34" Scale Replacement Neck for Modulus Q5?

[fragernackyl]

I know Modulus is now out of business, but I know they were making 34" scale replacement necks for the Q5. I'd love to get my hands on one! I have a 1999 Q5 that I love, but I just don't like the string tension of the 35" scale. I know, I know, a 34" scale neck will change the tone, affect the low b, etc, etc, I know. I still want one. Anyone have any idea how one might acquire such a neck?

Thanks!

 

[BruceWane]

I would bet that Modulus was using the same basic neck, just moving the bridge up an inch and cutting the fret slots to 34" scale.

The only remote possibilities for replacement neck I can think of -

Try contacting Geoff Gould at Gould Guitars; he's the original founder of Modulus, sold that business many years ago, but still makes similar CF necked basses.

Also try contacting Jerry Dorsch of Graphite Guitar Systems; I don't have contact info, but you can google him and find it. He co-founded Modulus with Geoff Gould.

At least, I would bet that either of these guys could replace your fretboard and fret it to a 34" scale, and relocate your bridge.

That's really a lot of work though, and I'm sure quite a bit of $$$$.....if I were you, I'd try some lighter gauge strings from a few different brands. Circle K strings probably has the most extensive selection of gauges around, and they also have some handy tools on their website for calculating string tension for specific string gauge@tuning@scale length.

Another option would be to get yourself a Modulus Flea/FU 5 string. Same CF construction, 34" scale. Their string spacing is a bit wider at the bridge.

 

[elgecko]

How about lighter strings?

 

[fragernackyl]

Yeah, I have a set of light strings in the mail. I'll certainly try that first, but in the last email correspondence I had with Modulus, they informed me they made 34" scale necks. Definitely pricey. I love that CF sound, but 35" scale on that bass is just not that responsive to all the percussive slap stuff I love to do. Anyone ever played a Zon?

 

[Dave W]

but 35" scale on that bass is just not that responsive to all the percussive slap stuff I love to do.

Huh?

 

[fragernackyl]

The string tension is really tight on the 35" scale of my Modulus Q5. Much moreso than on most 34" scale basses I've played. Therefore, it's harder to get the strings to move when doing a lot of left hand percussive slap technique stuff.

 

[elgecko]

The string tension is really tight on the 35" scale of my Modulus Q5. Much moreso than on most 34" scale basses I've played. Therefore, it's harder to get the strings to move when doing a lot of left hand percussive slap technique stuff.

That's why you should get strings that are lighter than what you'd use on a 34" scale bass...to decrease the tension.