was pretty good - especially for a super quick effort. I hope you enjoy my little trip down memory lane...

Thanks Jerry for this. You & I have chatted about these basses a bit lately and I am happy you posted. I think I will keep my Modulus for years- it was the first "botique" bass I ever even tried to get. I found it in a local store near Boston and chose it over a Zon Sounus 5 (Zon neck felt too much like a baseball bat ala- Warwick). The quilt and body work are top notch; the chip on the back of the neck is manageable. One thing about these basses is the solid neck and tone. Even dead strings have a chance on a Modulus due to the brightness and transient attack (stole that from Larry Hartke, thank you very much). Jerry- did you have the p/up blend slightly towards the bridge with a little bass boost? I find I have to turn down the treble a lot on mine.

Greg, Oteil was a major reason I got my Mod. I heard the ARU live album and was in love. Then I heard the Mirrors of Embarrassment with better sound quality and actually searched out the bass. The good news is that my wife and 2 girls love it- they even named it "Sienna" (the color of the red quilted maple top). They probably wouldn't let me sell it.

With the whole No'Cal vibe and the fact that Phil Lesh and Mike Gordon played Modulus, I thought CS would be "cool, man". Unfortunately they are "Far Out"

Don't see a lot of marketing from Modulus, however I did hear they are moving their manufacturing plant and hopefully turning things around.

Thanks again, Jerry- I really enjoyed the songs. Now, where did I put my Phish albums?

LightGroove · #9 09-08-2010, 05:34 PM

Ahhhhh..Mr. Michael Gordon and THE reason I play bass today....I remember catching him at one of my 1st real concerts and saying I want to be that dude...bought a cheap bass a few weeks later and here I am....

**Bipslapper** · #10 09-08-2010, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightGroove

Ahhhhh..Mr. Michael Gordon and THE reason I play bass today....I remember catching him at one of my 1st real concerts and saying I want to be that dude...bought a cheap bass a few weeks later and here I am....

Word LG. I first saw Phish at a frat party at Amherst college in September of 1988, while I was attending Umass, Amherst. I was knocked out at the virtuosity and set list. Zappa to Ellington to Marley to ?????? (it was a keg party after all!). I even ended up in the beer line with Mike Gordon. We chatted for a while and I bought one of the homemade tapes he and Trey were selling. Man that was when life was easy. They even had those silly trampolines and the band would play and jump up and down to hundreds of sweaty trust fund hippies.

Over the years I saw the band a lot and the best tone Mike had live was always with his Modulus.

I feel like an old man now, must go and lay down

Darkstrike · #11 09-08-2010, 06:02 PM

Mmmm, good sounding bass.

RTL · #12 09-09-2010, 12:00 AM

Funny thing, Jerry...

I ditched my 3 month old Q5 to buy my first Roscoe, and haven't missed it for a second! It really was a beautiful bass, and I'm sure whoever owns it now is in love with it... But man, nothing was gonna stop me from getting that fretless LG. Not even taking a 5/8ths loss on the Modulus! Hah!

CrashClint · #13 09-09-2010, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTL

Funny thing, Jerry...

I ditched my 3 month old Q5 to buy my first Roscoe, and haven't missed it for a second!

I ditched my Ken Smith CR4 for my first Roscoe, don't miss it and I have never looked back. I was going to say I missed being insulted by Ken when ever I would call, but Gard does a pretty good job of it but at least it comes with fantastic Customer Service and a smile.

Darkstrike · #14 09-09-2010, 07:41 AM

So, when do we get our Graphite Roscoes?

LilRay · #15 09-09-2010, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

So, when do we get our Graphite Roscoes?

I doubt ever.

Graphite is a mofo to work with.

Are there really any advantages say over the wenge wedge?

I have no clue.

God Bless, Ray

Darkstrike · #16 09-09-2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRay

I doubt ever.

Graphite is a mofo to work with.

Boo!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRay

Are there really any advantages say over the wenge wedge?

I have no clue.

One.

I get to harass Gard for not supplying graphite.

**Bipslapper** · #17 09-09-2010, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

I get to harass Gard for not supplying graphite.

Well, I think Gard may be a little bit distracted today. I believe there is a small little football game on later tonight.

Ray- graphite is tough to work with. The "pro" is the stability of the material, it never bows or moves. In real humid or cold climates it can be an advantage b/c it is synthetic and has no moisture in the material, unlike wood. I had a bass with wenge neck/ bubinga fb and it was totally solid (Ibanez SR 1305- my 1st 5 string). Wish I kept it some days....

Darkstrike · #18 09-09-2010, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bipslapper

Well, I think Gard may be a little bit distracted today. I believe there is a small little football game on later tonight.

I can wait.

LilRay · #19 09-09-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Boo!

One.

I get to harass Gard for not supplying graphite.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bipslapper

Well, I think Gard may be a little bit distracted today. I believe there is a small little football game on later tonight.

Ray- graphite is tough to work with. The "pro" is the stability of the material, it never bows or moves. In real humid or cold climates it can be an advantage b/c it is synthetic and has no moisture in the material, unlike wood. I had a bass with wenge neck/ bubinga fb and it was totally solid (Ibanez SR 1305- my 1st 5 string). Wish I kept it some days....

If graphite is anything similar in construction to Carbon Fiber, as far as a "construction/build" standpoint even the dust will cut you. Carbon has similar lung issues as asbestos. IF the shop began working with graphite, I'd bet they would need additional equipment too.

Stuff looks great, but I'd bet it's nearly impossible to repair too.

For a clumsy guy like me, that's not good

God Bless, Ray

Gard · #20 09-09-2010, 08:32 AM

Distracted, me???

...game...football...tonight...

...really?

...on topic: No plans for graphite necks, it is a real mess to work with, very expensive, and I can tell you from direct experience it is NOT 100% impervious to heat/humidity reactions - it's just 95% impervious!

I like the stuff, but we get the "best of both worlds" by using graphite rods on either side of the trussrod. All the stability, none of the mess, and you get a neck that "sounds like wood" and is adjustable, but once it's where you want it, it is essentially "set & forget" stable.

...football???