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What is this bass worth? 2011/2012 Modulus Quantum TBX5

Y

Yorkey

Guest
Jan 24, 2016
10
7
56
#1
I played a gently used one, I liked it. It's a 5 string, 35" scale, Aguilar OBP-3 pre, Alder Body, Bartolini Soap bar Pickups, Black Redwood Burl top, Hipshot, Side dots, carbon fiber graphite neck, phenolic fingerboard, KLD (ladies dancing) pattern on the neck, neck-through, this is the one with the truss rod design (newer generation).

I'm being told $8000+ as these are becoming very rare. Would anyone be willing to weigh in? I liked it but don't want to get hurt by overpaying.

Thanks guys
 
#5
bass08053 said:
I don't believe any Modulus has or will ever be worth that much.
Click to expand...

fwiw all the Modulus TBX models in the 2012 catalog had an MSRP over $8k.
Whether they are "worth" that has more to do with the individual user's sense of value.

(I don't remember what the pre-reissue TBXs originally listed for, but I do know that *I'd* rather have an earlier TBX than a reissue, so I'd be willing to pay more for an older one than a newer one. Though not sure I'd be willing to pay >$8k for a ~20-year-old instrument. Minty fresh specimen? Yeah, probably.)
 
#6
Bob_Ross said:
fwiw all the Modulus TBX models in the 2012 catalog had an MSRP over $8k.
Whether they are "worth" that has more to do with the individual user's sense of value.

(I don't remember what the pre-reissue TBXs originally listed for, but I do know that *I'd* rather have an earlier TBX than a reissue, so I'd be willing to pay more for an older one than a newer one. Though not sure I'd be willing to pay >$8k for a ~20-year-old instrument. Minty fresh specimen? Yeah, probably.)
Click to expand...

MSRP or List Price is almost never what anyone actually pays. If something sold in store had an msrp of 8k, it probably sold around 5k.

As far as an older bass, it's all in what someone is willing to pay. I just haven't seen any Modulus basses going for a price like that. If someone wants my 25th anniversary Q5 for 8k, I won't say no. :D
 
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#7
It's in excellent condition. I agree that if MSRP was $8K it probably sold for around $5K or maybe $6K on average. Although it seems pretty gently used, it's still not new. It's 5 years old and this guy is telling me that the new ones you can order now he wants nearly $10K. Nobody I've come across here thinks that any Modulus (new or used) is anywhere near this kind of money. Seller won't budge on the price and is confident it will sell for $8300 all day long. I understand that sometimes when the original company fails and gets restarted with someone new at the helm, people can see a value in getting one that was made prior to that and that people may start to hang on to theirs. But I'm told these basses were $4-$5K new in stores. I also heard they were underpriced which is why they went BK. Truth be told, I like it. But I don't want to be the pigeon who pays twice what it's worth just because I like it. For $8K I'm thinking I might like a lot of other basses that are truly worth that. This kinda sucks man :). Thanks for weighing in guys :)

Here are some pics of it. What do you guys think?
A Modulus I'm looking at

A Modulus I'm looking at

2011/2012 Quantum TBX5
A Modulus I'm looking at

A Modulus I'm looking at

2011/2012 Quantum TBX5
A Modulus I'm looking at

A Modulus I'm looking at

2011/2012 Quantum TBX5
 
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#8
You won't ever find another one with those specs.
But this TBX will likely be for sale at that price for your entire lifetime.
My advice is to spend $2000 or so and get a used Modulus Quantum 5. I think you will enjoy much of the feel,evenness, immediate presence and tone that the TBX offers in a more affordable package that you can sell pretty easily if you ever choose to.
 
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#9
Hidesert said:
You won't ever find another one with those specs.
But this TBX will likely be for sale at that price for your entire lifetime.
My advice is to spend $2000 or so and get a used Modulus Quantum 5. I think you will enjoy much of the feel,evenness, immediate presence and tone that the TBX offers in a more affordable package that you can sell pretty easily if you ever choose to.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more. Let them keep that bass forever with an 8K price tag.
 
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#10
I've also inquired about this bass... I would pass personally, but I suppose an instrument is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. That said, I've seen used TBX 4's and 5's pop up from time to time (several over the past year) and the price range was between $2800 and $4000. There was a beautiful TBX5 that was on eBay a few weeks ago. It was a blueburst (looked like gazing in a caribbean ocean) in probably 8 out of 10 condition. That one I believe was sold for $3700.
 
#11
It's definitely a beautiful TBX, but insanely overpriced at $8,300. I'd definitely pay $4k to $5k, but that would be my limit. I think Hidesert made an expert recommendation above - you'll get the majority of the look, sound, and fit & finish with a nice, used bolt-on Q5 for 1/4 of the asking price of this instrument.
 
