No the Flea Fender Active is a phenomenal Bass. Its a super powerful loud and punchy Bass and cost only 30% of the modulus flea Bass @@RedHotChiliRiffs
Flea's top three bass sounds are the Spector NS he used to record Mother's Milk and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, the Wal bass on Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and the Music Man sound on the One Hot Minute album.
@@RedHotChiliRiffs From a magazine interview with Flea in the early 90s.It wasnt used much.I remember he said it was on the bass break in Naked in the Rain at least.
I have all of them and they are all perfect in their own way. Musicman Stingray Special is powerful and has a lot off punch and attack. The Modulus Funk Unlimited is a Killerbass. Its more aggressive as the stingray. The Fender Flea Active Jazz Bass sounds hot and loud like a Modulus but not so deep Because it has wood not a graphite neck. And the Fender Flea Roadworn Jazz Bass is good for softer Performances.
I love his blue graphite bass from the off the map dvd of 2001, yeah he only played californication on jazz bass ocasionally and also some songs from stadium arcadium
Great comparison overall, this video was convincing enough for me to bite the bullet and purchase my very own Modulus bass(blue glittered) , that I wanted since I was teen.
The modulus definitely has the "flea tone", which in my opinion is a colder, more precise and a little bit sterile version of the stingray tone. But my personal favourite was the stingray by far. It sounds vey sharp and defined but also powerful in the low-end, unlike the modulus.
I have a couple of mofuluses and let me just say this - there’s no way this guy is using the preamp in anything other than a full-flat setting. The OBP1 preamp in that modulus is known for MONSTROUS bass - it’s by miles the hottest bass knob of any bass I own.
@@RedHotChiliRiffs interesting… any post processing on these signals? My OBP3 just absolutely blasts down doors above like 5% of rotation above the detent haha.
I thought it was not a lane poor pickup on this modulus I was completely wrong 😂 my ears are officially not good enough ! Great video and thanks for everything you do on this channel it’s deeply helpful !
So much of his tone is really in his style and his technique more than anything. However, I definitely have a preference for the old '90s Stingray tones and his early 2000s modulus tones. I've had both bass guitars several times over my lifetime, and I always end up coming back to those personally as well
Does he really set his action low on those basses ? I am always changing action on my jazz bass from low to high and never happy with any, i think i am getting something like a Stinray since i can't find a Modulus
WHOAH awesome video!! My personal favourite has always been the Uplift Mofo / Mother's Milk era when Flea used his Spector basses. To me, theses basses had the best tone with their deep lows, scooped low-mid, and snappy top-end. These basses complimented Flea's playing style beautifully and sound so open, clear and brutal ❤❤🤟🤟
I think the most unique basses of these are Jazz bass and StingRay. Modulus sounds like dry Stingray. Fender active sounds like pathetic parody of modulus...
Stingray for the slap fo sho! The rest is between the Stingray and the Fender (nonactive). It's strange but the Modulus doesn't bother me as much in this video, compared to when Flae used it. But the Stingray is my clearcut favorite! 🌶🔥🌶🎸🔥🔥🔥🔥🌶🌶🌶🌶🤙🏽👍🏽🤘🏽
Honestly, they all sound fantastic, but work slightly differently for different songs. I’d probably record with the Jazz (I have one and love it) but use the Modulus live for the extra bite and articulation.
I looked at most of these basses, when trying to find one for my daughter. She, at the time, was a huge Flea fan. I tried an actual Flea Bass, but it felt cheap and honestly, didn't care for the tone. Modulus was out of the question due to price. I didn't like the looks of the active jazz bass so I bought her the passive pink jazz bass. Talk about a great all around bass... installed La Bella low tension flats. I liked it better with the rounds, but she loves the flats and it's her bass lol.
@@RedHotChiliRiffs she loves it... she cracks me up tho... pink doesn't go with all of her outfits. She hits me up to borrow a bass when she wears something that will clash. lol
To truly complete your Flea bass collection you need a Spector NS-2 (from Uplify Mofo Party Plan & Mother's Milk), a Wal MK2 (used on Blood Sugar Sex Magik) and Alembic Epic (used on One Hot Minute). Otherwise, all your other basses are spot on!
I like all of them except the Fender active. I had the other three, each has an unmistakeable tone, (specially in Flea's hands) tough call. Maybe the jazz bass would be my choice.
7 месяцев назад+2
I'm a week late, but: Finally, the video! TYSM! I prefer the Modulus personally.
@ funny thing is I went ahead and tried that and it totally got me in the ballpark. Id say the aggressive attack and the Lane Poor pickup probably would nail it
The stingray for flea is best. Ironically each new bass that is brought out for flea ends up being part stingray. I personally like the jazz bass best. But for flea the stingray is best in my opinion!
Wow you really made this video! Thanks😁👍 I cannot believe how boring the Fender Flea Active sounds, his current main bass. At least in this comparison I cannot hear any character, nothing distinctive in its sound. For Slap, Stingray, for anything else, Modulus. Btw is it still borrowed?
Wow! Looks like you came pretty close to 99 live sound which is Holy Grail for me! Please tell about DI do you use and about Dbx. Where is it in a chain? Thank you!
i managed to find the Fleabass Model 32 last year,, but with the pickups upgraded to seymour duncan basslines stingray pickup for about $300 and I never looked back since! hope you get your hands on one of them in the near future
I had one while I was recording this video but it sounded so weak with the stock pickup compared to the other basses that I didn’t include it in the video. I think the Seymour Duncan was a great investment though!
Slap is where it matters, and Musicman Stingray and Jazz Passive came as the top 2. The Jazz Actives are all around the worst. But maybe they're better if distorted.
Hey man i have a problem with my ce1, when i use the high mode it dosen't add a crunch it's sound like if its bypass but low mode still works fine. What do you think is the issue?
Modulus for me, both for live and studio. I think Flea had the best live sound at the Off the Map DVD and best studio sound in Californication / By the Way era. Second next comes the vintage Jazz Bass, but only for studio, it sucks live.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Modulus all the way!!
i rlly love the sound of the modulus
Your bass skills always amazes me! 🤩
Thanks man!
he refuses to admit tho that guitar is a WAY HARDER INSTREUMENT TO PLAY THAN BASS IS.
For stone cold bush, the stingray. In general though, totally the modulus
Slap: Modulus
Fingers: Jazz bass
Pick: Modulus
For me it will always be Stingray. I liked the Fender Active Signature the least.
I agree, I was a bit disappointed in the active Fender...
No the Flea Fender Active is a phenomenal Bass. Its a super powerful loud and punchy Bass and cost only 30% of the modulus flea Bass @@RedHotChiliRiffs
The Flea Active Signature would be elite if it had a legacy lane poor pickup in there IMHO
@jonathonhazzard4407 i’d love to try that. Too bad they don’t make them anymore….
S A M E
Maybe the Actives are just for distorted
I love Musicman and the Modulus
The Flea Active Jazz Bass for me. It sounds somewhere between the StingRay and Modulus, so it’s a perfect all-purpose RHCP bass.
Aquatic, I feel the first Flea jazz bass is the only way. That tone for me is unmistakeable due to how much I love that song
I agree. It’s a shame Flea doesn’t play that bass when they play AMD live….
@@RedHotChiliRiffswhich one does he use live?
The active Jazz Bass….
@@RedHotChiliRiffs ah, thanks
Passive jazzbass, balanced and more versatile
Music Man. Love the tone a lot😃
Flea's top three bass sounds are the Spector NS he used to record Mother's Milk and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, the Wal bass on Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and the Music Man sound on the One Hot Minute album.
For OHM he used the Alembic Epic. He only used the Stingray on Aeroplane.
He used an Alembic on Blood Sugar as well as the Wal.
I never heard of that. I don’t think that’s correct….
@@RedHotChiliRiffs From a magazine interview with Flea in the early 90s.It wasnt used much.I remember he said it was on the bass break in Naked in the Rain at least.
As someone who owned a Modulus, 77 Stingray and a Flea signature J bass. Modulus hands down!
