Pedulla Thunderbolt 5 or Modulus Genesis V?

[Bassboy 43]

I'm trying to decide on one of these basses. I have a Pedulla Pentabuzz and love it but want a fretted 5. I play mostly rock/fusion/funk/jam music. With fingers. I never slap or use a pick.
Anybody played either of these? I can't play either of them I'm just going on research.

 

[bgartist]

Those two basses have totally different tones. I've not played the Modulus, but it is a jazz bass, which has a certain sound. I own a similar Pedulla and it sounds totally different. I think the Modulus fits your situation better.

 

[Bob_Ross]

For me personally it would be a coin-toss...though perhaps mitigated by the fact that the Modulus company that built that Genesis is long gone and has little in common with the current Modulus company, so getting repairs, spare parts, or any type of customer support from the manufacturer will be difficult if not impossible. Whereas, so long as Mike Pedulla is still alive, he can still provide some sort of insight into how to get the most of that Thunderbolt.

 

[Bassboy 43]

Yeah Mike has taken care of my Pentabuzz for 20 years he is the man. Though Tobias' shop is right near me and he's a good dude too and would service that for me for sure.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Though Tobias' shop is right near me and he's a good dude too and would service that for me for sure.

Ooh, that reminds me of this trivia tidbit which may not be entirely true so take this with a grain of salt:

Mike Tobias may have designed the neck profile of that Genesis bass.

(I know he designed the neck profile for some of the Modulus 5-string basses from that time period, just not positive whether that included the Genesis basses or not.)

 

[BruceWane]

Ooh, that reminds me of this trivia tidbit which may not be entirely true so take this with a grain of salt:

Mike Tobias may have designed the neck profile of that Genesis bass.

(I know he designed the neck profile for some of the Modulus 5-string basses from that time period, just not positive whether that included the Genesis basses or not.)

Mike Tobias was involved with the design of the Genesis basses. That circle around the Modulus logo on the truss rod cover says "Licensed by Michael Tobias Designs". The assymetric neck profile for sure, but I think it's likely he was involved in the body design too; the shape and especially the contour along the top edge of the Genesis body is very similar to the MTD Saratoga.

 

[BruceWane]

I've never played a Pedulla, but I love my Genesis. It is very much a super jazz/jazz on steroids/etc. bass, beefy with lots of jazz bass bark and growl. The one you pictured has Bartolini 59Js, which are split coils so they stay nice and quiet even if you solo the neck or bridge. There are some out there with soapbars, but i've never played one of those.

The Genesis is a full size bass! 19mm spacing and the body isn't downsized at all. It's very well designed, nice contours, so very comfortable. The size is fine with me; I'm 6' 0", kinda long arms. I've seen some players mention that it felt really big on them, though, so if your preference is for smaller body basses you might find it kinda big. The neck to me doesn't feel thin/"fast", but it doesn't feel particularly big either, feels substantial but comfortable. It's a full 3" at the heel, a bit bigger than a Fender 5. Big enough that with 19mm spacing the strings aren't right on the edge of the fretboard, which I like.

Modulus had a new version of the Genesis at the last NAMM show - hybrid CF/wood neck, but a traditional jazz bass body (pickguard, chrome control plate, etc.), haven't seen anything more since then though.

 

[rhodesjazz]

Hello all. I agree with the previous posts about the Modulus Genesis 5. I have one. Jazz Bass on Steroids tone. Full size body, 19mm string spacing at the bridge, and the neck dimension is a thick front to back (a bit chunky). On the Genesis 5, the action can be set low, and the neck is less susceptible to weather changes than most bass due to carbon fiber spine in the neck. I have a Pedulla Hexabuzz which is the greatest fretless. I say that to emphasize that Pedulla creates phenomenal world class instruments - and he's been doing that for 40+ years. Either way - you will have a winner

 

[Bassboy 43]

Well I got the t-Bolt. It was kind of a crap shoot as the guy on ebay was a pawn shp in SC and sold mostly watches and didn't return any of my emails. But it cam today and its in good shape and came with $200 Fusion case which is great. However I noticed an extra black knob and know that's not stock, and couldn't see it in the ebay pics because the guy's pictures sucked ass and wouldn't send me more. I opened up the back and saw full on modification of the electronics. It's all TTL by Performance Guitar in Hollywood which is Kunio "Kenny" Sugai's shop who was Frank Zappa's guitar doctor for 15 yrs and the go-to guy for electronic mods. I don't know much about the BP-300 in there anf was initially bummed because I know Mike Pedulla works with Bartolini to design custom PU/elec for each bass model, but it seems like I got lucky? Anybody??

 

[bgartist]

I was watching that bass, too. I think you won big! The stock electronics on older Pedullas are kind of dark sounding. Every Performance bass I’ve heard sounded great. You probably have new pickups, also because the OEM Pedulla pickups and pre worked together. When I modded one of mine, I had to replace everything.

 

[scubaduba]

Pedulla's are great. Enjoy that new bass. Looks great!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I was watching that bass, too. I think you won big! The stock electronics on older Pedullas are kind of dark sounding. Every Performance bass I’ve heard sounded great. You probably have new pickups, also because the OEM Pedulla pickups and pre worked together. When I modded one of mine, I had to replace everything.

Keep the Pedulla. The Genesis would be a great bass, but you already have a great bass, just go and make music.