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Is Modulus still in Business?

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#101
SherwoodGreen said:
What a bullet-riddled response.
Apparently, Modulus sells enough basses, with enough orders in the pipeline so that they don't feel the need to maintain a Customer Service Department to stroke a consumer that wants to buy one of their products. Outside of finish, there are not a lot of options on a Modulus. It's not like one of your coffee-table basses, where tonewood selection becomes the equivalent of "ladies who lunch" spec'ing their bass out.
Different strokes for different players.

I had a bass built wherein the builder offered to send me pics of the build, and was open to "communciation". I told him "No thanks, spend your time building, not taking diary shots!"

That's ME- I trust the builder I select-including Modulus- to build the instrument I want- Unlike taking the time to select the EXACT tone of fingerboard wood and knobs you want. Jeesh.

"Bud" is a one-man shop, so of course he'll communicate with you.
Modulus is a production high-tech company, they don't want or need your input. Not rude, but true. If that isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of other builders, including those you mentioned, that will KYA for your $$, if that's what you need...

I don't see a lot of "buyers" put off by Modulus; more like a re-kindled interest/hope that they'll still be around.

IT seems to be a long-term policy of Modulus to NOT avail themselves to the Consumer. Nothing wrong with that- Can't handle it?? Feel "neglected?" Shop elsewhere.
Problem solved.
Click to expand...

They should probably start looking at that input if there are threads asking if they are still even in business. How can one of us trust the builder of a custom bass if you can't even get in touch with them to get it started?

People feel neglected. People are shopping elsewhere. Problem solved.
 
#102
I know a luthier who changed a huge level of his communicating and business with customers because he could not properly focus on builds because diva's wanted pics every few days, they wanted to call on the phone and spend to much time asking about aspects of the build that was confirmed, send several emails in a day or many in a week and they wanted to do this not once in a while but some times three or more times a week.



And I fully understood that. How could he build your bass when a bunch of other customers would be taking a lot of valuable time away from other builds that are equally important as the guy who's keeping the builder from the build.
 
#104
SherwoodGreen said:
What a bullet-riddled response.
Apparently, Modulus sells enough basses, with enough orders in the pipeline so that they don't feel the need to maintain a Customer Service Department to stroke a consumer that wants to buy one of their products. Outside of finish, there are not a lot of options on a Modulus. It's not like one of your coffee-table basses, where tonewood selection becomes the equivalent of "ladies who lunch" spec'ing their bass out.
Different strokes for different players.

I had a bass built wherein the builder offered to send me pics of the build, and was open to "communciation". I told him "No thanks, spend your time building, not taking diary shots!"

That's ME- I trust the builder I select-including Modulus- to build the instrument I want- Unlike taking the time to select the EXACT tone of fingerboard wood and knobs you want. Jeesh.

"Bud" is a one-man shop, so of course he'll communicate with you.
Modulus is a production high-tech company, they don't want or need your input. Not rude, but true. If that isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of other builders, including those you mentioned, that will KYA for your $$, if that's what you need...

I don't see a lot of "buyers" put off by Modulus; more like a re-kindled interest/hope that they'll still be around.

IT seems to be a long-term policy of Modulus to NOT avail themselves to the Consumer. Nothing wrong with that- Can't handle it?? Feel "neglected?" Shop elsewhere.
Problem solved.
Click to expand...

Well, Lakland didn't KMA, but they did help me get what I wanted on my non-coffee-table JO5. I don't think they necessarily "wanted or needed" my input in general, but they needed my input if they wanted to sell me a bass (I've bought 3 customs from them). I have to believe Lakland is at least as big as Modulus. I don't get any butthurt over Modulus not communicating with their customers - they just don't sound like the kind of guys I'd want to drop $3K or $4K into their pockets. No need to worry about me feeling neglected - I'll keep shopping where people do care about their customers.
 
