Author Topic: Pedulla Buzz Basses (Read 366 times)

stout71 · « **on:** March 08, 2013, 08:17:04 AM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2013, 09:41:28 AM »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2013, 11:25:16 AM »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2013, 11:50:50 AM »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2013, 02:33:04 PM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2013, 03:41:33 PM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2013, 04:48:07 PM »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2013, 05:13:09 PM »

Very cool sounds from Egan, and a doubleneck at that, but that is one of the cheesiest videos I have ever seen.

hankster · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2013, 08:50:06 PM »

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 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2013, 06:33:22 PM »

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2013, 06:48:48 PM »

Buzz = fretless in Pedulla speak

edwin · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2013, 12:26:44 AM »

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 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2013, 09:16:41 AM »

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 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2013, 09:25:06 AM »

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 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2013, 09:45:01 AM »

You're right -- the fretted versions are called MVPs. And I'm a Pedulla owner myself. That bass does look fretted, though.