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U.S. Peavey Club
- Thread starter Soundchaser11460
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That is a great deal for sure....I would love to have it but I just don't need another 4 string 35" scale bass.
Hey everyone!
I'm on a quest to find a new bass for the Flea tone, and I've heard that the G-bass is a decent carbon necked alternative for the Modulus.
Can anyone provide me a few soundclips? I have no clue how it sounds, the YT videos are not helpful.
Also, it seems like there's none in Europe (at least not in my area) for sale, and the only one that is on eBay is $800+.
If I like the tone, I'm willing to get one!
I'm on a quest to find a new bass for the Flea tone, and I've heard that the G-bass is a decent carbon necked alternative for the Modulus.
Can anyone provide me a few soundclips? I have no clue how it sounds, the YT videos are not helpful.
Also, it seems like there's none in Europe (at least not in my area) for sale, and the only one that is on eBay is $800+.
If I like the tone, I'm willing to get one!
I own a flea, quantum and gv
The gv world need a different preamp to sound like a modulus.. the feel is slightly different
I play them in a mega church... Commonly I'll need a low c to last an entire chorus etc
Thanks for your reply. I'm mostly interested in the G4, I don't really need the extra string, although I can imagine it's important for you.
I'd probably get an aguilar for it, but would love to hear a clip about a G4.. maybe it sounds close.. I'll definitely get one in that case.. if there's someone willing to ship..
Couple of opinion notes
1-active carbon fiber basses are greatly helped by 2 pickups.. commonly to get tonal differences the blend knob is more efficient than the tone knob. IF you really "get into" it, there will be a time that chording etc may be efficient... in this case, it's nice to have the overtones of the bridge pickup.
2-My Flea 5 has an Aguilar/single pickup - it's coming out.
So, a flea is kind of like a Gbass.
I commonly play carbon fiber direct in mega churches. With the correct strings, one note will hit the sub and last an entire chord duration.
The career sound folks enjoy the note duration, there is an issue with a single pickup paired with the Aguilar preamp. (My Flea5 has an Aguilar.) Some songs are driving 8th notes (with a pick)... in these commonly it helps to "right size" the EQ. Here's the challenge... a single pickup does not allow to blend pickups.... the sound crew does not enjoy how "hot" the Aguilar preamp is... it's almost "too much" meaning it's tough know if you went to unity detent to +20db on the low end etc.
I'll be converting it to a clearer preamp with less gain and then will start playing the flea again.
----
And yes, GV and GBasses are the gateway into the carbon fiber cult. If your playing technique is clean, and ear is good, you can do some fantastic things (not possible with my very vintage P)...
Other GBass note,
When you buy online... have the seller take a pix from about 15-20 feet away with a light above... the Glitter finishes are best represented this way...
Most appear almost black with an accent at the "shine" points.
When you buy online... have the seller take a pix from about 15-20 feet away with a light above... the Glitter finishes are best represented this way...
Most appear almost black with an accent at the "shine" points.
Awesome feedback, thank you!
Have you played a G4? Do you think it would have that tone that I'm looking for?
I don't mind having a hot preamp/pickup, actually, some of my pedals will prefer that.
This is the tone I'm looking for and some folks said that the G4 is the poor man's modulus.. Well, I'm indeed poor if it comes down 4k instruments. I'm afraid that the G4's sweetspot pickup won't sound like the MM styles found in the Modulus.
I could bare with a 5 string if I knew that it will sound 90% as this.
Decisions decisions...
PS: The glitter finish. It's funky!
Hmmn.
The 2 Carbon fiber characteristics are sustain and clarity.
The rest really is up to your preamp, strings, setup, touch, technique etc. "
Preamp, Strings and Setup are the gear side.. the rest is "you"
When folks PM me about why their flea does not sound like flea... many times they don't approach individual instruments and outcome... and work it backward. If you're "dedicated" to things done successfully on other instruments, the outcome may not be as intended.
Example.. my stand up acoustic upright wouldn't sound acceptable if I approached it with "I like GHS progressive exposed core stainless strings and 1mm action." When setting this up, I start over with best practices and lessons learned from folks before.
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I could get that sound with the gear I have in my arsenal (using a GBass OR a GV).
