Modulus Mob

[i like tictacs]

I found this thread through corona-boredom and figured I would share my Modulus Flea. Its a 1999 truss rod model with the original Lane Poor pickup and Bartolini Pre-amp. I believe the color is called "metallic blue" which I think is a much more tasteful take on the popular flake blue, though I've never seen another with this finish. I bought it 8 or 9 years ago from a guy in California who had it professionally modded so it could be strung through the body, which I usually prefer.

Flea was my first bass hero when I bought this in high school. I still have tremendous respect and admiration for his music, but as I've discovered so many other great bassists I now usually find myself reaching for a Jazz Bass or a P with flats. I've recently come back to this bass and am really blown away by the tone and playability - Its a unicorn.

They really are one of a kind. Still the smoothest, cleanest, and fastest basses I've ever played. I had an '04 Flea stolen from me in 2013 and caved and bought the same damn thing when one came up on the market. The allure is irresistible!

 

[Green Knight]

Hey guys, were some early Quantum basses made with three knobs (1 stacked) instead of four, or does that configuration suggest the bass is not a Quantum?

 

[GeoffGould]

Hey guys, were some early Quantum basses made with three knobs (1 stacked) instead of four, or does that configuration suggest the bass is not a Quantum?

As far as up to 1995 is concerned, the only thing that made it a Quantum was the 35" scale.

 

[Green Knight]

As far as up to 1995 is concerned, the only thing that made it a Quantum was the 35" scale.

Thank you, much obliged.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Hey guys, were some early Quantum basses made with three knobs (1 stacked) instead of four, or does that configuration suggest the bass is not a Quantum?

^^^What Geoff said. I have a 1988 Quantum-6 SPX and it not only came with three knobs, they weren't even stacked!
But it has a 35" scale length. Also that distinctive upper horn, which seems fairly consistent for anything ever called a "Quantum".

 

[genseric]

I’m searching a Flea/Funk unlimited guys!

 

[Afc70]

I recently acquired my 2nd Quantum 5, it’s a 2001 Q-5 loaded with the Emg’ pickups & the Emg pre with the sweepable mids)
(My other Q-5 is a 95 five knobber with the Bart/bart setup)
I do like the Emg/Emg configuration- however I’m contemplating keeping the Emg Dc40’s &
swapping out the Emg pre for an Aguilar Obp-3 or possibly an 18v haz lab (like Spectors) for a beefier, thicker sound. Anybody here have a Q-5 with Emg’s & an Aguilar Obp-3, or haz lab pre ? I’d like to hear your thoughts about each configuration & sound clips would be awesome if you got any... thanks !

 

[Modulus 96]

Emg and bqc pre in mine. Sounds great but what really beefs it up is a TC Electronic spectra. I use it for the compression, eq section is flat (as is the pre in the bass). It does it's job, result is very satisfying in the beef department. Head is a Genzler MG 800. Eq on the head is contour b set to maybe 3 o'clock and I cut some mids out. That's it. The spectra makes a big difference. I have another Q5 with barts and I don't get the same result. FWIW if say keep the emg electronics and add a spectra (or your fave compression I guess)

 

[Afc70]

Emg and bqc pre in mine. Sounds great but what really beefs it up is a TC Electronic spectra. I use it for the compression, eq section is flat (as is the pre in the bass). It does it's job, result is very satisfying in the beef department. Head is a Genzler MG 800. Eq on the head is contour b set to maybe 3 o'clock and I cut some mids out. That's it. The spectra makes a big difference. I have another Q5 with barts and I don't get the same result. FWIW if say keep the emg electronics and add a spectra (or your fave compression I guess)

Thanks - I’m
currently running into a Mesa mPulse, but I like the tone better with the compressor off most of the time... I really do like the Emg setup, but I’m also fond of the powerful Aguilar Obp-3 pre, as I’ve had a few basses with that pre & loved them. But I’ve never had Emg dc40’s paired with the Obp-3. Appreciate the reply !

 

[Modulus 96]

No worries, and congrats on the new bass!

 

[Afc70]

No worries, and congrats on the new bass!

Thanks! Was just playing it through my Mesa Mpulse 600 & it kills... I may keep the Emg pre ! It really sounds great..

 

[Ballin'bass]

Yes, and I did not mean to infer that is was not a jaco style line.
The playing is very clean
But it’s “squared off” and straight
It sounds kind of mathmatical. Maybe it’s the drum machine...
That’s what I meant by saying I didn’t hear much “Jaco”
I swear I wAsnt trying to be controversial. Lol

View attachment 3913515 I recently acquired my 2nd Quantum 5, it’s a 2001 Q-5 loaded with the Emg’ pickups & the Emg pre with the sweepable mids)
(My other Q-5 is a 95 five knobber with the Bart/bart setup)
I do like the Emg/Emg configuration- however I’m contemplating keeping the Emg Dc40’s &
swapping out the Emg pre for an Aguilar Obp-3 or possibly an 18v haz lab (like Spectors) for a beefier, thicker sound. Anybody here have a Q-5 with Emg’s & an Aguilar Obp-3, or haz lab pre ? I’d like to hear your thoughts about each configuration & sound clips would be awesome if you got any... thanks !

That's a beautiful bass! Love the top!

 

[fauxtoe]

View attachment 3913515 I recently acquired my 2nd Quantum 5, it’s a 2001 Q-5 loaded with the Emg’ pickups & the Emg pre with the sweepable mids)
(My other Q-5 is a 95 five knobber with the Bart/bart setup)
I do like the Emg/Emg configuration- however I’m contemplating keeping the Emg Dc40’s &
swapping out the Emg pre for an Aguilar Obp-3 or possibly an 18v haz lab (like Spectors) for a beefier, thicker sound. Anybody here have a Q-5 with Emg’s & an Aguilar Obp-3, or haz lab pre ? I’d like to hear your thoughts about each configuration & sound clips would be awesome if you got any... thanks !

Just sold my Q5 with EMG 40CS pickups and 18v BQC system preamp. It was a massive difference over the all Bart setup it came with. Tons more headroom, and I could make what I would call significant adjustments without it sounding like garbage. The CS pickups are more on the warm side with better controllable mids and highs. With the graphite necks I find it's very important to be able to tame them down when needed, so it worked out well. I fought with the Barts every step of the way for my style of playing.

 

[loveandbass]

so i got a 99 Q5 the other day. Beautiful bass. Sounds incredible through an amp. But i compared it to my TBX UNPLUGGED and the difference is staggering. THough they do have different strings. TBX has LoRiders, not sure about the other one.

 

[Modulus 96]

Whats the difference unplugged between them?

 

[loveandbass]

Whats the difference unplugged between them?

the TBX has a rich and full sound with an acoustic quality to it and the Q5 is kind of barky and brittle. I will try and upload some sort of comparison at some point.

 

[carsonchilders]

I’m searching a Flea/Funk unlimited guys!

Still looking? A purple flake came up locally.

 

[carsonchilders]

Local listing to me: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/215376199784785/

 

[carsonchilders]

Guys today was the big day. PLEK’d by Keith Roscoe and he did some extra neck work. I’m trying to keep my excitement in check but by all indications this thing is perfect now.

 

[Afc70]

Guys today was the big day. PLEK’d by Keith Roscoe and he did some extra neck work. I’m trying to keep my excitement in check but by all indications this thing is perfect now.

Love that Buckeye top, Killer bass, & Keith does awesome work, I’m sure itl play like a dream when he’s through with it, congrats!