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Rickenbacker vs. Modulus

#21
jlane72t said:
So what's your point?
Click to expand...

My "point" is that the OP in post #1 in plain English explicitly said (about Rickenbackers) "I do love the sound"
...and yet the sound of Rickenbackers is demonstrably variable beyond more than just the variations that are imparted by individual players.

If someone said "I do love the sound of Modulus basses" I don't think anyone would wonder whether they meant the sound that, say, Fernando Saunders gets or the sound that Dave Schools gets because irrespective of their individual tones there's an identifiable commonality between them that can be attributed to their choice of instrument. Fernando doesn't sound like Dave, but you can hear the Modulus sound in each of their individual voices.

But what commonality pervades the tones of Chris Squire and Paul McCartney? Practically none. The fact that "Heart Of The Sunrise" and "I'm Fixing A Hole" were played on the same make/model of instrument is a tribute to the inconsistancy of Rickenbacker instruments, not a tribute to how much an individual players' fingers can shape their sound.
 
#23
I still don't understand what you're getting at, Roscoe East.

We have a person trying to decide between buying a Ric and buying a Modulus.

Yes, you are correct that there have been lots of Ric players who have gotten a wide variety of signature sounds out of them. But asking him to narrow down which of those sounds he likes does not affect the final outcome; "buy a Ric". Can you please name any answer he could have given (i.e. "Squire" or "Foxton" or "McCartney") where the right answer would have been to choose the Modulus over the Ric? Will the Modulus get him closer to the "Foxton" sound than a Ric would?

I am also baffled how you get to your conclusion that the different tones is because of factory inconsistency and not individual players' style. You really think that machines using the same materials and blueprints output a greater inconsistency than the differences in playing styles (and other outboard gear) of musicians in different genres? Larry Graham and Robbie Shakespeare both play Fender Jazz basses, would you attribute their differences in tone to production line inconsistencies?

I know I'm repeating myself here, and this conversation is probably of no help to the OP anyway, so please, let's not drag it out much more.
 
#24
The difference in tone or "sound" between the Ricks played by McCartney and Squire has nothing to do with inconsistencies between the instruments. The only significant differences in the instruments were the strings; McCartney's were likely factory-installed flats, Squire's Roto-Sound rounds. The rest of the differences in sound were due to the many variables allowed by string height, pickup height, string tension, on-board control settings, pickup selection, cable, amplifier, amplifier controls, EQ, recording board settings, mixing, overdubs, and most of all, the player's picking and fingering techniques. I think Squire could make any bass sound the same. He could play one of my basses and sound like Squire, and when I play it, it would sound like a cheap imitation of Squire. It really has very little to do with the individual instrument.
 
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#25
I own a Ric 4003 mapleglo 1992, and recently got a Modulus Q5 quilt top phenolic fingerboard for my birthday from my dear wife (Wow!!). I took them both out to my gig last night, but played the Q5 exclusively, backing up both a rock originals band and a country rock band. I use Ampeg amps with clean signal input. FYI, I also have a newer American Deluxe Jazz 4, nice thin neck, black.

I like the Ric because of its character, tonal range and heritage, and it is a crowd pleaser for the same reasons, "are you bringing the Ric?" But as said, its all in the players style, fingers and electronics that determine the output. Some guys will pick it up and make it sing, others are confounded by it; you need to spend time with one to see if you bond; I think I've heard more "used to own a Ric" stories than any other brand. Personally I love it. But it is wood and has resonances, somewhat dead spots and some inconsistency in pickup across the strings; one learns to play those, listeners don't really care. It's a good idea to research the signal processing effects and amps some of your influential bassists use, because out of the box, the Ric will not sound like them, it's just an excellent platform. Holds its tuning quite well. Has its own neck shape and string spacing character.

The Q5 is modern technology, very consistent across the strings, nice range of EQ, very clean signal with little resonance, solid sustain (Ric is no slouch here either), stable wrt moisture due to the carbon fiber neck; every note comes through clearly. Here the trick is to impart some personality to this techno package through playing style. As a fellow bassist and Q5 owner (who conspired with my wife to get me mine) said, "it is so playable and clear that it makes you want to practice." It will produce more contemporary sounds and I see it as more flexible as a result, but will need to put more time in before I can declare a favorite, if ever. Bandmates and audience liked it.

The decision may come down to the music and genres you prefer to play, and the sounds the bass can produce. Classic or modern?

IMHO,
Jim
 
#27
I know this is an old thread but I couldn't help but comment! I traded my 4003 for a Quantum 4 trying to downsize my collection to one versatile bass. The Ric has that fantastic growl and is hands down my favorite passive bass. The binding is a little uncomfortable but you have about three really great tones you can get out of it. I hate the ric bridges and had a hipshot bridge. The dual truss rod takes some getting used to when performing your own setup. The modulus however to me is perfect. I picked up one in new condition with Bart pre amp and pickups. To me you can get atleast five REALLY good tones from it (just my preference). The setup is super early to perform. I live in Louisiana so the humidity has always messed with the necks on my wood basses. The action is also beautiful with no dead spots. Perfectly low and a very comfortable bass. If you need one bass to do it all. Get the modulus.
 
#29
B-line said:
Zzzzzzzombie Thread! Just in case the OP is stillpondering between the two, his decision is of course easier now as Modulus is no more.
Ric's however, live on ! In controvesy too, as seen by (2) concurrent threads "from the future":roflmao:
Click to expand...
Did they stop making them all together? On the website it says they are producing between 2-4 a month. That's as close as you can get to being out of business. Mine is labeled as the 24th bass made in April 02'. Atleast at one point they were cranking out around 30 bass guitars a month.
 
#30
Stephen Hurley said:
Did they stop making them all together? On the website it says they are producing between 2-4 a month. That's as close as you can get to being out of business. Mine is labeled as the 24th bass made in April 02'. Atleast at one point they were cranking out around 30 bass guitars a month.
Click to expand...

The latest info I had (which was not recent at all) was that Planet Bass, a dealer, had been able to round-up the parts and components needed to build a very very limited number of Modulus basses to order IIRC.

One would have to check his web-site or contact Tony to see if that's the case. I also recall that they were much higher-priced than when the Modulus "plant" in Cali was builidng them.

If the OP is still lurking somewhere: I've had both basses, (2) Ric's and an FU4, from Planet Bass as it were.
As stated, VERY different basses with extremely (IMO) characters and tone.

Ric pups and eq as opposed to the SD MM pup and OBP-2 pre on my Modulus, different results; both good, both very well built instruments!
 

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