Now that being said, I'm always cautious to remind folks that a staffed gig will have the people and budget to do just about anything. Much of it is behind the scenes. If I remember correctly, there's a Youtube video with his rig rundown. I'd pay more attention to the signal chain that the bass and amp.
Example... the question was about Flea tone... some would say his "tone" is a bank of GK amplification. this video clearly shows Acoustic Amplification - the video had hints it wasn't bootlegged.. who knows he may have punched much of it in a recording studio... overall... it's possible that his signal chain bypasses many things we see.
I toured with a guitarist that had a bank of high end 4x12 cabinets... people would ramble on about how nothing replaces a speaker wall. Under his big rig was a metal lunch box 2x6 GK guitar amp no pedals (remember those)... the cabinets were a visual back drop. His "stadium sound" was from a little metal toaster the size of a boom box. We had incredible production crew.
The 2 Carbon fiber characteristics are sustain and clarity.
The rest really is up to your preamp, strings, setup, touch, technique etc. "
Preamp, Strings and Setup are the gear side.. the rest is "you"
When folks PM me about why their flea does not sound like flea... many times they don't approach individual instruments and outcome... and work it backward. If you're "dedicated" to things done successfully on other instruments, the outcome may not be as intended.
Example.. my stand up acoustic upright wouldn't sound acceptable if I approached it with "I like GHS progressive exposed core stainless strings and 1mm action." When setting this up, I start over with best practices and lessons learned from folks before.
-----
I could get that sound with the gear I have in my arsenal (using a GBass OR a GV).
Now that being said, I'm always cautious to remind folks that a staffed gig will have the people and budget to do just about anything. Much of it is behind the scenes. If I remember correctly, there's a Youtube video with his rig rundown. I'd pay more attention to the signal chain that the bass and amp.
Example... the question was about Flea tone... some would say his "tone" is a bank of GK amplification. this video clearly shows Acoustic Amplification - the video had hints it wasn't bootlegged.. who knows he may have punched much of it in a recording studio... overall... it's possible that his signal chain bypasses many things we see.
I toured with a guitarist that had a bank of high end 4x12 cabinets... people would ramble on about how nothing replaces a speaker wall. Under his big rig was a metal lunch box 2x6 GK guitar amp no pedals (remember those)... the cabinets were a visual back drop. His "stadium sound" was from a little metal toaster the size of a boom box. We had incredible production crew.
My apologies, I've not answered one of your specific questions
"Have you played a G4? Do you think it would have that tone that I'm looking for?
I don't mind having a hot preamp/pickup, actually, some of my pedals will prefer that. "
G4...
Yes... they as close to identical as it comes. They all sounded the same with one expeption.. one sounded shiny white.. a few were glitttery red.. a few glittery blue... some glittery green and about 10 were glittery black... the tipping audience overall thought glittery black sounded better.
My preference to sell the GBasses was to get the pickup blend ... ability to play a low C.. and sunbursts "sound better" to my intended audience.
I will note that a G has a slightly different "feel" than a Modulus... kind of like gloves and shoes, they fit different
I currently own 2 GV. Someday I'll get around to popping the Millenium preamps I have sitting around in them.
PEDALS
Like noted before anything that deviates from exact Flea will deviate from the results. So if the mission is to become him, then all factors (gear, staff, signal chain, setup, touch, feel etc) should be identical to him.
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Currently (in this Flea realm) I own a 2 GVs, Flea 5, Quantum 6........ I also own a USA Peavey Millenium 5... IF I was hired to get the flea sound... ironically enough, I'd not use my flea with GK amps... it would be my unicorn Millenium with a DI box.
I hope the replies help...
after converting many of my instruments to carbon fiber, I enjoy how in tune they are... how weather doesn't affect them.. the sustain etc. My cult membership was crowned when I sold my early Martin Acoustics and replaced wtih Composite Acoustics
---
And yes, a properly setup G or GV gets "close enough" to a Modulus (without the price tag, wait etc.) I will note that the Millenium preamp conversion gets the bass closer to modulus than cirrus output.
Enough that I'm considering selling the Quantum.. and keeping the 2 sunburst GV (one is a spare)...
"Have you played a G4? Do you think it would have that tone that I'm looking for?
I don't mind having a hot preamp/pickup, actually, some of my pedals will prefer that. "
G4...
