I currently own a decent Soundgear bass I bought last summer for about $350. It is an active bass and sounds good, but I want to save up for a modulus. They run pretty high so I'm wondering if its worth it to save up for one. And where can you find the best deal for a flea bass?
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modulus...worth it?
- Thread starter pdunk
- Start date
I bought a Q5 used in about 15 years ago, and it was probably the finest bass I've ever owned. Never played a Flea, but if they're in the same league as the Quantums, then I'd say hell yes, worth it.
Modulus basses are pretty (usually very) well made. Increased durability makes them a good used buy. Check Ebay out for what they tend to run, as the models vary a bit.
The best thing to do is try to find one and try it out. Modulus basses don't appeal to everyone. Some people don't like the graphite neck and they can be unforgiving if you have sloppy technique. There is also a midrange 'twang' that you either get used to and enjoy or hate and sell the bass. Pickups and preamps make a big difference in the sound. I have had a Q5 since ~1995 and it is my main bass for important gigs. My son owned a Flea 5 and he couldn't get used to the twang so he sold it. I have to say I wasn't all that impressed with the Flea bass even though it had LP pickups. YMMV.
Rick B.
Rick B.
+1. I've owned a Modulus sweet spot and didn't care for it. Every other Modulus I've played I didn't like the sound of. The Flea I played was pretty lifeless as well. The necks feel great but for me the sound wasn't there.
Dan
I love my Flea 5er but I have the one with the jazz pickup configuration. I've never regretted a single dollar I've spent on Modulus basses.
I have several basses, but "Ralph", my Modulus Quantum 6, is the bass I reach for the most. I can get vintage and modern tones out of him. Definitely the king of my collection.
Oddly enough, I never laid my hands on a Modulus bass until I bought Ralph at my local boutique bass shop; I saw this bass for sale on the online store listing, went on down, hefted it in my hands, did not even bother to plug in to an amp to see how it sounded...I just wrote out the check and left the shop with a new (old) bass. But don't let that stop you from trying out several Modulus basses if you are able to; whatever you choose, it's gotta feel right to you.
Joe Hilgeman
Oddly enough, I never laid my hands on a Modulus bass until I bought Ralph at my local boutique bass shop; I saw this bass for sale on the online store listing, went on down, hefted it in my hands, did not even bother to plug in to an amp to see how it sounded...I just wrote out the check and left the shop with a new (old) bass. But don't let that stop you from trying out several Modulus basses if you are able to; whatever you choose, it's gotta feel right to you.
Joe Hilgeman
I bought a Quantum 5 a while back from a store and returned it the next day...I played it in the store for an hour before buying it. When I got it home I played it against my MTD Grendel 5 and although I liked the feel and playability of the Modulus better the tone seemed really lame compared to the MTD...I figured I'd never get used to the gutless tone so I'd better take it back...The MTD was 1/3 the price as well.
i think its a very distinctive tone you either like or hate! but i think that you should try 1.
i love fleas i played one for 15mins? my brand spanking new flea bass will arrive in bout 3 days! but they are on ebay from time 2 time.
and if you dnt like the grafite you could look for the q4/5/6 with a wood fingerboard ?
rsb will be along soon to tell all.
oh and the fleas look the dogs b'#-=*ks!
i love fleas i played one for 15mins? my brand spanking new flea bass will arrive in bout 3 days! but they are on ebay from time 2 time.
and if you dnt like the grafite you could look for the q4/5/6 with a wood fingerboard ?
rsb will be along soon to tell all.
oh and the fleas look the dogs b'#-=*ks!
Definitely try the different models, not just the Q's and Fleas, but also the VJs and Genesis ones. I've not played the latter 2, although you may find you like them better. I love my early (1990) Q5, but most people have a love/hate relationship with the Q tone.
I forgot about the Vintage Jazz. My son owned one for a while and I really liked playing it. If I had the funds available I would have bought it from him when he decided to sell it.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Try before you buy is all I can say.
Many hate Modulus and many love them.
I hate Warwicks and love Stingrays and my neibour is the exact opposite. To each their own...
Many hate Modulus and many love them.
I hate Warwicks and love Stingrays and my neibour is the exact opposite. To each their own...
- Apr 23, 2008
- 105
- 0
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Lakland, Aguilar Amplification, JH Audio
I have a Modulus, Genesis 5 string, and I love it. great quality insturment designed by tobias and with the hand-wound bartolini pickups...you can't go wrong. I have however played one of the flea basses, and it was a little hot for my taste.
I guess I really having nothing new to say that anyone else hasn't already said.....find one, try it, and then you'll know if you fall in love with it or not......cause they are pricy!
I guess I really having nothing new to say that anyone else hasn't already said.....find one, try it, and then you'll know if you fall in love with it or not......cause they are pricy!
I do think they're worth it. The fretwork and the neck on my Q5 amazes me everytime I pick it up. It practically plays itself. Once you get a hold of a bass with superior quality you'll never want to go back.
Ive had basically every Modulus ever made and its so hard for me to go back to wood necks and having to adjust rods, keep tuning strings etc. Out of all of the Modulus' my favorite is a passive Vintage jazz.I liked the fleas but they're a one trick pony.
I have a Modulus Flea J5 and it SMOKES!!!!!!!
Feels great, sounds great, and with the J pups and 34 scale it fares much better than the Quantum to me. Since you want a 4 I'd say try the Flea with the single pup or the 2 J pups and decide which you like better. I like both but I can only have one so I got the 2 Js. The Js are warmer and more versatile while the single H has more treble and less low mids than the Js. The bridge pup on the Js can get Jaco's tone easily.
Modulus are given a funny wrap because some people don't like graphite necks which can give a different animal to the feel and tone. With the right electronics, they vary widely in tone.
Sweetspots are extinct and are nothing like Fleas. With the right strings, technique, and EQ you can make a Modulus sound like a lot of basses.
Feels great, sounds great, and with the J pups and 34 scale it fares much better than the Quantum to me. Since you want a 4 I'd say try the Flea with the single pup or the 2 J pups and decide which you like better. I like both but I can only have one so I got the 2 Js. The Js are warmer and more versatile while the single H has more treble and less low mids than the Js. The bridge pup on the Js can get Jaco's tone easily.
Modulus are given a funny wrap because some people don't like graphite necks which can give a different animal to the feel and tone. With the right electronics, they vary widely in tone.
Sweetspots are extinct and are nothing like Fleas. With the right strings, technique, and EQ you can make a Modulus sound like a lot of basses.
There is this guy, Dane Alderson...
He is in a local fusion band called void (look them up on itunes)
He has to be the most insane bassist i have ever seen.
He used a yamaha 6 string neck thru before but he changed to a Modulus 4. I asked him why, i had played his 6 before and i could imagine anything better. He said he wanted to get back to the roots of bass, 4 strings. So he choose the Q4. I have played one a couple of times, nice high action and rather syprisingly a strange kind of fretbuzz.
If you play it right you can get good buzz, CRAZY!!!
In respone to your question they are awesome but really pricy. You should invest in something a little cheaper. The bass really depends on your style.
He is in a local fusion band called void (look them up on itunes)
He has to be the most insane bassist i have ever seen.
He used a yamaha 6 string neck thru before but he changed to a Modulus 4. I asked him why, i had played his 6 before and i could imagine anything better. He said he wanted to get back to the roots of bass, 4 strings. So he choose the Q4. I have played one a couple of times, nice high action and rather syprisingly a strange kind of fretbuzz.
If you play it right you can get good buzz, CRAZY!!!
In respone to your question they are awesome but really pricy. You should invest in something a little cheaper. The bass really depends on your style.
