• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Modulus Mob

#862
Fingers_Phil said:
I'd like to join! Mine is a recent acquisition but also a mystery. It has a serial number that starts 87.

I'd love to know more about its history.

P1030200.jpg
Click to expand...


The lack of an Integrated Neck Joint suggests that your is probably a Quantum-5 SP or SPX, circa 1988 or 89.
 
#869
Fingers_Phil said:
Here's some more pics. The PUPs are EMG. Any info on this bass and its history will be much appreciated. I'm a Modulus first timer, so don't assume I know anything!
Click to expand...

Yeah, that definitely looks like a 1988 or '89 Quantum-5 SPX. The neck heel & mounting plate pretty much give it away. By 1990 (I believe) Modulus had gone to the SPi (Integrated Neck Joint) which has the large chunk of additional material recessed into the body below the end of the fingerboard, and no square metal mounting plate.

Your bass is essentially identical to my Quantum-6 SPX (portrayed elsewhere in this thread) which was built for me in late '88, except of course for the bridge and extra tuning machine. And I do mean identical: at the time the only 6-string basses Modulus made had extremely narrow necks (super-tight string spacing that Phil Lesh liked) but Geoff Gould told me he could fit six strings on the SPX 5-string neck to give me a little more space. It's still the tightest string spacing I've ever seen on any bass, but man am I glad I opted for the wider (sic) SPX neck.

Your bass probably sold for ~$1700 new.

Kermit Driscoll (bassist with Bill Frisell's band in the 80's & 90's) played a Quantum-5 SPX.
 
#870
Hoover said:
Yeah, that definitely looks like a 1988 or '89 Quantum-5 SPX. The neck heel & mounting plate pretty much give it away. By 1990 (I believe) Modulus had gone to the SPi (Integrated Neck Joint) which has the large chunk of additional material recessed into the body below the end of the fingerboard, and no square metal mounting plate.

Your bass is essentially identical to my Quantum-6 SPX (portrayed elsewhere in this thread) which was built for me in late '88, except of course for the bridge and extra tuning machine. And I do mean identical: at the time the only 6-string basses Modulus made had extremely narrow necks (super-tight string spacing that Phil Lesh liked) but Geoff Gould told me he could fit six strings on the SPX 5-string neck to give me a little more space. It's still the tightest string spacing I've ever seen on any bass, but man am I glad I opted for the wider (sic) SPX neck.

Your bass probably sold for ~$1700 new.

Kermit Driscoll (bassist with Bill Frisell's band in the 80's & 90's) played a Quantum-5 SPX.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I played Kermit's bass in the early '90's. My band played the same evening with Frisell's band (some jazz festival in europe, I played double bass), before our concert (we played the first part of the evening) Kermit said "do you want to try my 5 string?", so I pluged his bass into my amp and played it for 5-10 minutes, as far as I can remember it was very nice bass, had very low action and it was sooo fast!
 
#873
Question for Modulus owners....I recently had a 'Q5 from 2002 and it had no arm cut where you rest your arm when playing which made me have to bend my wrist in an awkward position. It was a big enough problem that I ended up selling it. It was just a sharp edge where the top met the body. I've noticed on a few Quantums that the arm cut is there, these mainly have been non-truss rod era models. When did Modulus change this?

Do newer Modulus Quantums have an arm cut, or is it at least rounded off to where it's comfortable? I've seen some photos of newer models and the arm cut doesn't seem to be there. I really liked the sound of the Q5 and I'm wondering if trying to find a new/recent model would be the way to go as I really don't want a non-trussrod model.
 
#875
So, I'm about to shell out some $$$ for a new Flea 4 and thought I'd see what was available on the "pre-owned" market first.

If any of you mobsters have a Flea/Funk Unlimited 4 you're not too attached to, let me know.

Only looking for MM or MMJ (already have a J). Also, I'm not interested in black, or sparkle metal flake finishes or any without a truss rod.

And, for like the 100th time, does this club have one of those fancy moderator-type guys who distributes membership #s??? (are you sure?):)
 
#876
J Hud said:
So, I'm about to shell out some $$$ for a new Flea 4 and thought I'd see what was available on the "pre-owned" market first.

If any of you mobsters have a Flea/Funk Unlimited 4 you're not too attached to, let me know.

Only looking for MM or MMJ (already have a J). Also, I'm not interested in black, or sparkle metal flake finishes or any without a truss rod.

And, for like the 100th time, does this club have one of those fancy moderator-type guys who distributes membership #s??? (are you sure?):)
Click to expand...

its rock star bassist...pm him.
 
#879
ModmanQ6 said:
Here's a pic of me and my '85 Q6...

And the Namm show bass that got stolen in '85 and replaced with the one above:
Click to expand...

I love you, man.

Those 6-string neck-thru's with the (3) Bartolini soapbars and on/off microswitches are the basses that first hipped me to Modulus, and that made me call Geoff Gould to order my 6-string back in '88 (although mine's not one of those models). I don't think I've seen a pic of those since I lost the Modulus catalog Geoff sent me. Thanks for bringing back memories!
 
#880
My pleasure. When I received it I called him and asked where the serial # was. He told me there weren't any because they were all unique and it was unnecessary. :D I still have the catalog and the t-shirt he sent me. Do you remember his personal Q4 with the dragon inlay down the length of the neck? Awesome! I'll have to dig the catalog out and pdf it to share one of these days...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back