Modulus

[dohhhhh6]

Well I've heard a lot of good thangas about Modulu but I don't have a bajillion dollars to spend so can someone tell we if they have a cheaper line of basses or do I have to spend 2-3 grand on Modulus?

[patrick_dont_fret]

I do believe you'll have to spend your whole life's savings to get your hands on a Modulus. I've played a few, the basses made of wood sound pretty good. But the graphite ones...I don't like them.

 

I know, you're saying "Well Schools from Panic plays one..." I know this, man. So does the guy from SCI. But I don't like the sound of them, personally. And the way it's all multicolored and stuff...isn't to my liking. Otherwise, I like the wooden basses. Too pricey, though.

[SteveC]

I played a Modulus for the first time about a month ago. A Q5 with the Bartolini pups and preamp. I have since bought a Q5 fretless to go with it. I LOVE THEM. The tone is even up and down the entire length of the fretboard. No dead spots, no bad tone when you play high on the E or B string, just even great tone throughout the entire range.

 

I wasn't sure about the graphite neck at first, but I love it. Stays in tune, and is very stable. That is a plus up here in North Dakota where the weather changes about every 30 minutes.

 

Not only do they play and sound great, they are beautiful instruments. I have quilt and flame maple tops on mine that are AAAAA and wonderful finishing touches. You can see them at my website if you are curious.

 

Yes, I bought both new and yes, they are expensive but I have no regrets. I've said this before to my friends, but I don't plan on changeing basses anytime soon.

[patrick_dont_fret]

Hmmm, SteveC. You don't use the Chorus made for bass? I do, and I love it. Really mixes well with the bass overdrive.

 

Here's a trick I (think I) made up:

 

On your fretless, fret at the very highest place you can still get a note from on the G. Now, pluck the string above the place where you fretted. Use overdrive and chorus for some really cool effects.

 

Now, start slowly sliding up and down on that string, changing the wavelength of the string. Do not, I repeat, do not, touch any of the other strings. Let them ring. Now, try this on the D. It doesn't work very well past the D, though.

 

I'd like to try this on a fretless 6 sometime. It also works on fretted, but I found this out on my fretless, so I like to do it there.

 

Anywho, I like this little trick, and I've freaked out some folks that play tonnes better than me in every respect. It totally flips their top.

[dohhhhh6]

F*** them all I care is that flea uses Modulus.

LoL just kidding man but the only real person I know that plays them is Flea. Looks like I'm not going to college.

[cornbread_medhotmail.com]

Modulus makes some great gear. I've played several. Zon also makes some great graphite basses. I used to own one. I wish I had it back, but a dire financial situation forced me to let her go. I'm doing all I can to get another one.

They're well worth the investment. You don't have to worry about weather changes effecting the neck, regardless of where you live or play. They have a unique sound acoustically, but they sound like a wood bass through an amp. The think I like most about them is they're so light, perfect for long gigs.

[music-man]

Meshell N'degeocello plays Modulus now ... can't say that I'm too good for that.

[_Sweet Willie_]

Wil-Dog from Ozomatli plays a Modulus Genesis VJ (one model I really wanna check out!). Oteil Burbridge plays Modulus basses. Dave School from Widespread Panic, I believe, is also a Modulus guy. Doesn't Stefan Lessard from DMB also sling a Modulus now? Plenty of notable endorsers out there. There's a whole host of groovalicious players hooked up with Modulus (whether by choices or Modulus' generosity...).

 

Peace.

[wraub]

Also, add Dave Ellefson (5 string I think)to that list, as well as the guy from Faith No More and the guy from Phish, who played a Modulus 6 string on SNL.

 

Peace,

 

wraub

[patrick_dont_fret]

Originally posted by wraub:

Also, add Dave Ellefson (5 string I think)to that list, as well as the guy from Faith No More and the guy from Phish, who played a Modulus 6 string on SNL.

 

Peace,

 

wraub

No he didn't. He played his 5 string custom made by their soundguy Paul Languadoc. Trey also plays PL geetars. Trust me, every chance I got I was checkin out his bass. It was a 5er.

 

And Sweet Willie, I also mentioned Dave Schools. Stefan Lessard plays a 5 string Mod, and a 6string Warwick. I think Stefan's aren't graphite, though. I may be wrong.

[wraub]

Ok, I stand corrected. Thanks, patrick.It looked like a 6 on my tv, but I do need glasses.

Did it at least have a graphite neck? I'd feel better, at least...

 

Peace,

 

wraub

[patrick_dont_fret]

It's all good. Actually, I think it might be a possibility that he has a graphite neck. I'll call him up tomorrow to find out. I haven't talked to him in a while. I just know that Paul does their geetars and basses. Just thought I'd clean up yer mess. Just kiddin', mon.

[wraub]

Originally posted by The patrick of Christmas future:

It's all good. Actually, I think it might be a possibility that he has a graphite neck. I'll call him up tomorrow to find out. I haven't talked to him in a while. I just know that Paul does their geetars and basses. Just thought I'd clean up yer mess. Just kiddin', mon.

The mess is mutual. We were both right.

 

www.phish.net/faq/bass.html

 

"Three Basses (counting one MIA)

 

New bass: Richard Akers repoted (3/1/99), "I've got Mike a new Gibson Thunderbird on the way and he also is testing the echoplex (stay tuned this should be most interesting)."

The Modulus Bass: Mike started using a new bass on the Feb/Mar European tour in 1997 (not July,as previously reported), and has been primarily using it since. It's a five-string graphite Modulus Quantum 5 (not TBX, and no EMG pickups, as previously reported). Thanks to Dennis John Midkiff (11/24/97), Russell Mirabelli , Steve Dolley (4/8/98 and 5/15/98), Julia (10/15/98), and Brent Dutcher 1/12/99. Also, Steve commented that "Mike's switch to the Modulus is a big part of the Phishphunk sound, and has led to his stepping out more and leading jams. The Modulus is very clear and articulate in its attack (primarily due to the neck, which is made of a carbon-graphite composite rather than wood). Very righteous for slap and pick styles. It also has nearly infinite sustain, and rings like a bell. Also, Phil Lesh plays them, and Mike is a major Phil admirer."

The Dragon Bass: An earlier Languedoc bass was stolen a few years ago, but was used from circa 1987 through mid-1997. Simpler than the Modulus, it had five strings "with an inlay of an asian-style dragon in mother of pearl on the headstock. It also has Paul Languedoc's name inlaid into it. It looks like the Languedoc bass that Mike is still using." (Shelly Culbertson; thanks also to Matt Laurence.) "Named for its intricate headstock inlay, the Dragon bass (built in 1989) has a five-piece curly-maple neck and a bound ebony fingerboard. The body is solid koa, with a face of curly-maple veneer. The bridge and tuning machines were made by Schaller. Mike custom-ordered the instrument's active, 18-volt Mørch pickups from Denmark; they came with myriad knobs and switches Mike didn't really want. "I have trouble making decisions," he says. "I probably change my instrument settings only every two years." The three larger knobs on the bass control volume (one per pickup) and pickup blend; the four micro-switches and three smaller knobs are for various midrange contours and high and low boosts. (Languedoc comments, "Even I don't know what they all do!") ... Mike and Paul both call the Fish--also named for its inlays--"a bit of an experiment." The bass, which was built about two years ago, has a two-piece curly-maple body with an interior chamber, a koa face with an f-hole and multiple-layered binding, and only one knob, which blends between the two EMG ASB-5 pickups. Mike eventually wants to add a piezo bridge transducer to accentuate the highs of the instrument's hollow body." (From "Paul Languedoc's Custom Basses" (Bass Player, December 1996) The article also includes a small diagram of his rig at the time, and lists a Lovetone Meatball as Mike's envelope filter. (Thanks also to .) The bass also has custom-ordered 18-volt Mørch pickups. (Nicolai Knudsen 8/7/00)

 

Peace,

 

wraub

[cornbread_medhotmail.com]

Billy Gould from Faith No More played Zon, unless he switched right at the end. Everytime I saw them live he played Zons.

[surfmonkey]

I love my Q5!!

I like the sound of my Modulus, but it's definitely unique. They have a lot of midrange, and cut through sound really well. The bottom is tight and punchy too. But, they aren't warm, and if you're going for a big fat bottom end I wouldn't go with a Modulus. As far as the price, check some used ones. I think the Genesis stuff is a little cheaper too?

[...]

I have a Modulus Q4 fretless still, but I haven't played it live in probably 4 years.. in fact, I can't remember the last time I actually plugged it into an amp (definately several years ago). It's got EMG pickup's in it and I had the 2nd generation 2Tek bridge put in it a very long time ago (actually before they were on the market, I had a friend who knew people at 2Tek ). It's a very nice bass, tons of sustain and wonderful tone. I don't play it because I have my Mike Lull M4V fretless for situations that require a fretless bass now.. and well, the Lull bass is just pure love. I'd sell it, but I've had it for so long now that I've grown attached to it.

[_Sweet Willie_]

Originally posted by The patrick of Christmas future:

And Sweet Willie, I also mentioned Dave Schools.

You're right -- temporary blindness prevented me from fully reading your previous post.

 

Phil Lesh is also playing Mod 6 strings.

 

Are there more LDL'ers out there with Modulus or Zon basses who'd like to comment? Personally I'm really curious about hearing anyone's experiences with the Modulus Vintage J and Modulus Genesis Vintage J models...

 

Peace.

[patrick_dont_fret]

Sweet Willie and wraub, tis all good. I'm basing all my sources on stuff that's old, anyway. Guess I should get with the program.

 

But no, I like my basses, so I don't think I'll be pumping out the required thousands to get either a Zon or a Mod. If you want to send me one for Xmas, well that'd be swell.

[dohhhhh6]

Who cares about good old Patrick you can me that nice sweet ass bass for my Christmas present Hey Patrick I was wondering what type of saweet thangz(basses) ya got? Because it seems as you really like em.

[BenLoy]

I have a Zon Legacy Elite fretless 4/1.

 

I got it used for $1500. They didn't make it for very long...it's a set neck model with a single Bartolini humbucker in the MusicMan position...black alder body with a natural flame maple top. Preeeeteeeee.....

 

I love this damn thing...I don't really like graphite necks for fretted basses...but the fingertips warm up the neck a lot on a fretless.

 

The body is one hell of a resonant piece of wood, too. The harmonics jump out of this thing...

 

I cop Pino Palladino licks on it a lot.

[dohhhhh6]

Patrick!!!! I need you!!!! Tell me what dope basses ya got NOW!

[patrick_dont_fret]

Originally posted by The LadY Of Christmas Nothing:

Who cares about good old Patrick you can me that nice sweet ass bass for my Christmas present Hey Patrick I was wondering what type of saweet thangz(basses) ya got? Because it seems as you really like em.

Ok, so that first sentence made no sense whatsoever, but anywho..here goes.

 

I have a Washburn XB-125, at least I think it's an XB... Anywho, it's got dual soapbars, a two band preamp/EQ, 5 strings. It's got a rosewood board over maple neck. Not sure what the pups are. I'm also not sure what the body is, probably alder, or ash, whichever's cheaper. I got it for a whopping $330 at Mars, before they went out of business.

 

I've also got a 4 string no name brand P-bass. It came as your standard black w/ white pearloid pickguard. I stripped the paint, painted the pickguard black, installed a chrome pup cover, and pulled the frets. Everything wooden, except the back of the neck, is polyurethane finished. Even the fingerboard. A pretty tight little bass, if you ask me. I'm thinking of putting some new pups in, probably SD Quarter Pounders, as well as new pots and control knobs.

 

As for the Washburn, I might put in some EMG or Barts if I can get enough money in. I might have to drill to get another hole for a 3 band, if they don't offer 2 band.

 

Anywho, thems is me basses. Played through an SWR LA-12 and Boss BassChorus and BassOverDrive. I also have a DOD Overdrive (made for guitar) that I sometimes use with the fretless.

[Wickerman]

For something with a similar tone to a Modulus but with (in my opinion) a better feel, check out Tobias. I A/Bed two, a Mod Q4 and a Tobias 435. Both used in spotless condition, both around $1500. Both had a really thick, deep, growling tone and both were punchy with plenty of definition. The Mod had a quilted top that was beatiful but the Tobias was UNBELIEVEABLE! Mahogany body with a quilted cherry sunburst top... Ohhhhh. One of the most beautiful basses I've ever seen. Amazing!

 

The Mod sounded really good and you could coax a lot of different tones from it but I felt like it needed a midrange control. Sometimes I just wanted to back the mids down a bit more for a deeper, rumbling tone and when I was doing faster leads it could've used a slight boost to make it really bark.

 

The Tobias sounded great as well and was a bit more versatile. There wasn't a single tone I wanted and couldn't get. It was great. Also, the neck just felt PERFECT for your hand. Slipped in like a loved one's hand. Beautiful thing.

 

Both are great basses and aren't too expensive if you look used. I wasn't trying to sell you on Tobias, I was just trying to make suggestions for open options.

[patrick_dont_fret]

WickerMan, come clean. You were making shameless plugs for your company. C'mon, man. I know this. I am the CIA. And I love Marley. Isn't that weird??? What a paradox.

[cornbread_medhotmail.com]

My Zon had the Barts and the mid control was in the rear cavity. Wickerman, I'm not sure if the Mod you played had the same electronics, but that may have been where the mid control was. That seems to be the major complaint of Zon basses.