Yes... they as close to identical as it comes. They all sounded the same with one expeption.. one sounded shiny white.. a few were glitttery red.. a few glittery blue... some glittery green and about 10 were glittery black... the tipping audience overall thought glittery black sounded better.
My preference to sell the GBasses was to get the pickup blend ... ability to play a low C.. and sunbursts "sound better" to my intended audience.
I will note that a G has a slightly different "feel" than a Modulus... kind of like gloves and shoes, they fit different
I currently own 2 GV. Someday I'll get around to popping the Millenium preamps I have sitting around in them.
PEDALS
Like noted before anything that deviates from exact Flea will deviate from the results. So if the mission is to become him, then all factors (gear, staff, signal chain, setup, touch, feel etc) should be identical to him.
-----
Currently (in this Flea realm) I own a 2 GVs, Flea 5, Quantum 6........ I also own a USA Peavey Millenium 5... IF I was hired to get the flea sound... ironically enough, I'd not use my flea with GK amps... it would be my unicorn Millenium with a DI box.
I hope the replies help...
after converting many of my instruments to carbon fiber, I enjoy how in tune they are... how weather doesn't affect them.. the sustain etc. My cult membership was crowned when I sold my early Martin Acoustics and replaced wtih Composite Acoustics
---
And yes, a properly setup G or GV gets "close enough" to a Modulus (without the price tag, wait etc.) I will note that the Millenium preamp conversion gets the bass closer to modulus than cirrus output.
Enough that I'm considering selling the Quantum.. and keeping the 2 sunburst GV (one is a spare)...
I have a 21 fret Patriot neck in great condition. It's the earlier wider one that is more like a P bass.
I could use a 20 fret neck of similar vintage for an old t40 body I have. Do any Peavey hoarders out there have the opposite problem?
I know it's pretty unlikely, but I would trade.
I could use a 20 fret neck of similar vintage for an old t40 body I have. Do any Peavey hoarders out there have the opposite problem?
I know it's pretty unlikely, but I would trade.
Mech, Are there any other Peavey necks that are 20 frets and compatible with a t40 body?
If not peavey necks, are there other brand necks that you may know of that fit a t40?
Your Peavey neck knowledge has helped me out in the past.
I've got a trashed up T40 body that I want to do some crazy mods to.
I don't know of any neck that's a direct fit for a T-40. The easiest substitute I've found is a late model Milestone neck with the wheel at the heel truss rod adjustment. It's 20 frets but has a round heel and is a taste too wide at the heel. It also has a 1 1/2" topnut, which was good for me. I believe the earlier model Milestone necks with the TR adjustment at the peghead will fit with the same mods but haven't had one to try
If you have access to a band sander you can sand less than 1/32" off each side of the heel and then dress the end of the frets. Sand a little from each side then try for fit. Repeat as necessary. Also remove a taste from the round end of the heel below the wheel so it fits farther in the pocket. New mounting holes have to be drilled. Not as complicated as it sounds. Takes about 20-30 minutes. Seal the sanded areas with Tru-Oil.
This one weighs 9lb.
Tuner holes were enlarged for the Titans, TR cover is just for the look and the pinstripe is tape. I also have a black one done this way.Pressing the like alone is not adequate, you are a tremendous resource Mech, thanks again.I don't know of any neck that's a direct fit for a T-40. The easiest substitute I've found is a late model Milestone neck with the wheel at the heel truss rod adjustment. It's 20 frets but has a round heel and is a taste too wide at the heel. It also has a 1 1/2" topnut, which was good for me. I believe the earlier model Milestone necks with the TR adjustment at the peghead will fit with the same mods but haven't had one to try
If you have access to a band sander you can sand less than 1/32" off each side of the heel and then dress the end of the frets. Sand a little from each side then try for fit. Repeat as necessary. Also remove a taste from the round end of the heel below the wheel so it fits farther in the pocket. New mounting holes have to be drilled. Not as complicated as it sounds. Takes about 20-30 minutes. Seal the sanded areas with Tru-Oil.
This one weighs 9lb.
View attachment 2937463
This helped a LOT. About the technique and rest of the rig. I'm in a Chili Peppers tribute band so we're trying our best.
I have my own tone that I really like with a jazz bass (and it's perfect for late RHCP songs) but I feel like I need something clearer rather than characteristic for the mid-era stuff.
