• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Reasons why not to buy a Modulus?

bassike

bassike

Apr 24, 2008
865
421
Montreal
#1
yesterday i was about to order a modulus Q5 but i've never tried one, and i do not know any place in montreal where i could try one.
does anybody have a complaint about modulus basses
I know they are not for everyone cause of the modern sound
but in terms of construction playability and durability, any comments?
 
#2
Well, I wound up selling my Quantum 5 because I couldn't seem to ever adjust to the thick neck and 35" scale. It sounded amazing though. For the right player those things are unstoppable. Construction and durability were not issues, and I'm fussy. Now I play a Modulus Flea 5er with jazz pickups and couldn't be more happy.
 
#3
bassike said:
yesterday i was about to order a modulus Q5 but i've never tried one, and i do not know any place in montreal where i could try one.
does anybody have a complaint about modulus basses
I know they are not for everyone cause of the modern sound
but in terms of construction playability and durability, any comments?
Click to expand...

I custom ordered a Q5 several years ago. This bass served me well, It was a joy to play.

As far as construction this bass was absolutely flawless. Very tight neck pocket, routing, neat control cavity, etc.

For playability, this bass was very comfortable for me. I thought it was a bit heavy (but I also have a bad back), but overall the balance was perfect. The necks on these basses are sweet. The fingerboard is pretty close to flat. The string spacing on the Q5 is a little tight; this took some getting used to.

As far as durability, once you adjust the neck (via neck adjustment rod) you will never have to adjust it again. It will not move with the seasons like wood necks do.

I would highly recommend that you find a way to try one of these basses before you buy. They definitely are not for everyone. They are very precise and are almost too clean. They almost have sort of a natural compression character to them. Also, I found the Modulus Q5 to be a bit finicky with some amps. It just didn't sound good thru some gear. Like my Ampeg rig at the time (SVT 4 pro, BXt cabs). It sounded better with my SWR and EDen gear.

For styles of music I used it for funk, reggae, jazz, blues and rock. Mine had Barts which I found to be less brittle sounding than EMG's.

Maybe you can find a TBer near you that would let you try their bass out?
Here is a pic of her. If you have anymore questions lemme know.
 
#8
bassike said:
does anybody have a complaint about modulus basses
I know they are not for everyone cause of the modern sound
but in terms of construction playability and durability, any comments?
Click to expand...


Hmm... I have a few complaints about my Modulus' construction quality: Basically there are two or three examples of what I would characterize as "sub-standard" workmanship (possibly even bordering on "shoddy", at least as compared to other quote-unquote boutique basses).

- The seam between the two coco bola halves that make up the body cap is way too visible when viewed both from the top and (more egregiously) from the end. Just doesn't look like the wood joinery was done with an eye towards precision.

- There's a miniscule chunk of material missing from the nut. Basically looks like someone screwed up with the bandsaw. Doesn't affect functionality or playability, but as an aesthetic issue it's criminal.

- The original passive tone pot was wired backwards when I received the bass brand new & built to spec for me in 1989.

In short, the workmanship is unimpressive on that sort of up-close, nit-picking level. I would hope that Modulus' attention to detail and precision workmanship has improved in the past 19 years. None of my complaints affect the playability or durability.

And the sound is what it is: for many types of music it's inappropriate, for just as many it is so impressively perfect sounding you wonder why anyone would ever use any other bass.
 
#9
I have no experience to say if this is true or not, so maybe some Modulus Mob members can shed some light...

I've heard the opinion expressed that QC over the basses made while Geoff Gould headed up the company was much better than now-a-days. Same for customer service. I've heard some horror stories in recent years about dealing with them.
 
#10
Well its who you talk to and whether you can get ahold of them.

I have an old q4 form 1993 that the body cracked between the neck pocket and bridge pickup. They normally dont sell bodies but offered me a replacement for only $300, cheap considering a new bass would run close to $3000 and you can buy new necks for only $600 or so. It took some time to get ahold of the right person though.
 
#12
seansbrew said:
I custom ordered a Q5 several years ago. This bass served me well, It was a joy to play.

As far as construction this bass was absolutely flawless. Very tight neck pocket, routing, neat control cavity, etc.

For playability, this bass was very comfortable for me. I thought it was a bit heavy (but I also have a bad back), but overall the balance was perfect. The necks on these basses are sweet. The fingerboard is pretty close to flat. The string spacing on the Q5 is a little tight; this took some getting used to.

As far as durability, once you adjust the neck (via neck adjustment rod) you will never have to adjust it again. It will not move with the seasons like wood necks do.
Click to expand...

+1

I play a Modulus Q5 as my main bass. I have played all kinds of basses. I actually ordered my Modulus without ever even playing one! And I am not disappointed at all. It plays great...I have had it over 2 years and haven't had to set it up one time.

