Modulus Mob

[codyvir]

Help me, Modulus Mob, you're my only hope!

A friend of mine has had an old (1995) Q5 that I've been lusting after for a while now, and I told him that if he ever decided to get rid of it, that I'd gladly take if off his hands. Well, this past weekend he let me know that my chance had arrived. I, of course, jumped on it. The bass plays beautifully, even if she isn't in the best cosmetic condition. I'm OK with that, though, because (A) I'm not afraid to scratch it, (B) I feel like I can do whatever I want with the bass cosmetically without worrying or feeling guilty, and (C) the price was definitely right. I'm now the (at least) third owner of this bass, and I have some questions about it, as it doesn't seem to conform to any other configuration that I've seen, and the friend that I bought it from didn't know the answers either, as it's how he bought the bass. Photos are attached.

First of all, I'm missing a knob - anyone know where to get a stock replacement?

Secondly, the electronics package is unlike any other Modulus I've ever seen or can find on the internet. The pickups are a pair of Seymour Duncan Basslines, and the internal preamp is also some kind of Seymour Duncan preamp that I can't quite identify (looks like it might be one of their STC-3A units, but I'm not certain). Was this ever offered as a factory configuration? There is a bit of chipping of the finish at the corners of the pickup routs, so perhaps an aftermarket mod? Anyone ever seen a similar setup on one of these?

Lastly, and here's a long shot, the headstock is signed "God bless, Otis" - anybody know who Otis might be?

Thanks!

PS - Can I, like, join your club, and stuff?

 

[iriegnome]

Great bass. To my knowledge, SD's were never available on Mod's. Also those pickup routes are terrible. You can see how rough they are. Definitely not original. Looks like a great bass otherwise. If you could search out the p'ups, you may be able to find the pre.. Call SD, they might be able to tell you

 

[enjoi1018]

Definitely not the original pups... and, wow, they're close to the strings!

Surely the signature on the headstock can't be "Otiel"....

 

[BruceWane]

Yes, it appears that signature is from Oteil Burbridge -
Invalid Link Removed

 

[sleepy_monkey]

Otis, Otiel....whatever. ;-)

Cool!!!! I wonder what Otiel's relationship with the bass was.

 

[Bipslapper]

Cool bass and sweet Oteil connection. Try Allparts for the knobs, they hooked me up with my Q5. If they can't hook you up for some reason message me and I'll get you one (black).

 

[ialma]

maybe it's Oteil Burbridge (long time Modulus user) signature.

 

[MattLplaysBass]

Happy Saturday mobsters,

I've got an ad in the "Wanted" section, figure I'd try here too. Looking for an OHSC for my Q5, prefer the newer fiberglass style, from a non-smoking home please.

Matt

 

[iriegnome]

Good luck with finding a case. I got lucky and found one. Still need another and I need one for my 6'er now too

 

[sleepy_monkey]

When I think of Modulus case I think 'iriegnome'

 

[taylor16]

Does Mike Gordon play a 26-fret Modulus bass? Just saw a FB pic and from my count, it seems to be! I'd be down for a 2+ octave fretboard...

 

[SlugThrower]

How do the new G.Gould basses stack up against the older Modulus basses?

 

[sleepy_monkey]

Does Mike Gordon play a 26-fret Modulus bass? Just saw a FB pic and from my count, it seems to be! I'd be down for a 2+ octave fretboard...View attachment 497832

Hmmmm....I counted the same

 

[iriegnome]

I would also love a comment about how the G. Gould's compare to the Mod's... Oh, and thanks sleepy.. I appreciate it

 

[MattLplaysBass]

Hmmmm....I counted the same

Aren't the 34" scale ones 26 fret? I could have sworn they were, but a quick google search doesn't correspond to my memory... Damn google!

 

[enjoi1018]

All of them are 24 frets unless specially ordered, and I'm pretty sure Mike has the only 34" 26-fret ones out there. Unless someone proves me wrong!

The hardest part of that bass/neck must've been around the neck pocket. The Mod dudes had to lengthen the fretboard, while making room for his pups to set more towards the neck. Super custom work.

 

[sleepy_monkey]

My head just exploded 4 times. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!

 

[bubba-b]

Aren't the 34" scale ones 26 fret? I could have sworn they were, but a quick google search doesn't correspond to my memory... Damn google!

yes, the 26 fret necks are 34" scale. it's basically the same dimension of a 24 fret/35" scale. since the 34" scale length is shorter, you have more real estate to add the last two frets. on geoff's facebook page, he mulled over a question from a cat interested in a 34" scale. geoff mentioned he should be able to do that using the 26 fret/34" scale setup on his normal neck and slightly moving the bridge accordingly.

 

[bubba-b]

How do the new G.Gould basses stack up against the older Modulus basses?

if you're looking for a slightly wider neck (q5's are 17mm/2.75" at the 24th fret while ggi5's are 18mm/3" at the 24th fret) then geoff's basses are for you. tone is a subjective issue (bridge, pickups, eq, body wood, etc.) so it all depends. my q5 (coco top/alder body) from '92 sounds more mid-focused than my '01 ggj5 (coco top/alder body) and they both are almost set up identically (abm bridge on q5 and hipshot b-bridge on ggj5).

i'm hoping geoff reclaims the q5 body style and adds his neck (ggq5?) to keep the modulus vibe alive. he started it after all.

 

[JFMusic]

All of them are 24 frets unless specially ordered, and I'm pretty sure Mike has the only 34" 26-fret ones out there. Unless someone proves me wrong!

The hardest part of that bass/neck must've been around the neck pocket. The Mod dudes had to lengthen the fretboard, while making room for his pups to set more towards the neck. Super custom work.

The only ones I know of are Mike's and the one sitting next to me.