Tonights practice. Really, I am just amazed with this bass
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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
- Thread starter rockstarbassist
- Start date
Color me jelly! Always wanted to play a fretless Quantum.
My offer stands to all. Anytime your in my neck of the woods, hit me up!
First time on this site in a lil while at this point. Nice to see all y'all guys still hanging around! 
I've been poking around, looking for a new bass that I definitely need. Found a nice looking 30th Anniversary Stingray 4 listed locally that slipped away, and now I'm taking a peek at some Funk Unlimiteds again. Can't find any 4 string FU's that catch my eye right now, but there are two online that have nice figured tops that are 5 string versions.
My only real experience with a 5 string is a ~$300 34" Ibanez that, while sounding amazing on the four standard strings, feels like absolute garbage on the B. I've heard that B strings typically feel better on 35"+ basses. My first bass was a 35", and I've got a standard Quantum 4, so 35"s are fine with me, but I know that FU's are 34".
Does anyone have experience with an FU5? If so, how does the B string feel? Maybe restring to a high C if I get one???
TL;DR: How does the FU5's B string feel???
Thanks for your time!
I've been poking around, looking for a new bass that I definitely need. Found a nice looking 30th Anniversary Stingray 4 listed locally that slipped away, and now I'm taking a peek at some Funk Unlimiteds again. Can't find any 4 string FU's that catch my eye right now, but there are two online that have nice figured tops that are 5 string versions.
My only real experience with a 5 string is a ~$300 34" Ibanez that, while sounding amazing on the four standard strings, feels like absolute garbage on the B. I've heard that B strings typically feel better on 35"+ basses. My first bass was a 35", and I've got a standard Quantum 4, so 35"s are fine with me, but I know that FU's are 34".
Does anyone have experience with an FU5? If so, how does the B string feel? Maybe restring to a high C if I get one???
TL;DR: How does the FU5's B string feel???
Thanks for your time!
I have played a FU5 for many years (it's actually now listed for sale in the Europe & International classifieds FYIFirst time on this site in a lil while at this point. Nice to see all y'all guys still hanging around!
I've been poking around, looking for a new bass that I definitely need. Found a nice looking 30th Anniversary Stingray 4 listed locally that slipped away, and now I'm taking a peek at some Funk Unlimiteds again. Can't find any 4 string FU's that catch my eye right now, but there are two online that have nice figured tops that are 5 string versions.
My only real experience with a 5 string is a ~$300 34" Ibanez that, while sounding amazing on the four standard strings, feels like absolute garbage on the B. I've heard that B strings typically feel better on 35"+ basses. My first bass was a 35", and I've got a standard Quantum 4, so 35"s are fine with me, but I know that FU's are 34".
Does anyone have experience with an FU5? If so, how does the B string feel? Maybe restring to a high C if I get one???
TL;DR: How does the FU5's B string feel???
Thanks for your time!
). Its B string is excellent, great definition in the low register. For reference, I also played for a long time a Genesis 5 that has a 35" scale: the B on the FU never sounded or felt worse in any way to me (though with quite different strings, see below). If you search on TB you will find many threads where people discuss pros and cons of 34" vs 35" scale (and other scales, including multiscale designs), especially in terms of low notes definition. In such comparisons, any differences in feel can be compensated by a careful choice of strings IME. Basically, if you're used to the stiffness of strings with a 35" scale, you should aim for slightly larger gauges when switching to 34". The rationale being: all else being equal (same string material, construction, etc.) a shorter string requires less tension to achieve the same pitch.
I think the general consensus is that the design and build of the bass largely contribute to the quality and feel of the B string. Additionally, only when tuning down do you start to run into very significant issues on 34" 5'ers.
That said. I don't own any 34" 5'ers so take that for what you will
That said. I don't own any 34" 5'ers so take that for what you will
I have a Modulus 34" 5 string. The B string is just as amazing as my 35" scale Modulus 5'ers. I have never played an FU or a Flea, so not exactly sure what the difference in feel is. Also, mine are pre-truss. Take that for what you will. I can say though, my 34" scale Modulus is one of the best playing instruments I own.
As others have said, lots of variables in b string performance. There are now 32” 5 string basses with reported excellent b strings, so don’t get caught up in scale length entirely.First time on this site in a lil while at this point. Nice to see all y'all guys still hanging around!
