Official Bass Guitar & Gear Review Thread

street fish · Unread post by **street fish** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 9:21 am

Modulus Flea bass.

My favorite thing about the Flea is how solid it feels in your hands. The graphite neck and composite fingerboard have a very different feel than your typical maple neck. Because of that solid feel and the responsiveness and placement of the pickup, to me that bass invites being played more aggressively. I find myself wanting to really dig in and get that bite that you hear in Flea's (and Stefan's) playing. I think I was sort of going through the same phase as Stefan was in 99 with the Warwicks-- he was practically ripping the strings off the thing to get that aggressive bite, but after I switched to the Modulus from my Fender that sound became pretty easy to achieve. But, that style is not appropriate to all types of music, that's why I have another bass. The Flea (like the Stingray it is modeled on) gives you one basic tone. You can adjust it through EQ, but you can't get the thick pillowy midrange tones you get from a P-bass.

That said, it is VERY responsive to dynamics. You can play it lightly and get a fairly calm, laid back tone (as you can with most basses), but as you start to dig in, it really starts to open up. On a lot of basses it will just start to sound like you're playing too hard, but the Flea just seems to ask for more. It must be the way the tone resonates through the neck, almost like the graphite neck has more "headroom" than a wood neck. The body is alder, like most Fender basses.

Anyway, this is definitely one you should play before you buy, because it isn't going to fit every situation. It will work in bands where you need an aggressive tone to cut through the mix, but if you're looking for a solid, thick, heavy, etc. bottom end, you'll probably want to look elsewhere.

i like tictacs · Unread post by **i like tictacs** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 5:48 pm

Add a Korg DTR-1000 digital rackmount tuner to my list of to-do

GSR · Unread post by **GSR** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 12:21 am

street fish wrote:Modulus Flea bass.

My favorite thing about the Flea is how solid it feels in your hands. The graphite neck and composite fingerboard have a very different feel than your typical maple neck. Because of that solid feel and the responsiveness and placement of the pickup, to me that bass invites being played more aggressively. I find myself wanting to really dig in and get that bite that you hear in Flea's (and Stefan's) playing. I think I was sort of going through the same phase as Stefan was in 99 with the Warwicks-- he was practically ripping the strings off the thing to get that aggressive bite, but after I switched to the Modulus from my Fender that sound became pretty easy to achieve. But, that style is not appropriate to all types of music, that's why I have another bass. The Flea (like the Stingray it is modeled on) gives you one basic tone. You can adjust it through EQ, but you can't get the thick pillowy midrange tones you get from a P-bass.

That said, it is VERY responsive to dynamics. You can play it lightly and get a fairly calm, laid back tone (as you can with most basses), but as you start to dig in, it really starts to open up. On a lot of basses it will just start to sound like you're playing too hard, but the Flea just seems to ask for more. It must be the way the tone resonates through the neck, almost like the graphite neck has more "headroom" than a wood neck. The body is alder, like most Fender basses.

Anyway, this is definitely one you should play before you buy, because it isn't going to fit every situation. It will work in bands where you need an aggressive tone to cut through the mix, but if you're looking for a solid, thick, heavy, etc. bottom end, you'll probably want to look elsewhere.

fish i'd like your opinion in the Warwick vs Modulus thread if you get a chance.

i like tictacs · Unread post by **i like tictacs** » Sun Nov 14, 2004 3:58 pm

Warwick Corvette:

To start off, it's heavy. As soon as you pick it up you will notice the weight. Dear god. Anyway, onto how it plays. If you are looking to get smooth fingerstyle tones out of this bass, I suggest you look elsewhere, as it's got very bright pickups and bubinga is a naturally very growly wood. When you play it, it sounds very organic when you play up around the neck pickup and down at the bridge pickup it is just a growl machine.

As far as adjustability goes, this is the most adjustable instrument I own. the bridge goes every way and more, and the nut is also adjustable, which is a huge plus. You'll really have to play with it to get it where you want it, and because there are so many things to adjust as soon as you touch one thing another thing needs to be adjusted and so on. I think it took about 3 solid hours and a 12 pack of diet coke for me to get it to have what I wanted play-wise. The action was sickly low and I could dig in to get some accented notes that sounded good.

The cons: It's passive, which leaves minimal adjusting as far as bass/treble from the bass go. But then again, you never need to change batteries. Did I mention that it's very heavy? It's also got a good case of neck dive, but that's characteristic of every warwick I've played barring Infinities. Tone wise, it's always going to be growly and you love it or you hate it. There's no happy medium when it comes to warwicks. Lastly, you just need to tear at the strings to get a good 'oomph' out of it, if you know what I'm saying.

Albeit, the warwick headstock is the best looking thing i've ever seen when it comes to headstocks. The only reason that I am selling it is that I really have to work myself to get the tones I want from it. I also had a shoulder operation in 2003, and the strap goes right over the scar, so after awhile of standing and playing the weight becomes a big issue, as I get very soar.

Bottom line is, it's a warwick and you love it or you hate it.

i like tictacs · Unread post by **i like tictacs** » Sun Nov 14, 2004 4:01 pm

Road Ready 12u rack case:

This is a big FKN case. It's a heavy one too. There isn't much to say about it, other then the fact that it's really heavy, can fit 12 one-unit pieces and has covers for both ends. There are also rails on all four corners which is nice if you want to mount fans in the back or run out of room in the front.

