moollon P-classic vs modern vintage MVP4-62

[soulstar89]

Hey,

 

hope everyone is enjoying the sunny english weather (it won't last lol). I have Looked on the net for a comparison of the moollon P-classic and the modern vintage MVP4-62 but no luck.

 

Has anyone on here got both or have played both? I wondered how they differ in sound and feel. Would be interesting to get a place of reference for people interested.

 

The moollon has a 30-36 month awaiting list which is CRAZY looool

 

cheers 👍

Edited September 11, 2021 by soulstar89

[Old Horse Murphy]

@Sibob should be able to assist I think 

[Sibob]

I do indeed have a Moollon P-Classic IV and an MVP-62.

I’m just off to a gig, so will write out some proper thoughts later 🙂

 

Si

[Sibob]

Although in the meantime, here they are alongside my ‘71 Precision, MVP in the middle, Moollon on the right:

 

Si

[soulstar89]

1 minute ago, Sibob said:

I do indeed have a Moollon P-Classic IV and an MVP-62.

I’m just off to a gig, so will write out some proper thoughts later 🙂

 

Si

oh amazing. look forward to the response.  Enjoy the gig

[soulstar89]

2 minutes ago, Sibob said:

Although in the meantime, here they are alongside my ‘71 Precision, MVP in the middle, Moollon on the right:

 

Si

😍

[Munurmunuh]

49 minutes ago, Sibob said:

Although in the meantime, here they are alongside my ‘71 Precision, MVP in the middle, Moollon on the right:

 

Si

 

Is that pink gloss or frosted? Looks kinda matte next to the 3tsb. Which is no complaint!

[Sibob]

18 minutes ago, Ricky Rioli said:

 

Is that pink gloss or frosted? Looks kinda matte next to the 3tsb. Which is no complaint!

It’s gloss, beautiful finish!!

 

Si

[Munurmunuh]

32 minutes ago, Sibob said:

It’s gloss, beautiful finish!!

 

Si

 

Just getting confused by the photo then, ignore me

[Sibob]

So yes! Moollon P-Classic vs Modern Vintage P62.

 

Ultimately, of course, very similar in spec. Ie 1.75” width nuts and relatively flat necks,  classic 1962, which both basses are based off.

 

The Moollon has a nitro finish all over, as was standard of the day. As such, the neck is effectively gloss, but will wear quickly.

The MVP has a poly finish body and a satin finish neck. As such, while the Moollon will play in nicely, the MVP already feels wonderfully played in and ‘vintage’ (also helped by the torrified/roasted maple).

 

Its difficult to compare their sound directly as I have steel flats on the Moollon and black tapewounds on the MVP, but they both sound fantastic!

 

If you’re trying to decide between the two, then the MVP is an EXCELLENT alternative to the Moollon, without the 3 year build wait.

 

I would suggest either just buying an MVP, or ordering a Moollon....and buying an MVP for the wait time haha.

 

Happy to answer any questions as you need. 

 

Si

Edited September 11, 2021 by Sibob

[ezbass]

Just to muddy the waters, there’s also the LaBella Olinto option.

[Sibob]

1 hour ago, ezbass said:

Just to muddy the waters, there’s also the LaBella Olinto option.

Absolutely, although as lovely as they look/are, double the price of a Moollon, let alone an MVP.

Si

 

[such]

Another curveball, Buzz basses from Restauracja Gitar are awesome traditional-ish Ps and Js with loads of customisability. 3-4 months (not years) wait and slightly cheaper than MV. 

[Sibob]

9 minutes ago, such said:

Another curveball, Buzz basses from Restauracja Gitar are awesome traditional-ish Ps and Js with loads of customisability. 3-4 months (not years) wait and slightly cheaper than MV. 

They look like they might be Limelight equivalents?

Not a pretty headstock decal is all....if they fixed that....

 

Si

Edited September 12, 2021 by Sibob

[such]

14 minutes ago, Sibob said:

They look like they might be Limelight equivalents?

Not a pretty decal headstock decal is all....if they fixed that....

 

Si

Might be - I've never seen a Limelight in person, but they look/sound nice here and on youtube. One difference is that Mateusz at RG will only use a Fender logo if it's a Fender being refinished (which he does a lot with MIJ). I do agree about the Buzz logo. Also, the sheer range of possible finish options is unmatched in a basically one-man operation (poly, nitro, paisley, sparkle, no upcharge relic jobs). Top class parts, shielding/soldering and fretwork. First ever new bass I didn't feel compelled to file the nut down anymore. 

 

PS. I am in a honeymoon mind you

Edited September 12, 2021 by such

[soulstar89]

13 hours ago, Sibob said:

So yes! Moollon P-Classic vs Modern Vintage P62.

 

Ultimately, of course, very similar in spec. Ie 1.75” width nuts and relatively flat necks,  classic 1962, which both basses are based off.

 

The Moollon has a nitro finish all over, as was standard of the day. As such, the neck is effectively gloss, but will wear quickly.

The MVP has a poly finish body and a satin finish neck. As such, while the Moollon will play in nicely, the MVP already feels wonderfully played in and ‘vintage’ (also helped by the torrified/roasted maple).

 

Its difficult to compare their sound directly as I have steel flats on the Moollon and black tapewounds on the MVP, but they both sound fantastic!

 

If you’re trying to decide between the two, then the MVP is an EXCELLENT alternative to the Moollon, without the 3 year build wait.

