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modulus=sterile?
- Thread starter Floating teetH
- Start date
I do listen to Dave Mathews and Stefan Lessard. Most of the stuff I like is when he used his Warwick. Even so, it proves nothing. I have a hard time getting a good tone out of a Modulus. That has nothing to do with the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gear Lessard plays through to achieve his tone.i like tictacs said:
I wouldn't quite say "hundreds of thousands." I also liked his Warwick tone better...but his Modulus tone is nice. I thought the quantums and fleas I played sounded like him with a minimal setup...bass>ampeg svt4> AV classic 8x10. Like him...not him. It's basically a very compressed tone...thickened up also.
When did he start using Mod's as opposed to Warwicks? The tab on TB for Crush says he played it with a Dolphin and TI flats.
EDIT: The reason I mentioned that song in particular is because I love the tone he has on it and The Dreaming Tree. Awesome, awesome sound.
EDIT: The reason I mentioned that song in particular is because I love the tone he has on it and The Dreaming Tree. Awesome, awesome sound.
2002 was the first year he used entirely Modulus.
All the albums before Everyday (before 2001) Were recorded on Warwicks.
All the albums before Everyday (before 2001) Were recorded on Warwicks.
Yes, a modulus can sound super clean. I actually got an old Bassstar because I loved to play with my fingers but liked the sound of a picked bass.
The bassstar is less hifi than the newer ones because of the 34" scale, but it's got a tone all its own. I usually run it through a Fulltone bassdrive -- the modulus distorts beautifully.
It's the strummed part in Link Removed . Broadband highly recommended.
The CD we're working on now has a lot more rockish tone, and the Modulus is quite happy in that idiom.
Best,
--JES
The bassstar is less hifi than the newer ones because of the 34" scale, but it's got a tone all its own. I usually run it through a Fulltone bassdrive -- the modulus distorts beautifully.
It's the strummed part in Link Removed . Broadband highly recommended.
The CD we're working on now has a lot more rockish tone, and the Modulus is quite happy in that idiom.
Best,
--JES
This "Modulus=sterile" intrigues me as well. Never owned a Modulus but have had the opportunity to play some at various jam sessions and at stores. Another bass player I know has a couple Quantums. Most recently we both shared a gig at a wedding and used my rig (Eden WT400 w/ Aguilar 1x15). He used his composite board Q5 with Bartolini pickups and pre, sounded anything but sterile to me, very full and warm but articulate. I've also tried Q5s with EMGs that sounded great as well. Also played a Q4 Sweetspot that provided a nice full tone. Another Modulus that really got me was the Flea J 4 string with Barts (pickups and pre). Very nice sounding, not sterile at all. Granted all of my experiences are short blips on the radar but I was always wondering about the whole sterile issue. I often see a lot of Modulus basses turned over on the used market and wondered if that was the reason. My question would be this - if you have a good amp with parametric mids, would that help with the whole sterile mid issues?
In the past, I owned a Quantum with EMGs and I really liked the tone. It is a modern sounding bass, but it never souned cold to me. In fact, I always thought I i had a sort of Anthony Jackson type of finger tone (sans the skills) and a slap sound not unlike Ken Smith.
Doesn't Mike Gordon play Modulus Quanta as well? Of the Phish tunes I've heard, the bass sounds nice and phat.
I've had two Moduli:
1. Genesis 5--the tone was alright, unbelievably warm mids. In fact, I sometimes found myself wishing for something that had a little more hoot to it. IMHO, the Genesis neck spine lets Modulus use some woods that they oughtn't--like a cedar body and a grenadillo board. Shame on me for buying it if I wasn't nuts about the tone.
2. Vintage Jazz 4--passive honker-type Jazz deal. Sold that one because the frets all stood so high off the neck, you could get a business card underneath some of them. Used bass, no warranty--had to move it. Shame on Modulus.
1. Genesis 5--the tone was alright, unbelievably warm mids. In fact, I sometimes found myself wishing for something that had a little more hoot to it. IMHO, the Genesis neck spine lets Modulus use some woods that they oughtn't--like a cedar body and a grenadillo board. Shame on me for buying it if I wasn't nuts about the tone.
