I love my JJ Flea 5er. I used to play a Quantum 5, which sounded amazing but the 35' scale and thick neck profile didn't suit my playing very well. I grew up on Jazz style necks and p-u configuration, 34' scale, and use light gauge strings. I use a DR Hi-Beams 40-100 set with an added 130 B and it's perfect for me. I'm like Bassjus in that I leave the strings on for a long time and it balances out the treble perfectly. I swapt out the stock bridge on mine for a Badass V. I have been trying a bunch of different jazz pickups, and that's the one thing I'm not completely happy with. Oh, and I want to install some sort of string tree for the B string to get a better break angle at the nut.
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Modulus Flea (4 or 5) love!!!
- Thread starter rockstarbassist
- Start date
Did you have the Hipshot B style bridge? That's what I have on mine and am just curious as to how much of a difference it makes really.
Whatever it was it was pretty lightweight. I guess it was kind of like the Hipshot B, but I don't think it was the Hipshot. It seems punchier and I think it sustains a bit longer with the Badass. I'm glad I made the switch. I'm going to save up for a while and try to get some Hotwire jazz pickups from Germany next. I didn't like the Bartolinis it came with (too warm) and I'm not totally happy with the Lane Poors I swapped them out for.
Well if you happen to get rid of the LP's, you can pretty much name your price and they'll sell around these parts within minutes!
I may do that Badass upgrade here this Spring, cause I'm gonna be keeping this Flea.
Just the compilation from the bro here I bought it from-
more to be updated, for sure!
This thing is just plain and simple and GORGEOUS in real life. When I got the Dingwall, people were like "that's a pretty cool bass". Now when I bring the Flea, it's more like "Wow. That's just, beautiful!"
Lovin' it!
Sweet bass! Congrats. Do you know what the string spacing is on the Flea 5?
God this thread is killing me my poor LP Flea 5er is sitting stringless in my portabag i wanna play it so bad...Well my STV III Pro comes tomorrow so that will probably force my ass out into the cold for some strings. I tune EADGC though so i need to buy a 6 string set...ouch...Modulus PRIDE!!!
Gorgeous - as classy as it can get. There's a walnut top one on Invalid Link Removed. I have serious GAS now!
Thanks man!
What I like about it is that it doesn't yell it's own name, so to speak. You could bring it on a "traditional" gig or studio, and you wouldn't get any funny looks. Just a nice tuxedo setup!
And yeah, that's quite amazing... Check out the myrtle burl...
Just, wow.
A spalt is my dream Q.
Too bad they're so dang hard to find!
Can't you order one from a dealer?
I hope I can find one. They're beautiful and I'd love to try one out. Actually, maybe it's a good thing if I don't see one . . . Do they go for more or less than a Quantum?
Quantums used in good shape are anywhere from $1700-2200. Flea's are usually $1200-2000 depending on model, options, etc.. Not that they're any less of a bass, but the Q is like their 911 Turbo, whereas the Flea is the Cayman.
Either way, it's still a Porsche or a Modulus- which is win/win!
Curious what folks think about the Flea compared to the Sonus.
I just picked up a Zon Sonus 4 (classic narrow "J" soapbars) and it's the bomb.
I have owned pretty much all the Modulus basses at one time or another, and my favorite overall was my Flea 4. It's really interesting to the compare the Flea 4 to the Zon Sonus.
Any thoughts on comparing the two?
The Flea is probably heavier on average. On planet bass, the average weight is ~9 lbs, whereas a Sonus is often under 8. The Sonus has 24 frets, and 22 for flea. I find the Sonus a little more "open" sounding, and the Flea a little more compressed and focused. Obviously, the J pups provide a little more variety and growl (bridge pup), but the Flea has a good one trick hybrid tone. Both necks feels great. The Flea has neck dots, which I like. The body on the Zonus is smaller/light, but both are comfy. Subjective, but I prefer the appearance of the Flea bass. Can't lose on either one, but I think I prefer the Zonus to the Flea by a tad...mostly the weight as my Flea clocked in at 9 1/2, two pounds more than the Zon.
I just picked up a Zon Sonus 4 (classic narrow "J" soapbars) and it's the bomb.
I have owned pretty much all the Modulus basses at one time or another, and my favorite overall was my Flea 4. It's really interesting to the compare the Flea 4 to the Zon Sonus.
Any thoughts on comparing the two?
The Flea is probably heavier on average. On planet bass, the average weight is ~9 lbs, whereas a Sonus is often under 8. The Sonus has 24 frets, and 22 for flea. I find the Sonus a little more "open" sounding, and the Flea a little more compressed and focused. Obviously, the J pups provide a little more variety and growl (bridge pup), but the Flea has a good one trick hybrid tone. Both necks feels great. The Flea has neck dots, which I like. The body on the Zonus is smaller/light, but both are comfy. Subjective, but I prefer the appearance of the Flea bass. Can't lose on either one, but I think I prefer the Zonus to the Flea by a tad...mostly the weight as my Flea clocked in at 9 1/2, two pounds more than the Zon.
I'd put more of a fair comparison between the Sonus and Quantum series.
Those are more of the "flagship" I guess you could say designs of both, where as the Flea is what it is-
a signature model bass built to one man's specs that now we all get to enjoy!!
Those are more of the "flagship" I guess you could say designs of both, where as the Flea is what it is-
a signature model bass built to one man's specs that now we all get to enjoy!!
