EMG PJ-X pickups. Any opinion?

[Crg2]

I find a lot of talk about them on here, but rarely a clear, decisive opinion.

Are they an improvement over traditional EMG's?

Are they good for harder rock?

Ceramic or Alnico?

Thanks.

[tink9975]

the PJX's are ceramics, as of yet they do not have a PJAX set, but you can get a PAX and an JAX (bridge) and make your own Alnico set.

I do like them better than traditional EMGs. To me they sound a little more open and JimmyM says that they have more upper end content than the traditional EMGs. (I believe he did a side by side comparison of the PJ and PJX, I have not had a chance to do the same, but I have used EMG Ps for 20 years)

I have a fretless P with a PAX and a PJ with the PJX set.

[SevenJacks]

Gutted my used '97 Ibanez Soundgear SR400 and put them in (details in my sig).
My $220 bass sounds and plays like I payed top dollar.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by tink9975

the PJX's are ceramics, as of yet they do not have a PJAX set, but you can get a PAX and an JAX (bridge) and make your own Alnico set.

The standard EMG P and J pickups also use ceramic magnets. The JA and PA use alnico.

[Crg2]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

The standard EMG P and J pickups also use ceramic magnets. The JA and PA use alnico.

I already got the skinny on all of that from EMG, but thank you.

I still want to know how both sound.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by tink9975

I do like them better than traditional EMGs. To me they sound a little more open and JimmyM says that they have more upper end content than the traditional EMGs. (I believe he did a side by side comparison of the PJ and PJX, I have not had a chance to do the same, but I have used EMG Ps for 20 years)

Yep, that's it. I got a set of both PJ's and PJX's at the same time and that's exactly right...the PJX's sound about the same except they're way brighter. I ended up keeping the PJ's because I don't care for all that treble, but they're both really good pickups...just the X's are brighter.

[crguti]

^ you tried them in the same bass, right?

[iandmcelroy]

Hey man,

I've had all three in the same bass.

The PJ set was great, but I had to swap it out because the bridge pickup just stopped working out of nowhere. There was no warranty so I went with the PJX set.

The PJX set is great, but it is very "clanky" -- you'll hear every little click and scrape on every string. I don't think that's a bad thing, but you'd better be prepared for it. The real downside is that the J pickup is so muck weaker then the P. IMO that's the fault in these pickups.

Now, if you real closely in the catalogue, there is a PJAX set. I bought these and they were the best sounding pickups I have ever used, but they buzzed and hummed at every light, and sound, source they came near. The PJX set did not hum at all with the exact same install so I put them back in.

After hearing the PJAX set I'm now on the hunt for something passive that sounds the same.

[MDBass]

I've looked pretty extensively through the EMG catalogue, and haven't been able to find a PJAX set, which is exactly what I'm looking for...care to help me out?

[Greevus]

Just swapped a buzzing EMG P with a brand new solderless PX right before a gig. the X is freaking loud, but I agree it was a bit brighter. I definitely need to crank it down a little and see what I can get out of it, but first impression was that the original P is a bit more thick. X sounds like it's headed towards the passive tone just a little. mine is very loud and clear. i think i may have been hitting it with the strings at times live.

[tylerwylie]

I've used the PJ's a while ago and have the PJX in my Aerodyne. The one issue I have with these sets is the lack of an active blend control and use with the active tone control will give you some insertion loss when both pickups are maxed. That said, I really dig the tone and am using some GHS Pressurewound strings. I love the bright distinctive "PJ" tone I get and prefer the X series to all of the non-X series.

The P pickup should be placed farther away from the strings than the J pickup(I've had to do this with all PJ sets though), however I find both are great when solo'd and blend really well together. My preferred setting is to just back off the P pickup a teeny bit.

[iandmcelroy]

Originally Posted by MDBass

I've looked pretty extensively through the EMG catalogue, and haven't been able to find a PJAX set, which is exactly what I'm looking for...care to help me out?

Sorry, I didn't see this until now. I've been having some heart issues, was away for a few months, and just saw this today.

http://www.emgpickups.com/pdfs/EMG_Catalog.pdf

On page 8 of 13, first paragraph in the X-Series for Bass section, ninth line down. That is where the PJAX Set is listed.

They were considered a "special" order when I got mine.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by crguti

^ you tried them in the same bass, right?

Never saw this before now...yes, a 95 P Lyte.