Is Flea not using Modulus anymore?

[The_Owl]

So I watched RHCP live on MTV the other day, and Flea was playing on a white jazzbass through the whole show (edited, I guess, about an hour long). I also read a recent interview with Flea's tech, who stated that he brings about 4 Modulus Flea models, and two jazzes on tour.

However, I searched on recent live stuff on YouTube, and I couldn't find a clip with him playing a Modulus post 2005. Has he stopped using Modulus? I think those basses suit him better, both sounds- and looks-wise.

Anyone here who saw them on the current tour? Did he use a Modulus on any songs?

Discuss!

[george_r]

I saw him on tour in NY using his fender. I havn't seen him use his modulus at a show for a while, but he still has and plays all of his basses (Musicman, Wal, Modulus, Fender, transparent bass he used for the Danni video).

[FunkyMonkCP]

Starting this tour Flea switched to vintage Fender basses which were wonderful for the studio but live we lost the clarity and deep low end that signifies his sound, so upon my own and Rick Rubin's request, he switched back the active pre amp Modulus basses.

That was taken from Dave Rats' blog. I'm so glad he convinced him to go back to Modulus live.

[The_Owl]

Originally Posted by FunkyMonkCP

That was taken from Dave Rats' blog. I'm so glad he convinced him to go back to Modulus live.

I'm glad to hear that. Flea and Modulus = Milk and cookies IMO! His sound on "By the Way" is, like, the definition of growl...

[johnpaulbass]

I don't know.. .I like him much more in the "music man is my main axe" days

but.. I must say that the Modulus sounds good

[Figjam]

He used a modulus when I saw him 2 months ago, so I am going to say no.

[The Lurker]

He used the two ancient fenders with flatwound strings for most of a year, before the RHCP's sound crew convinced him that his live sound with them was not very good. He's back to the Modulus basses now, at least for shows.

[BassManPatsFan]

He used a sunburst Modulus Flea in the new video for "Snow". Pretty cool looking bass and I think they do sound good, although I'd prefer to see him bust out the musicmen.
-Alex

[SuperSnake2012]

Yeah, Flea + Stingray =

[iamlowsound]

Flea+spector=old school

lowsound

[RoMeRz]

That black and sunburst-ish thing is a flea bass just with a different design is it not? Hes played that alot.

[Papersen]

Flea + Wal = superb recorded tone.

[rulyøngo]

Originally Posted by Papersen

Flea + Wal = superb recorded tone.

AMEN TO THAT!!!

[BassGod]

Originally Posted by Papersen

Flea + Wal = superb recorded tone.

Yup. He shouldnt have stopped playing that thing.

Graeme

[Happynoj]

I read that Flea used the J-bass for ages, but then went back to the Modulus for live shows because of the sound. When I saw them last July he played a Modulus.

[Baryonyx]

That must be pretty embarassing, your tech saying "hey, this bass you've been using...well, it sounds awful."

[EricF]

My understanding (and I could be totally wrong) was that the vintage J with flats didn't have enough of and "up-front" sound, so he switched back to the Modulus. I'm wondering why they didn't just put some rounds on the J.

[Ale]

In copenhagen last year he used the white Fender , as the latest recordings ive seen live.
Ill guess he uses both.

[kynoch]

I have watched a lot of The Chili peppers shows in 2006....early in the year he was on the Fenders....now he's back on the Flea bass....july 2006 onwards. I guess for all the above reasons.

I have to say I loved hearing the Fender tone on Stadium Arcadium. I was Great. and IMO The fender live on those songs is much better. But for the BTW and Californication tracks the Flea bass is better.

[morf]

Actually I really like Flea's tone with his new Fender jazz , I think its a 62 pre CBS shell pink thats aged well if my memory serves me right