Modulus with Lightwave?

[ddbassGA]

I really like a Modulus Quantum 5 that I got to play a couple weeks ago. Turns out a good friend is selling this '97 Modulus 5 string with single pickup in the "sweet spot", which plays and sounds terrific. But it just has the one EMG, basically one sound. He installed a Lightwave pickup in this bass but it is not hooked up. It had it's own separate output and was never set up to blend with the mag,which is what I'd want to do. So my question, both to Modulus and Lightwave enthusiasts,
1. Do you believe these pickups can be blended and create some pleasing tonal combinations?
2. What might be a reasonable value of this bass in it's current state as a playable (mag only) project.

I like the feel of the bass, the Modulus neck is great, and the EMG with 3 band EQ (w sweepable mids) really kills. The interest in getting the Lightwave working, and blendable is to have another pallet of sounds and a more versatile instrument.

And why is there no Modulus Club?View attachment 3659100

 

[ddbassGA]

 

[BruceWane]

There is no Modulus Club, but there is the Modulus Mob

You should be able to blend the EMG and Lightwave outputs using a two channel buffer. There's DIY circuits out there on the web, and Bartolini makes one, model #AGBD/918-2.

As far as the the single EMG pickup, for more flexibility you could swap it out for an EMG TW (or TWX) which is switchable between single and dual coil modes.

Value? It's kinda against forum rules to say, but just have a look at Reverb and Ebay, check completed/sold listings. Keep in mind that, from what I've seen of lightwave systems, it's not a very reversible installation - the Lightwave system takes a fair bit of wood removal to install, so going back to a traditional bridge may not be feasible.

 

[hdfixer]

I have played Lightwave Systems on a Zon bass - back when Modulus was making Zon necks. It's pretty darn great! Radial makes a pedal which will blend multiple inputs: Mix-Blender - Radial Engineering

Might be a good way to make some decisions before electronics surgery? Or a good permanent solution...

 

[ddbassGA]

No the Lightwave is not reversible so it's on this bass to stay. I think it would add a ton of versatility to this bass to get it going again. I have a couple of outboard blenders I could try, or small PA mixers, to hear some blended tones before installing something internal. But the goal would be to be able to use with a single cord.

 

[bubba-b]

I really like a Modulus Quantum 5 that I got to play a couple weeks ago. Turns out a good friend is selling this '97 Modulus 5 string with single pickup in the "sweet spot", which plays and sounds terrific. But it just has the one EMG, basically one sound. He installed a Lightwave pickup in this bass but it is not hooked up. It had it's own separate output and was never set up to blend with the mag,which is what I'd want to do. So my question, both to Modulus and Lightwave enthusiasts,
1. Do you believe these pickups can be blended and create some pleasing tonal combinations?
2. What might be a reasonable value of this bass in it's current state as a playable (mag only) project.

I like the feel of the bass, the Modulus neck is great, and the EMG with 3 band EQ (w sweepable mids) really kills. The interest in getting the Lightwave working, and blendable is to have another pallet of sounds and a more versatile instrument.

And why is there no Modulus Club?View attachment 3659100

is it easy to fix that system? there appears to be a lot of real estate to accommodate the lightwave:

seeing the piezo setup on a peavey b-quad was daunting. seeing what's under this control cavity cover might scare the poop outta me. if you do buy it and get it running proper, i definitely would like to hear the tones that come out of that!