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Modulus Mob

#3,541
Roscoe East said:
^^^This

Not that they suck, just that the workmanship is not on par with similarly-priced basses from other manufacturers.
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I find that not to be the case with my 2 Quantums; although one is the 25th Anniv. Model so that bad boy got a great deal of attention in the factory.


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And my first, most favorite Moddy, 2004 Q5 Sienna:

12223936786_fda184c1c2_z.jpg


The Sienna bass has a fantastic build quality on the body, I am impressed with it and have been gigging out with it since 2004. Just my 2 cents...
 
#3,543
Bipslapper said:
The Sienna bass has a fantastic build quality on the body, I am impressed with it ...
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sleepy_monkey said:
Agreed. My Modulus body feels and looks great.
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I wonder if it has something to do with when they were built? It's entirely conveivable that Modulus QC improved over time, and admittedly the Modulus bodies that I've been underwhelmed with were all made >20 years ago.

But fwiw, my '88 has some flaws in the joinery that would be completely unacceptable in a piece of Ikea furniture, much less a multi-thousand dollar boutique bass. Seams that don't line up, uneven thickness between the two halves of the top laminate, non-parallel edges to the neck pocket (...plus lately I've noticed some glue joints starting to de-laminate, though that's probably more due to the fact that it's been gigged hard for 25 years). And I've played an '89 and a '93 that were similarly unremarkable.

I always just figured Modulus' expertise lay in CF, and they didn't obsess over woodwork the way some other luthiers do. Which would be a shame if it was (or ever was) true.
 
#3,544
Hey Mob -

I've had a tough time getting the tone I want from my 2001 FB5. Stainless strings, 130-45 or thereabouts, single pickup and 3-band 18v Bart preamp. Through a GK 700RB / Neo 112 or 212, and sometimes with a VT Bass (although it blows the doors off that, more later).

With my amp eq flat-ish, the tone is basically not usable unless the treble pot on the bass is almost completely shut off. Overall very brittle, and boink-y, if that's an adjective. I like some zing, this is boink. Action is low but not too low.

I read one comment from a TB guy who loves flats with this bass. ?

Or, is it worth dropping $200 on the OBP-3? Maybe the model with the Mid p/p? Rave reviews, but will it be significant improvement over the Bart?

Separate issue - it doesn't play well with my VT Bass pedal. Breaks up completely. Too hot? I use the pedal inline, not through the fx return, so maybe 3 preamps is too many? The pedal works fine with my passive basses.

Appreciate any insights! -PM
 
#3,545
Roscoe East:
Hmmm...not sure. Mine is a '96. The only issue I have had was replacing the ferrules around the neck screws....mine were rusting so I got some sent from Modulus. I pulled the older ferrules out and it chipped the finish around the holes. Like the ferrules were too big to come out of the holes....not sure how that happens. I almost cried.
 
#3,546
18v? Maybe try using only 1 battery to avoid the too hot into the VT.
As for the boink sound...not sure.
PMagers said:
Hey Mob -



I've had a tough time getting the tone I want from my 2001 FB5. Stainless strings, 130-45 or thereabouts, single pickup and 3-band 18v Bart preamp. Through a GK 700RB / Neo 112 or 212, and sometimes with a VT Bass (although it blows the doors off that, more later).



With my amp eq flat-ish, the tone is basically not usable unless the treble pot on the bass is almost completely shut off. Overall very brittle, and boink-y, if that's an adjective. I like some zing, this is boink. Action is low but not too low.



I read one comment from a TB guy who loves flats with this bass. ?



Or, is it worth dropping $200 on the OBP-3? Maybe the model with the Mid p/p? Rave reviews, but will it be significant improvement over the Bart?



Separate issue - it doesn't play well with my VT Bass pedal. Breaks up completely. Too hot? I use the pedal inline, not through the fx return, so maybe 3 preamps is too many? The pedal works fine with my passive basses.



Appreciate any insights! -PM
Click to expand...
 
#3,547
PMagers said:
Hey Mob -

I've had a tough time getting the tone I want from my 2001 FB5. Stainless strings, 130-45 or thereabouts, single pickup and 3-band 18v Bart preamp. Through a GK 700RB / Neo 112 or 212, and sometimes with a VT Bass (although it blows the doors off that, more later).

With my amp eq flat-ish, the tone is basically not usable unless the treble pot on the bass is almost completely shut off. Overall very brittle, and boink-y, if that's an adjective. I like some zing, this is boink. Action is low but not too low.

I read one comment from a TB guy who loves flats with this bass. ?

Or, is it worth dropping $200 on the OBP-3? Maybe the model with the Mid p/p? Rave reviews, but will it be significant improvement over the Bart?

Separate issue - it doesn't play well with my VT Bass pedal. Breaks up completely. Too hot? I use the pedal inline, not through the fx return, so maybe 3 preamps is too many? The pedal works fine with my passive basses.

Appreciate any insights! -PM
Click to expand...



It sounds like classic stainless steel strings to me. I'd try other strings first, like the DR Sunbeams (disclosure: I am an endorser, although I don't get free strings). The nickel will give less boink and also the fact that they are more flexible strings.

I'd also experiment with a lighter gauge, at least on the low end. I use 120-40s and find that although they require a lighter touch than heavy strings, they have a great balance with Modulus basses. Heavy thick strings sound clanky to me.
 
#3,548
Roscoe East said:
I wonder if it has something to do with when they were built? It's entirely conveivable that Modulus QC improved over time, and admittedly the Modulus bodies that I've been underwhelmed with were all made >20 years ago.

But fwiw, my '88 has some flaws in the joinery that would be completely unacceptable in a piece of Ikea furniture, much less a multi-thousand dollar boutique bass. Seams that don't line up, uneven thickness between the two halves of the top laminate, non-parallel edges to the neck pocket (...plus lately I've noticed some glue joints starting to de-laminate, though that's probably more due to the fact that it's been gigged hard for 25 years). And I've played an '89 and a '93 that were similarly unremarkable.
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Not to mention the bondo issues. My Q6 body clearly has some filler between the back and the top. That along with the crazy thick finish works pretty well to kill the tone.
 
#3,550
I agree on the nickel strings for a Modulus. I tried stainless and nickels, and prefer the nickels for feel and sound. Less trebly too, which is better suited for a carbon fiber / Sugar Maple/ Alder bass.
Regarding the body quality; I own 2 and have not played many more so I am not a great person to gauge, but the quality of my Q5's are as good as any of my 3 Roscoes.
 
#3,554
Yea bummer I wish I had seen that auction too....found one of the auction webpages that were selling all their equipment and tools ([This invalid link has been removed]) I wonder if there was separate ones for graphite necks and such

enjoi1018 said:
Some parts from the factory auction have showed up on eBay........ just wood templates and necks.

Really wish I had been at that auction.
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