SMART Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 (edited) [quote name='Beedster' post='72572' date='Oct 11 2007, 07:39 AM']All agreed Ian. Modulus probably have the right idea all things considered, and perhaps that is why they are have the reputatin they do (there's not many people on this site have a bad word to say about Flea Basses). As I said, they were great to deal with: Chris in Customer Support especially couldn't have been more helpful. In fact, he seemed to be doing all he could to stop me spending money on this repair, and that meant suggesting and contacting a specific UK tech as opposed to a custom repair at Modulus. You don't get that sort of contact with EBMM or Fender. I couldn't believe my luck when I reaslised that the tech in question is based 20 miles from where I live! I'm also sure Martin wil do a great job, I'll keep you posted with updates. Cheers Chris[/quote] Yes, Chris is a great guy and the other good thing about the key memebers of staff at Modulus is that they have been there for some time which is unusual in this industry and so gives great continuity for the company, customer and most of all great continuity with instruments. The guys there are all passionate about Modulus and helping musicians make their dream bass a reality. For us it's a real pleasure dealing with them and a breath of fresh air in the industry as there is so much bad service and bad attitude around which really isn't very clever is it? And...I'm not just saying this as a friend but Martin's custom shop really is one of THE best custom shops in the world. They have an CNC now and can produce custom or shall I describe them as 'industry standard' necks, bodies, scratch plates as well as their world (and still the best) famous SimS Custom L.E.D.s. Most of the custom shops in the UK now use Martin for all their spraying and finishing (or re-finishing) work because its so good and the attention to detail is nothing short of superb (why we won't trust any of our instruments with anyone else!). If Fender Europe need a bass or guitar or series of instruments customised then the SimS Custom Shop is the first call. If anyone visited Harrod's earlier this year and saw their guitar show with all sorts of customised wonders then most of it was done by the SimS Custom Shop. Most people (apart from Rob Green at Status) don't know how to deal with carbon fibre technology but Martin does so your Flea bass will look brill I'm sure when finished. SimS Custom Shop = Wow!!!! Ian Edited October 12, 2007 by SMART Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 Sims do the finished on Matt Bellamy's guitars I think, which are pretty cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMART Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 [quote name='cheddatom' post='73326' date='Oct 12 2007, 01:35 PM']Sims do the finished on Matt Bellamy's guitars I think, which are pretty cool![/quote] Yes siree! The lights, LEDs anything Mansons (sorry Hugh) aren't specialists in them Mr SimS and his magic hands did the rest. In all an awesome guitar (shame he's not a bass player!) from Mansons with some SimS magic. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 Matt Bellamy as a bassist? That does not sound like my cup of tea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMART Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 (edited) [quote name='cheddatom' post='73329' date='Oct 12 2007, 01:39 PM']Matt Bellamy as a bassist? That does not sound like my cup of tea![/quote] Na, he can stick to guitar and continue letting Mr Wolstenholme hold down the bottom end!! Ian Edited October 12, 2007 by SMART Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 I'm about to put some work by Sims custom shop, so it'll be interesting to see how it turns out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted October 12, 2007 Author Share Posted October 12, 2007 I just spoke to Martin and he told me he's taken some photos of the Flea Bass with it's clothes off so to speak. It sounds like it wasn't pretty under there, but he's clearly totally on top of things so I'm now champing at the bit regarding getting it back! If I can tease the photos in question out of him I'll post them here for your amusement! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 I'd love to see them, Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stringbassist Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 [quote name='SMART' post='72256' date='Oct 10 2007, 04:22 PM']Chris We'd all love to be able to buy our dream instruments as soon as we would like and I for one would perhaps feel the same way if the bass I dreamt of was only available on a long lead-time. Perhaps some real context to the availability of Modulus instruments in the UK would be helpful for everyone after reading the above and related thread I have looked at over the past few days. We've been working exclusively with Modulus now for nearly 10 years (our 10 years anniversary with them and the Turner workshop in 2008). Some years ago now, Modulus took a decision to shed its production of Genesis guitars and concentrate fully on bass guitar manufacture. As a result of a lot of inventory tying up a large sum of cash flow Modulus decided to reduce inventory to nil and only make to custom order. They have purposely kept the company to a relatively small size in instrument manufacturing terms in order to control costs better for the bean counters but more importantly to be able to maintain their passion for the highest quality instruments that can be produced for bass players which invariably suffers when companies grow too fast or just plain grow. A smaller size company meant that quality control at every level to the highest standards could be maintained. We never have any issues with the quality of any instrument that comes over as a direct consequence of this passion for excellence in every detail. As you can imagine, working closely with our friends at the SimS Custom Shop over the years we have seen and experienced practically every high-end instrument there is and I have to say that the quality of Modulus basses is second to none, every instrument that we receive we just google over. The quality and finish of the neck is just astounding; the guy that specialises in the frets at Modulus has been doing the same job for over 14 years and it shows! So you'd like more stock in the UK to get rid of those current long lead-times (currently running at 6 months for standard finishes and 12 for the flake finishes on the Flea Bass - the longest lead-times we've experienced from Modulus for at least the last 7-8 years due to a surge of demand in the US market; BTW the same lead-times also apply to US dealers and if any of them say different they are just saying that to get an order or they simply have stock soon to arrive that has already been on order for several months, there is no fast track dealer in the USA!)