#106
JAUQO III-X said:
I know a luthier who changed a huge level of his communicating and business with customers because he could not properly focus on builds because diva's wanted pics every few days, they wanted to call on the phone and spend to much time asking about aspects of the build that was confirmed, send several emails in a day or many in a week and they wanted to do this not once in a while but some times three or more times a week.



And I fully understood that. How could he build your bass when a bunch of other customers would be taking a lot of valuable time away from other builds that are equally important as the guy who's keeping the builder from the build.
Click to expand...

I think everyone here is aware of that (or should be aware of that anyway). I've got a custom cab being built right now with some cool custom aesthetic stuff - I don't call or email the builder every day for updates or anything like that - I'd rather him spend his time building the cab - we've already worked out the details, and when it comes time for the finish work, I have no doubt he will contact me for final approval.

That being said, that's not the point of this thread - the OP is dealing directly with Modulus - not buying a bass, but having work done directly by Modulus - not through a dealer. They haven't responded to him in like a month, and last correspondence he got was that his bass would be shipping out that week. Over a month ago. No contact or response from Modulus. Now their phones are disconnected -- you can call the main line and get the auto-attendant, but every transfer gives you a "no longer in service" recording.

This isn't a case of the builder wanting to be left alone, this is a case (the OP's issue) where they have had his bass for several months to work on it, but won't return his calls, emails, etc. There is no excuse for them to ignore the OP in his case - he's not Joe Schmoe looking to buy a custom or something, but an existing customer already dealing direct for the work.

He (the OP) deserves SOME acknowledgement from someone at Modulus, and soon. In fact, the OP could very well have legal recourse if they continue to ignore him, considering they are in possession of his bass.

Now if Modulus wants to ignore all the potential customers this way, that's up to them. If they don't want to respond to phone or email inquiries from regular people, that's up to them - I can't imagine that dealing this way could do anything but HURT their business, but it is their choice.
 
#107
Munjibunga said:
Yeah, spoiled by other builders - the ones that want to sell basses. Go back through this thread and count how many former customers and potential customers have written Modulus off. It's the small businesses that really need to be the most responsive in their customer service. When I order a custom bass, I want to communicate with the builder, I don't want all my communications to have to go through some unrelated middle-man (dealer) who might misinterpret my requirements. Even though I went through dealers on both of my Foderas, I still communicated directly with the folks at Fodera to iron out the details.

I doubt Modulus is any smaller than LeCompte, but Bud always answered my emails within a couple hours. I also had excellent communications with Sadowsky and Lakland when I ordered basses from them. There's is absolutely no excuse for poor customer service, regardless of the size of the company.

To have this type of thread on a forum directly related to your product and reaching ostensibly over 180,000 members has to adversely affect business.
Click to expand...

Couldn't have said it better. Right on.
 
#110
Munjibunga said:
Well, Lakland didn't KMA, but they did help me get what I wanted on my non-coffee-table JO5. I don't think they necessarily "wanted or needed" my input in general, but they needed my input if they wanted to sell me a bass (I've bought 3 customs from them). I have to believe Lakland is at least as big as Modulus. I don't get any butthurt over Modulus not communicating with their customers - they just don't sound like the kind of guys I'd want to drop $3K or $4K into their pockets. No need to worry about me feeling neglected - I'll keep shopping where people do care about their customers.
Click to expand...



Ditto.
 
#111
cjp3044 said:
I think everyone here is aware of that (or should be aware of that anyway). I've got a custom cab being built right now with some cool custom aesthetic stuff - I don't call or email the builder every day for updates or anything like that - I'd rather him spend his time building the cab - we've already worked out the details, and when it comes time for the finish work, I have no doubt he will contact me for final approval.

That being said, that's not the point of this thread - the OP is dealing directly with Modulus - not buying a bass, but having work done directly by Modulus - not through a dealer. They haven't responded to him in like a month, and last correspondence he got was that his bass would be shipping out that week. Over a month ago. No contact or response from Modulus. Now their phones are disconnected -- you can call the main line and get the auto-attendant, but every transfer gives you a "no longer in service" recording.

