You know what, it's $2K cheaper than my Fodera Emperor 5 string deluxe (dovetail neck joint, $8,350.00). Go figure.
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Modulus; nice...but you are getting jacked....hard
- Thread starter Thir13teen
- Start date
You know what, it's $2K cheaper than my Fodera Emperor 5 string deluxe (dovetail neck joint, $8,350.00). Go figure.
Ah, I get it; I misunderstood what Honch was saying, I thought he meant Moses manufacturered the necks that were sold on Modulus-branded instruments. Mea culpa.
from what i understand they have a very small staff making a very small batch per month. they charge what the market will take.
i prefer my goulds but if goulds weren't around id be saving for a modulus.
the best part is that if you don't like the price they wont make you buy one.
i prefer my goulds but if goulds weren't around id be saving for a modulus.
the best part is that if you don't like the price they wont make you buy one.
what a silly thread.
I have a quantum... flea... GV and composite acoustics..
They'll out live us...
there are better deals (Peavey Millenium)... but a modulus is tough to out engineer....
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Before digging on Modulus.. why not point out that a MIM Fender or Squire are better than an MIA fender?
I have a quantum... flea... GV and composite acoustics..
They'll out live us...
there are better deals (Peavey Millenium)... but a modulus is tough to out engineer....
----
Before digging on Modulus.. why not point out that a MIM Fender or Squire are better than an MIA fender?
Ok, fair enough but I thought I was clear with saying direct replacement...should've phrased it differently I suppose.
The only thing I know of Modulus (modern or not) is that Moses Graphite actually makes direct replacement necks for them. Yes, one graphite manufacturer makes direct replacement (and designed headstocks) necks for another graphite manufacturers neck. Albeit entirely different, but it's a first for me...one can wonder really what's the point?
I've had a friend in Sweden that had to send his Modulus neck back over the pond to have it fixed. The fretboard had turned loose, after a couple of decades and it had warped, and "screwed" itself like a torzoid neck. No warranty. They repaired it properly though, and send it back, at 550 USD plus shipping. Was forced to be without the Moudlus bass for 8 months. This was back in 2001. In a couple of years it might be time again...oh...uh...no, so they went bankrupt, it seems 
... see, what can we do to that warped stock Fender J or P bass neck? It was a mid 90s bass, first owner. Can't remember the model.
The thing is with ALL graphite necks, that if they happen to go south, there's nothing you can do about it, or your "regular" luthier or repairman. You have to send it back to the company of origin, but as Modulus went belly up... there just a few in the states who can do work properly on Steinberger, Modulus, Status, Zon and of course, Moses.
... see, what can we do to that warped stock Fender J or P bass neck? It was a mid 90s bass, first owner. Can't remember the model.The thing is with ALL graphite necks, that if they happen to go south, there's nothing you can do about it, or your "regular" luthier or repairman. You have to send it back to the company of origin, but as Modulus went belly up... there just a few in the states who can do work properly on Steinberger, Modulus, Status, Zon and of course, Moses.
- Dec 21, 2007
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OP - you say "getting jacked, hard" like it's a BAD thing...
Glad some constructive conversations took place after the first page, so many useless crybaby posts clogging up the thread at first.
Is it possible that Modulus has a better reputation now thanks to Flea's use over the years?
Is it possible that Modulus has a better reputation now thanks to Flea's use over the years?
Slight thread tangent.
I obtained a used Mod Q5 via Ebay a few years and it came out of the box with a bowed neck.
I filed a claim with Ebay and managed to get about 40% of my cash back. I kept the bass and obtained a NOS neck from Joe of the original Modulus company. I play this bass a lot and while it plays and sounds great it's not perfect in terms of every note intonating spot on.
All told though it wound up costing me a lot more than I bargained for between replacement neck, labor and set up to revive it. (Roughly $2200).
Later on I found a vintage Bassstar fretless on CL while travelling on the East Coast. The seller asked for only $500 so snapped it up with the knowledge that the neck alone was worth more than that.
As purchased this thing had a case of bad imbalance when strapped on and it felt like playing a boat anchor.
So on the suggestion of my local luthier (formally w Modulus) I obtained a NOS body from Joe and got rid of the heavy stock one which also had a Kahler whammy bridge (the source of most of the excess weight).
I played this thing for a few years when all of a sudden the 1st position A flat and E flat up by the nut became buzzy and unplayable. I posted about it on TB but never followed back up about the fix...
Rich Hoeg (who built many a modulus including Bob Weir's Blue Lightning Bolt axe) took it in and according to his account - he used a grinder to flatten down the buzzy notes and then rebuffed the fingerboard to remove evidence of the grinding. Plays and sounds great again.