#12
Modulus TBX basses are incredibly difficult to produce, which is why the price was/is so high. Planet Bass starts a build at $7299, for a 5 string TBX, which is the actual price of the bass, not MSRP. Adding options like figured tops, gloss body, gloss neck, colors, etc., can add another $2,000-$3000 to the price. As far as the reissue that you are looking at, that build out would have been about $10,000 new. The only thing that I don't like is the truss rod cover.

Yes, they are worth the $ (though $8300 is too much for any bass). I have owned a couple of TBX 6 strings, and still own a 5 string TBX (though it has hardly been played). When looking for a used TBX, there are some things to consider.... Will it fit modern sized soap bars? This is important as some TBX models with Barts had two different sizes at the neck, and bridge. Is it a Quantum TBX? These began in 1992, and included all the features of the Quantum models at the time, modern sized soap bar pick-ups, bridges, badging, and body contour that is still used today. Finding the right color, and in proper condition, is tough.

The thick, full bodied tone, clarity, and sustain, are really what make the TBX special. I'm glad that they are back in production, but the price for a new one is just astonishing.
 
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#13
ModulusTBX said:
Modulus TBX basses are incredibly difficult to produce, which is why the price was/is so high. Planet Bass starts a build at $7299, for a 5 string TBX, which is the actual price of the bass, not MSRP. Adding options like figured tops, gloss body, gloss neck, colors, etc., can add another $2,000-$3000 to the price. As far as the reissue that you are looking at, that build out would have been about $10,000 new. The only thing that I don't like is the truss rod cover.

Yes, they are worth the $ (though $8300 is too much for any bass). I have owned a couple of TBX 6 strings, and still own a 5 string TBX (though it has hardly been played). When looking for a used TBX, there are some things to consider.... Will it fit modern sized soap bars? This is important as some TBX models with Barts had two different sizes at the neck, and bridge. Is it a Quantum TBX? These began in 1992, and included all the features of the Quantum models at the time, modern sized soap bar pick-ups, bridges, badging, and body contour that is still used today. Finding the right color, and in proper condition, is tough.

The thick, full bodied tone, clarity, and sustain, are really what make the TBX special. I'm glad that they are back in production, but the price for a new one is just astonishing.
Click to expand...

Right, but this is a USED TBX5... I get that this one is pretty tricked-out, but it's like driving a Porsche off the lot. There's an inherent level of depreciation that (should) occur immediately. Unless you're saying that this bass would go for 11k new. Still, 8k seems a bit high. Maybe 5 or 6k would be a little more reasonable. I often wonder who has the coin to spend on expensive basses (besides millionaires). I mean Alembic Series II basses also go for over 10k, yet they sell enough to stay in business.
 
#15
So looks like a basic 4 string starts at $7299
So I would guess a 5er set up like this would be at least $8k new. That being said do you want to pay new prices for a used instrument?
Also check out G. Gould if a bolt on is ok for you. Much more affordable than the new Modulus
 
#17
Honestly regarding the used TBX in question, yes I would figure in depreciation so I would say a fair price for that used TBX at about $4500.00, again if your going to spend 8K I would either just order a brand new one from Planet Bass and give him the deposit he requires and you'll have a little time to come up with the other 2K to pay it and you can order it to your specs and have a full warranty or take your money and spend it on a nice Fodera or any other nice high-end bass that might have a serious resale value if it didn't work.
Fodera basses have a real serious resale value.
 
#18
gwangi said:
Honestly regarding the used TBX in question, yes I would figure in depreciation so I would say a fair price for that used TBX at about $4500.00, again if your going to spend 8K I would either just order a brand new one from Planet Bass and give him the deposit he requires and you'll have a little time to come up with the other 2K to pay it and you can order it to your specs and have a full warranty or take your money and spend it on a nice Fodera or any other nice high-end bass that might have a serious resale value if it didn't work.
Fodera basses have a real serious resale value.
Click to expand...

Okay, I was trying to be fair to the OP and not mention who is actually selling this bass as he seemed prepared to possibly purchase it, but it's been a little while since the initial post and I can't take it anymore. It's being sold by PLANET BASS - you know, the owner/manufacturer of Modulus basses! I'm not sure how they can sell a used TBX5 for around the same price as a new one, but that seems to be the situation.

With the upgrades it would cost about $9800 new (retail). So, 8k and change for the same used instrument is still a bit much IMHO, but hey - they can charge what they like.
 
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#20
it would not be a smart move for planet bass to undervalue a used TBX as they own modulus now and that would simply devalue their new basses. That being said, I value my well used 91 TBX at between 4-5k. There was a 96 TBX on TB here that sold for almost 7k about 6 months ago.
 

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