Pedulla MVP User manual

Your instrument has been made with the greatest care, and of the finest materials. By
the finest hands. With attention to details of sound and feel. With proper care you
Pedulla will last a lifetime.

Owner’s Manual
Page 1
Contents
Pickups & Electronics ……………………………………..………. 2-4
Adjustments ……..……………………………..…….……4-5
Strings ………………………………..………………. 5
Neck Adjustment ……………………….…….………………. 6-8
Bridge Adjustment & Intonation …………………………………………....… 8-9
Pickup Adjustment ………………………………………...…… 9-10
Fretboards ………………………………………..……… 10
Fretless Fingerboards …………………………………..………… 10, 11
General Tips ……………………………………..………. 11-14
Troubleshooting Guide ………………………………………..…… 14-18

Owner’s Manual
Page 2
PICKUPS AND ELECTRONICS
Standard Active Electronics (MVP/BUZZ)
The control panel consists of a volume, pickup pan, and tone. The pan control acts as
a pickup blend selector. Turn the pan fully clockwise for fingerboard p/u only, to the
center position (where you feel the "notch" or detent) for both on equally, and fully
counterclockwise for bridge p/u only. the space between these positions is used to
blend the p/u's in any combination. The volume knob will adjust the overall output of
the blend. The tone control (also having a center detent) acts as a standard passive
high end cut as you turn it in a counterclockwise direction from the center detent (i.e.
from 5 to 0) and, additionally, will act as an active "presence" boost as you turn it in a
clockwise direction from the center detent (i.e. from 5 to 10). the system offers
maximum versatility with minimum clutter.
We use a dual preamp (Bartolini TC-4), which improves the overall performance and
tonal quality of your instrument by increasing output level and decreasing the output

Owner’s Manual
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impedance for lower noise and better frequency response. The pickups are fed directly
to the TC-4 which buffers the signal before it reaches the controls, again resulting in a
lower noise/output ratio and a more evenly responding volume and pan.
Standard Active Electronics (Thunderbass/ Thunderbolt)
The control panel consists of volume, p/u blend and master tone, which governs a
preamp (TC4) plus two proprietary "Thundersound" modules. The "Thunderguts"
circuit is controlled by a mini-toggle and accesses a thicker character with a tight,
articulate low end and midrange.
Optional Electronics, Treble & Bass Control
The panel consists of Volume, pan, treble +/-15 dB, and bass +/-15 dB. The TBIBT
features two low noise buffers and independent bass and treble controls. Clockwise
from center will boost treble or bass up to 15 dB and counterclockwise will cut up to
15 dB. The center position is flat. Note: setting the treble and bass controls at

Owner’s Manual
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maximum boost could result in excessive noise or distortion from overdriving the
amplifier.
Battery
Both active systems are powered by one 9V battery which is turned on when the plug
is inserted into the output jack. When the bass is not in use, disconnect the plug for
longer battery life. A 9V alkaline battery will last for 2 months of continuous use
(more like 8 months to a year in real-life use) on the TC-4. The TBIBT is rated at one
month continuous use. A weak or dying battery will result in a distorted output.
To change the battery, remove the four screws holding the backplate, and replace.
When reinstalling the backplate do not overtighten screws. ADJUSTMENTS
Your "action", or the way your bass plays and sounds, is dependent upon the strings,
neck "bow", bridge height, pickup height, and intonation. Understanding their
interaction is important in maintaining the performance of you Pedulla instrument.

Owner’s Manual
Page 5
Once your instrument is properly set up, the only adjustments needed will be the truss
rod and intonation. Always start the tune-up by checking and adjusting the neck first.
STRINGS
Your fretted bass comes equipped with stainless round wound strings. Our fretless
basses come with round wound nickel gauges. Do not attempt to use steel strings on
the fretless models, as they are too harsh on the fingerboard and will sound terrible.
Gauges are as follows:
BEADGC
.128 .100 .080 .065 .045 .028
Different gauges and types of string vary in the amount of tension they exert on the
neck. Changing gauges or brands may require neck adjustment.

Owner’s Manual
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NECK ADJUSTMENT
Although the fingerboard is sealed with oils and wax, it is still subject to changes in
temperature and humidity. As humidity increases, the fingerboard absorbs moisture
and expands, forcing the neck to bow away from the pull of the strings. This is most
common going from winter to summer. When humidity decreases, the fingerboard
releases moisture and contracts, forcing the neck towards the pull of the strings.
These changes in moisture content affect only the surface cells of the fingerboard.
They are small and easily adjustable either by you or a qualified repairman.
Your bass is equipped with a special dual action truss rod, which differs from
conventional systems in that it engages in either direction, and will adjust the neck in
both directions, independent of string tension. We have enclosed a special truss
wrench with your instrument. Be sure to keep it with your instrument as you or your
repairman will need it to make adjustments.

Owner’s Manual
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Ideally, your neck should be adjusted perfectly straight with only the slightest relief. If
you hold down an outer string at both the first and 22nd fret, the distance from the
top of the 7th fret to the bottom of the string you are holding should be no more than
the thickness of a thin pick. Too much relief in the neck will make for very mushy
action in the intermediate region of the neck. A backbow in the neck will cause the
lower frets (toward the head) to buzz. Besides affecting playability, neck adjustment
has a profound effect on the tone, especially with the BUZZ basses. Note: all neck
adjustments should be done with the strings tuned to pitch.
If the neck is bowed backward (away from the pull of the strings), turn the truss rod
clockwise and this will force the neck forward.
If the neck is bowed forward (with the pull of the strings), turn the truss rod
counterclockwise and it will pull the neck back.

Owner’s Manual
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After the neck is adjusted to the desired line, the action should be adjusted at the
bridge.
BRIDGE ADJUSTMENT AND INTONATION
After your neck has been adjusted, set the action (bridge saddle height) at the bridge
using the allen wrench provided with the instrument. This will vary according to your
playing style and personal preference. An average action will have the treble strings
about 3/16" to 1/4" from the 21st fret and the bass side 3/32" from the 21st fret
(measured from top of fret to bottom of string), and should generally follow the radius
of the fingerboard.
Once the neck and bridge adjustments are set, intonation should be checked. This is
best done with a tuner. Tune the harmonic on the 12th fret. Then fret the string at the
12th fret (just behind the fret with normal playing pressure). If the fretted note is sharp
to the harmonic, adjust the bridge saddle towards the back of the bridge. If it is flat,
the saddle will need to move towards the pickups.

Owner’s Manual
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Fretless intonation is set in the same fashion. After harmonic is tuned, use a thin, stiff
edge (such as a credit card) and push the string to the fingerboard with card edge,
directly over the 12th fret marker. The lines in your fingerboard are exactly where the
frets would be.
PICKUP ADJUSTMENT
PJ and JJ
Push the outer strings down on the 24th fret and adjust the pickups as close to the
string as possible, without contacting the string (about 1/16"). If they are too close, the
string will clunk when you play, if they are too far away the resulting sound will be
weak and thin.
SB
The soapbar pickups needs to be a bit further from the string and should be adjusted
about 1/8" from the string.