Modulus Mob

[Modulus 96]

I may review the intonation on my basses, maybe it's time to start doing it once every quarter century.

 

[drewphishesp]

It is always worth the time...always. I learned how to set up my basses about 15 years ago. Now, every time I change the strings, I always adjust intonation, check string height, adjust pickup height and truss sometimes depending on how I feel that month. All minor changes that make a big difference in tone and playability. The Quantum holds everything together so well though...not much is ever needed besides intonation adjustments. You should at least being doing this after you change your strings to sound your best.

It's very easy to teach yourself how to maintain your bass. Tons of instructional videos out there. I can set up my basses in a matter of minutes if I need to. So adjustments are no big deal at all, and make me feel that I am sounding and playing the best I can.

Get yourself some set up tools and go for it. Be diligent, careful, and work slow. You will have it down in no time if you really want to learn it. No sense in paying someone $80 for a set up when you can learn it yourself.

The question wasn't about whether or not I can do setups (I can and regularly do) but if the mod needs it as much as my p or jazz used too

 

[BruceWane]

The question wasn't about whether or not I can do setups (I can and regularly do) but if the mod needs it as much as my p or jazz used too

I check intonation whenever I change strings, even if I'm using the same kind. If I'm switching to a different string, I'll do relief and action as well. Outside of that, never.

 

[drewphishesp]

I'm sure I am not the only one but I use flats on my q5 so don't change the strings to often

 

[yodasfro]

Nice looking Q5 semi local to me [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[MattLplaysBass]

That was on reverb for awhile- they never responded to me when I sent them a question. It’s at a music store...

Modulus Quantum Five-String 2007 Transparent Blue

 

[Sgt007]

The question wasn't about whether or not I can do setups (I can and regularly do) but if the mod needs it as much as my p or jazz used too

So sorry about that. I apologize. I've got a Fender avri pbass and needs much more adjustment than the Modulus ever did. Every time the seasons change, I have to go at it. Not with the Modulus at all.

 

[Sgt007]

I'm sure I am not the only one but I use flats on my q5 so don't change the strings to often

Oh man! I've been wanting to put flats on just to see how my Quantum responds. What brand of flats do you use and how do you like them?

 

[Bassman8416]

Hey folks. I have an amazing Q6 I am looking to trade for a Q5. Q6 just too much on my hands.
Thank you for looking.
For Sale/Trade - Modulus Q6(2000)recent fingerboard level and refret

 

[carsonchilders]

Hey friends! Sorry if this has been asked before. I did a search to the best of my understanding.

I’m am swapping my Q5 Bart’s for soapbar EMG j style pickups. I can’t seem to dial in on an emg soapbar jazz that is noiseless? I’m looking for a more meaty, bright tone. Which models would you suggest?

Currently there is one battery in the bass and an Aguilar obp3 preamp. Will there need to be an additional battery? Routing shouldn’t be necessary?

 

[BruceWane]

Hey friends! Sorry if this has been asked before. I did a search to the best of my understanding.

I’m am swapping my Q5 Bart’s for soapbar EMG j style pickups. I can’t seem to dial in on an emg soapbar jazz that is noiseless? I’m looking for a more meaty, bright tone. Which models would you suggest?

Currently there is one battery in the bass and an Aguilar obp3 preamp. Will there need to be an additional battery? Routing shouldn’t be necessary?

All EMG active pickups are noiseless - even the J models (soapbar or traditional J shape) are stacked dual coils, not single coils.

You won't need an additional battery, you can run the EMGs off the battery you've got. A lot of people -myself included - prefer to run EMGs at 18 volts, though. At 9 volts they can run out of headroom if you play hard, especially on the low B string, which causes a less clear tone. Not exactly distorted, but less defined. 18 volts gives them all the headroom you'd ever need.

What size are your Barts? Are you sure EMGs will fit?

 

[GeoffGould]

I'm a big fan of 18V, but if it's not an EMG EQ system, make sure it can take it. In the old days, there were some Bart systems that couldn't handle 18V. That may not be the case anymore.

 

[carsonchilders]

All EMG active pickups are noiseless - even the J models (soapbar or traditional J shape) are stacked dual coils, not single coils.

You won't need an additional battery, you can run the EMGs off the battery you've got. A lot of people -myself included - prefer to run EMGs at 18 volts, though. At 9 volts they can run out of headroom if you play hard, especially on the low B string, which causes a less clear tone. Not exactly distorted, but less defined. 18 volts gives them all the headroom you'd ever need.

What size are your Barts? Are you sure EMGs will fit?

