Is Modulus still in Business?

[SherwoodGreen]

Again, I am dealing direct. No dealer.

Did you purchase the bass direct through Modulus?

 

[SherwoodGreen]

ehhh that's just not gona cut it anymore. companies need to realize that in this day and age their customers expect them to take an active role in standing behind their products. maybe years ago it was ok to hide behind the dealers but people expect better than that now.

Actually, in today's market I think just the opposite. There is MUCH more voice-mail, "leave a message" answering system, offshore IT kinda thing than ever before.
Used to be you could talk direct, not so much anymore.

Warm and fuzzy builders exist, tell Fodera you want to spend 15K on one of their basses, they will embrace you with open arms, make you one of "the family!"

(Not slaggin' Fodera don't anyone go there!)

But Modulus- They obviously take a "we build high-tech quality graphite-necked basses, see your dealer, leave us alone" approach.
I don't approve of that, only their instruments!

 

[I am Soma]

Actually, in today's market I think just the opposite. There is MUCH more voice-mail, "leave a message" answering system, offshore IT kinda thing than ever before.
Used to be you could talk direct, not so much anymore.

Warm and fuzzy builders exist, tell Fodera you want to spend 15K on one of their basses, they will embrace you with open arms, make you one of "the family!"

(Not slaggin' Fodera don't anyone go there!)

But Modulus- They obviously take a "we build high-tech quality graphite-necked basses, see your dealer, leave us alone" approach.
I don't approve of that, only their instruments!

Funny how Geoff Gould doesn't have a problem answering emails, facebook messages, etc

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Funny how Geoff Gould doesn't have a problem answering emails, facebook messages, etc

No disrespect to Geoff but ask him how many basses he sells a year.

 

[Mulebagger]

Wow and I was going to list my modulus fretless for sale today. Hmmm. Have to think about it a bit more.

I hope it isn't true that they are closing up shop.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I haven't looked at Modulus' website in awhile, but they used to list contact email addresses, fax number and phone numbers. I tried all of them including the fax but couldn't get any response. Really turned me off to Modulus. I sold my FB5 and moved on.

 

[I am Soma]

No disrespect to Geoff but ask him how many basses he sells a year.

I'm in the market for a new backup bass and got personalized responses from Fender, Fernandes, and Gibson. I'm thinking they move quite a bit more stock than Modulus.

Asking Geoff how many basses he sells a year would probably get me a quick personalized response though

 

[LennyJ]

Were they at NAMM?

Yes they were - but they have not been the same since Rich Lasner left.

 

[LennyJ]

Hi.. I heard that modulus has stopped production too.. Also the Anderson paige name...before him the rep was Paige Anderson lol go figure..i asked him if that was his real name and he said yes ...

Feel bad for all u guys that have orders in.. Modulus was never good at customer service unless u were a pro..

Thanks,
Bill

Bill

Not exactly right - Rich Lasner ran the company for a while and a lady (Cant remember the name) was working with Anderson Page and Rich Ross was the marketing rep. Joe ran the building of the basses.

Rich left, Anderson moved up and if true Joe runs the company. WOW - We will see.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

If people really wanted a Modulus they would simply deal with a Modulus dealer.

Talking directly with Modulus about buying a bass would only get one directed to their nearest Modulus dealer.


Dealing direct with Modulus wouldn't get any one a better deal than what a dealer would give them, unless they were an Modulus artists of course.


Some potential customers are simply spoiled now days.

 

[LennyJ]

No I was referring to some bass amp companies.


Modulus isn't going any where and they have always been a small operation.

I called today and left a voice message.

I have a 6 string fretless in the works.

Just to let you know, I used to be at all the NAMM shows with them and I have a neck on order for almost two years.

Well I left 2 emails and 4 phone messages to them - still no answer.

 

[LennyJ]

I'm a small business too. That doesn't mean I should ignore emails and calls.

I do also - and that's what I am talking about.

 

[LennyJ]

There was a time when most bass companies wouldn't talk to a potential customer, they would always send that potential customer to one of their dealers.

Maybe some people never knew that or are spoiled.


There are some serious Modulus dealers that will go out of their way to help customers out with pretty much all inquires.


No need to bother the people who build the instrument when that's not a part of their business model. Go to that companies dealer.

YOU know this is a good thought and I checked there site and the number of dealers has went down in the last year and I checked every one and most of them do not even have a Modulus on Hand.

Like I said I am still waiting for my neck - going on 2 years

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Just to let you know, I used to be at all the NAMM shows with them and I have a neck on order for almost two years.

Well I left 2 emails and 4 phone messages to them - still no answer.

