Pedulla consesus?

[brianrost]

I am thinking about getting a Pedulla bass. But don't know a whole lot about the Pedulla basses other than they are a mid to high end bass.

At today's prices they are all strictly high end. The Raptures were introduced as a budget model at about $800 street...not so with today's base price of $4300

There was a period through most of the 90s when the company was expanding and more people were buidling the instruments. Mike Pedulla scaled back some years ago to making all the basses himself which is what has really driven prices up.

I own a 90s era Buzz (4 string fretless) and had a rare Interceptor (like the MVP but with a mahogany body) for a while. After starting with DiMarzio pickups and Badass bridges in the 70s, by the mid 80s Mike moved to Bartolini electronics and after a period of Schaller bridges now has custom bridge designs. The basses fall into two categories, neck through (Buzz, Thunderbass) and bolt on (Rapture, Thunderbolt and Nuance). All of his designs descend from the Fender Jazz concept. I spoke to Mike once about how his designs evolved and he told me that his customers kept asking for it to be more like their J...neck dimensions, simplified control layout and so forth.

The Buzz fretless bass is what really put Pedulla on the map. It came out at the height of popularity of Jaco Pastorious. The fingerboard is sealed with a hard coating to give an extreme growl. I don't know of any other mfr who has done this except the Fender Jaco signature models.

The good news about Pedulla is used prices get quite low, you can find older models without highly figured tops in the $800-1200 range which is like a savings of 75% compared to a brand new one.

BTW Pedulla made guitars in the early years but stopped in the mid 1980s. Some very early basses and guitars were made in the 1970s under the name Pedulla-Orsini. I'm not sure who Orsini was but their partnership was over by 1980.

 

[bgartist]

Check the condition of the truss rod nut. As stated earlier, make sure its not rounded over from using the wrong tool. I swear buy Pedullas, the most comfortable necks in the business. I have 4 in rotation.

 

[mp40smg]

At today's prices they are all strictly high end. The Raptures were introduced as a budget model at about $800 street...not so with today's base price of $4300

There was a period through most of the 90s when the company was expanding and more people were buidling the instruments. Mike Pedulla scaled back some years ago to making all the basses himself which is what has really driven prices up.

I own a 90s era Buzz (4 string fretless) and had a rare Interceptor (like the MVP but with a mahogany body) for a while. After starting with DiMarzio pickups and Badass bridges in the 70s, by the mid 80s Mike moved to Bartolini electronics and after a period of Schaller bridges now has custom bridge designs. The basses fall into two categories, neck through (Buzz, Thunderbass) and bolt on (Rapture, Thunderbolt and Nuance). All of his designs descend from the Fender Jazz concept. I spoke to Mike once about how his designs evolved and he told me that his customers kept asking for it to be more like their J...neck dimensions, simplified control layout and so forth.

The Buzz fretless bass is what really put Pedulla on the map. It came out at the height of popularity of Jaco Pastorious. The fingerboard is sealed with a hard coating to give an extreme growl. I don't know of any other mfr who has done this except the Fender Jaco signature models.

The good news about Pedulla is used prices get quite low, you can find older models without highly figured tops in the $800-1200 range which is like a savings of 75% compared to a brand new one.

BTW Pedulla made guitars in the early years but stopped in the mid 1980s. Some very early basses and guitars were made in the 1970s under the name Pedulla-Orsini. I'm not sure who Orsini was but their partnership was over by 1980.

I have played many many Pedullas over the years. But, to me, that only one I would ever consider buying would be the MVP/ Buzz. I think the others are good. But, to me the Buzz/ MVP is what Pedulla is all about and are absolutely outstanding creations. The others are just good basses with barts.

 

[Element Zero]

Buddy of mine has a Rapture 5 in black. Sounds killer with new strings. Sitting down I love it. Standing with strap is the opposite of what I'd consider "comfortable". But I feel the same way about a Fender J too.

 

[Beetfarm615]

At today's prices they are all strictly high end. The Raptures were introduced as a budget model at about $800 street...not so with today's base price of $4300

There was a period through most of the 90s when the company was expanding and more people were buidling the instruments. Mike Pedulla scaled back some years ago to making all the basses himself which is what has really driven prices up.

