yeah and they're selling them at full list price. $4000 for a flea bass four string that will likely have zero warranty support. hopefully these are typos or I'm completely missing something here....
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Is Modulus still in Business?
- Thread starter Baird6869
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yeah and they're selling them at full list price. $4000 for a flea bass four string that will likely have zero warranty support. hopefully these are typos or I'm completely missing something here....
There is absolutely no reason why endorsers should know more about the status of the company than dealers. In fact, quite the contrary.
And it's all very nice to "hold off on more speculation" if you've got no skin in the game, but if they've got your bass, as they do for the OP, or if you've got an order in with them and a deposit down, then there are very good reasons to ask questions, speculate, investigate, and make sure you're not one of the creditors who gets screwed if they're in fact closing their doors.
This is a sucky feeling about Modulus this week. I like suporting small American companies that make great products. I remember hearing ARU and Phish with Oteil & Gordo thinking that I had to get that bass. I found my Modulus in 2004 and have loved the instrument ever since
As a sign of solidarity, I am playing My Q5 for both gigs this weekend. Bittersweet in some way...; I hope it all works out.
As a sign of solidarity, I am playing My Q5 for both gigs this weekend. Bittersweet in some way...; I hope it all works out.
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I would imagine that Bass Central would not post something like that just to sell more basses.
Jauqo says they'll be around so I'm not going to call time of death. But because of this thread I saw a Modulus bass that I freaking love.
Sometimes small companies can be forced into 'restructuring' mode without a sure end game, as in we either try to restructure or we die, and there is no promise we won't die anyway. Thus I can envision where they have intentions to pull through yet no firm plans how yet, thus no plans to restart production yet. Maybe they want to, but can't, and refuse to give in as of yet and call it quits officially.
I've been through it with a former small business I used to work for. Used to work for being key.
I've been through it with a former small business I used to work for. Used to work for being key.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
Oteil was the big inspiration for me to finally make the leap. I had been pretty anti-Modulus because I thought they were sort of plasticy sounding. I had seen ARU since 1991 (and opened up some of their shows) and I loved what Oteil did with it, but it still didn't really get to me. Then, around 1999 I was listening to an ARU bootleg and it just hit me hard and I had to get that sound. The next day I got an email from someone selling a Q6 neck and the rest was history, as the hardware fell into my lap and a friend helped me build a body out of 100 year old mahogany. Coincidentally, Oteil did a clinic in Denver about a week after I finished it and he called me up to jam so he could play drums. A lot of serendipity with that bass.
I still prefer my Starfire in a lot of ways, but the Modulus sound and feel is really unique. I can't imagine it being unavailable forever.
This just in: Nothing!
Glad the OP was in contact. Baird, how did you finally get in touch? You called them or they called you?
I don't think that they will shut their doors but they are already a very small operation so any type or restructuring would be a major overhaul honestly.
Glad the OP was in contact. Baird, how did you finally get in touch? You called them or they called you?
I don't think that they will shut their doors but they are already a very small operation so any type or restructuring would be a major overhaul honestly.
Dude, I've been with the OP since the beginning of this thread - my comment about holding off on more speculation was simply meant not to further any more rumors that may or may not be true. Rumors are destructive - especially when not true. NO ONE, especially me, is saying not to ask questions - just not to spread rumors.
And as for endorsers? Yeah, wrong. Endorsing artists (including my friend) have direct contacts with the company outside of normal chains - as I'm sure dealers do as well.
WAY out of line attacking my post like that - uncalled for. How many other people in this thread do you see offering to physically visit the Modulus location?
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
I sympathize with anyone who has current skin (read: actual $$) on the line, because that just sucks. This kind of uncertainty has happened before in the history of Modulus. Instability is a given for (very) small businesses trying to make it selling high priced gear in a bad economy to a population of varied means like musicians. In my experience, the Modulus staff were helpful, but very hard to get hold of and wait times for new instruments were long at best. Parts (except for Modulus necks themselves) were not available through Modulus, though they were happy to inform you of the vendor who'd supplied the parts to Modulus.
Frustrating, perhaps. But a common event among small, boutique businesses in a bad economy. Sounds like there are signs of life at Modulus, and perhaps some of the more ominous appearances resulted from temporary financial and/or staffing shortages.
As I said, greatest sympathy for those actually waiting to secure their own investments. But for everyone else, be patient - Modulus has emerged from troubles before (rumor has it that Bob Weir of the Dead became a heavy investor in Modulus both to preserve the company and to retain access to his source for Blackknife guitars).
My best guess is that Modulus resumes something resembling business as usual shortly. Bear in mind, a company does (despite less than enlightened customer service practices) try to serve its customers. However, at some point, customers will have to spend money with Modulus and its dealers for the company to survive. Apart from those directly in jeopardy, anyone fueling the fire of fearmongering is just helping to write Modulus' epitaph.
Frustrating, perhaps. But a common event among small, boutique businesses in a bad economy. Sounds like there are signs of life at Modulus, and perhaps some of the more ominous appearances resulted from temporary financial and/or staffing shortages.
As I said, greatest sympathy for those actually waiting to secure their own investments. But for everyone else, be patient - Modulus has emerged from troubles before (rumor has it that Bob Weir of the Dead became a heavy investor in Modulus both to preserve the company and to retain access to his source for Blackknife guitars).
My best guess is that Modulus resumes something resembling business as usual shortly. Bear in mind, a company does (despite less than enlightened customer service practices) try to serve its customers. However, at some point, customers will have to spend money with Modulus and its dealers for the company to survive. Apart from those directly in jeopardy, anyone fueling the fire of fearmongering is just helping to write Modulus' epitaph.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
Please understand that just because dealers are no longer taking shipment of products from a company or not placing orders does not mean that the company is done.
Sometimes restructuring really does mean restructuring.
Sometimes restructuring really does mean restructuring.
Chapter 11? Is Gibson buying them? Or maybe GC. Hmmm ... maybe Behringer is starting an instrument line.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
Could be.
However, I just checked at Aircraft Spruce, and they're showing their BiDirectional and Unidirectional CF weaves in stock in many flavors.
Clearly, I have no idea if that's the same stuff Modulus is using, but there _is_ CF available out there in moderate quantity. I don't know how much CF is in a neck - but I bet it's less than is in a wing...
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