| Author | Message | ||
| stout71
Member Username: stout71 Post Number: 100 Registered: 7-2011 |
Does anyone here have any experience with the classic Pedulla Buzz fretless basses? They were all the rage 10-15 years ago and were talked about as if they were the cream of the crop for fretless basses. I'm not suggesting they in any shape compete with Alembics, but a friend has a used 4-string he's willing to sell me. Does the polyester-coated fingerboard have any effect on the playability or sound? I'm interested in your thoughts. | ||
| tubeperson
Senior Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 415 Registered: 5-2005 |
The coated fretboard emulates the "Jaco" sound, as he coated his converted fretless jazz bass wtih epoxy. For a good recent sonic example of this sound, watch on Showtime "The History of the Eagles". Timothy B. Schmidt plays one on NY Minute. I own 2 Buzz basses myself, a standard one with extra treble and bass in the preamp, and an EZ-Q equiped one. They are very comfortable to play and the sound is still quite distinctive. Mike Pedulla is terrific with service as well. I hope one day to own a 5 string Buzz, but first in Alembic land ....... a project yet to be started with woods reserved (and paid for). | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1545 Registered: 11-2004 |
It's tuned piccolo, but Jeff Schmidt plays a Pedulla fretless in the video below. Sounds good to me! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF4sJHBIYEo | ||
| tubeperson
Senior Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 420 Registered: 5-2005 |
That is quite the awesome performance. I am wowwed by the harmonic tones that he generates and the "buzz", although it may also be due to the tenor stringing. Thanks for sharing. I do love my Pedullas, and of course my Alembics! | ||
| musashi
Intermediate Member Username: musashi Post Number: 179 Registered: 5-2004 |
The thing I like about the Buzz is that it is intended to give you the best of both worlds (particularly with the EZ-Q) in terms of a dynamite fretless tone; and an equally dynamite "fretted/slap" tone. This link features the fretless singing tone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SQoyrVnRrI This one has some of the slapped sound: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t61CsrTcO8 | ||
| tncaveman
Intermediate Member Username: tncaveman Post Number: 166 Registered: 2-2011 |
Good grief - just listen to Doug Johns to know their sounds. He plays fretted and fretless Pedullas - one on my personal wish list. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIOatyMEThQ Steve | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2803 Registered: 5-2009 |
I own a Pedulla PJ Buzz 4 . I was first introduced to Pedulla Buzz bass's by Mark Egan when he gave a couple of his Bass clinics in California in the early 1990's. I Participated in a couple of them and really liked the sound and feel of the instrument. Recently I have been considering getting Alembic Activators for mine. Check out the video ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7lPev_V-e0 | ||
| stout71
Intermediate Member Username: stout71 Post Number: 102 Registered: 7-2011 |
Very cool sounds from Egan, and a doubleneck at that, but that is one of the cheesiest videos I have ever seen. | ||
| hankster
Advanced Member Username: hankster Post Number: 311 Registered: 6-2004 |
I've played them from time to time and always been impressed. Feel good, sound good. And the neck finish gives you lots of expressive variety. | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 858 Registered: 9-2008 |
not sure if it's a fretless but here's a gorgeous 6'er! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pedulla-Hexabuzz-6-string-bass-1996-/230946089146?pt=Guitar&hash=item35c575a8ba but I too have always been attracted to these basses and after seeing the video that Steve posted I'm convinced I need one! ~Taylor | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2813 Registered: 5-2009 |
Buzz = fretless in Pedulla speak | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1467 Registered: 5-2002 |
I had a Buzz 4 in the early 80s, mostly due to influence from Mark Egan, and it was a wonderful bass. It was the first bass that I had that was really high quality through and through. I sold it when I moved to a 5 string and really missed. It later popped up at Daddy's in Boston, but I was too broke to buy it back. Post a picture, maybe it's my old bass! | ||
| hb3
Senior Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 731 Registered: 2-2005 |
That bass on eBay looks fretted to me! I think they do have fretted basses they also call "buzz" -- it's the body shape, isn't it? | ||
| tubeperson
Senior Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 426 Registered: 5-2005 |
Unless someone converted it by adding frets, that is a fretless. HexaBuzz is the term Mike Pedulla uses for his 6 string fretless basses. His white fret lines do stand out. I would not rule out that someone may have added frets, as almost always the Pedulla fretless fretboards are coated with Polyester. I can see based on the pitures why one may conclude that it is fretted. | ||
| hb3
Senior Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 732 Registered: 2-2005 |
You're right -- the fretted versions are called MVPs. And I'm a Pedulla owner myself. That bass does look fretted, though. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1473 Registered: 5-2002 |
It's not fretted, it has inlays where the lines are. When I was at Berklee, I did one of my proficiencies on my Buzz bass and I played the first Bach cello suite for the teachers and then a variety of other things they put me through. They thought it was pretty good, but one of them commented that I kept pulling my strings out of tune. I then pointed out that I was doing the best I could with the fretless I had only owned for 6 months. So, they all thought it was fretted from about 15 feet away. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 925 Registered: 4-2004 |
Not to hijack this, but Edwin... Check your inbox.... I have a quick question..... As far as the sound of a buzz bass, the first time I heard one was in the early 90s.... A Motown review band, and yes it made a lasting impression... I even remember the stage lights hitting the epoxy and wondering if the board was glass! | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1474 Registered: 5-2002 |
No message so far. I'll check the spam filter. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 926 Registered: 4-2004 |
Hmmmm..... I sent it again.... |
