NGD: Increasing my carbon footprint [Modulus content]

[narad]

So I recently got back from a visit home in the US for a few weeks. For the most part, I can't afford anything in the US anymore because of poor currency exchange, and with inflation, the price of most things converted to yen is really outrageous. However, there are a couple guitars I've been looking for that rarely pop up, and when they do, they're in the US. In this case, got very lucky and this one popped up Dave's while I was home -- it's a Modulus Blackknife from 1990-1991:

Nothing too special at first glance, but it has a Modulus carbon graphite neck. I'm amazed it took me so long to discover this brand, which I only did through basses, because the necks have an awesome pattern to them:

The "polygons" glint off the light and the effect is really cool.

I have to admit the aesthetic was the main appeal -- that and the smooth fretboard. But I previously had a Steinberger Klein with the graphite neck, and I thought it sounded pretty meh. Not sure where to place the blame really, but I was thinking the neck was probably to blame, and I thought maybe these composites just don't sound as good. My plan was/is to fit it with a Roland GK system so I didn't really care about the guitar's inherent tone, but rather just the playability of it. However, it sounds really good! The pickups are all old Gibsons and it has a very crunchy sound. I'll be selling all the pickups and swapping to singles, but I was happy the tone is good and I'll be looking for other Modulus stuff in the future.

Unfortunately though while I was taking photos here, I noticed there's like a foggy part of the neck in the shape of a thumb.

I'm not sure what happened, but on my flight back they made me gate check it, despite having plenty of room in the overheads as it turned out. I also had to hold the guitar up for like 3 minutes for a TSA guy to photograph it... I may have been holding it from there. Well, nothing pisses me off like some vintage guitar making it all the way to me in good shape just for me to mess something up, so just praying it goes away or I discover some evidence that it was there when I got it, which I don't really mind...

 

[MaxOfMetal]

I've had a couple old (no truss rod) Modulus basses that had those same resin hazing spots. I think it's just an artifact from how they're cured, and not damage. Can you feel the spot? You couldn't on my basses, it was the same texture as the rest of the neck.

 

[narad]

I've had a couple old (no truss rod) Modulus basses that had those same resin hazing spots. I think it's just an artifact from how they're cured, and not damage. Can you feel the spot? You couldn't on my basses, it was the same texture as the rest of the neck.

I can't feel the spot. It seems like it's under/in the clearcoat. I managed to get a Vandenberg black puzzle piece a couple years ago and it was close to mint. I messed around trying to adjust the truss rod, and came back the next day, and there were fingerprints like under the clearcoat and more delaminating in other parts. Just hope it's not like that. That was probably the most frustrating moment of my whole year. If it's just how the necks are that's sort of unfortunate because the rest of the pattern with the sharp lines is really cool.

On the other hand, I also brought back a Tom Anderson. Upon opening it up, I saw two small dings on the headstock tip that weren't there when I got it. I was thinking, how did these baggage handlers manage to damage it like that? Did they take it out of the case? Then I found the for sale pics and it was there all along

 

[StevenC]

I can't feel the spot. It seems like it's under/in the clearcoat. I managed to get a Vandenberg black puzzle piece a couple years ago and it was close to mint. I messed around trying to adjust the truss rod, and came back the next day, and there were fingerprints like under the clearcoat and more delaminating in other parts. Just hope it's not like that. That was probably the most frustrating moment of my whole year.

It was barely even the worst damage of the week

 

[Rubbishplayer]

Not sure I'm into the whole carbon fibre concept, but no doubt it's a cool axe and carbon has some real practical advantages. I'm happy for you.

Hmm, three humbuckers....awesome!

 

[Sermo Lupi]

That neck is definitely eye-catching. It looks similar to the pattern being marketed as 'forged' carbon fibre these days.

How's the playability with the middle pickup? I assume you could swap out the pickguard if you wanted a different configuration?

What was the deal with TSA wanting to photograph the guitar?

 

[CrushingAnvil]

The pickguard-but-also-pickup-rings situation is aggravating me immensely. HNGD!

 

[narad]

That neck is definitely eye-catching. It looks similar to the pattern being marketed as 'forged' carbon fibre these days.

How's the playability with the middle pickup? I assume you could swap out the pickguard if you wanted a different configuration?

It's fine, I'm not bothered by it. But the middle pickup is a Gibson T-top and I'd rather sell it and recoup some of the part costs, and maybe the cost of matte finishing the neck.

And yea, forged carbon is badass. Nick at Axe-Palace was asking opinions for an amp faceplate aesthetic for a limited run, maybe for an Omega amp, and I suggested forged carbon. Shame more people didn't get on board with me.

What was the deal with TSA wanting to photograph the guitar?

Not sure, first time it's ever happened. I guess I'm not sure what was going on, but it involved scanning the guitar with his phone, and I was holding it up by the neck the whole time. I don't think I was putting too much pressure on the neck, but oh well.

The pickguard-but-also-pickup-rings situation is aggravating me immensely. HNGD!

Ha, well new parts are on the way ;-)