I own a 90s era Buzz (4 string fretless) and had a rare Interceptor (like the MVP but with a mahogany body) for a while. After starting with DiMarzio pickups and Badass bridges in the 70s, by the mid 80s Mike moved to Bartolini electronics and after a period of Schaller bridges now has custom bridge designs. The basses fall into two categories, neck through (Buzz, Thunderbass) and bolt on (Rapture, Thunderbolt and Nuance). All of his designs descend from the Fender Jazz concept. I spoke to Mike once about how his designs evolved and he told me that his customers kept asking for it to be more like their J...neck dimensions, simplified control layout and so forth.

The Buzz fretless bass is what really put Pedulla on the map. It came out at the height of popularity of Jaco Pastorious. The fingerboard is sealed with a hard coating to give an extreme growl. I don't know of any other mfr who has done this except the Fender Jaco signature models.

The good news about Pedulla is used prices get quite low, you can find older models without highly figured tops in the $800-1200 range which is like a savings of 75% compared to a brand new one.

BTW Pedulla made guitars in the early years but stopped in the mid 1980s. Some very early basses and guitars were made in the 1970s under the name Pedulla-Orsini. I'm not sure who Orsini was but their partnership was over by 1980.

I think my J2-5 was list $2000 and I paid $1700 back in 1997.

 

[bassfootballguy]

I have owned several Pedulla's and wish I still had all but two.
The Rapture 5 basses - I have had the single pickup, the JJ, and the P/J configuration - have all had the best B string I have ever experienced in a 34" scale bass. Thunderous and clear.
The fit and finish of Pedulla basses is impeccable. I will own another one before my playing life is over. As the others stated, I'd want to know truss rod condition and then buy with confidence if that is good.

James

 

[FunkyD]

Fell in love with the tone they produced and had to have one - a brand-new late-80's MVP. Unfortunately for me, however, over time I developed major left wrist/finger cramping when hanging at the top of the long neck for extended periods. Every gig became a more painful struggle than the last until I went back to the comfort of a Jazz. To this day I miss that unique growl very much but at least I can comfortably play for hours on end.

I would say that as long as it has been reasonably cared for by the previous owner and it feels good in your hands, you can't go wrong. As others have stated before me, it is without a doubt a top-shelf instrument produced by an expert craftsman - and the company support is good too. And if for some reason you decide it's not right for you, there should be no problem moving it along to someone else who knows what they're buying.

Good luck.

 

[Relsom]

I've always liked the Buzz Bass. Is the Consensus a new model?

 

[Element Zero]

I've always liked the Buzz Bass. Is the Consensus a new model?

He's asking what the thoughts are of fellow players and owners.

 

[Relsom]

He's asking what the thoughts are of fellow players and owners.

Yes, I ...........nevermind.

 

[leurw]

I owned a Thunderbass for a hot minute and if it wasn't for hard times I would have loved to keep it. Great playing bass, very thin and comfortable neck. Beautifully made.

 

[scubaduba]

Pedulla = Goodness

I've owned a few. The Thunderbass is killer. The MVP is killer. As mentioned already, make sure the truss rod is in order. Pedulla basses require a special tool to adjust. Frequently Pedulla truss rods get messed up because somebody tried to adjust without the tool.

Here's another video of Ric Fierabracci playing a Pedulla (from an earlier era than the video of Ric on the first page of this thread). Ric has been playing Pedulla for quite a while... he could choose whatever he wants. Bass solo starts at 2:16

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I am thinking about getting a Pedulla bass. But don't know a whole lot about the Pedulla basses other than they are a mid to high end bass. I have briefly played one in the past but was a different model.

Anything I should know or check out when it comes to getting a second hand Pedulla Rapture V (R2000 model)?

***Edit***

If I decide to go ahead with the deal, it will purchased "unseen". As in I will see pictures but not be able to play it.

Depends on the model.

I had a rapture V that was great in MANY ways - but it did not work for me. Played great, looked WAY great, light... but the sound did not do it. Bart PJ - bleh.

Were I to get another Pedulla, I'd go for the real deal - Pentabuzz. No lines. Soapbars. That would kill.

 

[thetaxmiser]

I bought a used Rapture 4. Blue finish, really a beautiful bass. I liked the sound at home but it just seemed to get lost in a group setting. Not my cup of tea.

 

[micguy]

I played one at a GC 30? years ago, when I was looking for 5 strings. I decided I wouldn't buy a bass that I couldn't turn my back on while having a beer at the bar. $3k was beyond that threshold - at least at the time. It played nice, though the upper horn always looked goofy to me.

 

[socialleper]

I am thinking about getting a Pedulla bass. But don't know a whole lot about the Pedulla basses other than they are a mid to high end bass. I have briefly played one in the past but was a different model.

