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The Pedulla Club!

#2,902
socialleper said:
@Fishheadjoe and @Lonnybass I asked Pedulla if there was one and they said no. I only pulled the controls out once and it was a while ago so I don't recall seeing one.
I've only ever messed with my Pedulla, so I don't know if the preamps they have Bart make for them has a gain control. Do the other models have them?
Click to expand...

Not sure if your preamp is factory original or not but aftermarket Bartolini harnesses come with a gain trim pot mounted on a blue square tab.

Bartolini pickups are typically low output so you need to raise them up close to the strings to get things to open up. You may also want to check your battery, and make sure there aren't any loose connections in there that are affecting output.
 
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#2,903
Lonnybass said:
Not sure if your preamp is factory original or not but aftermarket Bartolini harnesses come with a gain trim pot mounted on a blue square tab.

Bartolini pickups are typically low output so you need to raise them up close to the strings to get things to open up. You may also want to check your battery, and make sure there aren't any loose connections in there that are affecting output.
Click to expand...
It is all stock.
The strings are as close as I can get them without the strings hitting them when I play.
If the battery wasn't supplying power, wouldn't the preamp cut out altogether?
 
#2,904
Hello! What kind of pickup and model Bartolini it is in addition possible to establish in couple with soapbar on my Bass to Pedulla RB5 guitar. For example, as on this video:
Q79exothQy0eqGpEScw20S8cMWk.gif
?
7oaSjSWciXc.jpg
 
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#2,905
All Bartolini pickups in (modern) Pedulla basses are custom designs by Phil for Pedulla, to my knowledge. You can't buy them in the Bartolini store.

This guy added a jazz pickup himself. It would seem to be that in this position it doesn't matter much which Barts you choose. A high output version, I assume. There's very little string energy at this spot ánd it has to fight against a soapbar pickup.
 
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#2,906
Pedullist said:
All Bartolini pickups in (modern) Pedulla basses are custom designs by Phil for Pedulla, to my knowledge. You can't buy them in the Bartolini store.

This guy added a jazz pickup himself. It would seem to be that in this position it doesn't matter much which Barts you choose. A high output version, I assume. There's very little string energy at this spot ánd it has to fight against a soapbar pickup.
Click to expand...

I thought to add one more pickup since I lack the volume and density in a heavy mix. As option, I thought to replace native onbord preamp on OBP-3, if to leave pickups in stock option.

That you think about it? Maybe you will prompt still some modifications... I heard only about replacement of a native soapbar by Q-tuner... I still tried to play without preamp, on a passive and so to me the sound like is more, but there isn't enough power, that all nuances have sounded.
 
#2,908
From what I gather, the original pickup is similar to regular Bartolini C type (dark tone) but with a custom radius. I was impressed by the sound of the added single coil bridge pickup in the video above. It sounded fatter than expected. I've considered adding a second pickup to my RB5 but closer to the neck as that's my tonal preference.
Akvariuz said:
I thought to add one more pickup since I lack the volume and density in a heavy mix. As option, I thought to replace native onbord preamp on OBP-3, if to leave pickups in stock option.

That you think about it? Maybe you will prompt still some modifications... I heard only about replacement of a native soapbar by Q-tuner... I still tried to play without preamp, on a passive and so to me the sound like is more, but there isn't enough power, that all nuances have sounded.
Click to expand...
My Rapture 5 has a Q-tuner; it is definitely clearer and more powerful than the original Bartolini. Something to bear in mind if adding another pickup us that there will be some cancellation in the midrange when both are used together which will likely not cut through the mix as well.
 
#2,909
What I don't get is that you want extra density and volume, but intend to add a single coil jazz pickup in 70's position. I would think of an extra soapbar at neck position. It'll add extra beef and volume for sure. An extra single coil at this position will add a little high mid (700-1000Hz) stuff, which might help you pop out of a mix, but it won't give you volume and density.

I have a 32 year old Fender PJ with J in ultra 70's position (very close to the bridge, I was young and I didn't have a clue). Gave it away to a friend, got it back after 10 years. I immediately had my favorite custom pickup winder to make me pickups that matched each other in volume. The 'original' DiMarzio's I put in when I was 15 just didn't match in volume at all. The sound of a J pup is very low level, very thin and nasal at that spot. My pickup guy added a lot of extra turns to match the P, and used a different type of wire. It's great now, but this experience leads me to thinking this might not be the best option to achieve your goal.

You should try to find a way to test a Thunderbass or Thunderbolt. These basses have two soapbars and are indeed very....thundery. I'm sure that's not a word, but hey, I'm Dutch, who cares...
 
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#2,910
12bass said:
From what I gather, the original pickup is similar to regular Bartolini C type (dark tone) but with a custom radius. I was impressed by the sound of the added single coil bridge pickup in the video above. It sounded fatter than expected. I've considered adding a second pickup to my RB5 but closer to the neck as that's my tonal preference.

My Rapture 5 has a Q-tuner; it is definitely clearer and more powerful than the original Bartolini. Something to bear in mind if adding another pickup us that there will be some cancellation in the midrange when both are used together which will likely not cut through the mix as well.
Click to expand...

