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Modulus Q5 Vs. MTD 535

MTD 535 or Modulus Q5?

  • MTD 535

    Votes: 9 81.8%

  • Modulus Q6

    Votes: 2 18.2%
  • Total voters
    11
levonrocks

levonrocks

Nov 21, 2012
105
31
Easton, PA
www.quimbymountainband.net
#1
I currently play a beautiful MTD 535 with a Wenge neck. I love my bass, but I am thinking about switching to a Modulus Q5 or Q6 as my main squeeze. Unfortunately, I could not afford to own both basses, so I was considering selling my MTD and then buying the Modulus, or offering a trade. I would want cash in addition to the Modulus because the MTD is a more valuable instrument. I have never played a Q5, but I love the way they sound and I have played other Modulus basses that were great. I play in a 5 piece band and we play mostly rock music, but I also jazz, blues and funk. I love how Modulus basses tend to cut through the mix really well without overpowering.

Can anybody share their thoughts on this. I would like to hear from people who have played both instruments. How does the Q5 play and sound compared to the MTD? Am I crazy to even consider selling my MTD? Which instrument would you prefer to play everyday?

Thanks
Bob Noble
 
#2
MTDs are great basses, but they are not universally loved beyond compare or anything. I flipped mine pretty much as soon as I got it. Still, I would find a Modulus to play before committing to it, absolutely, especially if you love your current bass.
 
#3
I have owned two Q5s, and I loved them! They have most awesome B strings I have ever heard. The main difference would be that most Modulus basses are 17mm at the bridge, while MTDs are 19mm at the bridge.
 
Last edited:
#6
Just personal opinion- I played an Mtd 535 at a friends bass shop and a Q-5, I ended up buying the Modulus. The Modulus blew it away both tonally and sonically ! - and I also played an Elrick, Fodera, Sadowsky, and several other high end basses that day and the Modulus smoked all of them!! As they say YMMV :)
 
#7
Afc70 said:
Just personal opinion- I played an Mtd 535 at a friends bass shop and a Q-5, I ended up buying the Modulus. The Modulus blew it away both tonally and sonically ! - and I also played an Elrick, Fodera, Sadowsky, and several other high end basses that day and the Modulus smoked all of them!! As they say YMMV :)
Click to expand...

I have a Q6 and a TBX6 and both blow all other things away. B strings are to die for. Other high end basses are good (Alembic, Ken Smith, G&L etc.) but just a tad below the Modulus. But do try one. I happen to love the feel of the Graphite neck but many people hate it! I'd try one out and form your opinion before plunking down the cash.

Just my opinion.
 
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#8
Had both. Modulus is more similar due to the constant spec in most cases.

I have tried numerous mtd wood combos and the most modulus like has been the mahogany body with wenge/wenge neck. Clear growly, with a fantastic low b mtd. But the mtd has an element of organic wood tone which was missing in the modulus. Slightly prefer the mtd. I'm comparing 6 string modles
 
#9
levonrocks said:
I currently play a beautiful MTD 535 with a Wenge neck. I love my bass, but I am thinking about switching to a Modulus Q5 or Q6 as my main squeeze. Unfortunately, I could not afford to own both basses, so I was considering selling my MTD and then buying the Modulus, or offering a trade. I would want cash in addition to the Modulus because the MTD is a more valuable instrument. I have never played a Q5, but I love the way they sound and I have played other Modulus basses that were great. I play in a 5 piece band and we play mostly rock music, but I also jazz, blues and funk. I love how Modulus basses tend to cut through the mix really well without overpowering.

Can anybody share their thoughts on this. I would like to hear from people who have played both instruments. How does the Q5 play and sound compared to the MTD? Am I crazy to even consider selling my MTD? Which instrument would you prefer to play everyday?

Thanks
Bob Noble
Click to expand...
I know this is an older thread. Could you tell us if you procured that Modulus? I happen to own both US MTD and a Modulus Quantum 6. They are both exceptional, exceptionally well built and Modern sounding. I like each bass for different reasons. The MTD is the most comfortable and when I need the confidence of site reading a chart or if i'm gigging with some new guys/girls I bring the MTD. The Modulus has that unique sound. It has a incredible sustain and the Low B is the tightest baddest around. The Q 6 is fun to play, not necessarily to play chords or bop lines like Patituci but rather all the cool ghost pops and 2 octave penta runs in first position without having to go up the neck. They both have their signature sound and nothing out there sounds like a US MTD Or Modulus Quantum in my opinion. You can't go wrong with either. On the plus side the Modulus Neck never moves and you don't worrry about climate changes or extreme weather playing
 

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