This isn't a case of the builder wanting to be left alone, this is a case (the OP's issue) where they have had his bass for several months to work on it, but won't return his calls, emails, etc. There is no excuse for them to ignore the OP in his case - he's not Joe Schmoe looking to buy a custom or something, but an existing customer already dealing direct for the work.

He (the OP) deserves SOME acknowledgement from someone at Modulus, and soon. In fact, the OP could very well have legal recourse if they continue to ignore him, considering they are in possession of his bass.

Now if Modulus wants to ignore all the potential customers this way, that's up to them. If they don't want to respond to phone or email inquiries from regular people, that's up to them - I can't imagine that dealing this way could do anything but HURT their business, but it is their choice.
Click to expand...

I fully understand the op's position on this but this thread has went in other directions as well. My post was pointing out how some times it's best that certain luthiers not deal with the customers and leave that to the dealers.
 
#112
JAUQO III-X said:
I know a luthier who changed a huge level of his communicating and business with customers because he could not properly focus on builds because diva's wanted pics every few days, they wanted to call on the phone and spend to much time asking about aspects of the build that was confirmed, send several emails in a day or many in a week and they wanted to do this not once in a while but some times three or more times a week.



And I fully understood that. How could he build your bass when a bunch of other customers would be taking a lot of valuable time away from other builds that are equally important as the guy who's keeping the builder from the build.
Click to expand...

Yeah those divas who want pictures and updates on something they are paying thousands of dollars for. All spoiled and stuff :/
 
#120
Munjibunga:
Well, Lakland didn't KMA, but they did help me bla bla bla

There's LOTS of KYA builders for those who want /need them. That's just fine.
There's also Modulus, which we should remain focused on- They offer few options- Finishes, pups/pre-amps, hardware, nothing extreme. If one decides on a Modulus, they generally are buying into the graphite neck, pheno board, and overall top-quality build. IMO they sound amazing; I loved my FU4 and am seriously considering another.

As far as the "non-coffee table JO5, what input could you offer? I want a maple 'board, or blocks/binding, or....Pink in color maybe? Good for you they LISTENED! So cool!:rolleyes:

You could probably get a Pink Modulus (why???:D) by calling a... DEALER!
...And "inputting" with them all you need, so the crew at Modulus can finish their warranty work and stock production they need to attend to.
I don't know about you, but when I'm involved with aspects of my work, a phone call can be distracting if another source can answer it better.
I happened to revisit Modulus' website today- Excellent, with every detail I could conceive of covered
Do you need to be be a Fanboi of the Builder and get your butt hurt over not being able to chat??


Spend your 3-4K elsewhere, feel free! Many good options, but Modulus kinda has it's own thing, doncha think??
I do!:D


Soma:
They should probably start looking at that input if there are threads asking if they are still even in business. How can one of us trust the builder of a custom bass if you can't even get in touch with them to get it started?

People feel neglected. People are shopping elsewhere. Problem solved.

"They" (Modulus) has NEVER had the policy of looking at input. Personally I think their sales/business has been fine, and I have NO idea whatsoever what is actually happening there, nor does anyone else, so...

I'll re-iterate- I (tried to) approach Modulus on behalf of a Company I used to rep for. We provided logo'd gigbags for many Builders. Nice ones.
IF Modulus had chosen to order, they would have sold them at good profit to dealers, and made very good margins. They did not answer me; therefore I take it they were not interested in expanding their accessory line. No hard feelings.

They are not really a custom builder as you state; more of a production bass with options-Ordered through a Dealer.
As to the non-communication of the direct-to Modulus repair, I'm not going to reread the details save to say that his time frame may be long to him, but not to them. I don't know if anyone else has BEEN hung out to dry by Modulus, so consider that.

"People" are not feeling "neglected" People are not shopping elsewhere, because there are few viable options to a Modulus- Moses, Status, G. Gould. What else?
There's really no problem to be "solved". If you want the fine design of a Quantum or FU, then- Modulus works just fine.
I know of several beauties on the market (new) right now.
Don't think they will be ignored.
 
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