• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Pedulla Club!

#3,701
To all Pedulla owners, is there a difference between the tone on the bolt-on versus the neck thru basses? The bolt on MV series II was discontinued in the early ‘90s I believe.


I’m still looking forward to get into this club.
Thankyou
Pbass888
 
Last edited:
#3,702
Thank goodness all those hijacked-for-sale Pedullas are off ebay! I get so tired of looking at them -- I don't know the correct term, but when I write "hijacked" I mean when a 2rd party takes screen shots of an item that is honestly listed for say, $2000. The 2nd party makes an identical listing for more like, $2400 (hoping that they make the sale and have first seller/owner ship it to the buyer and pocket $400 difference).
 
  • Like
Reactions: GBassNorth, westrock, pbass888 and 1 other person
#3,703
I'm thinking I like to try a Thundebass, having owned a Rapture and MVP. IN particular, I like the zebrawood top as being quite unique. HOw would it compare tone-wise with the Thunderbolt, which runs a bit cheaper? It the Thunderbass flexible enough to go from Blues to R&B to Rock? I'm not a slapper so that's not a concern. Finally, given the shifting market for Pedullas, what would a reasonable price be for an older Thunderbass, say 1990s. If you have one to sell feel free to P.M. me. I may post in the wanted section.
Thanks for any input.
 
#3,704
From what I recall of my conversations with Mike about the bolt-on Rapture and Thunderbolt vs the neck through Thunderbass, he alluded to the Thunderbolt being more of a jazz bass type of instrument, punchier and focused, whereas the neck throughs were smoother and bigger sounding. I seem to also remember him saying that the Thunderbolt was his sleeper favorite design, as it represented the best combination of both types.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pbass888, mtb777, westrock and 1 other person
#3,705
Lonnybass said:
From what I recall of my conversations with Mike about the bolt-on Rapture and Thunderbolt vs the neck through Thunderbass, he alluded to the Thunderbolt being more of a jazz bass type of instrument, punchier and focused, whereas the neck throughs were smoother and bigger sounding. I seem to also remember him saying that the Thunderbolt was his sleeper favorite design, as it represented the best combination of both types.
Click to expand...

By "both types" do you mean rapture and neck through?
 
#3,706
I’ve got both a 2 pickup Rapture J2000) and a Thunderbass ET5 The Rapture has a bolt-on neck and 2 Bartolini J style pickups, while the ET5 is a neck with Bart soapbars. I’ve also got a Nuance, also with an ebony board, a bolt-on neck and Bart soapbars.

In describing the difference between the Rapture J2000 and the Thunderbass, I can’t do better than Mike Pedulla’s description of the Thunderbass vs the Thunderbolt, as quoted by Lonnybass above:

“The Thunderbolt,being more of a jazz bass type of instrument, is punchier and focused, whereas the neck throughs were smoother and bigger sounding.” To me, the Nuance is sort of a happy compromise between the 2, and I expect a Thunderbolt would be pretty similar, since it’s a bolt-on with soapbars like the Nuance.

I love my Thunderbass! It’s a versatile instrument, for sure, but it’s not capable of the same kind of aggressive growl that the or Rapture or Nuance can produce. I think that might be due to the voicing of the soapbars and the electronics of the Thunderbass, because most of the other neck-thrus with which I am familiar have a huge low end (like the Thunderbass) and a very aggressive piano-like high end (which the Thunderbass does not).

Hope this helps!
 
  • Like
Reactions: pbass888, mtb777, mbluto and 1 other person
#3,709
FWIW, I haven't found Pedulla's tonal descriptions very useful. I think the Rapture was said to have a "modern vintage sound" or some such thing. To my ears, the original single-pickup Rapture sounds like a more-refined cross between a StingRay and a P-Bass, although the original Bartolini pickup is fairly dark and low-midrange focused. The basic midrange "speaking" voice of the Rapture is fairly close to the StingRay, IMO, but the overall tone is smoother and lacks that metallic rawness and zing. Mine has a Q-tuner, so it sounds a lot more open....
 
  • Like
Reactions: mtb777 and OldSchool50
#3,710
It’s important to remember that there were 3 Rapture models. The original Rapture had one dual coil humbucker in something like a Music Man configuration, while the Rapture J2000 has 2 Bartolini J style pickups, which Bart calls their “Candybar” J pickup. There was also a PJ model. Based on their lack of single coil him, I’m guessing that Pedulla used Bart’s dual in-line split coil J pickups, as those are humbuckers.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mtb777 and mbluto
#3,711
So I just purchased a 1992 Pentabuzz. It has the Bartolini P/J PU configuration and the NTMB preamp with two way "Thunder" switch. Inside the control cavity there are two mini-attinuators soldered on each side of the switch. Can anyone tell me specifically what they are supposed to do? When I turn either one of them up, the volume of the bass increases a bit when the switch is on that side. I thought they might be frequency adjustments but it doesn't sound that way.

