Budget PJs

[mark76]

I notice there's not a whole lot of choice out there in the sub £150 world when it comes to P-basses with a J pick-up in the bridge position.

So far all I've been able to find are
[list=1]
[*][url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/jandd-yc-pbj-4-string-bass-guitar-3-tone-sunburst--201881"]The J&D YC-PBJ[/url]
[*][url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/LA-II-Bass-Guitar-by-Gear4music-Sunburst/1FP3"]The G4M LA II[/url]
[*][url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Seattle-Bass-Guitar-by-Gear4music-White/1HTO"]The G4M Seattle [/url]
[*][url="https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hot_rod_bass.htm"]The Harley Benton PJ-4 HTR[/url]
[/list]
I like the J&D headstock, but I'm not particularly enamoured of their decision to replace one of the volume knobs with a pick-up selector switch.
The LA II gets points for having the output jack on the side of the body, but then loses them all for that headstock design.
Likewise for the Seattle, which even gets bonus points for being black on Olympic white. But then also has [i]that[/i] headstock

So the Harley Benton is probably the best of a very small choice, at least as far as aesthetics go. Other than used Affinities, are there any others out there?

[markdavid]

I would go with the Harley Benton, the colour is really nice and they have a reputation for punching well above their weight

[Grangur]

How do they make them for that price!?

You might need/want to change the pups, but they're amazing value. I'd also want to change the pg on the Harley though. The tort doesn't go with that body colour.

Here's an Ibanez, if you'd like a complication to the matter:

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/298839-on-hold-1990-ibanez-exseries-exb-404-bass-4-string-pj-dropped-it/#entry3218445

Shameless plug alert!!

Edited February 11, 2017 by Grangur

[RickyV]

If it didnt need to look like a Precision as such then I would be all over a second hand Yamaha. An RBX 270J for example or if you strike lucky a BB424 or 424X. Loads of bass for the money.

[kodiakblair]

Had the Harley Benton one. It was a nice bass,scratchplate didn't bother me.

I'm playing bass not entering a fashion parade

The HTR PJ play nicely,was good with both flats and RWs and lightweight. If you buy from Thomann but it's not for you then just send it back.
Bit of a win/win situation.

[mark76]

Hmm. It seems it's not okay to rip off the Fender headstock, but other companies are fair game

[mark76]

Though, now I look at them side by side (as it were), the design kind of works with tuners with appropriately sized heads.

[kodiakblair]

Peavey did quite a few PJ basses but most are long discontinued. The Milestone IV is a decent bass,set one up for a workmate last summer and think he got a
good deal ( 2nd hand £80).

There's 2 Zodiac models are PJ. The BXP and Zodiac DE Scorpio, Scorpio comes with Duncan Basslines.

Sorry Mark76 didn't think to mention them with them no longer available.

[bertbass]

I bought my grandson Tom a G4M Seattle as a Christmas present, he's 5 and the bass is red with a black scratch plate, his specification and I have to say it's pretty good for the cash. Necks a bit chunky but a lot of people like that.

[mark76]

How does a 5 year old even play an instrument that's as long as he is tall?

Unless he's one of those freaky 5' 10" 5 year olds.

[mark76]

Confession.

I kind of want a PJ and a J with black pickguards on Olympic white to go with my Olympic white with black pickguard P.

Which is why I'm disappointed that only Squier offers that colour combo and I can't find any for less than £200

PJs have the Jazz bass neck as well as a J pick up near the bridge, right?

Edited February 12, 2017 by mark76

[kodiakblair]

Not the Harley Benton PJ, it's 42mm

[alyctes]

I gather the Revelations are good. A little above £150 though.

[bertbass]

It's a short scale but still a bit long for him so he's mainly trying to play the dusty end but it's what he wanted, well, he wanted a red bass guitar with 2 pickups and a black scratch plate and it's the only one I could find that was short scale and didn't cost a fortune. He's uses a pick as well. I think that he might be heavily influenced by me but all the time he's into it I'll do my best to encourage him.

[mark76]

Just had a thought (several hours ago).

Why not buy another P-bass like the one I have, a J-bass bridge pick up and some other bits, and turn that into a PJ?

[therealting]

[quote name='mark76' timestamp='1486921660' post='3235544']
Just had a thought (several hours ago).

Why not buy another P-bass like the one I have, a J-bass bridge pick up and some other bits, and turn that into a PJ?
[/quote]

Adds cost, assuming your aim is to keep that down.

[mark76]

That depends on how much the extra bits (pickup, potentiometer, domed black barrel knob) and the labour costs.

Is there a guide to PJing a P anywhere online?

[therealting]

It's not a difficult mod but you're better off upping your budget to £200 IMO

[speshul91]

I've got an ibanez gsr200sm thats a pj coat me 179 a couple of years ago.

[Grangur]

[quote name='speshul91' timestamp='1487044236' post='3236518']
I've got an ibanez gsr200sm thats a pj coat me 179 a couple of years ago.
[/quote]

I think he's after something that looks like a Fender. He's ignored my offer of an Ibanez PJ for £125.

[mark76]

It's a medium to long term aim, Grangur. I have to save up for one first

Edited February 14, 2017 by mark76

[Norris]

The Squier P Bass Special is great if you can find one second hand. Mine was around the price you're looking to pay second hand. I don't know if they did them in Olympic white though. I love mine - metallic pewter with black plate