If the G4 is indeed almost identical to one, it's a nobrainer for me... For the early songs I'd use a Stingray.. probably..
but the Modulus tone... it's not like I'm set that I want it, that my life is on line for it. I just feel like we as a band need that tone. Thank you once again, it helped a lot.
If anyone else could provide me with an audio clip of a g4, I'd be very grateful
@Ronnie Nine
My G-bass is strung with nylon tapes so I doubt any audio clips would help.
Regarding the Flea tone. When folks say the G-bass is the poor man's Modulus they mean it was cheap for a bass with a graphite neck,there's no Modulus connection. Tone doesn't solely rest on the materials used for the neck,other factors apply.What's the pickup placement on his bass ? That'll have a much greater impact on his tone,it's 765mm from nut to centre of the VFL on the G-bass. If you follow the " Tone Wood" idea then you'll have to consider the G-bass and it's basswood body,will that impact the tone.
My G-bass is strung with nylon tapes so I doubt any audio clips would help.
Regarding the Flea tone. When folks say the G-bass is the poor man's Modulus they mean it was cheap for a bass with a graphite neck,there's no Modulus connection. Tone doesn't solely rest on the materials used for the neck,other factors apply.What's the pickup placement on his bass ? That'll have a much greater impact on his tone,it's 765mm from nut to centre of the VFL on the G-bass. If you follow the " Tone Wood" idea then you'll have to consider the G-bass and it's basswood body,will that impact the tone.
Also, the G4's Pau Ferro fretboard warms up the sound from a typical graphite neck.
I think Flea's Modulus basses don't have wood fretboards.
I think Flea has Lane Poor MM pickup and a Bartolini preamp in his Modulus basses.
I think Flea's Modulus basses don't have wood fretboards.
I think Flea has Lane Poor MM pickup and a Bartolini preamp in his Modulus basses.
Yes, he has different pickups and preamps, the early ones being the lane poors (probably the better sounding ones), also iirc he also had/has Aguilar OBP-3 Pre's.
Of course the tone relies on multiple factors, hence why I'm also considering a stingray (pickup placement, type). BUT, without the graphite neck, there's no starting point (At least so I've been told, never played a carbon neck)
Thank you both for your feedback, means a lot for this quest of mine. Feed me with facts!
Of course the tone relies on multiple factors, hence why I'm also considering a stingray (pickup placement, type). BUT, without the graphite neck, there's no starting point (At least so I've been told, never played a carbon neck)
Thank you both for your feedback, means a lot for this quest of mine. Feed me with facts!
@Ronnie Nine
Just played my T40 with nylon tapes and the G-bass with nylon tapes, that T40 is active and wired humbucker only.
I wouldn't say the carbon wrap neck made a massive difference. Now I'll grant my appreciation of carbon fibre neck is limited, apart from the G-bass only my B-Quad and Vigier have carbon fibre necks.
The main benefit I get from the carbon necks is stability. The G-bass was upstairs in an unheated room but only needed a minor fine tune to play, the T40 is keep in the heated living room yet it was well out of tune.
Instead of buying another bass have you looked at just buying a carbon neck ? I don't know where the "Kingdom of Salvation" is but a neck from Status Graphite for your Stingray is about £360, $365USD, 400 euro. I've added the VAT to £ and euro prices but USA customers pay no VAT nor import tax so just the shipping would need added.
Status Graphite. The finest hand-made graphite basses and guitars. Made in England.
Just played my T40 with nylon tapes and the G-bass with nylon tapes, that T40 is active and wired humbucker only.
I wouldn't say the carbon wrap neck made a massive difference. Now I'll grant my appreciation of carbon fibre neck is limited, apart from the G-bass only my B-Quad and Vigier have carbon fibre necks.
The main benefit I get from the carbon necks is stability. The G-bass was upstairs in an unheated room but only needed a minor fine tune to play, the T40 is keep in the heated living room yet it was well out of tune.
Instead of buying another bass have you looked at just buying a carbon neck ? I don't know where the "Kingdom of Salvation" is but a neck from Status Graphite for your Stingray is about £360, $365USD, 400 euro. I've added the VAT to £ and euro prices but USA customers pay no VAT nor import tax so just the shipping would need added.
Status Graphite. The finest hand-made graphite basses and guitars. Made in England.