I typed these stories just to suggest that Modulus instruments while usually great, aren't necessarily as stable in the long run as some would suspect.
Still I enjoy the hell out of both of mine and I also own another carbon fiber instrument: a Mad-Mix, New Millenium F5 Mandolin. The only thing not made out of CF on this axe are the tuners, fingerboard, bridge, tail piece and strings.
I obtained a used Mod Q5 via Ebay a few years and it came out of the box with a bowed neck.
I filed a claim with Ebay and managed to get about 40% of my cash back. I kept the bass and obtained a NOS neck from Joe of the original Modulus company. I play this bass a lot and while it plays and sounds great it's not perfect in terms of every note intonating spot on.
All told though it wound up costing me a lot more than I bargained for between replacement neck, labor and set up to revive it. (Roughly $2200).
Later on I found a vintage Bassstar fretless on CL while travelling on the East Coast. The seller asked for only $500 so snapped it up with the knowledge that the neck alone was worth more than that.
As purchased this thing had a case of bad imbalance when strapped on and it felt like playing a boat anchor.
So on the suggestion of my local luthier (formally w Modulus) I obtained a NOS body from Joe and got rid of the heavy stock one which also had a Kahler whammy bridge (the source of most of the excess weight).
I played this thing for a few years when all of a sudden the 1st position A flat and E flat up by the nut became buzzy and unplayable. I posted about it on TB but never followed back up about the fix...
Rich Hoeg (who built many a modulus including Bob Weir's Blue Lightning Bolt axe) took it in and according to his account - he used a grinder to flatten down the buzzy notes and then rebuffed the fingerboard to remove evidence of the grinding. Plays and sounds great again.
I typed these stories just to suggest that Modulus instruments while usually great, aren't necessarily as stable in the long run as some would suspect.
Still I enjoy the hell out of both of mine and I also own another carbon fiber instrument: a Mad-Mix, New Millenium F5 Mandolin. The only thing not made out of CF on this axe are the tuners, fingerboard, bridge, tail piece and strings.
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Yip. Some basses are expensive. Yip. Some basses are cheap. Sigh.
Modulus instruments are awesome. Maybe Flea is to Modulus what Nolly is to Dingwall.
At Talkbass we would still love those instruments because we immerse ourselves in the ongoing discussion around what constitutes quality/innovation etc in the field of basses.
But for most people - endorsers and brand ambassadors are crucial in ensuring consumers 'hear with their eyes'.
Modulus instruments are awesome. Maybe Flea is to Modulus what Nolly is to Dingwall.
At Talkbass we would still love those instruments because we immerse ourselves in the ongoing discussion around what constitutes quality/innovation etc in the field of basses.
But for most people - endorsers and brand ambassadors are crucial in ensuring consumers 'hear with their eyes'.
Pretty amazing what cnc machines do.
I visited a very well known luthier the other day - all his cutting is done by a third party.
as a huge proponent of geoff's work, yeah, i've run into a few 'issues' with a few of my g. gould basses.
two had the finish on the bodies go 'cloudy'.
a few had sharp fret edges.
it would be nice if they had no issues 'out of the box'. most would say that's what you're paying for. unfortunately i've found a few basses from various builders that didn't have an 'ideal' setup when they were new (that's why i prefer used basses that tend to be more 'broken-in' and played).
at least the issues can remedied. none of my basses are original. all have been modified and set-up to my personal preferences; be it a new/favorite bridge, preamp, pickups, or other item to make the bass more 'me'.
that's a funny-looking spatula...Moses makes necks that will bolt onto a Modulus Quantum body. Strange but true. Have a look for yourself:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Having owned Modulus and Moses basses, I couldn't imagine swapping out a Modulus for a Moses neck but different strokes for different folks.
then again, flipping eggs is probably the only thing a moses neck is good for...
i keeeeed! i keeeeed!
Lol. You got extra ripped off then. At least you have a proprietary shape though and not a crappy jazz body with the modulus neck on it.
The bass I made was in 2011. It's not like I'm talking 1992.So, just so we understand... you're asking why a parts bass you put together X years ago costs less than a brand new Modulus (which is made by a diffferent company then the old Modulus)?
First of all, when did you buy it? Look up the price of a full Modulus bass from XXXX and plug it in here Invalid Link Removed
Just to be clear. My "fake Modulus" was made in 2011. The neck was made new for me and the sale was through Bass NW for $550. This was prior to Modulus' biting the dust.
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