I wish I had never sold my Quantum 5
I have all of them and they are all perfect in their own way. Musicman Stingray Special is powerful and has a lot off punch and attack. The Modulus Funk Unlimited is a Killerbass. Its more aggressive as the stingray. The Fender Flea Active Jazz Bass sounds hot and loud like a Modulus but not so deep Because it has wood not a graphite neck. And the Fender Flea Roadworn Jazz Bass is good for softer Performances.
I love his blue graphite bass from the off the map dvd of 2001, yeah he only played californication on jazz bass ocasionally and also some songs from stadium arcadium
Modulus and jazz ! I f*cking love his live sound with the modulus on the hyde park record and the live at La Cigale with his 61 Jazz bass !
For mother's milk era - stingray all the way, everything after that - my choice would be Jazz bass (the passive one)
Great video, I personally really liked the StingRay and active JB tones. The Modulus is still a classic though.
What a video! Loved this. Great to find your channel. Great playing sir.
Thanks man!
Great comparison overall, this video was convincing enough for me to bite the bullet and purchase my very own Modulus bass(blue glittered) , that I wanted since I was teen.
For me the Modulus is the RHCP sound. I wish Flea would still play them . They also look better IMO.
I love the sting ray and the fender bass.
Which Fender, the passive or the active?
Passive! But the active is also a good one. The modulus is unfortunately last:(
I prefer StingRay than the other basses. All of them sound great, but ‘clicky’ sound from StingRay’s huge open pole pieces suits my taste.
The modulus definitely has the "flea tone", which in my opinion is a colder, more precise and a little bit sterile version of the stingray tone. But my personal favourite was the stingray by far. It sounds vey sharp and defined but also powerful in the low-end, unlike the modulus.
I don't think the modulus is not powerful in the low end. It's a very growly somewhat mean tone actually.
@@zeedy1011 it does have a growly tone, I like it. But it lacks a bit of booty IMO. The stingray sounds a bit more organic to me.
I have a couple of mofuluses and let me just say this - there’s no way this guy is using the preamp in anything other than a full-flat setting. The OBP1 preamp in that modulus is known for MONSTROUS bass - it’s by miles the hottest bass knob of any bass I own.
I never set the EQ flat on the Modulus. The volume was on 10 the bass around 7 and the treble around 6.
@@RedHotChiliRiffs interesting… any post processing on these signals? My OBP3 just absolutely blasts down doors above like 5% of rotation above the detent haha.
Fender Signature Flea Bass all the way !!!!!!
just perfect! !!
Flea will always be holding a Stringray in my dreams.... Since everything else he played was active, to me it's a Stingray sound at heart
Wonderful video, dude!
Thanks!
Definitely the Ray and the passive Jazz for me
Jazz Bass Signature (Pasive) and Modulus!
I thought it was not a lane poor pickup on this modulus I was completely wrong 😂 my ears are officially not good enough ! Great video and thanks for everything you do on this channel it’s deeply helpful !
Wal. The sound of BSSM
You should do a video on what the best Frusciante or Klinghoffer start could be
active jazz bass kills everything
not even close
So much of his tone is really in his style and his technique more than anything. However, I definitely have a preference for the old '90s Stingray tones and his early 2000s modulus tones. I've had both bass guitars several times over my lifetime, and I always end up coming back to those personally as well
Does he really set his action low on those basses ? I am always changing action on my jazz bass from low to high and never happy with any, i think i am getting something like a Stinray since i can't find a Modulus
1. Modulus
2. Passive Jazz
3. Stingray
4. Active Jazz
The sound of the jazzbass is so amazing
The passive Jazz Bass or the active?
@@RedHotChiliRiffs the passive! Reminds a lot the audio of stadium arcadium era! The best era and sound in my opinion! Your playing always on top 🙏🏻
WHOAH awesome video!!
My personal favourite has always been the Uplift Mofo / Mother's Milk era when Flea used his Spector basses. To me, theses basses had the best tone with their deep lows, scooped low-mid, and snappy top-end. These basses complimented Flea's playing style beautifully and sound so open, clear and brutal ❤❤🤟🤟
I agree. I love Flea’s bass tone on MM. I wish I could find/effort an old Spector NS-2 with JJ configuration!
