Series I or II mods for a Modulus 6-s... Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Dreaming... for now » Archive through October 06, 2007 » Series I or II mods for a Modulus 6-string? « Previous Next »

Author Message
llobsterbass
New
Username: llobsterbass

Post Number: 10
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 4:05 pm:   Edit Post

Has anyone ever proposed this? Would it be possible? I've got a 1990 Modulus 6, bolt-on neck, pre-Quantum but Quantum body style and size.

My hunch is the body might be too small to accomodate all the electronics, but it doesn't hurt to ask, huh?

And (holding breath), how much might something like that cost?

Thanks,
Steve
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 4709
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 7:05 pm:   Edit Post

My very rough guess for Series I controls is $6,600US, and for Series II, $7,200. But thats just a guess, and a very rough one. The actual cost may be a good bit higher with the labor involved in fitting the electronics to your Modulus. If your still considering it, give Val a call for a quote. The thickness of the body is an important consideration; compare the thickness of your Modulus with the thickness of your Series I. The electronics cavity needs to be that deep. And yes, there also needs to be enough room overall within the cavity; so compare the interior of your Series I's cavity with that of the Modulus.
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 1452
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 7:47 pm:   Edit Post

The Quantum basses I once owned did not seem to be Series-thickness. I keep expecting that the components will keep shrinking such that Series electronics will no longer need as thick of a body.

The Modulus probably doesn't have a back laminate on it either. The best solution to Series-ify it might be to have the body hollowed out and a back laminate added to cover the new holes. This might also provide the extra thickness if it is needed. I suspect that a competent bass builder could do this work easily and that the hollowing of some additional electronics cavity space could balance out some of the weight gain.

As a carry-on thought from that, is your bass a neck through or bolt-on? If it's bolt-on, you might even be able to get someone to build you a new body from scratch with the right shape and size to handle Series electronics.

Will Alembic do any of this work at any price? Only they know for sure. If not, there may be otehr luthiers that would do the build/install work for you if you can get the pickups and electronics package.
bassjigga
Intermediate Member
Username: bassjigga

Post Number: 104
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 8:00 pm:   Edit Post

For all that work it would seem easier to just have someone build you a graphite neck for a custom Alembic.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 3996
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 10:35 am:   Edit Post

The body needs to be at least 1.7 inches thick to accomodate Series I/II electronics spread out on both body halves. 1.8 inches if you want it all on one side.
811952
Senior Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 948
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 6:23 am:   Edit Post

I believe I might be tempted to fabricate (or have it done for me) a body thick enough for the guts, if that was a limiting factor...

John
keurosix
Intermediate Member
Username: keurosix

Post Number: 150
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Saturday, January 27, 2007 - 11:24 am:   Edit Post

Steve,
you can get a special Alembic Activator circuit that will fit the Modulus without modification. I did this on my 5 string Quantum TBX replacing 3 bartolini p/u's and electronics. It sounds great, and is not series electronics.
Picture of it is in this thread:

http://alembic.com/club/messages/394/32054.html?
1169843707


I'll try to post another pic later.
Kris
crgaston
Advanced Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 342
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Saturday, January 27, 2007 - 2:21 pm:   Edit Post

For what it's worth, my 1995 Quantum 5 bolt-on has a body depth of 1.725 or so, depending on where I measured it. Nowhere was it under 1.7, though.

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration