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MTD vs. Modulus feel/playability differences

TFunkadelic

TFunkadelic

Apr 9, 2006
963
1,430
#1
For anyone who has extensive experience with both of these basses, can you comment on the similarities and differences in the way they play and feel? Heavy vs. light? Slim vs. thicker necks?

I'm speaking particularly of the Modulus Quantum and the MTD USA 535
 
#2
I've owned both, though I haven't had the Modulus for a while. Still, talk about an apples-and-oranges comparison!

Both have 35" scale. The Modulus has medium-narrow spacing (unless you order the new Wide option) while the MTD has full 3/4" spacing.

The Modulus I had wasn't particularly heavy, but the two MTDs I had were among the lightest basses I've owned.

The Modulus has very consistent, even, almost compressed response up and down the neck (especially with EMGs like mine had) while the MTD is very lively, responsive, and sensitive to differences in dynamics and technique.

The tone of Modulus probably varies somewhat depending on which pickups you have, but while I've heard it can be somewhat warmer with Barts, the MTD has a very woody, organic tone that's like nothing else I've played. My two MTDs also both had wenge necks, and the wood selections make a big tonal difference with MTDs, as well.

My $.02 worth--others may have different opinions and experiences, of course!

Mike
 
#3
mikezimmerman said:
I've owned both, though I haven't had the Modulus for a while. Still, talk about an apples-and-oranges comparison!

Both have 35" scale. The Modulus has medium-narrow spacing (unless you order the new Wide option) while the MTD has full 3/4" spacing.

The Modulus I had wasn't particularly heavy, but the two MTDs I had were among the lightest basses I've owned.

The Modulus has very consistent, even, almost compressed response up and down the neck (especially with EMGs like mine had) while the MTD is very lively, responsive, and sensitive to differences in dynamics and technique.

The tone of Modulus probably varies somewhat depending on which pickups you have, but while I've heard it can be somewhat warmer with Barts, the MTD has a very woody, organic tone that's like nothing else I've played. My two MTDs also both had wenge necks, and the wood selections make a big tonal difference with MTDs, as well.

My $.02 worth--others may have different opinions and experiences, of course!

Mike
Click to expand...

Thanks,

I currently own a Modulus Q5 with Lane Poor pickups, and I'd describe it as a fairly "neutral" bass overall. It's the only bass I own at the moment, and it's likely to remain my only fretted bass for some time.

However, I'm on the market for a new fretless bass and I'd like something with a slightly earthier vibe than my Modulus for that. Every MTD I've heard anyone play has fit the bill for me tonally, I'm more curious about how they feel in comparison to Modulus basses, which to me are exceptionally comfortable.
 
#4
+1 to the post above. I owned both in the past. I would assume the Quantam's with Bart's would sound a bit more organic than the VERY hi fi EMG's.

One other thing regarding the neck. Besides the tight string spacing, it has a full 'C' neck profile, that some like and some don't, and of course, the 'feel' of that composit neck is a 'love/hate' thing for most.
 
#5
Well, the MTD will have an asymmetric contour that many people (including me) like a lot--it manages to feel slim while still having a little meat to it. The string spacing is noticably wider, as I said.

On a more subjective note, the urethane and oil finished wood neck on the MTD feels very organic and resonant, but it doesn't have the same rock-solid feel under your fingers that the Modulus does. That's just the difference between the composite and wood necks--both can feel very good in their own way, but they definitely feel different. (Curbow Rockwood necks are a great in-between compromise, but they still tend to fall more on the composite side...)

Body-wise, some people have mentioned that the upper horn and strap button location makes the MTD neck feel "long" though I never really found that to be the case.

Mike
 
#6
I have owned both and agree with Mike. In a nutshell: the MTD had a very nice, comfortable neck. The MTD is definitely more organic sounding than the Modulus. My Modulus (Barts) was more aggressive sounding than the MTD. The Modulus I had was relatively heavy, but not bad. Both are nice basses.

FYI--I have always said if I ever buy another Modulus I would opt for the chechen fingerboard to try and help warm up the tone some.
 
#7
MG basses actually have a slightly asymmetrical neck profile as mike tobias actually did the final tooling on the neck master (IIRC)

As stated, the pickups can have a large impact on the tone of an MG, but they still sound like a modulus. IME, the bodies can have an impact on the tone. Even though they're all pretty much alder with veneer tops, i've played some that sounded better than others where everything else was equal.

MTD basses have a bit more variability in tone depending upon the neck and body woods, as well as the wood of the top of the body (mike goes for thick tops, not veneers). Personally my favorite MTD has been the wenge neck korina body. The tulipwood bodies are also pretty killer.

To me the necks feel more similar than different. Both about the same thickness, and they both feel pretty comfy (to me). The graphite neck can have a bit of an odd feel to some, less so if you've played wooden necks that are finished on the back.

