Shockwave Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Hey guys! After the spectacular failure of trying to sell this Pedulla, i decided to go through on my threat and butcher it! Current plans are to strip it of all paint, hardware and the bartolini pickups/preamp, replacing with a Black Schaller 3D bridge, Hipshot ultralight black tuners. Fill in both pickup routs, create a new rout for a MM style pickup at the MM sweetspot, (Pickup hasent been chosen, considering a Ceramic Seymour duncan MM or Nordstrand 5.2 MM pup) Seymour duncan 3 band Musicman Pre-amp with slap switch, 18volts and a On/off switch. And for it to be completely refinished in black. Its gonna cost alot of money, but will be worth it! I think Stringray 5's are ugly as sin, but somehow this melted sweet shaped bass has gotten hold of me and wants me to like the sound of it! If anyone has anything to contribute or thinks i should go with some different parts let me know, i am looking for a Musicman tone, maybe a bit hotter!!! Though the colour scheme cannot be changed as i have to save the original Pedulla logo as Pedulla wont sell me a new decal. The headstock will have to be refinished around the logo. Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wil Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Your pics aren't working Rob. I'll be watching this with interest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 [quote name='Wil' post='713613' date='Jan 15 2010, 12:18 PM']Your pics aren't working Rob. I'll be watching this with interest![/quote] Just sorted them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 (edited) Mmm. I probably wouldn't do that! My fear would be that I would make it even less saleable! Sales usually pick up around the spring (April). You could also alter the tone with an off board pre amp. I saw that Nordstrand are just about to release a pre amp that might be very interesting. [url="http://www.nordstrandpickups.com/preamp/"]http://www.nordstrandpickups.com/preamp/[/url] Edited January 15, 2010 by chris_b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 [quote name='chris_b' post='713620' date='Jan 15 2010, 12:23 PM']Mmm. I probably wouldn't do that! My fear would be that I would make it even less saleable! Sales usually pick up around the spring (April). You could also alter the tone with an off board pre amp. I saw that Nordstrand are just about to release a pre amp that might be very interesting.[/quote] I am getting all of the filling and refinishing work done by a professional, Though the turnaround time i was quoted was not very fast! Maybe if i find someone local in Bristol i can get it all sorted out within a couple of months. Besides, i want my MM equipped Pedulla, they would have a fit if they saw it! I guess its my beater and even if the routing doesant go very well i can just whack a great big ramp over the holes! Once all the work is done on the fretted and its to my satisfaction i'll get my near mint fretless with 5A top in on the action and get that MM'ed up! I love the construction of these basses so much that i am willing to destroy their resale by customising it for me. I have never felt so sure about a bunch of basses in my life. I wouldnt have considered it otherwise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wil Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Tom Waghorn of Waghorn guitars in Queen's Square did a great job of routing out my frankenstein P bass, you might want to give him a try if you haven't already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 [quote name='Wil' post='713626' date='Jan 15 2010, 12:27 PM']Tom Waghorn of Waghorn guitars in Queen's Square did a great job of routing out my frankenstein P bass, you might want to give him a try if you haven't already.[/quote] Thats the place where i was quoted, Mr Foxen and I popped down their last night, all the refinishing routing and filling done for around £300, minus parts, however they are still working on refinishing a Gibson for 6 months now. They said about 4 months is the likely turnaround time. Not sure if i could wait that long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wil Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Blimy! He did the pickup routing in mine in about 2 weeks, but this was a few years back now I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 [quote name='Wil' post='713633' date='Jan 15 2010, 12:31 PM']Blimy! He did the pickup routing in mine in about 2 weeks, but this was a few years back now I guess.[/quote] Sanding down and refinishing a guitar takes an age mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-ic Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Send it to Waynepunkdude! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 I say go for it You've found a bass that feels perfect, that's half the battle. It doesn't make the sound you want and you've not had any luck selling it, so why not mod it? Best of luck with the project mate, looking forward to watching it develop. Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilmour Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Cool idea I think, you'd have a really unique bass at the end of it. Two thoughts though: 1) What's the string spacing, IIRC on a musicman 5 it's 17.5mm and this looks narrower meaning that the strings wouldn't go exactly over the poles, which could affect the tone you're after, but is it's only a mm or so probably won't have much effect 2) I think you should be able to buy some transfer paper, print the logo onto it, neatly cut it out, then a couple of coats of lacquer and hey presto Bloodaxe used this method (all be it in a more complex way) on his Aria restoration [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=5094&st=20"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=5094&st=20[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Sounds cool, i have a bassliens mm pickup in my bitsa musicman