2. Vintage Jazz 4--passive honker-type Jazz deal. Sold that one because the frets all stood so high off the neck, you could get a business card underneath some of them. Used bass, no warranty--had to move it. Shame on Modulus.
did David Ellefson use a Q5 on Megadeth's Youthanasia album? (he was playing one in the á Tout le monde video)
the sound had a lot of depth, and was "precise" in the mids and highs.
to be honest I prefer the rawness of his P bass and Jackson tones.
the sound had a lot of depth, and was "precise" in the mids and highs.
to be honest I prefer the rawness of his P bass and Jackson tones.
I own a 2003 Modulus Q5 Blackstone (Quilt Maple/Alder) with EMG's and an F Bass BN5 (Ash/Maple)
The Q5 is bright and the top end can lean toward what I would call 'clacky'. By adjusting my right hand attack, that can be tamed and results in very clear, clean tone. I also boost the bass to give it more punch and depth. The Q5 seriously kicks a**. It is a very nice bass. While the Q5 can be bright, so can my F Bass. The F Bass warmth, punch and mid-bass focus possesses a character that I would describe as somewhat woody by comparison to the Modulus. It can still produce an almost Modern tone, while offering Vintage J bass punch and cut. The F Bass has more of an organic presence. The *sterile* descriptor fits regarding the Q5. (mostly by comparison. Otherwise, I would simply charterize a Modulus bass as "modern" sounding. But it cuts through a band mix like a hot knife through butter and it records wonderfully.
For now, my F Bass BN5 has the Mojo I'm looking for. But when I pick up the Modulus, I remember why I love it too. I prefer the slap tone of my F Bass (super Fender Jazz on Steroids). It nails the Marcus Miller sound. But when I slap on the Modulus, even though it is edgier sounding, it CUTS through the mix extremely well. It earns it's place too. Guess I'm on the fence. Love the F Bass, but just can't bring myself to parting with my Modulus. - Gary
The Q5 is bright and the top end can lean toward what I would call 'clacky'. By adjusting my right hand attack, that can be tamed and results in very clear, clean tone. I also boost the bass to give it more punch and depth. The Q5 seriously kicks a**. It is a very nice bass. While the Q5 can be bright, so can my F Bass. The F Bass warmth, punch and mid-bass focus possesses a character that I would describe as somewhat woody by comparison to the Modulus. It can still produce an almost Modern tone, while offering Vintage J bass punch and cut. The F Bass has more of an organic presence. The *sterile* descriptor fits regarding the Q5. (mostly by comparison. Otherwise, I would simply charterize a Modulus bass as "modern" sounding. But it cuts through a band mix like a hot knife through butter and it records wonderfully.
For now, my F Bass BN5 has the Mojo I'm looking for. But when I pick up the Modulus, I remember why I love it too. I prefer the slap tone of my F Bass (super Fender Jazz on Steroids). It nails the Marcus Miller sound. But when I slap on the Modulus, even though it is edgier sounding, it CUTS through the mix extremely well. It earns it's place too. Guess I'm on the fence. Love the F Bass, but just can't bring myself to parting with my Modulus. - Gary
Now to get back to the original question. I think people describe the Modulus as being sterile because of the kind of compressed sound that the bass has, to me it is a quality. When I dig in to my Modulus ( by that I mean play hard) it does not respond the way a woodneck does ( thats why I bought a Lakland 
) it is not as gritty.
) it is not as gritty.
Looks like this thread needs sound clips. If anyone is intrested, I can record direct with no EQ from my Modulus Flea 5.
What this thread reminds me of is that Alex Webster plays Modulus Quantums but I like his tone better when he played Ibanez. The bass is just one piece of the puzzle and some of the examples of different players really aren't going to mean much when you get it in your hands.
JES said:
I also use a Bassdrive to add a little grit to the tone from my Modulus VJ4. The Fulltone is worth it's weight in gold if you're looking for a nice warm OD Pedal. I also use flatwound strings which I find helps to warm up my tone some. I've been very happy with my Modulus for the last 2 years. My Modulus is very flexible tonally and has worked for every situation I have encountered.
Good point on the Flats. I have vacillated back and forth between flats and rounds on my Q5 (currently it's Flats) and yes, they do warm the tone considerably.
DaveB said:
No it isn´t, i thought it sounded horrible in a band mix.
If this was aimed at me: "As every bass player, who has been playing for more than ten minutes...". I don´t see how a comment on how the bass sounded solo and one on how it sounded live differ from a review in "Bass Player"? They test the bass in their lab and later take it out for a spin live, don´t they?