The modulus will cut through any mix. with the right preamp and speakers they can actually sound pretty "wooden". MTD basses also cut, but in a different way.

Both are on my top 5 favorite basses list.
 
#8
blmeier7 said:
I have owned both and agree with Mike. In a nutshell: the MTD had a very nice, comfortable neck. The MTD is definitely more organic sounding than the Modulus. My Modulus (Barts) was more aggressive sounding than the MTD. The Modulus I had was relatively heavy, but not bad. Both are nice basses.

FYI--I have always said if I ever buy another Modulus I would opt for the chechen fingerboard to try and help warm up the tone some.
Click to expand...

Is the MTD satisfactorily "high end" in feel and appearance? I haven't held an MTD USA in person and won't until Monday at the earliest.
 
#9
Yeah, I've never felt my Modulus sounded sterile and most people have commented that it sounds very warm. Basically, MTD's are more available to me at the moment than Moduli, so if they are of similar quality and style, I will have no problem opting for the MTD. In terms of aesthetic style, they both fit the bill.

My general impression has been, as wooden necked basses go, MTD are fairly similar to Modulus.
 
#11
TFunkadelic said:
Is the MTD satisfactorily "high end" in feel and appearance? I haven't held an MTD USA in person and won't until Monday at the earliest.
Click to expand...

Yes, the MTD had a high end feel to it. The neck was one of the nicest of any bass I have owned. I did expect the finish to be somewhat better than it was. While it wasn't a big problem I could see/feel some very small imperfections in the finish, but I'm only nitpicking because it was a $3,100 bass (at the time). I also had a truss rod rattle issue with the MTD. Mike was very nice and easy to talk to about this. We tried several things to get this fixed and couldn't; while I never shipped this bass back to him he was perfectly willing to take care of the issue.

I had the Modulus for almost 4 years and played it a lot. It still looked brand new the day I sold it. These basses are built like tanks. The neck was a little chunkier feeling than the MTD's. I also never had to make a single adjustment to the Modulus in all the years I owned it.
 
#12
blmeier7 said:
Yes, the MTD had a high end feel to it. The neck was one of the nicest of any bass I have owned. I did expect the finish to be somewhat better than it was. While it wasn't a big problem I could see/feel some very small imperfections in the finish, but I'm only nitpicking because it was a $3,100 bass (at the time). I also had a truss rod rattle issue with the MTD. Mike was very nice and easy to talk to about this. We tried several things to get this fixed and couldn't; while I never shipped this bass back to him he was perfectly willing to take care of the issue.

I had the Modulus for almost 4 years and played it a lot. It still looked brand new the day I sold it. These basses are built like tanks. The neck was a little chunkier feeling than the MTD's. I also never had to make a single adjustment to the Modulus in all the years I owned it.
Click to expand...

This is slightly concerning to me. My Modulus (pics forthcoming) is of the utmost quality to me. Everything on it is perfect, and I don't know that I can settle for anything less from my next bass. I guess I'll see when try it out monday.
 
#13
IdealWay said:
No pics, no Modulus Q5 with Lane Poor pickups! ;) No but seriously I'd love to see it. I've only ever seen Q6's w/ Lane Poors and they are some of my favorite basses.
Click to expand...
here ya go, said Modulus Q5
modulus1-1.png
 
#14
If you do some research (just on this forum alone) I think you'll find a lot less negative feedback regarding MTD USAs than you will Modulus basses. I've played various Modulus models and to me they don't even come close in sound or construction to MTD USA models.
 
#15
TFunkadelic said:
This is slightly concerning to me. My Modulus (pics forthcoming) is of the utmost quality to me. Everything on it is perfect, and I don't know that I can settle for anything less from my next bass. I guess I'll see when try it out monday.
Click to expand...

I don't mean to give any negative vibes about MTD because the basses are great. I just happened to get one that wasn't perfect which can happen with any manufacturer. FWIW my MTD535 was purchased new in late 1999 or early 2000.
 
#16
I have owned both Modulus and MTD basses-I had a hard time adjusting to the feel of the graphite neck. I really like the way the MTD necks feel.

Tonally the MTD is organic & woody, yet alive and responsive- they don't lie and the characters vary from wood combinations -

The Modulus bass that I had cut very well, and you could hear the sound of the phenolic fingerboard - very quick attack on it-

2 very different basses, very much a personal preference to choose between them-
 
#19
TFunkadelic said:
I guess I'm asking, generally, could a person that loves a Modulus also love a MTD?
Click to expand...

absolutely. like i said before they are on my tops list.

i haven't yet owned an MTD but i've played about 20 of them. I have had two modulus basses, and currently play a pre gibson tobias.

having played a lot, a real lot of higher end basses i would say that feel wise modulus and MTD are really close compared to the feel of other high end basses. Not to say superior (that's a preference issue at this price point) but just similar in feel. Both also belong to the group of basses that have a lot of cut, punch, and definition, even though they do this in different ways.
 

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