This video is also demonstrating how difficult it is to cut throw a mix with the Fender Active JB..😢
Passive jazz bass ❤️
I think the most unique basses of these are Jazz bass and StingRay. Modulus sounds like dry Stingray. Fender active sounds like pathetic parody of modulus...
Dude, been watching your videos all day. Superb and instant subscribe!
Thanks man, I really appreciate that!
Music Man
Modulus
Fender signature
Fender active
Modulus and active jazz bass. But for fingers the passive jazz bass sounds better.
The passive Jazz bass is my favorite for AMD as well.
Stingray for the slap fo sho! The rest is between the Stingray and the Fender (nonactive). It's strange but the Modulus doesn't bother me as much in this video, compared to when Flae used it. But the Stingray is my clearcut favorite! 🌶🔥🌶🎸🔥🔥🔥🔥🌶🌶🌶🌶🤙🏽👍🏽🤘🏽
Honestly, they all sound fantastic, but work slightly differently for different songs. I’d probably record with the Jazz (I have one and love it) but use the Modulus live for the extra bite and articulation.
Modulus, Ray, JazzMM, Jazz
1:55 this bass part is written by John Frusciante
when it comes down to flea ... its very hard not to hear the modulus and sting ray .. My personal preference is the jazz bass .
StingRay!
I looked at most of these basses, when trying to find one for my daughter. She, at the time, was a huge Flea fan. I tried an actual Flea Bass, but it felt cheap and honestly, didn't care for the tone. Modulus was out of the question due to price. I didn't like the looks of the active jazz bass so I bought her the passive pink jazz bass. Talk about a great all around bass... installed La Bella low tension flats. I liked it better with the rounds, but she loves the flats and it's her bass lol.
I absolutely love the passive Fender Flea bass! I use it a lot for my own projects. I think you’ve chosen wisely my friend….
@@RedHotChiliRiffs she loves it... she cracks me up tho... pink doesn't go with all of her outfits. She hits me up to borrow a bass when she wears something that will clash. lol
The actual bass he played on BloodSugarSexMagik album. Period.
To truly complete your Flea bass collection you need a Spector NS-2 (from Uplify Mofo Party Plan & Mother's Milk), a Wal MK2 (used on Blood Sugar Sex Magik) and Alembic Epic (used on One Hot Minute). Otherwise, all your other basses are spot on!
I like all of them except the Fender active. I had the other three, each has an unmistakeable tone, (specially in Flea's hands) tough call. Maybe the jazz bass would be my choice.
I'm a week late, but:
Finally, the video! TYSM!
I prefer the Modulus personally.
It’s never too late for a bass comparison video!!
- Sting Ray on "Stone Cold Bush"
- Fender Jazz on Whatchu Thinkin`"
- Modulus on "This is the Place"
✳️•✳️•✳️•✳️
Fender signature has a sound that would be easy to fit in the mix.
no Wal or Spector PJ? 😢
What about the Alembic Epic!! What a noob right!?
That Stingray killed the others.
The early-chilis Flea sound is thanks to the legendary Spector NS-2J. Unfortunately they are prohibitively expensive in the second hand market 😁
I know! And it’s even harder to find one with the JJ pickup configuration like Flea used…
I’ve had my modulus for over 20 years and there is nothing quite like it ❤
Bello/Magnifico.👑✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️
Where is the Wal MKII? Best Flea Sound ever!!
Again, a very nice video!!
But what EQ settings do you have on each bass ? Any changes between slap, finger and pick?
Good point! You can find the EQ settings in the description of this video. I didn’t change any of the settings for the different parts.
0:47 my favorite Bass
the musicman will always be the rhcp sound for me
Can't seperate the songs from the bass used from them and although Mother's Milk is NS2 it was still the era of Stingray
Wal bass 🫶🏻
maybe modulus because you have mesa boogie amplifier
That regular jazz bass is definitely closest to his actual sound.
so is alot of the modulus sound a lot of high frequency clack?