Buying used is the only way to go when buying a Modulus. I paid 1/3 of what I could have bought one new....for that I would just buy 3 used. :D

It is a different animal....VERY clean highs, very deep lows. Neck is fast...the balance of weight is great. Electronics are great stock. (mine has EMG soapbars, not sure of the preamp).

I play anything from rock, jazz, funk, reggae, bluegrass, etc...I play with all kinds of bands and it fits each job. Great tonal control on the bass. I play it through an SVT3PRO and 410HLF cabinet..but have played through SVT810, etc etc...sounds great. I have friends that played their Moduluses through Bag End, Genz Benz, etc....all sounded great.

I can think of 100 reasons to have a Modulus and the only reason NOT to buy it would be price for a new one....BUY USED!

That being said, I will never sell this Modulus...it will be buried with me. :bassist:

Mod2.jpg
 
#13
3toes said:
I have no experience to say if this is true or not, so maybe some Modulus Mob members can shed some light...

I've heard the opinion expressed that QC over the basses made while Geoff Gould headed up the company was much better than now-a-days. Same for customer service. I've heard some horror stories in recent years about dealing with them.
Click to expand...

I think there are horror stories with any company..but I will say that when I booked bands, one of the bands I booked...(Green Lemon)...their bassist played a Modulus and it was stolen when they were on the road...these guys play 5 nights week when they tour...they called Modulus told them what happened and the rep sold him a NEW Modulus for dealer cost....which is great customer service imo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Outbush
#14
sleepy_monkey said:
I think there are horror stories with any company..but I will say that when I booked bands, one of the bands I booked...(Green Lemon)...their bassist played a Modulus and it was stolen when they were on the road...these guys play 5 nights week when they tour...they called Modulus told them what happened and the rep sold him a NEW Modulus for dealer cost....which is great customer service imo.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's awesome. Well I should also clarify as to the REASONS I've heard that their customer service/QC slipped... From what I heard, they tried to grow substantially in their manufacturing and simply couldn't keep up for a while. Maybe they did.

Again, this is all just stuff I've heard second hand, not trying to knock Modulus or anything. A nice Q5 is high up on my GAS list :)
 
#15
I like graphite and have owned Modulus, Zon and Status.

Possible concerns:

Gloss back of Modulus necks can become sticky with sweat. The Zons are satin and feel nicer to me.

Q5s balance well on a strap but are heavier than many wood-neck basses.

Modulus 5 string spacing @ bridge is <18mm, Zon is available with 19mm for those who prefer.

Some prefer the sound of wood, but I bet in a blinded study with basses EQed to taste it'd be tough to differentiate (much like recent threads of maple/rosewood sound clips have shown).

All told, graphite is amazing for its' stability (a real plus in Mtl) and is sweet lookin', too!
 
#17
bassike said:
yesterday i was about to order a modulus Q5 but i've never tried one, and i do not know any place in montreal where i could try one.
does anybody have a complaint about modulus basses
I know they are not for everyone cause of the modern sound
but in terms of construction playability and durability, any comments?
Click to expand...

Like some of the others on here.
I have owned every major bass label that came with a graphite neck.

I don't think you can get a better more reliable modern bass then Modulus IMHO. I own 5 and they are by far my main basses. ;):bassist:

Just be prepared for the long wait.
They are slammed over there and very busy/.
 
#18
Hoover said:
- The original passive tone pot was wired backwards when I received the bass brand new & built to spec for me in 1989.

In short, the workmanship is unimpressive on that sort of up-close, nit-picking level. I would hope that Modulus' attention to detail and precision workmanship has improved in the past 19 years. None of my complaints affect the playability or durability.
Click to expand...


Hey Hoover

That a bummer that it did not work out for you the way you thought.

In believe in 89 there was some proto types that where Alembic mergers, is yours one of them?

Also I can say pretty confidently that a lot has changed since then. Notice Modulus line has not really changed that much because its working "If its not broke don't fix it".

Do you still have that bass?
Let me know if you do...

:)
 
#20
I've owned plenty, and now the only two basses I own/play are Mod's, my custom Q5 (that was just finished in Dec 07) and a 99 FB4 on the way.

If you like the "traditional" feel, a Flea or VJ is for you, with the Genesis being another option.
Their staple and cash cow is the Quantum, and in the world you won't find a better bass when you get ahold of a good one.
I had one custom built for me that just got done in Feb, and having had owned 94, 96 and 97 Q5s, this is in no way any less good or lesser quality an instrument. I even think the fit/finish and body overall has improved.
Depending on the year, you will get a different neck, however. They switched them at some point, as my 94 had a very different feel and look than my 97. The 96 was a fretless, but felt more like the 97 model.

I've owned 2 or 3 Fleas, 4s and 5s, and one custom VJ w/ PJ pickups.

If I had to pick one line of instruments to play forever, it's Mods. And I have that choice now financially, and they're all I choose to worry about anymore.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back