and it's very nice. Have you ever tried a warwick corvette or streamer $$? that may be the sound you're going for, it's like a musicman but much hotter and aggressive! i'd highly reccomment the MEC MM pickups and 2 band preamp with coil tap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guybrush threepwood Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 This sounds like it will be a wicked project! (Something I'd never have the guts to try myself mind) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 [quote name='gilmour' post='714175' date='Jan 15 2010, 07:04 PM']1) What's the string spacing, IIRC on a musicman 5 it's 17.5mm and this looks narrower meaning that the strings wouldn't go exactly over the poles, which could affect the tone you're after, but is it's only a mm or so probably won't have much effect[/quote] Pedulla offer only 17.5 and 19mm string spacing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 Ok looks like this is happening again, still trying to decide over what to do pickup wise. It would be much simpler just to put the MM pup on top of where the Jazz used to be (But as far forward as possible) As there will be no filling in to do. Keep the P pup as well. Now i am thinking of going for a EMG MM5 CM pickup, and EMG P5 Pickup, and getting the BQS 3 band EMG pre-amp, i just want a really growly tone, any other suggestions? Problem with that solution is that i wont get "The" Musicman sound as the MM pup would be far closer to the bridge, However the MM Bongo has a similar position. I was also thinking of a Glock Pre-amp and Nordstrand MM combo and filling in the current pickup routs. But will take more time and money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 The only time I've bought a new pickup is when i wanted a bigger rock sound for my Sei 7. In the end I went for a custom-wound Kent Armstrong pickup by Aaron Armstrong. The service was quick, the pickup's fantastic and it was a fraction of the price of a Nordstrand. Pre-amp wise, I'd go for the ACG pre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 All the old Hardware is now for sale! [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=79373"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=79373[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=79372"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=79372[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=79371"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=79371[/url] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=79370"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=79370[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 This is going to be a great project. Have you found someone to refinish it for you? Consider Wizard pickups? They get a lot of love here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 [quote name='Toasted' post='762998' date='Mar 3 2010, 02:42 PM']This is going to be a great project. Have you found someone to refinish it for you? Consider Wizard pickups? They get a lot of love here.[/quote] Not yet, but i will begin preliminary sanding and get the routing out of the way early. I might even do the refinish myself. Its only black, what can possibly go wrong? (He says) Wizards? Hmm well i am looking for growly pups, hence why EMGs are pretty much up there unless anyone else can suggest pups that would be great for heavy music! Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorick Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 A suggestion for pickups... Delano Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Are you scuff sanding or fully stripping? Nitromoors gel will make life rather easier, if you have a ventillated place, like outside. Also, when I stripped my Wishbass, I found using a fresh stanley blade very useful to use like a cabinet scraper on flat areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDM Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Personally I'd recommend against refinishing it yourself unless you've got experience and the equipment. I look forward to seeing the progress though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 I have decided to go down the EMG route. Its too much work to go to all the trouble to get the MM sweetspot, so i will just be enlarging the Jazz pup hole to accomodate the MM pup. I also need to move the D-G pup rout slightly more treble side for the EMG P magnet to cover the G string (Annoyance). Preliminary sanding/measuring/routing has begun, will get some photos on Saturday, I am doing all the work myself in my Grandads old workshop.... I have never used a router! I have just ordered from Thomann. EMG P5 pickup, EMG BQS 3 Band system and a Black Schaller 3D Bridge. Gonna ring up ring up DV247.com for a EMG-MM5-TW. The TW allows for coil tapping so i can keep the Single coil sound in the bridge. (The TW has a red logo but cant find a photo of one!) I cant buy the Hipshot Ultralites yet as i have just had my Electric bill through which is frightening, I have to wait until the old hardware is sold. I still havent made a decision on what colour to refinish it with, or who is going to do it for me! I like the idea of either, Black, White, Frog green or British racing green. Rob. PS. Because i cant get Pedulla to send me a new decal, i am going to get a parody one designed by a freind of mine that says "Pedulla" in Death metal styley font. I reckon it'll look awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted March 6, 2010 Author Share Posted March 6, 2010 Sanding complete! I used a heat gun couple with the end of a fine chisel to get the most stubburn areas out, and fine sanded it. Not perfect, but not bad for a first try! (Most of the black dots on the bass are just debris i needed to clear off the wood. Looking to fill a set of tuner holes in next! No more Pedulla Logo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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