Modulus Bass Owners: Need Some Info.!!!

bass10bfb

bass10bfb

Prophet Low End Provider
Gold Supporting Member
May 5, 2011
2,573
1,690
4,571
52
Newport, TN.
#1
Hey guys. Just picked up a Modulus bass in a trade. It's a very interesting bass to say the least. The previous owner told me that it had the "Chechen Upgrade" or Czech upgrade, something like that. It has the graphite neck, but was covered with polymer to give it a maple look.... I am just going by what he told me. Anyway, a very nice bass for sure. I would just like to know more about it. He said it was a $700 upgrade at the time.
Here are some pics... Any help would be greatly appreciated bass brethren!!

IMG_20190430_202550.jpg
IMG_20190430_202546.jpg
IMG_20190430_202656.jpg
IMG_20190430_202708.jpg
IMG_20190430_202615.jpg
IMG_20190430_202630.jpg
IMG_20190430_202553.jpg
IMG_20190430_202601.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: InnerBass, Charlzm, SirMjac28 and 4 others
#6
ModuMan said:
Looks like it has a graphite layer on the back as well.

I found this in the Classifieds for comparison. It has a Chechen board.


SOLD - Modulus Genesis VJ4 Jazz Bass

Not saying there is anything at all wrong with the bass you are looking at but that "polymer" business the seller describes is... kind of funny.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info brother. That is kinda what I was wondering, about whether that was true or not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ModuMan
#7
Here's an example of one with the same features as yours but with the darker fretboard and no barts

Modulus Genesis VJ4 Red > Guitars Bass | Alpha Audio Works, Inc.

And another

Modulus Vintage-J (VJ4) Genesis [Petite Annonce de Matos Bassistes : Vends Basse] | Slappyto

Here's a quick review

Modulus Genesis VJ4 Bass

Doesn't seem that there were many made like yours. I see a lot with graphite on the face of the headstock. The bart PUs were apparently a factory upgrade and they offered a couple preamp options too. Very cool bass. Congrats :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: ModuMan and bass10bfb
#10
All the black is graphite, the wood’s wood. There were lots of Genesis basses made and Genesis replacement necks (for J and P widths) too but nowhere near as many as the Quantum’s (full graphite neck with alder bodies topped w quilted maple and other fancy wood tops). The Quantum’s were 35” scale. They also made a Flea model w graphite in 34” scale. TMI, I know.
The Genesis basses are cool, passive w lots of neck stability and very solid fundamental tones without the (to some) harsh sound of graphite.
 
  • Like
Reactions: InnerBass, Low84, bass10bfb and 1 other person
#11
It's a VJ with an optional Genesis neck. The neck has a carbon fiber "spine" that is strong enough to support 100% of the string tension, which is wrapped/fitted with wood to add a more organic element to the tone. Yours looks like maple with a maple fretboard. Since the CF handles all the tension, they also used some very unconventional neck woods like cedar and alder strictly for their tonal properties.

Here's a Genesis 5 with a cedar neck.

I've got a 2003 Genesis 5 with an alder neck, maple fingerboard. Bartolini split coils, Aguilar OBP-3. A really excellent "super jazz" style bass. Hangs right there with my Quantums, but definitely a more traditional J tone.

Modulus had a couple of new Genesis 5s at the 2018 NAMM show, but I haven't seen anything else on them since. They had Fender style jazz bodies, unlike the older Genesis basses like the one in the link above.
 
  • Like
Reactions: InnerBass and bass10bfb
#12
BruceWane said:
It's a VJ with an optional Genesis neck. The neck has a carbon fiber "spine" that is strong enough to support 100% of the string tension, which is wrapped/fitted with wood to add a more organic element to the tone. Yours looks like maple with a maple fretboard. Since the CF handles all the tension, they also used some very unconventional neck woods like cedar and alder strictly for their tonal properties.

Here's a Genesis 5 with a cedar neck.

I've got a 2003 Genesis 5 with an alder neck, maple fingerboard. Bartolini split coils, Aguilar OBP-3. A really excellent "super jazz" style bass. Hangs right there with my Quantums, but definitely a more traditional J tone.

Modulus had a couple of new Genesis 5s at the 2018 NAMM show, but I haven't seen anything else on them since. They had Fender style jazz bodies, unlike the older Genesis basses like the one in the link above.
Click to expand...

A couple of years ago I picked up a 4-string which is identical to this bass! I always wondered what the neck wood was, so thanks for posting this. It immediately became (and still is) my favourite bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: InnerBass, Reedt2000 and bass10bfb
#14
Thanks for the info guys. I picked this bass up in a trade Monday, but I really have no intention of keeping it. Just needed to find some info. It's a great bass, but I am downsizing due to health issues and a surgery coming up soon on my neck. I got it in trade for a big tube amp. Thought I could sell this one easier, hopefully!!!! Thanks for all of the help guys I really appreciate it!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: InnerBass, JEDI BASS and SirMjac28
#15
bass10bfb said:
Thanks for the info guys. I picked this bass up in a trade Monday, but I really have no intention of keeping it. Just needed to find some info. It's a great bass, but I am downsizing due to health issues and a surgery coming up soon on my neck. I got it in trade for a big tube amp. Thought I could sell this one easier, hopefully!!!! Thanks for all of the help guys I really appreciate it!!!!
Click to expand...
Beautiful bass and I hope you have a quick recovery from your neck surgery
 
  • Like
Reactions: bass10bfb and Reedt2000
#20
Brother Goose said:
I also recall that Tobias got involved with that? Or they copped his assymetrical neck profile
Click to expand...

I believe it is a Michael Tobias design. I think the composite layer is between the neck and fret board to add stability. Chad at The Bass Shop in Seattle told me the neck wood on mine was actually alder with a Central American hardwood for the fret board - Morado? Something like that.
He said the composite snap was balanced nicely with the alder neck.
It’s definitely got a thick and warm vibe, but can bite when you dig in a bit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bass10bfb
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back