I fully understand.

I have a bass on order and a few other bass players I know are waiting on their basses to be completed as well.




Modulus is not the first company to be behind on their orders nor will they be the last.



Guys I get it and I'm in the same boat as some of you here who have posted.

 

[I am Soma]

If people really wanted a Modulus they would simply deal with a Modulus dealer.

Talking directly with Modulus about buying a bass would only get one directed to their nearest Modulus dealer.


Dealing direct with Modulus wouldn't get any one a better deal than what a dealer would give them, unless they were an Modulus artists of course.


Some potential customers are simply spoiled now days.

Nothing to do with being spoiled - it's called customer service and seen as this discussion is around whether or not they are going out of business I'm thinking they aren't doing too good in that department.

You keep using the word "spoiled" which can come off as insulting - not sure if you mean it that way. If I'm spending 2k+ on a bass the company should respond, even if it's to just direct me to a dealer.

Per many of the responses there really isn't any "talk" going on with Modulus as that would require them responding.

 

[LennyJ]

No disrespect to Geoff but ask him how many basses he sells a year.

He sold Modulus when it was the right time for him, and yes maybe he does not sell many - but they sure do rock.

And if I do not get my neck - I will call him for a bass.

 

[Thir13teen]

If they (Modulus) had an "elitist" attitude all these years, it seems as if maybe that has caught up with them. Of course we all know that you go to a dealer to buy one of their products. I think most of us are in concurrence that that doesn't mean you can ignore and/or treat the end user like a d-bag.

Yes, I know if I want an Audi A3 I go to a dealer, but if I reached out to their headquarters I would AT LEAST expect a person to answer the phone (or initially a phone tree and then from there a live person) and get some type of friendly response or answer to a question. NOT just be on auto-ignore. It doesn't exactly give one a warm & fuzzy when this happens.

I know what type of instruments both Zon & Modulus make. But after speaking w/ Joe Zon a 1/2 dozen times over the years, it makes it fairly easy to write that check for the amount of one his basses. If they made $300 basses I could care less on who or if anyone answered the phones. But when a lot of your instruments have ridiculous MSRP's and THEN you STILL choose to have the attitude of "dont contact us, contact the dealer. And if you do attempt to call us, you will never get a hold of a live person. If you leave a message (that is if you can leave a message) - it will never get returned. And if you try and reach out to us electronically, your email will never get opened, read or returned.", that is just wrong. I know the final product is high end & quality, but it makes one wonder "what kind of ass-clowns are running this place?".

 

[cjp3044]

If people really wanted a Modulus they would simply deal with a Modulus dealer.

Talking directly with Modulus about buying a bass would only get one directed to their nearest Modulus dealer.


Dealing direct with Modulus wouldn't get any one a better deal than what a dealer would give them, unless they were an Modulus artists of course.


Some potential customers are simply spoiled now days.

Agreed - if one was in the market to buy a Modulus, one should see a Modulus dealer - however that is not the case here. The OP sent his bass directly to Modulus for work - dealing directly with Modulus. Certainly in this case they should be responding to his inquiries.

As for other inquiries - if that is their business model, then they really need to put something to that effect on their website instead of a phone number and email address - if they don't want to be contacted by the public - don't make those things so easily and publicly accessible. If you DO publish those things - respond to them - that's not a difficult concept. I know Modulus is a very small company, but that's not an excuse to ignore emails and phone calls - especially from a customer that is supposedly dealing direct with them to begin with.

But apart from Juaqo saying so, I've heard from another Modulus endorser that they are not gone. There are apparently changes at the company, but who knows what that means - could be nothing of significance.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Nothing to do with being spoiled - it's called customer service and seen as this discussion is around whether or not they are going out of business I'm thinking they aren't doing too good in that department.

You keep using the word "spoiled" which can come off as insulting - not sure if you mean it that way. If I'm spending 2k+ on a bass the company should respond, even if it's to just direct me to a dealer.

Per many of the responses there really isn't any "talk" going on with Modulus as that would require them responding.

Did you originally reach out to Modulus about the purchase of a bass? And if they did take your original inquiry what did they say? Did they say that they would deal directly with you or refereed you to one of their dealers?

 

[I am Soma]

Did you originally reach out to Modulus about the purchase of a bass? And if they did take your original inquiry what did they say? Did they say that they would deal directly with you or refereed you to one of their dealers?

About 6 months ago regarding a custom order. Phone call: not returned. Email: not returned. That's the point many of us are making - they don't even respond period to direct you to a dealer.

If you don't want customers emailed/calling/faxing you then they should take that information off of their website/facebook.