Probably the low action
@ funny thing is I went ahead and tried that and it totally got me in the ballpark. Id say the aggressive attack and the Lane Poor pickup probably would nail it
Sting Ray it's the Best! 😍🥹 Second modulus, jazz active and last jazz normal! ❤
The stingray for flea is best.
Ironically each new bass that is brought out for flea ends up being part stingray.
I personally like the jazz bass best.
But for flea the stingray is best in my opinion!
Faltou aquele da epoca do stadium
Got to be the modulus for me. I am currently saving up for a modulus. I’ve wanted one since I was 11 and I’m now 31.
I’ve had a Modulus Flea bass purple sparkle for 10 years but never really liked it. I sold it around 2010….
@@RedHotChiliRiffsif you see or hear of anyone selling one, could you let me know please?
@@KinggSkilleri think about to sell mine. Its a Funk Unlimited Revolite
Flea Active Jazz Bass for me overall for every style and era, and the one I dislike the most is the Modulus, I just can't get into the tone of it
I just came here to say "it's Modulus". Cheers! :D
For finger picking the Jazz. For everything else the Stingray.
Wow you really made this video! Thanks😁👍
I cannot believe how boring the Fender Flea Active sounds, his current main bass. At least in this comparison I cannot hear any character, nothing distinctive in its sound.
For Slap, Stingray, for anything else, Modulus. Btw is it still borrowed?
I love the Modulus on This Is The Place but I prefer the passive Jazz bass on Aquatic Mouth Dance. I gave the Modulus back but I’ll miss it….
@@RedHotChiliRiffs how did you record? DI or mic'ed? And what bass strap are you using?
@zeenedin9013 both. 50% DI, 50% amp
Spector
NS-2
Spector and Wal are my 2 favorite Flea tones from my 2 fav albums
Specifically the NS-2J with two jazz pickups instead of the normal P/J
Jazz bass sounds amazing
Modulus for sure
Wow! Looks like you came pretty close to 99 live sound which is Holy Grail for me! Please tell about DI do you use and about Dbx. Where is it in a chain? Thank you!
The signal is Bass - dbx160A - Radial JDI thru to the GK800rb amp and Radial JDI XLR out to the BAE 1073MPF preamp.
@@RedHotChiliRiffs Thanks a lot! Do you believe Flea used 160a in 99 live?
I’m not sure. He did use a rack compressor in 1995/1996.
i managed to find the Fleabass Model 32 last year,, but with the pickups upgraded to seymour duncan basslines stingray pickup for about $300 and I never looked back since! hope you get your hands on one of them in the near future
I had one while I was recording this video but it sounded so weak with the stock pickup compared to the other basses that I didn’t include it in the video. I think the Seymour Duncan was a great investment though!
Wow this is so cool, every era is amazing 🎉 you cant select!
Slap is where it matters, and Musicman Stingray and Jazz Passive came as the top 2. The Jazz Actives are all around the worst. But maybe they're better if distorted.
Amazing video 🤩 thank you very much!! I’m a modulus man but some songs I prefer the musicman and some the jazz bass . I don’t like the active jazz 🤣
Personally I love Jazz Bass. But to be fair the modulus is the sound of Flea
What, no Wal?
Hey man i have a problem with my ce1, when i use the high mode it dosen't add a crunch it's sound like if its bypass but low mode still works fine. What do you think is the issue?
I don’t know. Maybe you can ask jfxpedals.com
the jazz one stands out
Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Bass ♥
MM is always right for me.
Others are respectable too
Please make cover on knock me down!
Modulus for me, both for live and studio. I think Flea had the best live sound at the Off the Map DVD and best studio sound in Californication / By the Way era. Second next comes the vintage Jazz Bass, but only for studio, it sucks live.
The blue one ahah
Full of sparkle with the matching headstock
Suena genial !
StingRay sounds coolest in all playing styles.
Being totally ignorant about instruments I would say the first one (black one) and the silver one (the bass with glitters).
Peace&Love
❤🔥🌶️
All of them ❤
Modulus ❤
The fenders sound dead and with no mids compared to the Stingray and the Modulus
ALL❤❤❤