molan Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 (edited) So here's the first of my basses up for sale - more to follow soon! It's a US made '97 Modulus VJ4 in a very nice sunburst finish with a tortoiseshell pickguard. It has twin passive Bartolini pickups and is in absolutely immaculate condition. Very slight hazing from being used but it certainly hasn't lead any sort of a hard gigging life. As far as I know I'm the second owner from new and I've only gigged with it a couple of times. The body is top-routed alder, neck is a lovely carbon fibre bolt-on and it has the standard Modulus composite fingerboard. Bridge is a Gotoh chromed unit & tuners are Modulus. These really are fantastic basses and have a great, very usable, and flexible sound. Really nice update of the classic Jazz with all the reliability of a rock solid carbon fibre neck that means it rarely strays out of tune and is totally lacking in any dead spots. As with quite a few of the more boutique American made basses the earlier ones tend to have better quality of construction and finish than some of the newer ones. E.G. I've seen a couple of newer Modulus basses with neck fittings that are not as nice and clean as this one. Comes with a very good quality fitted hard case as well. Only reason for selling is that I really have too many basses (I never thought I'd say such a thing!) and my other Modulus is a very custom bass that I hope never to have to sell! PRICE NOW REDUCED TO £850 AS PER VARIOUS POSTS BELOW, not particularly desperate to sell quickly so may be able to take a deposit to secure in advance and rest of payment at a later date. I'm a fully verified PayPal account holder as well so could take part payment via credit card if that would help. Managed to get some decent pics of the bass in natural light so you can, hopefully, see the depth of the colour. Also discovered that the original Modulus tags and warranty card were in the case and that the key for the SKB was still there as well! Edited May 31, 2008 by molan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Top Porn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted March 29, 2008 Author Share Posted March 29, 2008 [quote name='Jase' post='166006' date='Mar 29 2008, 06:15 PM']Top Porn [/quote] It is quite a "sexy beast" - the few times I've played it live I've always had really positive comments from the odd muso in the crowd. One thing to add about it is that the quality of tone really brings the best out of the more modern "clean" style of amplification. I used it regularly with an SWR top of the range rig and also recently with my Euphonic set up. Have played it through an EBS combo as well and it really sings through this kind of quality amp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 [quote name='molan' post='166046' date='Mar 29 2008, 07:24 PM']It is quite a "sexy beast" - the few times I've played it live I've always had really positive comments from the odd muso in the crowd. One thing to add about it is that the quality of tone really brings the best out of the more modern "clean" style of amplification. I used it regularly with an SWR top of the range rig and also recently with my Euphonic set up. Have played it through an EBS combo as well and it really sings through this kind of quality amp [/quote] Good job I spent the currency from my Flea Bass or i'd be sending you a PM on this baby !! Nice Nice Nice !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISDABASS Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 PM'D!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted March 29, 2008 Author Share Posted March 29, 2008 [quote name='Marcus' post='166056' date='Mar 29 2008, 07:38 PM']Good job I spent the currency from my Flea Bass or i'd be sending you a PM on this baby !! Nice Nice Nice !!![/quote] Good job I already have a Flea or I'd have been bidding on your one before I'd sold this one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted March 30, 2008 Author Share Posted March 30, 2008 Nice sunny day meant I could get some decent pics of the actual bass - looks much nicer than the official studio Modulus shot I think! I've added them at the top of the page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geejay Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 Lovely looking bass. Where are you? PM on the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 [quote name='Geejay' post='166420' date='Mar 30 2008, 06:18 PM']Lovely looking bass. Where are you? PM on the way.[/quote] Watery Henley-on-Thames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted April 1, 2008 Author Share Posted April 1, 2008 Lots of interest but no firm offers yet. . . . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted April 5, 2008 Author Share Posted April 5, 2008 Price dropped to £950. . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman7 Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 [quote name='molan' post='170334' date='Apr 5 2008, 04:14 PM']Price dropped to £950. . . . .[/quote] Colonel Foster checked the UK prices on a new Modulus VJ4 and said that a new one would be £1250 including Modulus case and delivery. Looking at the spec SHADO Control thinks £950 is a bit close to a new instrument price for a twice owned instrument? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted April 6, 2008 Author Share Posted April 6, 2008 (edited) [quote name='Bassman7' post='170567' date='Apr 6 2008, 09:36 AM']Colonel Foster checked the UK prices on a new Modulus VJ4 and said that a new one would be £1250 including Modulus case and delivery. Looking at the spec SHADO Control thinks £950 is a bit close to a new instrument price for a twice owned instrument?