So my family bought me a 2004 Rapture 5 string Pedulla bass. I am in the Military and they bought it as a gift two months ago from a Guitar Center for $1300. I just recently got home last week and opened it up. I am not great with the setup of basses. It had a major buzz on the D and G string. I take it down to get a tune up at a local reputable music store in town. He looks at it and then takes a look at the neck and says it has a dip and something else and he can't work on it. He said this is most likely a defect from the manufacturer. He said this should not have been sold it is so messed up. I am flipping out here the Guitar Center will not return it because it has been too long. I emailed Pedulla and have heard they are great about customer service, however this was a used bass that I purchased. Is there anything I can do??? I dont have the knowledge of what or how to fix this problem. He told me to call Pedulla and raise hell. I am not going to do that but I did email them telling them the problem and that I was very dissapointed. I am just asking if anyone out their has ever had this situation happen to them? What my options are besides buying a $650 neck from them. Are they the kind of company that would stand behind their product? Again I bought this bass used so I am guessing they wont care. It is my fault for having my parents buy it for me while I was out of the country, but I don't know what else to do. I love their basses and I feel like I have been screwed over. $1300 may not seem like a lot of money to some but it was to me. I would appreciate any advice anyone has or what they would do in this situation. I appreciate any responses in advance. Thank you guys!
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Pedulla Bass Owners Serious Problem Needing Advice Please Help
- Thread starter jacobw82
- Start date
Might want to try talking to your local TV station... they love a good consumer screwover story. Might actually get some action from GC. Best case would be either a refund, or maybe even better get them to spring the $650+shipping to send it to Pedulla for a new neck.
Get a second opinion. A dip could be normal relief, tongue lift, etc. and may be an easy fix so don't get your beret in a bunch. Where are you located? "Reputable music store" does not mean the tech is worth a durn IMO.
Riis
Riis
I agree you may possibly be out of luck BUT you certainly haven't exhausted your options yet.
Take it to another shop, luthier, repair person to see whether there is in fact a serious problem ... an whether it can be fixed.
Some questions: How old is the bass? How long have you had it? Have you heard back from Pedulla yet?
Take it to another shop, luthier, repair person to see whether there is in fact a serious problem ... an whether it can be fixed.
Some questions: How old is the bass? How long have you had it? Have you heard back from Pedulla yet?
First I would suggest seeing what can be done with a proper truss rod adjustment by a qualified luthier. Note that the Pedulla truss rods are dual-action and turn the opposite direction to most others. Counter-clockwise tightens the rod. An unfamiliar repair person may have been loosening the rod, causing even more bow in the neck.
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I agree that there is only so far that Pedulla should have to stand behind a used bass - he's not responsible for how someone else used it or kept it, etc.
That said, Mike may still work with you.
Guitar Center, though, is responsible for the condition of a used instrument that they sold. Their policy says that they only need to do that for a certain period of time, but -
I'd suggest that you go to GC management (not the guy behind the counter, and not necessarily the manager of the store - go to corporate) with your story - bass was bought as a gift for you, a serviceman serving overseas, and you set about making it right as soon as you got home to receive it.
The guy behind the counter has to live by the rules.
The folks at the top have to think about the big picture.
"Big store screws over serviceman stationed overseas" is not good press.
"Big store bends its rules and works hard to make things right for the folks keeping us safe" is very good press.
Give it a shot, and good luck.
That said, Mike may still work with you.
Guitar Center, though, is responsible for the condition of a used instrument that they sold. Their policy says that they only need to do that for a certain period of time, but -
I'd suggest that you go to GC management (not the guy behind the counter, and not necessarily the manager of the store - go to corporate) with your story - bass was bought as a gift for you, a serviceman serving overseas, and you set about making it right as soon as you got home to receive it.
The guy behind the counter has to live by the rules.
The folks at the top have to think about the big picture.
"Big store screws over serviceman stationed overseas" is not good press.
"Big store bends its rules and works hard to make things right for the folks keeping us safe" is very good press.
Give it a shot, and good luck.
I think kesslari is on the right track, call the bigwigs at GC. Since they they sold you what sounds like a defective bass, they should stand behind it.
Is this the same bass as the one in your previous thread? The story sounds similar, though the details are different....
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=644957&highlight=
BTW, this is the same wrench that Pedulla uses:
http://www.amazon.com/Endust-8020-Autoharp-Tuning-Wrench/dp/B0002F7IEE
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=644957&highlight=
BTW, this is the same wrench that Pedulla uses:
http://www.amazon.com/Endust-8020-Autoharp-Tuning-Wrench/dp/B0002F7IEE
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
I think I read that about Warwicks, but never Pedullas. And I didn't find anything about it on their website. Can anyone verify this?
This is true. Adjustment is counter-intuitive: CCW straightens, CW loosens. Go figure. An autoharp tuning wrench (available via MF, AMS, etc.) works perfectly. Anything else will screw things up royally.
Riis
Might have something to do with the dual-action truss rod. FWIW, their truss rod system works very well. IIRC, there should be a label under the cover which warns about the reversed direction.
There is a label under the cover which warns the user to read the directions before proceeding.
Riis
Lots of guitars and basses use a dual action trussrod system these days. So, I don't think that is the reason.
Bug the hell out of GC, not Pedulla/Mike.
GC screwed you (if you are indeed screwed), not Pedulla.
We know if it was Pedullas fault, Mike would fix it.
But this sounds like it's GCs fault if any ones.
But yeah, can't you send it in to Pedulla and get them to give it a good set-up?
And that way, if it is fcked up, they'll have it there to look at and give you the best options/insight available.
GC screwed you (if you are indeed screwed), not Pedulla.
We know if it was Pedullas fault, Mike would fix it.
But this sounds like it's GCs fault if any ones.
But yeah, can't you send it in to Pedulla and get them to give it a good set-up?
And that way, if it is fcked up, they'll have it there to look at and give you the best options/insight available.
