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Don't know if Mike changed things around, but in the past the Pedulla Strings were actually D'Addario XL170's, manufactured from the Smith Street Plan in Farmingdale, NY for Pedulla, with just a hair more tension on the E and A strings to come closer to the D string tension...
It sounds as thought it has really been 'so long and good luck' from Pedulla since the closure. Hope those in the need grabbed strings, truss rod tools and whatever else they needed whilst they had the chance.
In terms of strings, I slung some nickel Spector strings on my Pentabuzz the other day. A set of .45's, a little heavier than the previous set. I have always really liked Spector strings but this is my first time using them the Pentabuzz and I'm really impressed. Very rich, full sounding tones and a really pleasing tension for the right hand. The B string, which has always been impressive on this bass, has reached new heights of tonal quality. That an instrument of such modest proportions could make such a noise is testament to Mike Pedulla's craft.
I have never heard such a great low B from a 34" wooden construction bass. This thing leaves my old Warwick Thumb for dead. I had an Alembic Epic 5 string fretless and that too would fall short of the efforts of the Pentabuzz low B.
I also liked the Sadowsky Black Label Bright Nickel strings (SBN40B-BLACK) in the 40-60-80-100-125 gauge on my PentaBuzzes, but they're discontinued. Just picked up a similar set (SBN40B-BLUE) in their Blue Label formulation to try. Have NOT liked D'Addario or DR strings, nor - TBH - recent Pedulla strings (until they're a month old). I'm chalking that up to my 67-yo ears...
Try the Spector stainless steels. Like Pedulla strings, they're reportedly made to spec by D'Addario, so if you like the Pedulla strings you may find these to your taste. Here in the UK they're about half the price of a set of DR's!
Just now seeing this 2 months later.
No I did not get it in time. I practically begged Christine in emails and if I had lived on the east coast I would have shown up at their shop with my bass and sad face and cried.
But really I totally understand. At some point you have to say thats it. It's time to move on to the next thing.
I truly wish them both the best in retirement.
As for my hexabuzz, I spent a couple weeks wondering what I would do with it. I finally found a refinisher willing to do it.
It's been there for almost 7 weeks now and they say they have to do final polishing on it this week. Went ahead and had the whole bass refinished in purple. If all goes well I should have it back in another week or two. I will post pics and let you all know who did it after I get it back and play the heck out of it. It's going to be like a NBD for me. The refinisher is reputable and I have a good feeling it is going to be fantastic.
I sure do miss my Hexabuzz right now.
Oh that's exciting. Still looking for someone in Europe who can do that kinda stuff.
RBD!
Refinshed Bass Day!
So my hexabuzz went to Wilkins Guitars. Pat Wilkins did a fantastic job. The fingerboard plays perfectly. I get every nuance out of my vibrato and all the notes are evenly mwahing. It's fantastic!. The electronics are working right, it is setup well and yeah, the fretlines are PURPLE! I am so happy right now. This is my number one favorite bass ever. I have dreamed about it since the mid nineties which is when it was made. Time to go play more hexabuzz.
Refinshed Bass Day!
So my hexabuzz went to Wilkins Guitars. Pat Wilkins did a fantastic job. The fingerboard plays perfectly. I get every nuance out of my vibrato and all the notes are evenly mwahing. It's fantastic!. The electronics are working right, it is setup well and yeah, the fretlines are PURPLE! I am so happy right now. This is my number one favorite bass ever. I have dreamed about it since the mid nineties which is when it was made. Time to go play more hexabuzz.
Purple fretlines?! "Wicked awesome!" Congratulations!
Nice!! Congrats. They did a grape job!!
Beautiful. Did they refinish the fingerboard also? Is it as good as from the factory?
What’s really impressive is that he was able to keep the Pedulla logo intact!
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45
Tobias Club #133
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45
Tobias Club #133
Danielle, that looks utterly sensational. I am so glad you worked this one out.
Yes he refinished the fingerboard. That was the primary reason my bass went to him. The fingerboard is awesome! It's been a long time since I played a fresh from the factory Pedulla. I would say it is as good as a new Pedulla but Its been 15 years since I played a new Pedulla. A more direct comparison would be fun but not necessary as I am loving how this is playing right now.
I was woken up by someone repeatedly doing donuts in our culdesac at 4:45 this morning. The first thing I did after calling the police was pickup my hexabuzz and play for half an hour. Wow it plays great! It sounds and feels fantastic unplugged. I have played it for 5 of the first 14 hours I've had it. Would have been more but I had to practice upright bass last night for symphony rehearsal.
I'm 100 percent happy with Pat's work!
Actually the logo is a reproduction. It didn't have a logo when I sent it in.