Any input would be appreciated.
 
#3,713
ChrisRS said:
Sorry, didn’t mean to post 3 times! Would love to join. Picture of my Thunder and Pentabuzz to follow. Attention to C0nsilience, I own the older twin to his Pentabuzz.
Click to expand...

Nice looking pair, and welcome to the Club! We’re giving you number 265 – first new member of 2020. Add us to your signature if you’re so inclined!
crabbybassman said:
I have the ever popular 1990s Rapure RB4 in Teal. Was my main bass for several years. The bartolini soapbar has a great growly tone when wanted. Only reason I quit using it is I just prefer my SG Basses. The Pedulla is fantastic and will never part with it. It now resides in its case along with everything else that will fit in the extra gear closet....I probably should check on it. Photo is from probably 10 years or so ago. Man time sure does fly....always lusted for a 6 string Pentabuzz but never happened.
Click to expand...
No problem crabby, we’ll accept closet queens! :) Giving you number 266, if you want to add us to your signature.


Updated list:
1. p0k
2. kobass
3. michael case
4. Tom7
5. Lonnybass
6. westrock
7. bgartist
8. robwren
9. kojak
10. mikekim
11. Rick Auricchio
12. hiderebirth
13. nalapit13
14. jmorbita (retired from club)
15. jmcgliss
16. Munjibunga
17. coreyfyfe
18. lamonica78
19. krrt
20. BlacksHole
21. rockdoc11
22. Chebass88
23. BigRedX
24. Thunderchief
25. steve4765630
26. BadJazz
27. cetera
28. kaputsport
29. swpyne
30. Kawai-chang
31. kdog
32. Russell Bergum
33. mburd
34. Soulfishing13
35. zoomduck
36. Fawkes007
37. pondscum29
38. NL5
39. Mike - NJ
40. eshears
41. Eminor3rd
42. wallybill
43. chrisp2u
44. Chunk-O-Funk
45. WayneP
46. rhs1856
47. rb1
48. robisbass
49. ZachB
50. baconeater
51. Pedulla?
52. JensWest
53. Bushwood
54. p5string
55. timmbass
56. pbass6811
57. pjmuck
58. pedulla-2007
59. Pedulla-Player
60. Envincibal
61. genocide roach
62. JEDI BASS
63. mightog
64. Jamie Bishop
65. trujo777
66. MoBeach
67. Asomodai
68. dangorange
69. blueacid4l
70. Maclu
71. jmjam -
72. daahoud
73. hensonbass
74. JazzyLambert
75. Flaked Beans
76. jelpo
77. comno
78. Fishheadjoe
79. mc2ny
80. churchplayer
81. seungkoo
82. Vakmere
83. chimaera1982
84. mindwell
85. anthomp
86. melodicly
87. ClassicJazz
88. LarkinLondon
89. ZiggyDude
90. rusackas
91. rodneyat
92. silvertripper
93. 88Sound
94. MasterMonkeyMan
95. jacobw82
96. tombowlus
97. bassthunder100
98. ghiadub
99. bass4worship
100. surfdog
101. chepo06
102. Dan Knowlton
103. TylerE
104. Tony CC
105. CelinderMotoMan
106. NYCBass
107. Pedullabill
108. foundation
109. Mi5a
110. Musicmaster75
111. MVPBASS
112. c-ba55
113. BassGreaser
114. 4to5to6
115. GBassNorth
116. Khui
117. francios
118. seamus bass
119. RandyMolson
120. Sir CussFreq
121. lpjiang
122. thibo62
123. nickmcknnn
124. newamsterdam
125. apener
126. fretless guy
127. mtb777
128. MisterWraith
129. BostonJazz72
130. BrandonA119
131. JeX
132. PazzoBasso
133. pert-urb
134. Randall
135. evilgus
136. INTP
137. scubaduba
138. Freddels
139. Oubabass
140. Where July
141. rolorockbass
142. esa372 (retired from club)
143. selassie1
144. joebar
145. BenTitusMusic
146. Dwight
147. Sid Fang
148. Thumpy Fenda 5
149. deitzel
150. Dougazbass
151. amerbs38
152. emurga
153. rockiezz
154. fabinosto
155. Modulus1906
156. rocoop53
157. socialleper
158. 7777777
159. g-bro
160. dayer2bme
161. fabinosta
162. gegznes
163. tkhNote
164. BottomThumper
165. Folmeister
166. CTC564
167. TheShape101
168. Marial (retired from club)
169. Hot Pocket
170. Suatie
171. LatimerFripp
172. NightDonkey
173. Baird6869
174. Mexibass
175. Crowella
176. Dan Horboychuk
177. Sgroh87
178. LexD
179. stefandisgust
180. LeonD
181. EddieJackson
182. ric426
183. inthebasscleff
184. dataxguy
185. Addison
186. markcv
187. RLK
188. N03L
189. Templar
190. pmad bass
191. Caustic Crunch
192. hyperdoc
193. robthebassplaye
194. DampSneaker
195. AGH
196. WilsonMusic
197. hyoshim
198. AudioDwebe
199. Worldeeeter
200. punchdrunk
201. bmallory
202. drumsnbass
203. Aquarianfuture
204. Boba Fretless
205. mildewman
206. mhartman29
207. OldSchool50
208. thopper
209. Folmeister
210. Kim Jong Funk
211. Merlino
212. Fresh Eddie
213. Twarpie
214. Lovep
215. FlyingFinn
216. japhy4529
217. IronLung1986
218. olnost
219. Jeff Sarsippius
220. roccobasstorius
221. climber
222. mking
223. brookes
224. DanielleMeyer
225. RobLindberg
226. guszkl
227. srbbass
228. laslen
229. Pedullist
230. guitarflinger
231. gegznes
232. naetog
233. Selta
234. Element Zero
235. ThunderR
236. SpcMnk
237. Beatfarm615
238. Jefenator
239. India_Sierra
240. CTBassGuy
241. Marcus Holbrook
242. Gusdfunk
243. 600 Ohms
244. Inara
245. kpsta
246. Mastodon2
247. flamfork
248. mbluto
249. Mamoru
250. Green Knight
251. Philly Watts
252. blmartin2215
253. Daniel Immel
254. Artman
255. TheHoneyBear
256. 59jazz
257. Dr. Cheese
258. MHT75
259. c0nsilience
260. Bassman06
261. Tomppp
262. Shedua511
263. Ash Mo
264. njtarantini
265. ChrisRS
266. crabbybassman


