Modulus Basses-I've Never Understood...

[Modulus1906]

...why some say these basses sound sterile. With the right pre and pickups, they are killer-sounding. Here's a good example. Whatcha think?

 

[Modulus1906]

By the way, I challenge anybody to tell me they they don't hear some Victor Wooten Fodera-type tones in certain parts of this song, coming from a Modulus bass. Amazing!

 

[FunkyMcNasty]

Sounds great. Nicely done. I had a modulus funk and I regret letting it go.

 

[JZQuantum]

Nice bass, nice bass playing. Why doesn't my Q5 sound like this???

 

[gt96g]

I think when it comes to the "sterility" of the sound of a modulus people use the term sterile as a synonym for super Hi-fi sounding. Whether they are sterile sounding is subjective but I think it is safe to say very Hi-fi is an accurate description of the general modulus tone.

 

[pickles]

I don't think they sound sterile, they sound "hard". Maple is similar but less so. Amps can do a lot to soften the response of a modulus, one of my all time favorites was a q5 with ampeg pre and Eden power. Great basses.

 

[darkstorm]

Ive heard peeps say the same about active emg pups in general. They lack the organicness of passive pups, as the reason. The reason they lack that is cause they have the more hifi sound of active compared to passive. With modulas necks its the "It doesnt have the woodyness of rosewood, or the snap of maple". Or somesuch. I'll agree the modulas necks do lend a trait not normally found with roseood fretbaord and maple neck. But I wouldnt call that sterile sound, rather just a slightly diff sound charector. Modulas basses in general also haveing a more modern sound rather then vintage. To some its sterile if it isnt vintage. Lol. Id say mudulas necks where closer to ebony in sound char.

 

[sleepy_monkey]

As a Modulus Q5 owner with (gasp) EMGs...I love it. I would put the depth and clarity I can get right up there with the best. I have had my Q5 for about 7 years and will always have this bass. I also have an 81 Fender P bass that is on the opposite end of the spectrum....and I love it too....just different.

 

[spector_boogie]

they're:
1. ignorant because they've never owned nor played one
2. following #1, regurgitate in threads they've heard everyone incorrectly describe what Mods sound like and treat that as gospel (i call that the Jimmy effect)

I've had about 10 Mods. the last thing they sound is "sterile". it's almost laughable at this point.

 

[Sgt Baker]

Some day Ill rock a Q5, Gordo style with emg 40dcs like Sleepy Monkey

 

[JimmyM]

Can't say I'm a fan of Modulus basses, but it's ridiculous to think that they don't sound good.

 

[WoodyG3]

I've seen/heard a guy in a local band pull some great Motown sound out of a Modulus. Pretty far from sterile, I'd say.

 

[bearhart74]

...why some say these basses sound sterile. With the right pre and pickups, they are killer-sounding. Here's a good example. Whatcha think?

sweet melodic playing. Dont care what bass hes playing it would sound good

 

[Baird6869]

As a Modulus Q5 owner with (gasp) EMGs...I love it. I would put the depth and clarity I can get right up there with the best.

+1 here.

I hated EMGs in a couple of other basses I briefly owned, but they really sound great in my Quantums.

Also, I agree with many people being ignorant due to not really giving a Modulus a chance. I was the same.... I had a EBMM 10th Anni NAMM Stingray that had a Status graphite neck.... I hated it and swore off all things graphite..... until I picked up a Q5.

In any case, I have owned Roscoes, Sadowskys, Benevente, Dingwall, MTD, etc. I find that a Modulus cuts through better than almost any other brand.... and can be expressive AND non-sterile. They are not P-Basses with flats in any case, but I don't get sterile!

P.S. GREAT PLAYING OP!!!

 

[Nev375]

I always thought "sterile" in the context of basses was just an adjective for "your bass sounds better than mine and I hate it."

 

[jim777]

I always thought "sterile" in the context of basses was just an adjective for "your bass sounds better than mine and I hate it."

Agreed, when I hear people say "sterile" I always sort of wonder if they really mean "clear and articulate".

 

[iriegnome]

As the owner of a 1998 Genesis, a 1978 Bassstar (both with Barts) and a 2000 VJ with EMG's, there is nothing sterile about my basses. They give me a modern tight tone, with tons of feel from mids and highs to a huge thick fat bottom end. My Bassstar is a neck through full graphite neck and the VJ has a Alder wrap and my Genesis has a Red Cedar wrap. The three are as different as you can get, but Sterile is not a word you can prescribe to these basses

 

[Roy Vogt]

IME the neck imparts some hi-frequency sizzle of it's own. Bartolinis seem to work well with this, but I'm not so much of a fan of EMGs. I did have a neck-through with Alembic Spoiler electronics, which were very versatile but warming up the tone of that bass in the studio was a problem. It's here:

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I had a Flea 5 string and thought it was a very solid bass, but never fell in love with the tone. I guess "sterile" offends some people, so I'll just say it sounds less than organic.

 

[woodyng]

I've owned 2, a neck throo basstar with emgs,and a bolt on jazz type bass with barts. I liked the way they sounded,i would describe it more as all the notes on the fretboard being VERY even-sounding,so maybe that's where some of the "character" was missing for me. I was playing through a gk 800rb head at the time,so overall the sound was clean and powerful,and note articulation was great.
(this was in the 80's) nowadays i am back to passive pickups,tube preamps and wood. And i prefer that sound,but i do have problems with the wood neck on one of my basses.