Anyone who's had problems with a graphite neck....

IdealWay · #1 01-05-2009, 09:12 AM

What caused the problem (warping, separating layers, etc.)? I recently purchased a '96 Modulus without truss rod and want to avoid any potential problems that could arise. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Zooberwerx · #2 01-05-2009, 09:28 AM

Subscribed. Even if the the damage was caused by bad / stupid behavior, please include the details. We promise not to laugh or ridicule.....well, no more than normally anyway!

Riis

Jason! · #3 01-08-2009, 02:17 PM

I've got a Zon and at the end of the neck by the body (the tapered part) the top layer has chipped away a little bit. I bought it new in 98 or 99 and I'd say it was a couple years ago that it chipped away. It just kinda flaked off. Not sure what caused it though.

I emailed Zon and they said the neck would have to be refinished.

You can kinda see it in this pic.
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/r...0/PC050002.jpg

IdealWay · #4 01-08-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Drunkenstein

I've got a Zon and at the end of the neck by the body (the tapered part) the top layer has chipped away a little bit. I bought it new in 98 or 99 and I'd say it was a couple years ago that it chipped away. It just kinda flaked off. Not sure what caused it though.

I emailed Zon and they said the neck would have to be refinished.

You can kinda see it in this pic.
http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/r...0/PC050002.jpg

Did this affect the playability of the instrument at all, or was it just cosmetic?

Jason! · #5 01-08-2009, 04:05 PM

Just cosmetic and it hasn't flaked off any more than it had way back when.

IdealWay · #6 01-09-2009, 08:41 PM

I know there are more of you out there

ChrisPbass · #7 01-14-2009, 09:12 AM

this thread may shed some light. Graphite necks w/o truss rods

I read up on graphite pretty extensively before I bought my Modulus Q5 and I didn't see any reason as to why certain people's necks warped. All the stories seemed to be 'I woke up and the neck had moved'.

Ironically the Q5 I bought, online, ended up needing some work.

IdealWay · #8 01-14-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisPbass

Ironically the Q5 I bought, online, ended up needing some work.

What year was it?

ChrisPbass · #9 01-14-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdealWay

What year was it?

'92. I'm sending it to a guy named Jerry Dorsch who is going to plane the fingerboard.

http://s384.photobucket.com/albums/oo290/ChrisPbass/

IdealWay · #10 01-14-2009, 12:23 PM

nice bass! hope he can fix it for you.

Does anyone have an idea about what causes the warping?

Hoover · #11 01-14-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdealWay

What caused the problem (warping, separating layers, etc.)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdealWay

Does anyone have an idea about what causes the warping?

No freakin' idea.

See my story here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f30/about-find-out-how-good-modulus-customer-service-489105/#post6552650

Basically my 20-year-old Modulus graphite neck (no truss rod) suddenly & inexplicably developed a tremendous front bow. And I mean that honestly & sincerely; I really didn't do anything to cause this warping/bowing...rather, it apparently happened from doing nothing at all. The bass was sitting in a case in my closet, barely getting used at all. One day I'm playing it & everything's fine, just as sweet as it has been for the previous 19 years. I put it back in its case in the closet, don't touch it for 3 or 4 months, next time I take it out, ***?!?!?! Now I've got a graphite crossbow!

Still waiting for Modulus to give me the final diagnosis (they've had it for about a month now...that reminds me, I should give 'em a call.)

KeithPas · #12 01-14-2009, 03:04 PM

I had an older mdoel Modulus Q5 (no truss rod) and it was a unstable neck. I would have to let it sit for about an entire day after changing the strings, the neck would get so much of and forward bow it would be unplayable. OTOH I had a jazz bass with a modulus neck and it had no truss rod either and it was a great, stable neck.

donk · #13 01-14-2009, 03:50 PM

''92. I'm sending it to a guy named Jerry Dorsch who is going to plane the fingerboard."
Jerry Dorsch and Geoff Gould started Modulus.

ChrisPbass · #14 01-27-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donk

''92. I'm sending it to a guy named Jerry Dorsch who is going to plane the fingerboard."
Jerry Dorsch and Geoff Gould started Modulus.

That's what i've been told. no reason to not believe but I didn't see any mention of Jerry on Modulus' history page on their website.

bassramos · #15 01-27-2009, 09:05 AM

I bought a Q6 on ebay once and the upper register action was lower than the low notes. It was a faulty modulus that I ended up selling

IdealWay · #16 01-27-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassramos

I bought a Q6 on ebay once and the upper register action was lower than the low notes. It was a faulty modulus that I ended up selling

Did this one have a truss rod or no? I'm also curious if anyone knows if problems like this can be corrected in the truss rod models?

alexmoore10 · #17 01-27-2009, 09:25 AM

I had a Q4 from about 96. The neck was fine on it...one of my students has it now and he is very happy with it to.

Hope that helps.

bass12 · #18 01-27-2009, 12:07 PM

Although generally more stable than wood, graphite can move. For this reason, many companies have abandoned the no-truss rod design. Yes, having a truss rod would help deal with some of the problems you're talking about. If given the option, I would definitely go with the truss rod.