Reviewer David Pickles
Manufacturer Pedulla
Model Rapture J2 5 string
Price list $2000

Neck Type maple, bolt on
Fingerboard birds eye maple
Body Type soft maple
Finish candy red, oil neck
Pickup(s) Bartolini Js
Controls vol, pan, bass, treble
I ordered this bass with a maple fingerboard and the wider 19mm bridge string spacing, and I couldn't be happier with it. I've played it through various Ampeg, SWR, and Eden amps, with a few different bands and it always sounds amazing. It sounds like a *really good* Fender Jazz across all 5 strings. Its brigher than a 60s Jazz, but warmer and less harsh than a 70s Jazz, a nice compromise. The active electronics are subtle and warm, and the sound has lots of punch, warmth, and clarity. The big win: the B string sounds almost identical to the E! It likes a slightly lighter touch, but the tone is just amazing.

The aesthetics of the bass are especially pleasing. The body is small and well contoured, with a Jazzish offset, but not a lot of bulk. The neck has the trademark Pedulla soft V, and is very comfortable and fast. The finish is *flawless* deep rich solid red with a pearloid pickguard. The headstock matches the body like a 60s custom color Jazz! The overall vibe is very "vintage". The bass is very light, especially if you're used to Fenders.

I can't find a single flaw in the construction, but from Pedulla, this is not a surprise!

This weekend I used the bass on a session going strait to tape through a Stewart direct box and a Demeter tube compressor, and I've never been happier with a direct recorded tone. Its warmer than the Pedulla ET-6 I had been playing, with more punch and personality. Its a more "human" sound, to my ears.

If you love Jazz basses (like I do), check these basses out.

Construction 100%
Playability 100%
Appearance 100%
Sound 100%
Value 100%
Cust. Service 100%
Overall 100%
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