Strings to use on my Modulus

sethlow3 · #1 11-14-2011, 11:02 PM

I have owned a Modulus Funk Unlimited FBJ5 five years and have loved EVERY minute of it. This bass has paid for itself well over it's cost since I have toured with it all this time.

I use EB Regular 5 Slinky's since they are always easy to find everywhere on the road and the .130 is killer! I liked them on an SR5 I owned at the time. I decided to try DR Black Beauty 5's and while I liked the tone, the B was noticeably worse than the EB's. I am curious again what strings may work well with this particular bass? Any experience would be valued with what works well with Modulus. The .130 B is a tight fit on the bridge. I always have to force it in there which is making me rethink what strings to use...

I have a split personality on what tone I like since I play a lot of country on the road and in Nashville so I like the flats sound yet I play a lot of Rock and R&B in my spare time as well. I am VERY much debating on using flats on it, but I remember having issues with keeping them in tune (previously LaBellas). Maybe I should tryThomastiks? Would I wanna change them ever after they settle in? Any suggestions or cautions?

dustinfennessey · #2 11-15-2011, 10:53 AM

I've played nothing but Modulus (Funk Unlimited Stealth) basses for years and found that Black Diamond (coated) strings are great. I only end up restringing once every year if that. The set I have on is 9 months old and still sound new. They are spendy but worth it in the long run and black strings just look bad a$$!

I actually also just got a G. Gould (founder of Modulus) bass as well

Todd GT5 · #3 11-15-2011, 11:09 AM

I have a graphite necked bass(GGS) that's very similar to a Modulus and I found that Ken Smith Slick Rounds were real nice. It's reported that Mike Gordon and Phil Lesh have used them on their Modulus basses. They do feel sticky and grabby until they get broken in, so if you try them and like the tone, stick with them until the feel gets good. To me they give you better lows and fundamental while still having a bit of round wound sizzle for the highs, compared to conventional rounds.

Myself, I have switched to D Addario Chromes(flats), and I just can't bring myself to remove them. I keep my old KS Slick Rounds and a new set in my case to use again someday.

-Todd

solidmaui78 · #4 11-16-2011, 10:35 PM

I just tried to put a set Of thomastik infeld superalloy IN345 and the B string is too long.... I was so bummed when I saw it, It says long scale 34". I thought it was 34" lol I dont know whats up but i really wanted to try these TI's !!

Roy Vogt · #5 11-16-2011, 10:45 PM

I've used Labella Super Steps strings on both my Quantum 6s and have had the sets on for over a decade on each. They're such bright instruments that it seems to work just fine. They haven't gone dead, just mellowed.
LABELLA SS40B 5-STRING ELECTRIC BASS SET - Elderly Instruments

soulman969 · #6 11-17-2011, 03:01 AM

I used a set of DR HiBeams Mediums with a .125 B on an M92-5 and liked them real well. Probably the best bass sound I ever got was from the combination and I played a lot of Rock and R&B using that bass. Personally I'd never put flats on a bass like that but I like the GHS Pressure Wounds I have on my CV Jazz 4 string and I might suggest those as an in between step away from straight rounds.

sethlow3 · #7 11-17-2011, 05:00 AM

After much deliberation. I just can't do it. Everything else I have tried in the past just hasn't worked for me tonally in the long run on other 5 strings besides good ol' slinky regular 5's. They are punchy and the B string just hasn't been beat yet in my book. Which are the 2 things I care most about on a modern 5 string. Heck, even bass player magazine agrees. On the string shootout, it was the only round described as punchy, and flats just haven't impressed me in the B string dept. Though on my Fender Jazz I am debating on going with something completely different than EB. Maybe TI, DR, or Chromes. Thanks for the suggestions though!

**johnsonabq** · #8 01-05-2012, 01:44 PM

I've owned my Quantum 5 for over 17 years and have been using these GHS strings for most of that time...
GHS Electric Bass Quantum 5-String Ex. Long Super Steels for Modulus, .044-.128, CU-QB5000

I just switched over to DR Hi Beams for the first time and I think they sound great... FYI