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Pedulla Rapture 5 - bad news, good news.

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Thumper, Nov 21, 2001.

  1. Nov 21, 2001 #1
    Thumper

    Thumper Supporting Member

    Mar 22, 2000
    Syracuse Ut
    I have a pristine teal Rapture with a stripped trussrod. I finally bit the bullet and sent it to Pedulla who has informed me a new neck is needed.
    This is a real nice bass, but I don't use it much since I'm partial to my Roscoe's and Lakland. This year I put a fretless neck on my '66 Jazz, and I have been enjoying it so much, that I have been considering a 5 string fretless.

    Now my question. What would it do to the value of the Rapture if I have Pedulla put a fretless neck on it? I know they only go for around $800 on the used market, and this is going to set me back around $400, so all told I'll have about $1,500 into it. If I were to sell, I'm curious as to it's perceived value. To my knowledge, it would be the only fretless Raptor in existence, unless someone else has custom ordered one.

    The good news? I would have a real nice, and unique fretless 5. I could even have slightly closer string spacing arranged for more of a custom fit.

    Opinions? BTW, if you would like to see my harem, go to photopoint.com, account: [email protected] under Recreation. Thanks in advance and have a safe holiday. P.S., heading to Orlando next week, looking forward to seeing Beaver's new shop.
     
  2. Nov 21, 2001 #2
    AllodoX

    AllodoX

    Jun 6, 2001
    's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherla
    pedulla rapture... :D :D :D :D :D
    those things are pure sex, in wooden form.
     
  3. Nov 21, 2001 #3
    Thumper

    Thumper Supporting Member

    Mar 22, 2000
    Syracuse Ut
    I couldn't agree more. A real benefit to the Raptures is that if you are not a large person, their sleek profile doesn't overwhelm you visually. Pretty light weight as well. For a long time "she" said this bass was untouchable (as in don't sell it), so they appeal to the "fairer" sex as well.
     
  4. Nov 22, 2001 #4
    Ian Perge

    Ian Perge

    May 11, 2001
    Evansville, Indiana
    Thumper - that's a very good point about the ergonomics of the Rapture design. It's one of the reasons I'm curretly lusting after a Rapture J-2000 five string. As a "smaller" player (5'5", 140 lbs) it's hard to find basses that fit my frame. The Rapture has it all for me - a lightweight bass that sounds and looks great! (The flame on the 2000 models makes my heart skip a beat.) :D

    As for the resale value, I think you've balanced that pros and cons very well. While the prices on the used market isn't all that great, the added selling point of having a rare model would push it up a notch. Enough to reclaim the price of the new neck... that I don't know.

    ... as for the appeal to the "fairer sex," it's strange - Raptures do nothing for my G/F. Spectors, however, are a different story... :eek:

    Good luck making this decision, and nice collection, btw! :)
     
  5. Nov 22, 2001 #5
    embellisher

    embellisher Holy Ghost filled Bass Player Supporting Member

    Apr 18, 2000
    Heber Springs, Arkansas
    Yeah, the wife won't let me consider selling mine either.

    Are you getting the Diamondkote like on the Buzz, or will it be unfinished? What kind of wood for the fingerboard?

    I think a Rapture with the finished board would be an awesome fretless.
     
  6. Nov 22, 2001 #6
    Munjibunga

    Munjibunga Retired Member

    May 6, 2000
    San Diego (when not at Groom Lake)
    Independent Contractor to Bass San Diego
    I'd go for the fretless. Them Pedullas sound mighty fine in that configuration. I like the size of them too. It feels so cozy playin' that leetle thang with the MONSTER tone. Go for it. Just for kicks, here's another shot of my T-Bolt 5 fretless, a cousin of the Rapture.
     
  7. Nov 23, 2001 #7
    Thumper

    Thumper Supporting Member

    Mar 22, 2000
    Syracuse Ut
    Thanks for the input guys, I think I will ask for a finished rosewood, or ebony. Diamondkote wouuld be nice if they could do a green tint (if you've seen the Roscoe diamondkotes you know what I mean). I've sent an email, I'll probably get a reply Monday. It will be a nice break from all the reading I'll be doing winging towards Orlando. Nice Munji, I almost had a Tbolt once but was outbid in the last 2 minutes.
     
  8. Dec 17, 2001 #8
    Thumper

    Thumper Supporting Member

    Mar 22, 2000
    Syracuse Ut
    Got my Rapture back from Pedulla on 13 Dec, way earlier than they said. After considering the advice here, and playing a real nice fretless Rapture J at Bass Central, I ordered an uncoated rosewood fretless board (against the advice of Gard & Spider who said go with coated). Pedulla wanted an extra $150 for ebony (which they usually only offer on neck-thru's) and $150 for the coating. I went un-coated because I really am not after the extreme mwah that I heard from the J Rapture, MVP and MTD I A/B'd.

    My Rapture looks great with the unlined board, which Christine (Pedulla?) told me is rosewood, but if it is, it is the darkest rosewood I have ever seen, you have to look closely to even see any grain. Anybody have any idea as to what kind of rosewood is that dark?

    I haven't gigged with the bass yet, but it sounds great at practice, and I love the feel of a fretless neck. My only question is strings, only 1 hour of play and the neck is well marked, is this normal? Does the neck have a breakin and then wear slowly afterwards? Unlike most fretless players, I want the fretless feel, but not necessarily a fretless sound, so I am hesitant to put flats on it (it has nickle rounds on it now). Any advice for this Top 40 rocknroller?