Wow I didn’t expect them not to fit. I was under the impression it was standardized! I am not sure what size the Bart’s are. Do I just measure? Photo attached! I was considering the 40J

All EMG active pickups are noiseless - even the J models (soapbar or traditional J shape) are stacked dual coils, not single coils.

You won't need an additional battery, you can run the EMGs off the battery you've got. A lot of people -myself included - prefer to run EMGs at 18 volts, though. At 9 volts they can run out of headroom if you play hard, especially on the low B string, which causes a less clear tone. Not exactly distorted, but less defined. 18 volts gives them all the headroom you'd ever need.

What size are your Barts? Are you sure EMGs will fit?

I'm a big fan of 18V, but if it's not an EMG EQ system, make sure it can take it. In the old days, there were some Bart systems that couldn't handle 18V. That may not be the case anymore.

Thank you! It’s an Aguilar OBP-3. I’ll look in to that.

 

[MattLplaysBass]

I was under the impression it was standardized!

Is this your first time replacing electronics/hardware on a bass? I am joking, but only sort of... as someone who can never leave well enough alone, I have been burned by that a few times- sometimes even when they’re supposedly the same size

But yeah, measure the barts- EMG 40’S are 4” long by 1.5” wide. I’d bet they’re the same size (those barts in your bass have the same screw pattern, vs 2 on top and 1 on the bottom), but better safe than sorry.

Good luck, and nice bass!

And an Aguilar OBP-3 will handle 18v, fyi.

 

[BruceWane]

Wow I didn’t expect them not to fit. I was under the impression it was standardized! I am not sure what size the Bart’s are. Do I just measure? Photo attached! I was considering the 40J

Yeah, just measure them. EMG 40 soapbars are 1.5"x4". Bartolini does make pickups in this size, but they make a lot of other sizes, too. A lot of Modulus Q5s have Barts that are "P2" size, which are 1.25"x4.25".

Before you decide on which EMG you want to try, you might want to look at the bottom of your Barts to see what model you've got. They're usually engraved with the model number, done by hand so sometimes a little messy and hard to read. They make a bunch of variations in every size. Once you know exactly what you've got, it's easier to know how to get to where you want to be.

Thank you! It’s an Aguilar OBP-3. I’ll look in to that.

The OBP-3 will run at 18v, no problem.

 

[carsonchilders]

Is this your first time replacing electronics/hardware on a bass? I am joking, but only sort of... as someone who can never leave well enough alone, I have been burned by that a few times- sometimes even when they’re supposedly the same size

But yeah, measure the barts- EMG 40’S are 4” long by 1.5” wide. I’d bet they’re the same size (those barts in your bass have the same screw pattern, vs 2 on top and 1 on the bottom), but better safe than sorry.

Good luck, and nice bass!

And an Aguilar OBP-3 will handle 18v, fyi.

It is the first time! I will hire a professional.

 

[shaggy45]

My modulus is quickly becoming my number one. Love it. So punchy. If I play aggressively with a pick I swear it sounds like I’m slapping it.

I had a stingray for many years and couldn’t deal with the weight. I’m also usually a fan of fat necks, but this one is perfect and doesn’t cramp my hand at all.

 

[shaggy45]

Will a neck from a modulus vintage jazz fit a fender body? I think it would be cool to make a lined fretless p bass

 

[bubba-b]

Wow I didn’t expect them not to fit. I was under the impression it was standardized! I am not sure what size the Bart’s are. Do I just measure? Photo attached! I was considering the 40J






Thank you! It’s an Aguilar OBP-3. I’ll look in to that.

yeah, you might want to be absolutely sure about it being an easy 'drop-in' replacement. m4-sized pickups (4" x 1.5") from various manufacturers can vary ever so slightly. iirc, emg's can be a bit wider at the bottom than at the top. so if you have a bass with original routings for bart m4-sized pickups, the emg's might not fit. you might have to widen the pickup routings a mm or two all around to accommodate the emg's. i've picked up used basses where the emg's were sanded down a bit so that they'd fit into the pickup routings.

most of my basses have aggie obp-3 pre's and i run them 18v, no prob.

 

[Thir13teen]

I just bought a VJ (used). It should arrive in the mail next week. I asked Tony at Modulus about the configuration. He said if the input jack is on the side of the bass - then it should be active (the bass has EMG's installed) and he explained the control layout. He said if the input jack is on the control plate cover - then it should be passive.

I've owned two Zon's and would have loved to have gotten another - but they are hard to come by (used and priced within reason).

Now I just need an amp - I've got a Bag End 15" on standby to play this new VJ through. I'm hoping this bass is as good as I think it will be.