[/quote] Blimey, they were about £1,500 last time I looked, which was years ago to be fair, but I've seen dealers selling second hand ones for £1,100 without a case. I've just done a quick web search and the only one I could find for sale was a used one in blue at £1,095. Where did you see them for £1,250? Edited April 6, 2008 by molan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman7 Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 (edited) [quote name='molan' post='170585' date='Apr 6 2008, 09:12 AM']Blimey, they were about £1,500 last time I looked, which was years ago to be fair, but I've seen dealers selling second hand ones for £1,100 without a case. I've just done a quick web search and the only one I could find for sale was a used one in blue at £1,095. Where did you see them for £1,250?[/quote] Colonel Foster known for his thoroughness simply checked the price on Modulus' UK distributors website: www.smart-distribution.co.uk It's listed on the official Modulus site as well as SHADO Control have just verified for me myself. SHADO procurement advise starting with the UK list price when looking to move a pre-owned instrument and then take off at least 30-40% depending on condition, etc. They also advise me that this is a 1997 model from the serial number on the back of the headstock. Edited April 6, 2008 by Bassman7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 (edited) These are fantastic basses, the necks are sooo good (I used to own one) On prices, I beleive I paid £775 second hand (somewhere around that mark) for the same model and color as this, only the one I bought had a pau ferro fretboard and Sadowsky pickups in it. I then sold it on for the same price. Having said that though, the price second hand is what someone would be willing to pay for it! It's also worth nothing that I bought mine something like 3 years ago. Edited April 6, 2008 by Waldo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 I blame the exchange rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted April 6, 2008 Author Share Posted April 6, 2008 [quote name='bass_ferret' post='170613' date='Apr 6 2008, 11:17 AM']I blame the exchange rate.[/quote] You may well be right! I'm sure they used to list for much more than £1,250 new. Maybe the new distributor has managed to get a better UK price based on exchange rate. Purely personal opinion but a couple of newer Modulus basses I've tried haven't been as well finished as the older ones. Difficult to put my finger on it but just feels like quality control isn't what it was. Oh well - given that you can get a new one for £1,250 then I'll follow the advice and knock 30% off that and drop it to £875 - it really is in perfect condition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 [quote name='Bassman7' post='170595' date='Apr 6 2008, 10:36 AM']SHADO procurement advise starting with the UK list price when looking to move a pre-owned instrument and then take off at least 30-40% depending on condition, etc.[/quote] Blimey ...Some folk are being ripped , over at a place called Ebay... They are paying over £1500.00 for some old Fender thing's from the late 60's...! If memory serves me right , cost new about £600.00. Do you think someone should say something..?? Garry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMART Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 (edited) [quote name='molan' post='170718' date='Apr 6 2008, 02:33 PM']You may well be right! I'm sure they used to list for much more than £1,250 new. Maybe the new distributor has managed to get a better UK price based on exchange rate. Purely personal opinion but a couple of newer Modulus basses I've tried haven't been as well finished as the older ones. Difficult to put my finger on it but just feels like quality control isn't what it was.[/quote] Well, I'm not entirely sure about your sweeping generalisation on Modulus' quality control, where have you tried any newer Modulus basses as the quality we have experienced with every new bass we have imported over the last 10 years has been absolutely faultless, think PRS finish and quality and add another 10% and you have what Modulus have been producing. Quality control and finish has never been better so I'm again not sure how you generalise on the QC side of things being better in the past. Our customers of the last 10 years would beg to differ. The guys at Modulus have purposely kept the company to its current size to ensure that just that vital element of quality is maintained. Last time I was in the factory I learnt that the guy who fits and finishes off all the fretwork has been doing it for 12 years, a Vietnamese immigrant who simply loved his work and I have to say the frets on each and every bass we receive proves it really is some of the best fretwork on a bass guitar that we have ever seen. You can imagine that over the years in conjunction with our work with Martin Sims at the SimS Custom Shop we've seen practically nearly every make of bass guitar especially the high-end ones so I speak from experience. Regarding pricing we always try to give the best price possible subject to currency fluctuations meaning it is more cost effective to order and buy new custom built instruments from us than to buy direct from the US plus you have our backup (we only use the SimS Custom Shop as our official workshop) and official