MODULUS GUITARS - About Us

Modulus : Introduction

The most important advance since the invention of the bass guitar has been the carbon fiber neck. From that day in 1976 when bass-playing rocket scientist Geoff Gould (yup, he was a carbon fiber designer on the Voyager probe) first wondered, “What if …” the electric bass has been a different animal. The Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh played one of the first carbon fiber -necked basses and from that point forward, the most accomplished and creative bassists in the world have played a Modulus.

Seminal players like Alphonso Johnson, David Ellefson and Flea, to present masters like Oteil Burbridge, Mike Gordon and Me‘Shell NdegéOcello.

To this day, Modulus Quantum basses are made using the same aerospace “hand layup” process as in the beginning. We’ve made many subtle design improvements along the way, including the addition of a two-way relief adjustment. Each neck is still hand laminated with layers of carbon fiber “pre-preg” and cured in the Modulus autoclave. The distinctively spacey exterior layer of carbon fiber is known around the shop as KLD™ or “a thousand (k) ladies dancing.” This artistic touch has been a Modulus trademark for over 15 years.

In 1996, Modulus president Rich Lasner designed the Genesis neck system that takes advantage of carbon fiber’s extremely high strength and the sonic benefits of lightweight tone woods. Rich’s carbon fiber skeleton supports the string tension and the tone woods give the neck shape and controlled resonance. When you first pick up a Genesis instrument, you’ve got to look closely to see the carbon fiber. But play one note and you’ll hear it for sure.

While both systems deliver the benefits of carbon fiber construction, each has subtle differences in tone.
We don’t usually like sweeping statements, but Quantum instruments tend to be brighter, with an extended harmonic mix. Genesis instruments tend to be warmer, with a greater fundamental pitch focus.

A Brief History

Mention Modulus Guitars to most players, and there will be some sign of recognition. Perhaps something to do with carbon fiber bass necks or exotic wood bodies. They might even remember that Modulus made the first carbon fiber necked basses back in the 70s. What they may not know is how the history of Modulus and the history of San Francisco as a mecca for modern bass design are woven together.

Back in the mid-70s, Geoff Gould was an avid bassist as well as an aerospace engineer. While working at Ford Aerospace, Geoff was part of the team that constructed the carbon fiber dish antenna for the Voyager I space probe. As he learned more about carbon fiber, it occurred to him that it might just be the material to solve the common problems he had experienced with every bass he’d ever owned- Dead spots, warping and lack of sustain.

At the same time that Geoff was figuring out what it would take to use carbon fiber to build a bass neck, Rick Turner was moving forward with the company he co-founded, Alembic. Long recognized as the founders of the modern school of bass design, Alembic had grown from turning out ultra-modified semi-hollow basses for the top players of the time to crafting stunning handmade, exotic wood instruments of original design. Geoff had the idea. Rick had the know-how and ability to make the necks. In January of 1977, Gould and Turner presented the first limited production instruments at the National Association of Music Merchants convention. In 1978, an application was filed for a patent for carbon fiber musical instrument necks ( U.S. Patent # 4,145,948).

Geoff opened up his own shop making Modulus Graphite instruments in the heart of San Francisco. The city was also the home to Stars Guitars, Tobias Guitars, Furman Sound, Alembic and others. Rick went on to establish Turner Guitars, which thrives today in Santa Cruz, CA, producing beautiful handmade instruments.

The small, dedicated crew at Modulus hand-laid carbon fiber necks one at a time in molds, while the wood shop turned out exquisite exotic wood bodies. These painstakingly crafted basses and guitars established Modulus as an innovator and leader in the premium instrument marketplace. For nearly 20 years, the original carbon fiber neck concept evolved and matured. The Quantum series stands today as an ultimate expression of forward-looking bass design.

In 1995, Gould left to pursue other business opportunities and Rich Lasner, formerly of Ibanez, Yamaha and Peavey came on board as president of Modulus Guitars, LLC. May 1996 saw a move from the 7^th Street facility in San Francisco to a new purpose-built factory in Novato, 15 miles North of the Golden Gate Bridg.e

Rich, and a crew of industry veterans, developed the innovative Genesis series based on a fresh new concept of how a neck was constructed and how it functioned. At the heart of the instrument is the patented Genesis neck technology. A central component of ultra strong carbon fiber extends from the tip of the headstock past the end of the neck and deep into the body. Capable of resisting many times the stress exerted by string tension, this rigid structure contributes definition and sparkle as it frees the resonant neck wood to shape the character of the instrument. 1997 saw the introduction of the award-winning Genesis guitar line. 1997 was also the year Modulus joined forces with Michael Tobias Design to apply the Genesis technology to bass instruments.

Modulus joined forces in 1999 with renowned Aguilar Amplification to develop a new preamp for their critically acclaimed Genesis Bass line. The 2000 introduction of the Genesis VJ bass brings time-honored design and state of the art technology together in a bass with appeal to both modern and traditional players.

2001 saw the refinement and development of the Quantum, Flea and Genesis lines of guitars and basses. Soapbar-equipped Genesis basses and J-pickup loaded Flea basses joined the lineup along with the semi-hollow Genesis G3SH guitars. Our Paint Shop team developed the new Glass line of finishes for introduction at the Winter 2002 NAMM Show.