18. Love this set up. I hear people wanting to change into something more flavor of the month....Norstrands Aguilars etc but I like the Bartolini 18 volt NTMB with Bart Quads. The preamp can be adjusted via a trimpot and they are dead quiet.
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Modulus Mob
- Thread starter rockstarbassist
- Start date
Barts are barts, and there’s a reason tons of manufacturers use them. I prefer EMGs in Quantums, but have 3 basses with full Bart electronics (Modulus Genesis, Lakland 55-94 and Roscoe SKB) and 2 Lulls with NTMB pre’s in them, so it’s not like I don’t like ‘em 
They have a variety of different voiced pickups, and their pre’s are pretty transparent, so even though there is a “bartolini sound” there’s a lot of variation too.
They have a variety of different voiced pickups, and their pre’s are pretty transparent, so even though there is a “bartolini sound” there’s a lot of variation too.
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So, I own an 04 Q 6 with the Bartolini Soaps and NTMB 18F. I personally love this configuration. I like the EMG's and Nordstarnds too but the Bart system seems to work well with this model. It has volume blend mid (250 Hz) and stacked treble over bass i think (6 k over 30 hz) The system is dead quiet and I've played in many different setting with strobes to strange lighting. I can't say that about other brands. Also the NTMB has a gain adjuster. I didn't think much of this at first until i started gigging with multiple basses. I was able to turn the wheel to match the other basses. Also when recording with an 18 volt pre amp you can adjust it for real heavy playing so you don't overdrive any input or clip anything in the studio. I think mine came with Originals but now they come with Classics which is confusing. The Classics are actually extended highs where the originals are more burnished at the high end. They chose Classic because this is a tip of the cap to the original 70's Bartolini pickup design known as Hi- A. Also, I know this really doesn't matter to most but I like the way they feel with my thumb rested on t he rubber rounded pickup covers compared to plastic ones with sharper corners.
I actually think that’s an overlooked factor- if a bass isn’t comfortable, you’re not going to play it.
I started using the floating thumb a few years ago, so that doesn’t really factor to me, but I hear ya’. I prefer a chrome pickup cover on jazz basses over resting my thumb on the neck pickup for comfort.
I started using the floating thumb a few years ago, so that doesn’t really factor to me, but I hear ya’. I prefer a chrome pickup cover on jazz basses over resting my thumb on the neck pickup for comfort.
Hey man nice Q6. I have an 04 with Barts and changed out hardware after many years of playing it. One thing to keep in mind. I got the Brass Tye A Hipshot it fit perfectly. However BRASS is f ing heavy and will add weight. I just wanted the best and read that brass is better lol. The one it came with was aluminum. I also got the Reso Lites (wow) very nice and worth it but any weight savings was offset by the damn BRASS bridge lol. Replacing all the hardware is the best thing to making it look brand new in my opinion. Go Black it looks bad ass on a Quantum. Mine is Bubinga on Alder.
I was getting ready to order the ABM bridge, but if the Hipshot works I'll definitely look into that. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks to all mob folks! My questions are answered and a fellow mob man and I are going to swap our EMGs and Barts. Here’s a couple of pics of my Q5, which I got from another mobster, bubinga top and chechen fingerboard.
Would the neck thickness between a 2000 mod q5 and a 2009 be the same? I assume so but the 2009 feels a little skinnier to me
Any experience?
Any experience?
@DeathDancer was doing numbers, but he has not been around for quite a long while. About 2017 actually. Way back on page 404.
You bet! ABM is good too but you get US based customer service with Hipshot as well. They are generally great to work with. Their Bridges are second to none.
Modulus Quantum 5 Electric Bass Guitar 1995 Q5 Graphite Neck w/HSC | eBay
whaddaya guys think?
decent start price. looks like it's seen some action. being obsessive-compulsive, that added fifth knob under the neck pickup (not having the same spacing between the other knobs/pots) is slightly unsettling to my eyes.
any guesses on what preamp is being used? i haven't seen too many pre's with a stacked volume/master tone option lately.
whaddaya guys think?
decent start price. looks like it's seen some action. being obsessive-compulsive, that added fifth knob under the neck pickup (not having the same spacing between the other knobs/pots) is slightly unsettling to my eyes.
any guesses on what preamp is being used? i haven't seen too many pre's with a stacked volume/master tone option lately.
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heheh... yup, that's right in my 'play zone' also; where you downstroke on that big important note. just the added fact that it's a tall, stacked knob sitting there waiting to be hit is a 'no-no' to me also.
So, when it comes to the ABM bridge, I chose aluminum. I was told that there was no real tonal difference but much less weight. It is the one possible “what if” that is in my mind about my Q5. I have often thought that I should get a Brass bridge. Are they really that different? What are the pros and cons or just general impressions of these respective bridges? Thanks to everyone who gives their input.
