Modulus vs VJ vs Custom made

[tigercasual]

Okay,

I survived a trip to guitar center today- always a challenge- and managed to play a few basses while I was there. The bass that really stood out for me was the Modulus Flea Bass. Which was an absolute shocker; First because I could never see myself playing with a carbon fiber neck. Second; I usually don’t like signature editions of any instrument. But this thing had great tone and serious output- it far outshined the Musicman Stingray that I played. Maybe it’s the way that I play, but I had no problems with a super brittle/bright tone that many have complained about and I tend to like warm, dark sounds with big booming low end.

It’s tone wasn’t quite as deep as I normally like, but I think that I may have a solution for that- more later.

Anyway, I did have a few problems with the bass, and that’s what I’ll address here, as well as ask a few questions. Although, I really liked the sound, I hated the way the neck/fingerboard felt.

Question #1: Is there any bass out there that can compete with this bass in terms of tone projection, or is that articulate projection a direct result of the carbon fiber neck/fingerboard?

#2: How does the Modulus VJ stack up.

#3: Do you think that adding a pick-up in the neck position would give the bass extra depth/warmth- or would it just muddy the tone.

#4: Is there another neck/fingerboard that feels more organic, but comes close- if not surpasses that great tone projection- if so, is there a bass on the market that has it, or am I really looking at custom bass here?

Okay, I know that’s a lot, but you guys always pull through for me, make me think of things from different perspectives and give me options that I didn’t know existed.

Cheers!
TC

 

[rekesbass]

the Modulus Genisis series neck is a great hybrid of tone and feel..it uses a graphite spine sandwiched between a wood fretboard and back..I had a Genisis5 that was a very clear articulate sounding but also warm,although,it did have barts in it which are very"polite" pups....I think the VJ comes with that Genisis neck option(check the website)

 

[robnatt]

I also like darker tone than the Flea. I play a Modulus Q5 and a Modulus VJ with a Chechen fingerboard. The VJ is all passive, but a great playing and feeling bass.

I've never played a Flea bass with other pickup configurations, but I know they're out there.

 

[Ian Perge]

#4: Is there another neck/fingerboard that feels more organic, but comes close- if not surpasses that great tone projection- if so, is there a bass on the market that has it, or am I really looking at custom bass here?

I imagine a Diamondwood/Rockwood/Phenowood fretboard, which is layers of Birch impregnated with a resin and baked (not that kind of resin! ) under pressure, resulting in a super-strong material that has the best properties of both wood and "traditional" instrument carbon graphite fibre would have a very organic tone. The problem is that it's mainly used in extremely small blanks for custom weather-proof hunting knife handles, high-quality pens, etc. Only three manufactures make basses with fretboards on it: Curbow, Zon, and Roscoe, which only uses it for fretless fingerboards last time I'd heard.

 

[bakeronbass]

My two cents
Question #1: Is there any bass out there that can compete with this bass in terms of tone projection, or is that articulate projection a direct result of the carbon fiber neck/fingerboard?

Not that Ive ever heard. I play a Q5 with Barts and I Love the articulate note projection. Every Single Note Also there are no dead spots on that neck.


#2: How does the Modulus VJ stack up.
Dunno

#3: Do you think that adding a pick-up in the neck position would give the bass extra depth/warmth- or would it just muddy the tone.
Try turning the bass and mids all the way up on the bass and leaving the treble flat. How bout it modulus owners Where is your favorite tone?

#4: Is there another neck/fingerboard that feels more organic, but comes close- if not surpasses that great tone projection- if so, is there a bass on the market that has it, or am I really looking at custom bass here?
The chechen fingerboard is a couple hunskies. They also offer a Satinized or 0 friction back of the neck.

 

[waffle puzzle]

My Modulus Flea 5 has become my main bass.

Strange, though, I didn't know you could get one at GC ......
was it used ? If it's a good deal, don't hesitate to buy it....it would be a great addition to any bass arsenal, even if it's not your main bass.

 

[rockstarbassist]

#1. Nope

#2. It's ok, but I prefer the Flea

#3. Try out a Flea J/J as I know those are made.

#4. Yes. Try a Genesis, or a Quantum or VJ w/ a chechen fretboard option. My main bass (Q5) has this, as well as my custom Q5 on order. It's actually for sale (kinda) and I'd give ya a good deal on it. Much more lower-mids focused and not as bright and snappy as the composite board (which I have also on other basses, and it's just as good). But the chechen option is the best of both worlds!

 

[tigercasual]

My Modulus Flea 5 has become my main bass.

Strange, though, I didn't know you could get one at GC ......
was it used ? If it's a good deal, don't hesitate to buy it....it would be a great addition to any bass arsenal, even if it's not your main bass.

I don't know if all GC's have them, but the Dallas store has several. I think that all are new... I'll have to check a little closer, I only pulled one off of the wall and played it. I can't remember the exact price, but I do remember that they weren't handing out any sort of screaming deals.