warranty. Quality is so good with Modulus instruments that we never ever get complaints. You get a great big smile when you open up the case and an even bigger one across your face when you strap the bass on, plug in and play! We're here to make your Modulus dream come true. Just some thoughts! Ciao Ian Edited April 6, 2008 by SMART Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macko1968 Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Must admit that Modulus, along with Lakland are the only basses I will buy without trying first. Every one that I've had has been an absolute peach, beautifully made, perfect set-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMART Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 (edited) [quote name='Macko1968' post='170789' date='Apr 6 2008, 05:15 PM']Must admit that Modulus, along with Lakland are the only basses I will buy without trying first. Every one that I've had has been an absolute peach, beautifully made, perfect set-up.[/quote] Totally agree on the Lakland instruments I visited the Lakland office and workshop in Chicago on my way to the airport from a biz meeting about three years ago just to say 'hi' to Dan Lakin and his really helpful team as I introduced the SimS Custom L.E.D. system to them some years ago which they used to list as a custom option and so we keep in touch from time to time. We all know about the US range of Lakland basses, superb instruments but what impresses me is that the Skyline Series at a more accessible price for mere mortals all go through their workshop benches before they ship them out to their dealers just the same way that their US made models do. They really do care about the quality and finish of their instruments even the non-US made ones! Fab! For Modulus - a large number of our sales go to customers who feel the same way and buy without trying and we never ever have a problem. We just get SMS's and emails expressing extreme satisfaction, that the instrument exceeded expectations. A quality instrument will always give further inspiration and help improve your technique and push your playing forwards. Just some further...thoughts! Ciao Ian Edited April 6, 2008 by SMART Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 What's the width at the nut of this bass? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted April 6, 2008 Author Share Posted April 6, 2008 [quote name='Beedster' post='170803' date='Apr 6 2008, 05:41 PM']What's the width at the nut of this bass? Chris[/quote] About 1.5" (or a couple of mill over 3cm if you're a metric sort of guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted April 6, 2008 Author Share Posted April 6, 2008 [quote name='SMART' post='170753' date='Apr 6 2008, 04:11 PM']Well, I'm not entirely sure about your sweeping generalisation on Modulus' quality control, where have you tried any newer Modulus basses as the quality we have experienced with every new bass we have imported over the last 10 years has been absolutely faultless, think PRS finish and quality and add another 10% and you have what Modulus have been producing. Quality control and finish has never been better so I'm again not sure how you generalise on the QC side of things being better in the past. Our customers of the last 10 years would beg to differ. The guys at Modulus have purposely kept the company to its current size to ensure that just that vital element of quality is maintained. Last time I was in the factory I learnt that the guy who fits and finishes off all the fretwork has been doing it for 12 years, a Vietnamese immigrant who simply loved his work and I have to say the frets on each and every bass we receive proves it really is some of the best fretwork on a bass guitar that we have ever seen. You can imagine that over the years in conjunction with our work with Martin Sims at the SimS Custom Shop we've seen practically nearly every make of bass guitar especially the high-end ones so I speak from experience. Regarding pricing we always try to give the best price possible subject to currency fluctuations meaning it is more cost effective to order and buy new custom built instruments from us than to buy direct from the US plus you have our backup (we only use the SimS Custom Shop as our official workshop) and official warranty. Quality is so good with Modulus instruments that we never ever get complaints. You get a great big smile when you open up the case and an even bigger one across your face when you strap the bass on, plug in and play! We're here to make your Modulus dream come true. Just some thoughts! Ciao Ian[/quote] My "sweeping generalisation" was based on a "couple" of Flea basses I've tried in Denmark Street (I've never actually seen a VJ in a shop over here in the UK). One of them had a neck that didn't feel brilliantly fitted and another had some sharp frets. These were on two separate occasions, I'd estimate maybe 18 months apart. My Flea was a complete custom build so maybe it's a fraction more "extra special" than a stock Flea - alternatively it could be that good old "Denmark Street" factor of basses not being set up very well & just stuck up on the wall for people to tinker with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 [quote name='molan' post='170833' date='Apr 6 2008, 06:31 PM']About 1.5" (or a couple of mill over 3cm if you're a metric sort of guy)[/quote] Shame, I was starting to think I might have a pop..... Good luck mate Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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