Anything I should know or check out when it comes to getting a second hand Pedulla Rapture V (R2000 model)?

***Edit***

If I decide to go ahead with the deal, it will purchased "unseen". As in I will see pictures but not be able to play it.

Is it the single soapbar version or the dual Jazz?

I have a 1996 Rapture J5-2.
Pedulla necks have a slimmer shape on the back of the neck than something like a Fender. The Rapture body is small and compact, with a hint of neck dive if played at belt level or lower. The craftsmanship is impeccable, and they have some of the best wood\color combos out there. The colors are always rich and vivid.
In the last 20 years, Pedulla may have changed their pickup\preamp design, but in the late 90s when they were trying to branch out a little, the general tone of most their models was a little dark. On my preamp, if the treble and bass is set to the detent, the tone is a little flat, and the bass is a little quiet. It starts to get fuller, and more robust as you up the EQ. I don't know if it is the body wood, or the shape, or the pickups, but while it has the basic tone of a jazz, it lacks a certain amount of grit in the highs. I could never get Geddy Lee levels of bite out of mine. It is a bass that likes to be played with a light touch and that give you a good fundamental tone. Digging in will garner you nothing.
Considering its age and my general clumsiness, it has fared pretty well. When I lived in the desert for a few years the neck shrank a little and I had to have the frets worked. The pan pot crackles a little when I move it. It has been pretty solid beyond that.

**EDIT**
I just remembered: The truss rod nut is a proprietary square shape. If you can, get the tool from the original owner, do it, and safeguard that thing. The truss nut on mine is a pretty soft metal, and wears easily.

This is a picture from about 10 years ago. I've always loved how rich the red is.

 

[socialleper]

Pedulla = Goodness

I've owned a few. The Thunderbass is killer. The MVP is killer. As mentioned already, make sure the truss rod is in order. Pedulla basses require a special tool to adjust. Frequently Pedulla truss rods get messed up because somebody tried to adjust without the tool.

Here's another video of Ric Fierabracci playing a Pedulla (from an earlier era than the video of Ric on the first page of this thread). Ric has been playing Pedulla for quite a while... he could choose whatever he wants. Bass solo starts at 2:16

I was lucky enough to get two lessons from that guy. Super cool guy. He took an interest in my Rapture, but of course liked his Thunder basses more.

 

[jdthebassman]

I would recommend getting a pedulla they are awesome and mike is a top class builder. I have a mvp 6string fretless and have yet to play a better bass.

 

[jdthebassman]

Is it the single soapbar version or the dual Jazz?

I have a 1996 Rapture J5-2.
Pedulla necks have a slimmer shape on the back of the neck than something like a Fender. The Rapture body is small and compact, with a hint of neck dive if played at belt level or lower. The craftsmanship is impeccable, and they have some of the best wood\color combos out there. The colors are always rich and vivid.
In the last 20 years, Pedulla may have changed their pickup\preamp design, but in the late 90s when they were trying to branch out a little, the general tone of most their models was a little dark. On my preamp, if the treble and bass is set to the detent, the tone is a little flat, and the bass is a little quiet. It starts to get fuller, and more robust as you up the EQ. I don't know if it is the body wood, or the shape, or the pickups, but while it has the basic tone of a jazz, it lacks a certain amount of grit in the highs. I could never get Geddy Lee levels of bite out of mine. It is a bass that likes to be played with a light touch and that give you a good fundamental tone. Digging in will garner you nothing.
Considering its age and my general clumsiness, it has fared pretty well. When I lived in the desert for a few years the neck shrank a little and I had to have the frets worked. The pan pot crackles a little when I move it. It has been pretty solid beyond that.

**EDIT**
I just remembered: The truss rod nut is a proprietary square shape. If you can, get the tool from the original owner, do it, and safeguard that thing. The truss nut on mine is a pretty soft metal, and wears easily.

This is a picture from about 10 years ago. I've always loved how rich the red is.

View attachment 1082455

call mike, the updated truss rod tool is a must, do not use the old one, you will not get the right angle and that is usually what causes the square nut to wear round. I bought mine from mike few years ago and it cost $20 well worth it.

 

[socialleper]

call mike, the updated truss rod tool is a must, do not use the old one, you will not get the right angle and that is usually what causes the square nut to wear round. I bought mine from mike few years ago and it cost $20 well worth it.

Good to know.