YouTube Logo
Pedulla XJ-S

Pedulla XJ-S Guitar Synthesizer Controller

Features and Specifications:

  • Body:Maple
  • Finish: Polyester
  • Neck: Through-body maple
  • Fingerboard: Ebony
  • Frets: 22
  • Bridge: Schaller fixed and Tremolo
  • Nut: Brass
  • Tuning machines: Schaller
  • Pickups: Bartolini two sing-coils and a humbucker
  • Scale:25 1/2"
  • Truss Rod: Single, Adjustable
  • Neck Width: 1 5/8"
  • Body Width: 14 1/2"
  • Body Depth: 1 1/2"
  • Overall Length: 38"
  • Weight: 8 lbs 6 oz
Pedulla XJ-S Black

Introduction to the Pedulla XJ-S:

With the introduction of the Roland GR-700, the guitar world was convinced that the age of the guitar synthesizer had arrived!

The Pedulla XJ-S was one of a number of third-party guitars mass produced with vintage Roland 24-pin electronics guitar included. By and large, these tended to be more higher-end guitars. Some folks are suprised to learn that the heralded bass manufacturer Pedulla produced guitars with the vintage Roland 24-pin electronics included.

Based on the availibility of these guitars in the used market, ebay, etc. it appears that Pedulla may have built more of these guitars than other builders such as Gibson, whose 24-pin guitars remain fairly rare.

The XJ-S is the Roland equipped version of the Pedulla XJ guitar. Presumable the "S" stands for synthesizer. The guitar shipped in two versions, with aSchaller fixed bridge or tremolo bridge. The guitar also sported Bartolini pickups, and Bartolini pickups are still found in Pedulla basses.

The synthesizer electronics package in the XJ-S is the LPK-1 kit, based on the G-303/G-808 guitars, which includes the hex fuzz circuit.on the XJ-S as well: filter cutoff, resonance, LFO depth, mode switch, and touch pads to activate/deactivate the LFO feature.

Pedulla XJ-S Various Finish
Click on image for larger view
Eric Fischer helped me out with these photos, and John Senior provided the Red XJ-S.
Links to more information:

Photos - Various Finishes:

Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Pedulla JXS
Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS Pedulla XJS
Click on image for larger view

Videos:

YouTube Playlist: Pedulla XJ-S

Schematics - Repairs - Service Bulletins:

There are no known service bulletins from Roland addressing any XJ-S problems

Vintage Roland Guitar Hex Pickup Repair

Vintage Roland Guitar Hex Pickup Repair

If you remove the guitar electronics for repair, it is quite possible to crack the divided hex synthesizer pickup ribbon ever so slightly. These ribbons become very brittle as they age. The conductive metal traces are layered on to the plastic ribbon, and are fragile. Fortunately, there is a possible fix for this problem, but be forewarned, this is the most difficult and tedious vintage Roland repair.

Learn more...
Roland G-202 G-303 G-505 G-808 Opamp Failure - Repair

Roland G-202 G-303 G-505 G-808 Opamp Failure Repair

You suddenly notice that one string on your guitar synth system stops working. The first thing you want to do is try another cable! Cable failures are the most frequent GR-system problem.

If you do not have a spare cable, try jiggling either end of the connector, though the problem is most likely to be the end that plugs into your guitar. If the sound comes and goes, then you need to fix your cable. If not, then you most likely have a problem with an op-amp inside the guitar electronics. A more remote possibility is that you have a damaged pickup.

Learn more...