Hi All,
I'm late to the party but there you go. I've got a 1989 Modulus Bassstar. Will try and get a decent pic of it at some point. For those who don't know, it's kind of like an early VJ. 1.5" at the nut. It's got EMG P-J pickups with treble, bass and mid EQ controls, ash body and maple top, and I added dunlop straplocks and hipshot ultralights with a bass extender. Strung with Markley Nickel Plated Steels.
It's been my main bass since 1999.
Now, my question.
I'm wondering about swapping strings or maybe even pickups for more tonal variety. I have two issues:
1. I need string suggestions. I've recently started playing with people in more traditional roles where I want a darker rather than brighter sound. Even with the treble all the way down it's still a bright bass. I'd still like to be able to get that piano-like sound but also to be able to have it sound more "boom boom" ish. So I don't think I want flats (I do strum sometimes) but I need something with less zing.
2. I am wondering about switching out pickups. I run it through effects all the time but some don't seem to like the active output. I am thinking of adding in passive pickups. I'd like suggestions. Again, I love the bright piano-y EMG tone as a starting point, but I'd love to be able to roll more of it off from time to time. I had Barts in an old bass and found them too polite. Seymour Duncan? G&L (I do like the sound of their basses)? Someone else?
I play mostly post-rock, electronica and rock.
Of course one option is to use different basses for different purposes, and it may come to that. But I still have a fantasy that this one can do it all. Most importantly, it feels the best in my hands of any bass I use.
