PJ's - am I missing something?

[itsmedunc]

[sub][size=4]The only P/J's that I have played that sounded really good are - Believe this one or not, a MIM candy red P special. It was brilliant, really woody sound that cut through extremely well. A custom built (that I have just traded) and my old Westone Thunder 3 which also has a bridge pickup. That was marvellous, the best bass I ever had by far, which I stupidly sold![/size][/sub]

Edited June 13, 2013 by itsmedunc

[Moog]

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1371049182' post='2109111']
Because in many cases ( though not all ) the j is markedly quieter than the p, and worse still, in a PJ, it's at a point where there's less string excursion than the P sees, so the mismatch is made even more acute.

Having a twin J at the bridge can help balance it out (think mk1 Fender MIA deluxe P)
Or a humbucker in a single-coil housing...
[/quote]

I had this exact same concern, so when I was looking for a new 5-banger I'd ruled a PJ out from the start.

Then I tried this, and all my concerns ebbed away. So I bought it. Nicest bass I've ever owned, loads of tonal options despite being passive....

[chaypup]

Westone Thunder III's have nicely balanced P/J's in them. Massively cheap for the quality too

[hamfist]

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1371055977' post='2109267']
I like that. A lot. Tell me more
[/quote]

Not wanting to derail the thread, all the details are here ....... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/209202-aria-pro-ii-m-series-now-with-pics/page__p__2103197__hl__aria__fromsearch__1#entry2103197"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/209202-aria-pro-ii-m-series-now-with-pics/page__p__2103197__hl__aria__fromsearch__1#entry2103197[/url]

[Musicman20]

I want to 'like' the PJ design, as it seems flawless, but I know it isn't.

I always look at them, decide I want one, then stick to a P OR a J.

[Prime_BASS]

I think this issue about the J pickup being quieter is a lot of nonsense.
By that decree, the issue would be the same of any two pickup bass.

In truth, with pickups set at the same height, there will be a significant difference, due to how much a string vibrates along its length. The issue is almost always rectified with the J bridge being closer and the P being further away from the strings.


While I agree that a single coil bridge J can sound thin in comparison to the P, I think primarily I think the P/J combo is aimed at two kinds of people, those who want a thumpy P but with more inherent treble and more scoop, and players who want both a classic woody P tone for one song and the J bridge tone in another.

Although for me a PJ in a precision body looks horrid.
And personally or me the neck pickup on A jazz does a perfectly fine job of a P bass sound. In a mix no one is the wiser.

Edited June 13, 2013 by Prime_BASS

[Lozz196]

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1371116565' post='2109931']
And personally or me the neck pickup on A jazz does a perfectly fine job of a P bass sound. In a mix no one is the wiser.
[/quote]

Yep, a mate of mine has a 77 Jazz, and in the mix it sounds just like a Precision. It`s only when played on it`s own that the difference can be told.

[paul h]

If Fender would offer a P body with a J neck and PJ pickups as standard I would...well...I would like that. A lot.

[SlapbassSteve]

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1371056016' post='2109269']
The Squier P/J is a perfectly serviceable instrument at the low price end too, pick them up for little money on eBay. The PU's are a bit low output but as a playable instrument they are fine, had one for a year or so until I got the US deluxe.


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erDqszk340E[/media]
[/quote]


+1 to the Squier, just recently bought one and swapped out the pickups for a Fender original '62 P and a Fender 60's RI J at the bridge. Took a bit of setting up to get the balance right but it sounds great now, some really interesting scooped tones can by found by playing a tiny bit to the lefthand side of the P pup. The sound also reminded me that Stuart Zender's Warwick was a P/J Streamer... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo7iwlMFPrM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo7iwlMFPrM[/url]

[Gust0o]

[quote name='winterfire666' timestamp='1371050031' post='2109137']
i recently tried a couple of p/p basses , big sound very balanced, with loads of tonal options, try one if you can im officially converted, my new custom bass will have p/p pickups and a piezo bridge and iv got a feeling all my other basses will be for sale shortly after i recieve it.

[/quote]

Lot of time for the P/P format, this one is mine:

[itsmedunc]

Fender do make a P body with a Jazz neck with the Jazz pickup. That's exactly what the MIM bass was that I mentioned earlier in the thread. Candy red, gold pickguard. Beautiful instrument. 50's style Deluxe. [url="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-deluxe-p-bass-special-4-string-bass"]http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-deluxe-p-bass-special-4-string-bass[/url] Mine wasn't active though?

[chris_b]

[quote name='Moog' timestamp='1371111649' post='2109831']
Then I tried this, and all my concerns ebbed away. So I bought it. Nicest bass I've ever owned, loads of tonal options despite being passive....


[/quote]

+1

The Lull PJ5 is one of the best P basses, best PJ basses and best "Fenders" I've ever owned and played.