The only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't have wheels. It's gotta be like 130 pounds fully loaded.

Yeesh. If you need something that keeps your rack very protected, then look no further. But for the average amp and tuner rack setup, this is overkill.

i like tictacs · Unread post by **i like tictacs** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 9:22 pm

I just got my flea bass and here are my first impressions.

-As soon as I picked it up, I said wow. The thing is just built like a rock. It's very comfortable to wear and has virtually no neck dive. The neck is incredible fast and easy to play.

-The slap tone. I am in heaven. It's so thick and meaty, and it is always begging for more. IT felt like I was hitting a low ceiling when I played my warwick for some basic slap lines that utilized alot of notes. You can really let this thing rip. It opens right up and is just so full when you start to slap it.

-I got the aguilar OBP preamp and the Bartolini pickup. The variety of tones i can get from this thing, is like, infinite. I can get AMAZINGLY huge lows, and very bright defined highs that are so charactierstic of Moduluses (moduli?)The thing has a huge range of tones, I can get that BTCS tone that is in the studio Crush, I can dig in and get the little pops that he often plays with live. Dear lord. Amazinggg.

I think I have found my perfect bass. I'm very glad I traded in my corvette for it- where it left off this thing picked up. I'm still taking the hit from the price though.

But god damn, what a bass. Pics soon.

GSR · Unread post by **GSR** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:02 pm

bastard

GSR · Unread post by **GSR** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:42 pm

i like tictacs wrote:flea bass pics

#21 · Unread post by **#21** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:58 pm

guys are yamaha basses any good?

bassman462 · Unread post by **bassman462** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 6:44 pm

#21 wrote:guys are yamaha basses any good?

no they suck...well i dont like them or any type of yamaha axe.

Parker · Unread post by **Parker** » Thu May 26, 2005 1:16 am

over a year later i am still rockin the P- bass (SX). except i am playing on a peavy half stack and peavy max450 amp. the stack is equipped with an 18 and two 10 inch woofers. ridiculous lows and pretty much all the power i need to jam. havent been on stage with this set up yet but i know it can handle it.

since i still have my decent bass i feel almost restricted but i make due. anybody here know of some other equipment (monitors, EQ's) i may need for maximum sound quality on stage?

bassman462 · Unread post by **bassman462** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:34 pm

i like tictacs wrote:Warwick Corvette:

To start off, it's heavy. As soon as you pick it up you will notice the weight. Dear god. Anyway, onto how it plays. If you are looking to get smooth fingerstyle tones out of this bass, I suggest you look elsewhere, as it's got very bright pickups and bubinga is a naturally very growly wood. When you play it, it sounds very organic when you play up around the neck pickup and down at the bridge pickup it is just a growl machine.

As far as adjustability goes, this is the most adjustable instrument I own. the bridge goes every way and more, and the nut is also adjustable, which is a huge plus. You'll really have to play with it to get it where you want it, and because there are so many things to adjust as soon as you touch one thing another thing needs to be adjusted and so on. I think it took about 3 solid hours and a 12 pack of diet coke for me to get it to have what I wanted play-wise. The action was sickly low and I could dig in to get some accented notes that sounded good.

The cons: It's passive, which leaves minimal adjusting as far as bass/treble from the bass go. But then again, you never need to change batteries. Did I mention that it's very heavy? It's also got a good case of neck dive, but that's characteristic of every warwick I've played barring Infinities. Tone wise, it's always going to be growly and you love it or you hate it. There's no happy medium when it comes to warwicks. Lastly, you just need to tear at the strings to get a good 'oomph' out of it, if you know what I'm saying.

Albeit, the warwick headstock is the best looking thing i've ever seen when it comes to headstocks. The only reason that I am selling it is that I really have to work myself to get the tones I want from it. I also had a shoulder operation in 2003, and the strap goes right over the scar, so after awhile of standing and playing the weight becomes a big issue, as I get very soar.

Bottom line is, it's a warwick and you love it or you hate it.

mines a bit different then mikes. he has the passice MEC's and i got active EMG's which make all the difference.

the adjustability is great. and with the EMG's you do have you change the battery but i love the tone, and is very flexible. i play alot of chili peppers and can get that sound out of it, plus i can do more of jaco stuff.

for me it doesnt seem that heavy but if i play this one and another bass i can tell the difference. im probably just use to it being heavy.

advice i can give is that new ones suck, they went factory produced and there not as good. mine is a '96 model before they went factory. something mike didnt say in his, is its good fret acces just how they jointed it together on the back in layer gives it a bit more of a set neck/neck-thru type feel.

mine also being an older model has the same strap-lock system as the dunlop but there built in which is good.

all in all i think its a great bass. just play one it is pretty much you either hate it or you love it.

i am sam2 · Unread post by **i am sam2** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:44 pm

i really want an infinity

i like tictacs · Unread post by **i like tictacs** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:45 pm

i really want a thumb
or a dolphin

i should shut up now

bassman462 · Unread post by **bassman462** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:47 pm

dolphin is my dream. my mentor(or friend who plays bass) has a thumb the only thing i have a problem with is there off-balancedness. he has a neck thru and he says he gets alot of intonation problems with it. but it has amazing slap-tone.

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