I've been poking around, looking for a new bass that I definitely need. Found a nice looking 30th Anniversary Stingray 4 listed locally that slipped away, and now I'm taking a peek at some Funk Unlimiteds again. Can't find any 4 string FU's that catch my eye right now, but there are two online that have nice figured tops that are 5 string versions.
My only real experience with a 5 string is a ~$300 34" Ibanez that, while sounding amazing on the four standard strings, feels like absolute garbage on the B. I've heard that B strings typically feel better on 35"+ basses. My first bass was a 35", and I've got a standard Quantum 4, so 35"s are fine with me, but I know that FU's are 34".
Does anyone have experience with an FU5? If so, how does the B string feel? Maybe restring to a high C if I get one???
TL;DR: How does the FU5's B string feel???
Thanks for your time!
Also I've seen people say the string itself has a big impact on how it sounds. I have a FU5 that has a great B string. It's not as good as my Q5's B, but it's close. I also haven't tried many different strings. It might be worth buying a bunch of single B's from different manufacturers to find out what you like.
Yeah, I've tried upping the gauge on my 5er for a tighter feel, but it didn't really change anything. Apparently I'm using the highest guage 5 string pack my local shop stocks. So it may just be my bass.I have played a FU5 for many years (it's actually now listed for sale in the Europe & International classifieds FYI
I have played a FU5 for many years (it's actually now listed for sale in the Europe & International classifieds FYI
That's a mighty nice bass you got listed. It's a little far from Washington State, unfortunately. May have to keep an eye on it, though. Just in case I cave, ya know?
The plus side is even being shipped half way around the world, it’ll probably still be in tune
In case anyone in the Midwest missed this (I know there's a few WI people in here)
US: Midwest - 2022 Chicago GTG Super Mega Official Thread (with poll!)
(Sorry for the post blast, apparently signatures don't show up in mobile.)
US: Midwest - 2022 Chicago GTG Super Mega Official Thread (with poll!)
(Sorry for the post blast, apparently signatures don't show up in mobile.)
Last edited:
Turning the phone sideways should allow for signatures to show up in mobile. Thanks for the post too, should be a fun time!
Anyone here own a sparkly Flea (or Funk Unlimited) bass?
I watched the Peppers' "Off the Map" dvd this weekend. Great show, and Flea plays a dark blue sparkle model. Looks and sounds fantastic! They seem to be hard to come by these days. I saw one in the Classifieds that was sold about ten years ago...
I watched the Peppers' "Off the Map" dvd this weekend. Great show, and Flea plays a dark blue sparkle model. Looks and sounds fantastic! They seem to be hard to come by these days. I saw one in the Classifieds that was sold about ten years ago...
I bought this from a guy in California about 12 years ago when I was a flea-obsessed high schooler. 1999 with the truss rod and Lane poor pickup. A much more subtle blue metallic than the big flake sparkle. I think it was converted to string-thru the body, as I've never seen another modulus like that. Wonder if the original owner is around? Its got a lot of belt rash from him still!
Hi everyone,
I recently changed tuning and string gauges on my Modulus Q5 from BEADG and a 45-130 set to ADGCF and a 50-135 set. The neck has noticeably straightened after the change (it's been more than a week now) and the truss rod (it's a 2003 model) needs adjusting to add some relief. I'm getting some string buzz at the 1st fret of each string.
I was under the impression that the carbon fiber would not react to a change in string tension and that the relief would only change after a truss rod adjustment.
Is this normal?
I recently changed tuning and string gauges on my Modulus Q5 from BEADG and a 45-130 set to ADGCF and a 50-135 set. The neck has noticeably straightened after the change (it's been more than a week now) and the truss rod (it's a 2003 model) needs adjusting to add some relief. I'm getting some string buzz at the 1st fret of each string.
I was under the impression that the carbon fiber would not react to a change in string tension and that the relief would only change after a truss rod adjustment.
Is this normal?
GeoffGould
Commercial User
I was just goofing around, and found this. I had no idea the new Modulus had made any M92's!
Modulus M92 4-String Bass Fretless Transparent Green #990311
Is this common knowledge among you guys?
Modulus M92 4-String Bass Fretless Transparent Green #990311
Is this common knowledge among you guys?
I called the company before the last bankruptcy to inquire about having one made and Anderson told me they were long disontinued and could not make one. I also had a subsequent conversation with him after acquiring one and he told me that a lot of owners took advantage of their neck replacement program. Used to be for $1K and your old neck Modulus would retrofit a neck with Truss Rod for you. I would bet that is what we are looking at here.
Last edited:
