#149032  by BigBoyPete
 
Hey There,
I wanted to know if any of the fine folks on here have picked up a new Modulus from Tony at Planet Bass and what there general (or specific) impressions and opinions are about it. I really want a Q5 with EMG's, but I want to know if i should just wait for the perfect opportunity to grab the perfect used one, or if I should pursue a new one. I know the prices will range greatly, but really I want to know about the quality of these new basses are really like. 6 G's is an investment, to say the least, but it would be worth it if they were Rock Solid, Comfy Tonal Monsters!
Thanks everyone and Thanks for this Beautiful Resource and Playground!
-Pete
 #149082  by Dozin
 
I believe the owner of planet bass bought the name.
 #149110  by Phishfan
 
I was talkingwith Tony back in March. They are definitely building basses and he gave me a 4 month wait time then for a bolt on Q5. I believe that they have made a TBX (neck through) for Mike Gordon to backup his TBX and bolt on Q5's. Tony has retained the services of Joe Perman, master builder at Modulus for 30 years. I would say that if you can find what you want used, buy that and save some serious cash. If, however, you want something specific, like a shorter scale like Gordon's bass, you don't really have any other option. I would feel comfortable commissioning a new build with them.
 #149327  by davidl13
 
Shorter scale???

Where did you hear that????


I thought gordon played a standard q5 35" scale

Phishfan wrote:I was talkingwith Tony back in March. They are definitely building basses and he gave me a 4 month wait time then for a bolt on Q5. I believe that they have made a TBX (neck through) for Mike Gordon to backup his TBX and bolt on Q5's. Tony has retained the services of Joe Perman, master builder at Modulus for 30 years. I would say that if you can find what you want used, buy that and save some serious cash. If, however, you want something specific, like a shorter scale like Gordon's bass, you don't really have any other option. I would feel comfortable commissioning a new build with them.
 #149355  by Rusty the Scoob
 
I don't recall where I heard it exactly but I'm 99% sure he plays a 34" TBX. I recall it was in a context with Modulus saying it was a huge pain in the ass to build a small batch of them for him and Phil and they never planned to build another.
 #150591  by kaos
 
I have a similar recollection as Rusty, I remember reading in an article around 2010 that the TBX neck was a custom for Phil (non-standard measurements - pretty sure it was narrower neck and string spacing, a 26 fret, too) and that Phil preferred a larger body size also. The main point in the article seemed to be that Modulus really hated having to deal with the custom aspects of making those bases, and after this they were _never_ going to make any more. I think the production run was 4 bases: Phil got two bases, Mike got one and one went to Tiran Porter or someone? Anyway, I think some of the info may be in this thread - forum/viewtopic.php?t=10609
 #150598  by Phishfan
 
I just re-read an email from Tony at Planet Bass and Gordon does in fact favor the 34" scale and 26 frets (according to Tony). Also, you can see the TBX in Mike's rig rundown vid on YouTube.
 #150667  by zambiland
 
The only reason I'd get a new Modulus, unless I had the money to burn, would be to get a TBX. They are difficult to find used. The Q5s and 6s are pretty common. I want a TBX 6.