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
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Pedulla Club #45
 
#3,714
Thank you very much! Very happy to be a member!
I have a question concerning my 94 Pentabuzz. It has the original electronics and the J pick up is pretty thin sounding. I read someone else had the same issue here and was directed to contact Bartolini directly (as they have permission from Pedulla to sell their proprietary electronics.) I did this, asking for the thunderguts, 4 knob upgrade, I received this answer from them:
Hi Chris,
Sorry for the delay. I asked Clyde to chime in on this here's what he had to say.
I wouldn’t suggest the Thunderguts switch. Instead, I would go the HR-MVP3 - Pedulla Special MVP/Buzz (Vol)(Blend)(Treble)(Bass)[Mid Toggle] – NTMB+PG. The P on those is hot, and it was made to be imbalanced. So, I would add and AGDB. That will let him balance the pickups, retain the voice he currently has, and have 3-band EQ control. Pretty sweet.
SKU: HR-MVP3 - Pedulla Special MVP/Buzz (Vol)(Blend)(Treble)(Bass)[Mid Toggle] – NTMB+PG Treble: $495
AGDB/918 MAP 72.00

I would appreciate any guidance or opinions on this!
 
#3,715
Hey all,

I just picked up a Pedulla Thunderbass, 1992 and it does not have a thunderguts switch. I wonder when it was introduced and what am I missing?
IIs the TC4 preamp different in the later ones to accommodate that switch. Any info would be appreciated. I wonder if one can be installed in the original preamp.

Also, the knob nearest the bridge has no detent, more similar to a tone knob on passive bass. SHouldit be this way. I many need to investigate whether the preamp's been altered or a pot has been changed. here are the guts.
Thanks

Thunderbass electronics.jpg
 
Last edited:
#3,718
59jazz said:
Can anyone tell me what year Pedulla started using steel stiffening rods in the Buzz Basses? I'm looking at a '90 Buzz, thanks!
Click to expand...
I don’t know the answer to your question, but I can tell you that my 1982 Buzz 4-string has needed a minor tweak to the truss rod only a very few times between 1990 and today. Also, it almost never goes out of tune unless there is a sudden and tremendous drop in temperature.
It’s been my main instrument the whole time I’ve owned it.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mtb777, 59jazz and srbbass

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back