 

I would suggest either just buying an MVP, or ordering a Moollon....and buying an MVP for the wait time haha.

 

Happy to answer any questions as you need. 

 

Si

Thanks so much for the run down. When I tried the 75 P bass at the bass gallery the neck was gloss. Didn’t like it one bit. A factor could be also that my wrist didn’t take to the neck at all. Did the moollon have the same feel as your 71 neck in terms of gloss feel on neck? When you say he wore down quickly did it reach the feel of say fenders satin neck? 
 

Having different strings definitely would make it hard to compare.  Would you the sound similar to pre cbs fenders? 

[soulstar89]

11 hours ago, ezbass said:

Just to muddy the waters, there’s also the LaBella Olinto option.

cheers

I’ve just realised that it could be a case of “how deep is the rabbit hole” lol 

[soulstar89]

9 hours ago, such said:

Another curveball, Buzz basses from Restauracja Gitar are awesome traditional-ish Ps and Js with loads of customisability. 3-4 months (not years) wait and slightly cheaper than MV. 

And another option lol. Thanks a lot. I think I’ll start writing these in a note pad to research 

[Sibob]

2 hours ago, soulstar89 said:

Thanks so much for the run down. When I tried the 75 P bass at the bass gallery the neck was gloss. Didn’t like it one bit. A factor could be also that my wrist didn’t take to the neck at all. Did the moollon have the same feel as your 71 neck in terms of gloss feel on neck? When you say he wore down quickly did it reach the feel of say fenders satin neck? 
 

Having different strings definitely would make it hard to compare.  Would you the sound similar to pre cbs fenders? 

It’s worth noting that nitro finishes are still gloss, and while they do wear a LOT quicker and easier than poly finishes, we’re still talking about years of use. You’d want to be gigging/playing the Moollon for a good 5 years before it really started to wear. It’s not a quick fix, simply how it was for old Fenders. Mine is still a gloss finish, and as above, will take a few years to wear down to a satin feel.

 

If you don’t want a gloss neck, or to wait for it to wear down, you’ll either want a pre-reliced neck, or one with a satin finish like the MVP.

The MVP neck is wonderful, again very 60’s, flat and wide and feels beautifully played-in due to the roasted satin finish (the roasting process removes moisture, similar to what you’d expect from an old neck).

Sound wise it’s difficult to say, both pickups are modeled off early 60’s Precisions, but I’ve not gigged a pre-CBS. Suffice to say that both basses sound excellent, warm and thumpy and ‘vintage’ to my ears. 
 

Si

 

[soulstar89]

9 hours ago, Sibob said:

It’s worth noting that nitro finishes are still gloss, and while they do wear a LOT quicker and easier than poly finishes, we’re still talking about years of use. You’d want to be gigging/playing the Moollon for a good 5 years before it really started to wear. It’s not a quick fix, simply how it was for old Fenders. Mine is still a gloss finish, and as above, will take a few years to wear down to a satin feel.

 

If you don’t want a gloss neck, or to wait for it to wear down, you’ll either want a pre-reliced neck, or one with a satin finish like the MVP.

The MVP neck is wonderful, again very 60’s, flat and wide and feels beautifully played-in due to the roasted satin finish (the roasting process removes moisture, similar to what you’d expect from an old neck).

Sound wise it’s difficult to say, both pickups are modeled off early 60’s Precisions, but I’ve not gigged a pre-CBS. Suffice to say that both basses sound excellent, warm and thumpy and ‘vintage’ to my ears. 
 

Si

 

Thanks for the detailed Response. It’s is extremely helpful for me and I’m sure it will be helpful for people in the future. I will reach out to moollon and possibly make a day trip to bass direct to try the mvp out. I won’t lie. I would want a sun burst which they don’t stock lol. 

[Sibob]

11 hours ago, soulstar89 said:

Thanks for the detailed Response. It’s is extremely helpful for me and I’m sure it will be helpful for people in the future. I will reach out to moollon and possibly make a day trip to bass direct to try the mvp out. I won’t lie. I would want a sun burst which they don’t stock lol. 

I’m sure BD would be able to order in a Sunburst pretty quickly, although you could perhaps even go direct to Modern Vintage?!

 

I’m part of the Moollon group on Facebook, Andi (who runs Moollon’s admin) is extremely responsive and candid/honest about the wait times, but that 3 year queue is a tough one haha

 

Si

Edited September 13, 2021 by Sibob

[such]

Out of the two OP options, I would definitely go for a MV. Despite my preference for nitro, big reverse tuners etc. Current Moollon prices combined with the wait times just launch this out of a reasonable P-bass land. I have no doubt they're great, but once a good seasoned wood has been nicely sprayed and screwed together skillfully, good pickup tidily soldered in with high quality pots and socket, cavities shielded, fretwork perfected, proper hardware bolted on etc, just how much better can a P bass get with additional £k's and/or years of waiting? 

 

[Sibob]

For what it's worth, and incase it didn't come across previously, I think the MVP's are excellent basses! If I didn't have the Moollon I would be buying another MVP in Gold........and I probably wouldn't rule out another in any case now haha.

 

Si

[Munurmunuh]

Is it known exactly which factory is making the MVP? 

[Sibob]

12 minutes ago, Ricky Rioli said:

Is it known exactly which factory is making the MVP? 

 

It's stated as a factory in South Korea, I don't know for sure, but I've read some people think it's the Cort factory. Hasn't been confirmed though.

 

Si