Pedulla Pentabuzz owners

[CTC564]

Hey TB'ers

I'm hoping to pick up a Pentabuzz in the next week or so...it'll be my first Pedulla

I'm pretty new to fretless and wondered if any Buzz bass owners could give me some advice regarding that model, the poly board, string type you like etc.

Any and all info is appreciated :-)

[Lonnybass]

Originally Posted by CTC564

Hey TB'ers

I'm hoping to pick up a Pentabuzz in the next week or so...it'll be my first Pedulla

I'm pretty new to fretless and wondered if any Buzz bass owners could give me some advice regarding that model, the poly board, string type you like etc.

Any and all info is appreciated :-)

If Jaco were still alive today, he'd probably be playing a Buzz bass...that design took the concept of an epoxy finished board and put uber-refinement into the process. I'm fairly certain Mike Pedulla recommends nickel strings as they wear less on the fretless board.

Lonnybass

[LanEvo]

I've got a 4-string Buzz. Phenomenal bass.

The finish is a bit thin and easy to damage. Other than that, it's bulletproof.

I prefer light gauge DR Fat Beams or Sunbeams. They really bring the mwah.

You'll love it.

[esa372]

Congratulations - great bass! What year is the one you'll be getting? I have a 2010.

The strings I prefer on my Pentabuzz are the Pedulla PN5B (45-65-85-105-128). I tried the .130 for the low B, but I didn't like it as much as the .128 - might try the .125 next, but the standard set is really nice. I wouldn't recommend steel strings.

As for the poly board, just remember: don't wiggle the string up-and-down to get vibrato; wiggle your finger back-and-forth on the string instead. Mike told me that most of the basses that come in for a neck re-finishing have those up-and-down scrape marks from a fretted-style of vibrato. Moving the finger back-and-forth instead will keep the finish on the neck from wearing down too quickly.

Enjoy!

[micgtr71]

I have wanted one of these since the early 90s...

[LanEvo]

Mine is from the late '80s, so it's got over 20 years of wear on it. I've used stainless steel strings almost exclusively for at least 15 years now. Despite that, the fingerboard is in almost perfect shape.

I use light gauge strings and keep the action very low with minimal relief. I use a very, very light touch. When I use vibrato, it's always a gentle roll along the string (like a violin player) not a lateral swing (like a blues guitarist). In my hands, the fingerboard seems to last forever.

If it gets scuffed up, you can always send it back to Mike and he'll bring it back to new for you. Haven't had to do that yet, but YMMV.

[joebar]

i had a buzz and regret selling it
awesome fretless-if not the best.
really obnoxious mwah
website says that pedulla`s poly coating on the FB is 80% hard as glass-will withstand rounds easily and better than most other basses.

[fedenybass]

I had a buzz bass for a couple years. Nickel is suggested, but I used steel because I felt I got better vibrato (use the technique mentioned a few posts back and you'll be fine). I never got much wear and tear using that technique, and steel strings. Also, contact mike at Pedulla for cleaning supplies to keep that buzz bass looking beautiful. Good luck!

[IronLung1986]

oh man i want a pentabuzz so much. my computer desktop is a slideshow of pentabuzzes. it's like an intravenous GAS drip. i do this because it gives me a goal to save for, but it probably qualifies as masochism.

[CTC564]

Originally Posted by esa372

Congratulations - great bass! What year is the one you'll be getting? I have a 2010.

The strings I prefer on my Pentabuzz are the Pedulla PN5B (45-65-85-105-128). I tried the .130 for the low B, but I didn't like it as much as the .128 - might try the .125 next, but the standard set is really nice. I wouldn't recommend steel strings.

As for the poly board, just remember: don't wiggle the string up-and-down to get vibrato; wiggle your finger back-and-forth on the string instead. Mike told me that most of the basses that come in for a neck re-finishing have those up-and-down scrape marks from a fretted-style of vibrato. Moving the finger back-and-forth instead will keep the finish on the neck from wearing down too quickly.

Enjoy!

I'll be getting a 2002 Arctic Night PentaBuzz

Thanks to all for the info...I'm even a little more pumped now!!!

[CTC564]

Originally Posted by IronLung1986

oh man i want a pentabuzz so much. my computer desktop is a slideshow of pentabuzzes. it's like an intravenous GAS drip. i do this because it gives me a goal to save for, but it probably qualifies as masochism.

This made me laugh...I've got "Bass Porn" pics all over my phone...

[Musiclogic]

The Polyester fnish on the FB is really durable, had mine from the late 80's through 2000, always looked good and I played Roto's and Boomers on it.

[Skygonzo]

Congratulations on your arrival to the best fretless bass in production today! I keep mine on its altar when not in use and feed it chicken and small rabbits to keep the buzzing gods happy.

[amerbs38]

After playing a couple of dozen different fretless basses in the last year or so, I think the PBuzz is in a category by itself. Nothing sounds like it or plays like it (I use D`Addario Half Rounds on my `94). The only negative is that it allows you to finger pick so fast and so smooth that you could break a finger (clean off). Also I love the 24 fret length fingerboard.

[mtb777]

Originally Posted by CTC564

I'll be getting a 2002 Arctic Night PentaBuzz

Thanks to all for the info...I'm even a little more pumped now!!!

My '99 PentaBuzz cherry sunburst is going back to get the Michael retouch for the fingerboard is starting to go, so at the same time, mine will come back as a fresh Arctic Night newbie for me. GAS problems solved except I really want an MVP 6 to meet my fretted needs!

[BruceRichardson]

The only advice I would give is that there is literally not an unusable sound anywhere in the EQ or pickup ranges, so be sure to experiment a lot and find the ones that work for you on stage.

[GBassNorth]

Congrats, you've just made the best fretless purchase out there.
I have a late 90's vintage cherry burst 5A top and the fb is holding up just fine. I use nickel rounds with no problem but have always wanted to try La Bella tape wounds just to hear what it would sound like.
As the other posters have noted, do your vibrato correctly and try every preamp setting, this thing is almost incapable of putting out a bad sound. You'll probably also love the neck size and feel, it's one of the best 5 string necks on the market at any price.
Be sure to post pics once you get it and we'll a ll do the same!

[CTC564]

Well, she finally arrived today...but I just got home about 30 mins ago and can't really play with it til tomorrow :-(

In the 10 minutes I did play it, I can honestly say its met all of my expectations...truly a superb fretless!!!

Sorry for the iPhone pic