? Firstly, Modulus make strictly to custom order which as I have explained naturally restricts stock availability (think Aston Martins or Morgan cars....or the wonderful WAL basses from Pete the Fish Stevens). Secondly, whenever in recent times we do actually have some free stock that has been ordered specifically to try and bridge the gap it usually is swept up by a dead keen bass player and so then back to square one!! Note that the Flake finishes are only run about twice a year and fill up really quickly. It's the contamination and cleanup time that restricts these finishes - usually at least a day to clean up a constantly in use spray shop at Modulus (they don't sub out work!!) and so the longer lead-times for the flake runs. With a high-end bass and custom ordered instrument it is not unusual to ask for a commitment from the buyer for something he or she has specifically ordered in some monetary terms, thus the commitment that we ask for to sort out any time wasters or customers who will not honour their order when ready, is to ask for a perfectly reasonable 50 per cent pre-payment with the balance due just prior to final shipping. It's an equitable arrangement for all involved in ordering custom built instruments. The whole process is as smooth as possible for us, Modulus and especially the customer who'll have a hassle-free experience in sourcing one of the best bass guitars available today. To boot, if there are any movements in the Dollar/Pound exchange rate in the period from order to delivery we will always try and reflect that in the final total price which includes a Modulus hard case and 24 hour UK mainland delivery. In most cases our final prices (that may possibly be less than our website prices due to currency movements) will be less than if you sourced a new instrument heavily discounted by a US dealer say from Bass Alone in San Diego as we absorb the freight, import duty and VAT that will invariable add 25-30% to any US dealer discounted price. I'd strongly encourage anyone who is thinking of ordering a new Modulus to talk to us as well and not leave us out of the equation. We're here as the official Modulus importer and reseller and have one of the best workshops in the world behind us for any set-ups, repairs, etc - the SimS Custom Shop. We're equally as passionate about these superb instruments as Modulus are themselves and will always strive to do our very best to support old and new customers - we like to aim for the same service, support and attitude that we'd look for ourselves if we were customers. Ian Morton S.M.A.R.T Distribution[/quote] I can confirm the 6 month wait time for US shops, but they are instrments that are worth waiting for. Turner workshop ?. That wouldn't be Rick Turner would it, builder of those fantastic looking/sounding renaissance instruments, I was about to order one of those from the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Bass Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 I have a rick turner i have a rick turner. its a fine instrument indeed i have a electroline bass if thats the model you mean or is it a different one andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stringbassist Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 [quote name='metaltime' post='73745' date='Oct 13 2007, 01:12 PM']I have a rick turner i have a rick turner. its a fine instrument indeed i have a electroline bass if thats the model you mean or is it a different one andrew[/quote] He makes a semi acoustic model, it's a 5 string fretless that I'm after. This is a picture of one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Bass Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 mines a five string fretless but its his solid body model. not bad looking his piezos sound great i never use the mag pickup on mine i will see if i can find a pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Bass Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 (edited) here is a bad photo Edited October 13, 2007 by metaltime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stringbassist Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Mmmm that's nice, he used to work for Alembic didn't he, I see you have one of those too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Bass Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 indeed he did some say he made some of the best alembics but i dont no. my alembic epic is awesome. i think that is the best word for it but i dont have a pic of it cause im at my girlfriends. its a standard spec with a bubinga face it really is a fine bass, probably my favourite in my possesion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMART Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 [quote name='6stringbassist' post='73736' date='Oct 13 2007, 12:29 PM']I can confirm the 6 month wait time for US shops, but they are instrments that are worth waiting for. Turner workshop ?. That wouldn't be Rick Turner would it, builder of those fantastic looking/sounding renaissance instruments, I was about to order one of those from the US.[/quote] Yes, it would. Dave Swift, Jools Hollands bass player has a superb High Renaissance 5-string fretless in a superb 3-tone classic burst finish with all the trimmings. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stringbassist Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 Nice, I'll be in touch then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman7 Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 (edited) I contacted the Turner distributor S.M.A.R.T. Distribution recently and they actually had a new Renaissance Stage Studio 5-string fretless in stock. If you contact the Turner workshop direct they'll always ask you to contact S.M.A.R.T. who explained that it is more cost efective to buy from them anyhow as if you buy direct from Rick's company they will always charge the list price. When you add carriage, duty and VAT it works out more than the S.M.A.R.T. price because they absorb those costs to make the final price more attractive to UK buyers. I was tempted but it will have to wait! Edited October 13, 2007 by Bassman7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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