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The poor mans modulus q5

If you don't mind the headless stigma, a Steinberger q5 is close sound wise. They have a graphite "blend" neck, and emg pups that are configured as 'p' pickups. Find one that has a HAZ preamp. They are going up in value since ned passed, but you may get lucky and find a good deal on one. I've owned both, and still have the Steinberger, and I'd have to think long and hard about letting it go.
When did Ned pass?? Isn't he still alive?
 
Based on your username I'm guessing you're looking for a Mike Gordon type sound?

Not sure if there is a poor man's Q5. That Q5 TBX is a huge part of Mike's tone. The clarity, low end, and sustain are all a result of the construction of that bass. Obviously his technique would also play a role in this sound.

Occasionally my Bossa OBJ-5 can get in the same realm as a Gordo tone but the B string just isn't anywhere near as nice. The Bossa would be in a lower budget maybe under 12/1300. They are not readily available on the classifieds/reverb if you're looking for one now.

I've been a phish fan/Gordon fan for a very long time. I've looked all over for a poor mans Q5 and I just don't think there is a substitute.
 
If you don't mind the headless stigma, a Steinberger q5 is close sound wise. They have a graphite "blend" neck, and emg pups that are configured as 'p' pickups. Find one that has a HAZ preamp. They are going up in value since ned passed, but you may get lucky and find a good deal on one. I've owned both, and still have the Steinberger, and I'd have to think long and hard about letting it go.

Just wanted to say that Ned is very much alive.
 
I have an old 92 Q5 that I take out when I feel like reliving my early 20's. I don't see why you can get any 5 string with humbuckers to get you in the same tonal spectrum. Especially in a mix I'd be hard to tell any different sound wise. Feel and build is another story.
 
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I believe Modulus made the necks for the Peavey basses.
Modulus did not make the the necks for the Peavey G Bass four string or the Peavey G-V five string basses.
Peavey told me directly who made the necks and then I spoke to the company that made the necks and confirmed.
Not Modulus and not Moses, not a company who is in the musical products manufacturing business.
 
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Peavey basses are incredible, and sometimes not so incredible. Very dependent on when and where they are made. Working at the Bass Place in the 90s and early 2000s when graphite basses were the rage we carried Modulus, Zon, Status, Peavey, Moses replacement necks and even had a few Music Man Cutlass basses come in used with factory graphite necks.

Previous posts are right on. The Peavey G basses were really great instruments and they come up used every so often for quite the bargain. Cirrus basses, at least the earlier ones, were not graphite but they felt similar to the Modulus, 35" scale, and were pretty wonderful but aren't always as much of a bargain, even used.

The Modulus M92 and Sweetspot series were cheaper and occasionally show up on the used market at decent discounts, especially the M92, the pickguard is considered by many a major downgrade in appearance.

I've owned 6 Modulus basses over the years and my Q5 is still my number one of the over a hundred basses I've owned. They are truly wonderful instruments, but there are other options on the market, for sure
 
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Peavey basses are incredible, and sometimes not so incredible. Very dependent on when and where they are made. Working at the Bass Place in the 90s and early 2000s when graphite basses were the rage we carried Modulus, Zon, Status, Peavey, Moses replacement necks and even had a few Music Man Cutlass basses come in used with factory graphite necks.

Previous posts are right on. The Peavey G basses were really great instruments and they come up used every so often for quite the bargain. Cirrus basses, at least the earlier ones, were not graphite but they felt similar to the Modulus, 35" scale, and were pretty wonderful but aren't always as much of a bargain, even used.

The Modulus M92 and Sweetspot series were cheaper and occasionally show up on the used market at decent discounts, especially the M92, the pickguard is considered by many a major downgrade in appearance.

You've really got to watch some of the early necks though, some had a tendency to move a bit and can develop an undesirable bow, but there are some former Modulus employees that will plane the necks to straight for a reasonable charge.

I've owned 6 Modulus basses over the years and my Q5 is still my number one of the over a hundred basses I've owned. They are truly wonderful instruments, but there are other options on the market, for sure
How do you contact the old employees?
 
The regular Cirrus preamp is decent, but too polite or "kind", imo. The Millenium pre makes all of the difference with the mid-sweep knob. It seems like you can't entirely dial out the mids on the regular pre, versus the Milli, which can let you dial out the mids for a killer slap tone, or crank them (along with the big choice of frequencies from the sweep) for some serious growl. The sweep offers you the ability to get some very gnarly upper-mids...where it roars.
 
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How do you contact the old employees?

(360) 273-7744
This is Jerry Dorsch's number, who was the man beside Geoff Gould, when Modulus started. He still makes composite basses, (his company is called Graphite Guitar Systems) but I've heard for not much longer. He has no adveritising of any kind (website, FB, etc), but is very approachable on the phone. His prices are insanely good (probably because he's a ghost builder), and is also extremely busy. I've heard he also helps out Mike Lull and other notable builders. Give him a call, he's very old-school.
 
Modulus did not make the the necks for the Peavey G Bass four string or the Peavey G-V five string basses.
Peavey told me directly who made the necks and then I spoke to the company that made the necks and confirmed.
Not Modulus and not Moses, not a company who is in the musical products manufacturing business.

This tallies with what I know. It was a gun stock company.
 
I own GVs and quantums... And flea

Yea they're all similar in quality

The sound can be changed with strings and preamp

A GV has a slightly different neck profile... The preamp would need to be changed to be more aggressive

......

Sound and feel? For a cheap and pretty way is a USA Millenium 5 with stainless strings and a proper setup. Blind folded you'd never hear the difference... It takes some time to set up the neck... But will have almost the same feel as a quantum or flea when ready
 
Sorry, but I have problems taking anyone seriously that uses "rite" and "cuz" in their posts. However, the USA Peaveys hold their own with many much *more* expensive brands, including Modulus.
Take me serious or not peaveyd "MITE" hold their own against some brands in the same level of quality but not modulus!! & yes I've owned both top of the modulus and top of the Peavey ! Kept the modulus ditched the peavey..
again, just CUZ they both share graphite necks doesn't mean their at the same level of basses!
NO COMPARISON!! Sorry but it Takes more then just a graphite neck to make a Modulus! and yes my spelling sucks Everyone knows it even me.. :)
so Sorry all Peavey lovers that's just my experience & opinion.
 

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