[Gust0o]

Thinking back, one of the best P/Js I ever played was the old Charvel 3B - it made a noise like a herd of rhinos at a Rammstein gig.

[Norris]

I'll put in a mention for the [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/squier-standard-p-bass-special-satin-pewter-metallic/16028"]Squier P-bass Special[/url]. It's pretty much like an Aerodyne, but a lot cheaper (£218 on that GAK link). It has a P body with a Jazz neck - in case you're not keen on wielding a baseball bat

The P pup sounds like a P. Dialling in the J pup makes it sound more like a Gibson-ish humbucker. I don't think I've ever soloed the J pup, as it sounds a bit weak on it's own.

[hamfist]

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1371120845' post='2110015']
Lot of time for the P/P format, this one is mine:


[/quote]

Lovely. What is it ? 80's I'm sure. Jap ?

[Lozz196]

[quote name='paul h' timestamp='1371118029' post='2109960']
If Fender would offer a P body with a J neck and PJ pickups as standard I would...well...I would like that. A lot.
[/quote]

Duff McKagan Signature Bass

http://www.fender.com/en-GB/series/artist/duff-mckagan-p-bass/

[paul h]

[quote name='itsmedunc' timestamp='1371121241' post='2110027']
Fender do make a P body with a Jazz neck with the Jazz pickup. That's exactly what the MIM bass was that I mentioned earlier in the thread. Candy red, gold pickguard. Beautiful instrument. 50's style Deluxe. [url="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-deluxe-p-bass-special-4-string-bass"]http://www.musicians...l-4-string-bass[/url] Mine wasn't active though?
[/quote]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1371125419' post='2110083']
Duff McKagan Signature Bass

[url="http://www.fender.com/en-GB/series/artist/duff-mckagan-p-bass/"]http://www.fender.co...mckagan-p-bass/[/url]
[/quote]

Well, well, well! Wellity wellity well

I was aware of both models....just didn't realise they had J necks.

Thank you both

Edited June 13, 2013 by paul h

[Prime_BASS]

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1371120845' post='2110015']


Lot of time for the P/P format, this one is mine:


[/quote]

Something like that I'd want to choose which coils were on and use the EA at the bridge and the DG in the middle.

[Dingus]

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1371120845' post='2110015']
Lot of time for the P/P format, this one is mine:


[/quote]

If this is the real deal rather than an NJ ( which I expect are still pretty nice ) then I am deeply impressed . I spent many hours looking at these when I was growing up , and for bass players in the late 70's / early 80's they were one of the ultimate fantasy instruments . The only one I have ever played originally belonged to Geezer Butler and must have been the one I saw him playing with Sabbath in 1980 , and I was struck by how chunky the neck was on that one . Bernard Edwards had one , too . Even NASA can't work out what all the knobs and switches do on these . Tell us more .

[franzbassist]

I love my Sandberg VT5. Most of the time I just use the P pickup, but it's good to have the J available if I want a bit more "bite".

[chaypup]

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1371124953' post='2110075']
Lovely. What is it ? 80's I'm sure. Jap ?
[/quote]

BC Rich Eagle

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1371126525' post='2110113']
. Even NASA can't work out what all the knobs and switches do on these . Tell us more .
[/quote]
+1!

[winterfire666]

you dont see many of these about, my main p/j a lovely Palm Bay :^)

[attachment=136845:20130613_152523.jpg]

Edited June 13, 2013 by winterfire666

[hamfist]

[quote name='chaypup' timestamp='1371133025' post='2110242']
BC Rich Eagle
[/quote]

Ah, of course.

I'm aware that they still do a number of double P pickup pointy basses. Of the current ones, the Mockingbird is the least "odd" one I suppose. I think I could almost see myself playing one of those. Will have a look around for the Eagle's. I guess they are US-made and expensive ??

Edited June 13, 2013 by hamfist

[Dingus]

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1371144650' post='2110515']
Ah, of course.

I'm aware that they still do a number of double P pickup pointy basses. Of the current ones, the Mockingbird is the least "odd" one I suppose. I think I could almost see myself playing one of those. Will have a look around for the Eagle's. I guess they are US-made and expensive ??
[/quote]

What you really want is an original U.S - made one from before the mid - 1980's when B.C Rich started to go downhill and focus more on licensing cheaper versions of their original designs . They were things of rare beauty , and they sounded great , too .

[molan]

[quote name='Mikkoantt' timestamp='1371071505' post='2109573']
Fodera Monarch. Best p&j bass I have ever played:)
[/quote]

My 86 Monarch was a cracking bass. Separate volume and tone for each pickup but also a, very handy, flick switch to go from neck P only to both pickups to bridge J.

Gave a great array of options at the flick of a switch with fine control from the separate vol and tone pots