Do you have a demo with Q-Tuner on RB5? Still, as option, I want to make push/pull active/passive now, and it is possible to replace stock preamp with OBP-3. Though gascht a preamp it isn't sure yet...)
 
#2,911
Akvariuz said:
Do you have a demo with Q-Tuner on RB5? Still, as option, I want to make push/pull active/passive now, and it is possible to replace stock preamp with OBP-3. Though gascht a preamp it isn't sure yet...)
Click to expand...
Original thread here: Q-Tuner Review with Bartolini Comparison Samples

Used to have the samples online, but my ISP no longer provides webspace. I can send them via email, however. Note, the BL-5 in my Rapture has been replaced by new Q2.0 which has a somewhat smoother frequency response with less of a peak in the treble.

It is possible to replace the preamp. Some knowledge of electronics and/or a good tech would help.
 
#2,912
12bass said:
Original thread here: Q-Tuner Review with Bartolini Comparison Samples

Used to have the samples online, but my ISP no longer provides webspace. I can send them via email, however. Note, the BL-5 in my Rapture has been replaced by new Q2.0 which has a somewhat smoother frequency response with less of a peak in the treble.

It is possible to replace the preamp. Some knowledge of electronics and/or a good tech would help.
Click to expand...
Hi! I have received your demos with Q-Tuner. Thanks a lot! The sound is excellent! Pure, clear and magic. Now I want to put him too:) What does Bartolini C & Bartolini CX mean in your demos? And what you use strings?
 
#2,913
Akvariuz said:
Hi! I have received your demos with Q-Tuner. Thanks a lot! The sound is excellent! Pure, clear and magic. Now I want to put him too:) What does Bartolini C & Bartolini CX mean in your demos? And what you use strings?
Click to expand...
Bartolini C is the Rapture's original pickup. CX is a brighter replacement I puchased because I found the stock pickup lacking in clarity. Strings were probably the standard Pedulla stainless steel set, somewhat worn in.
 
#2,918
Howdy fellow Pedulla owners. Been experimenting with strings since I got my Pentabuzz. Fairly quickly I took their home brand strings off... I just didn't dig them. Particularly the B string. I slapped on a set of D'addario Chromes which initially I liked a lot. Lots of supported low end and smoother mids albeit a bit scooped compared to the round wounds. Had those on for a couple weeks and tried them on my fretted Ibanez... it LOVES them.

At the same time I had been reading about tapewound strings and was particularly interested in the "upright" type sound that people claimed they tended to bring out. Knowing that I could kinda already get that sound by soloing the neck pickup and rolling the treble off, accentuating that type of feel sounded like a good idea. Ordered a set of D'addario Tapewounds and... WOW... these things were awesome. Super smooth, velvety. I was particular surprised how much top end they had and less scoopy mids than the Chromes.

Was enjoying them for a couple of weeks and came across the "coveted" TI Flats. Curiosity got the best of me and I ordered a set and threw them on. Initial reaction was "I'mmmm nnnnnot sure I like these". Uber loosey goosey, rubber bandy, toy bow and arrow like. But that tone. Soooo midrangey. So vocal like. Not a ton of bottom or top end but adequate. I just couldn't get past that nasal honk sound they had on the fretless. I just couldn't get away from it. No matter how much I eq'd, it just wouldn't disappear unless I completed destroyed the tone. I'm not a soloist. For those guys, im sure these are amazing for them. I'm a meat and potatoes type of player. Gimme lots of supported bottom with SOME punchy mids and a smooth top end and heaps of B, E, and A string. That's me. These were just not ME. Now, don't get me wrong. They are great strings... on my Ibanez. Like, super fantastic good on it. Wish Ida tried these 15 years ago. Still have the Chromes. I'll use them for some recording work I have later this year which requires drop tuning metal ish stuff and since I did scratch tracks already with the Ibanez with those strings, it's a no brainer. But for now, in standard tuning, the TI's are happily at home.

Which brings me back to the Pedulla and the tapewounds. There's just something really magical about this combination. I can be very expressive IF I WANT TO BE. I can have lots of mids IF I WANT. They give me more options for more useable tones. Plus, they're black. How cool is that? Beyond that, I'm just falling more and more in love with this Pentabuzz. Can't thank Michael enough for making me a more thoughtful, better, and toneful if not finicky bass player.
 

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#2,920
I'm just happy playing them. It feels and sounds perfect, hence, I've got nothing to talk about. ;)

I still have them all, and even regret selling the Thunderbolt 6 and '79 Buzz. When I just started bass, I have tried a lot of strings, but the Pedulla strings stuck eventually. Didn't like Thomastik flats (and La Bella) on my Pentabuzz at all, the B and E sounded so dull and toneless. Now that my Ernie Ball cobalt set is still on my Fender PJ after a few weeks, I'm considering trying them on my Pentabuzz. But not sure, it sounds great to me already. Being a double bass player by origin who gave up the dream of professional musician because of various reasons, the sound of a double bass is the last thing I'm striving for, haha. It's just too painful. Somehow I started to dislike the sound, and I often feel dissappointed when a jazz artist I like chose a double bass player instead of a bass guitar player for an album.
 
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