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Modulus Mob

Wow - that looks incredible! A little Alembic DNA in the bridge and tailpiece. What a great instrument from an innovative time in the bass world. Two questions:
1) What are the electronics?
2) When are you posting videos and/or soundclips?

Congrats on acquiring a singular bass like that!
I saw this bass for the first time here on TB in 2018, in a Classifieds ad from 2013. I then found out I'd just missed that same bass on Reverb. It was like someone designed and produced the bass in my head. Every day I looked for it until the search became muscle memory, part of my morning routine of catching up on work e-mails. When it appeared on Reverb again a couple of months ago, I couldn't believe it. It was priced beyond my means, but after it had sat there for a while we agreed on a number that was also how much I eventually got for the TBX fiver I then had to sell. All I know is, the pickups are active EMG with no preamp, and they're LOUD. I also know that Reverb doesn't even come up anymore on my list of favourite websites when I click on Chrome.
 
I saw this bass for the first time here on TB in 2018, in a Classifieds ad from 2013. I then found out I'd just missed that same bass on Reverb. It was like someone designed and produced the bass in my head. Every day I looked for it until the search became muscle memory, part of my morning routine of catching up on work e-mails. When it appeared on Reverb again a couple of months ago, I couldn't believe it. It was priced beyond my means, but after it had sat there for a while we agreed on a number that was also how much I eventually got for the TBX fiver I then had to sell. All I know is, the pickups are active EMG with no preamp, and they're LOUD. I also know that Reverb doesn't even come up anymore on my list of favourite websites when I click on Chrome.
Beautiful Instrument!
My 89 fretless Q5 (I shared pics here when I found it in May) also has the EMGs with their built in pre's. VVT controls. I also put TI Jazz Flats and I am loving this bass! Great tone live and recording.
 
that link didn’t work. But I sat down and played it again and it’s hard to consider parting with! Maybe another day.
It’s in the wanted section, guy looking for a Quantum with EMG’s. He hit up this group and the fb group as well.

I’m in the same boat as you, was debating selling mine but played it and no dice.
 
I don't mind staring at backsides, but let's see what she looks like from the front please ;)

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner!

As you will note, the front of the headstock is actually gloss finished to seal on the decal. The body is actually a shell injected with a composite foam designed to mimic the consistency of alder wood but with entirely uniform dispersion. I often think that this bass is something that a lot of Modulus owners would get on with because it was borne of that same forward thinking attitude about material design that had earlier led to Modulus being a success.

If anyone reading is ever in Northumberland in the UK when this Coronavirus thing is finished, give me a shout if you want to try it out over a beer.

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The previous owner, Stuart Clayton, made this great video with it:

 
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner!

As you will note, the front of the headstock is actually gloss finished to seal on the decal. The body is actually a shell injected with a composite foam designed to mimic the consistency of alder wood but with entirely uniform dispersion. I often think that this bass is something that a lot of Modulus owners would get on with because it was borne of that same forward thinking attitude about material design that had earlier led to Modulus being a success.

If anyone reading is ever in Northumberland in the UK when this Coronavirus thing is finished, give me a shout if you want to try it out over a beer.

View attachment 4054120

View attachment 4054121

The previous owner, Stuart Clayton, made this great video with it:


I’m curious, are the tuners on the headstock just for show? Seems strange to have not made it headless (what with the tuners on the body).
 
The tuners are at the bridge. The keys on the headstock are actually locking screws. You thread the string through the headstock and pull it taut, then wind the screw in. That clamps the string in place there and you turn the knob at the bridge to tune it up from there.

I love that semi-headless design. I've got a Manne fretless which is similar, tunes from the bridge with the headstock being used to lock the strings in place. It certainly saves weight and gives a good balance! I really like basses that function in a conventional manner but use clever engineering to bring the game forward. That's what attracts me to Modulus and G. Gould basses too.

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The tuners are at the bridge. The keys on the headstock are actually locking screws. You thread the string through the headstock and pull it taut, then wind the screw in. That clamps the string in place there and you turn the knob at the bridge to tune it up from there.

I love that semi-headless design. I've got a Manne fretless which is similar, tunes from the bridge with the headstock being used to lock the strings in place. It certainly saves weight and gives a good balance! I really like basses that function in a conventional manner but use clever engineering to bring the game forward. That's what attracts me to Modulus and G. Gould basses too.

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View attachment 4054426
Okay, cool - that makes sense. Thanks for the explanation! :)
 
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Hey everybody,
Just purchased 92' TBX6(looks like Turbo pickup spacing) yesterday for a really great price. It is the first time I ever got to play a TBX6. Now I understand what owners have been saying. I have owned many nice Q5's and Q6's...a couple that I should have never sold, but this is the best sounding Modulus I have ever played, the sustain and piano like clarity are beautiful.
I do have a question though regarding the kahler fixed bridge. I would like an easier bridge for adjustments etc... Have any of you changed to another style bridge without problems of string height and intonation?
Here are some pics.
IMG-1439.jpg
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IMG_1443.jpg
 
That's from back in the day where there weren’t very many 6 string bridges to choose from (Peavey used it to on the TL6 iirc). Pretty sure that’s original.

I would think you’d have to drill more holes as the base plate is on a slant, I don’t know about height or intonation though, but I’d guess it’d work with an adjustable bridge.
 
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