Author Topic: Series I or II mods for a Modulus 6-string? (Read 189 times)

llobsterbass · « **on:** January 04, 2007, 04:05:14 PM »

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

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2007, 07:05:02 PM »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2007, 07:47:27 PM »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2007, 08:00:12 PM »

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

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2007, 10:35:22 AM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2007, 06:23:39 AM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2007, 11:24:22 AM »

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://club.alembic.com/Images/394/32054.html?
1169843707

I'll try to post another pic later.
Kris

crgaston · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2007, 02:21:39 PM »

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.