Please sell me on or off P/J

[slopeshoulder]

I prefer the look and feel of a J.
But I own a killer sounding P. (I also own a J which may replace for a different spec set.) I'm convinced the builder can make everything sound good (I've had 10 instruments made by him over the years).

So, should I get a J with P/J set up?
-Does the P pickup soloed sound like a P, really, or is the presence of the other pickup and its magnetic pull changing the tone even when "off"?
-are either the both-on or bridge-favored tones anything like a J? are they worth a damn?
- is there anything to the "P/J phase issue" reference I read about in a review when the fender US deluxe P (2 pickup) came out (that this bass with its HB in the bridge allegedly solved)?
- will I, by the time I finish getting a set of pickups that balance together nicely, have created a franken-bass-tard that does nothing well?
- is this 2009, or best left in 1979?
Or is it the bomb and what am I waiting for son?
Thanks!

[line6man]

For the love of God, do a search, because this has been covered too many times for me to elaborate.

[groooooove]

the P pickup soloed does sound like any other P bass. the problem is you cant get classic jazz bass sounds, really only a jaco bridge pickup sound. ive never liked the sound of both pickusp on, with a PJ.

and, it is true, that the search function will provide you with pages upon pages of reading material.

[Datsgor]

Originally Posted by slopeshoulder

its magnetic pull changing the tone even when "off"?
!

Are you asking if the vibrations leaving the strings and being picked up by the P pickup will be diverted toward the jazz pickup in some minute way?

Please clarify.

[line6man]

Originally Posted by Datsgor

Are you asking if the vibrations leaving the strings and being picked up by the P pickup will be diverted toward the jazz pickup in some minute way?

Please clarify.

He means that the added string pull of the J pickup will affect the way the string vibrates slightly, which will change the way it is picked up by the P pickup.

[slopeshoulder]

I'll do a search.
For the love of zool, I'm new around here.
Thanks!

Yes, i do mean string pull. On guitar it is a real issue, but perhaps with the size of bass strings, it's a non-issue.

[TonyFranklinFan]

P/J is the ONLY way to go ..best of both worlds and you can solo each as if the other weren't there and convince the listener as well.

[MysticMichael]

I agree: P+J is a great combination...although adding a J pickup to a P bass for extra zing is probably better than adding a P pickup to a J bass for more beef...

MM

[fourfinger]

If you subscribe to the theory, "You can never have TOO many basses!" then a P-J is like when someone can't decide between a sports car and a big truck, and ends up with a station wagon.

On the other hand, if, like me, "You can never have TWO (or many) basses!" (well, almost), a P-J may be exactly what you need.

[Staccato]

The P or the Jazz at any one time, not the hybrid. It's not for everyone. Preferably, a P Bass beside a Jazz Bass-to cover the basses!

You can be a purist and not a mix-and-match kind of guy!

[Munjibunga]

Yeah, P/J is the way to go if you must have a P-ish sound.

[ExaltBass]

+1 to J bridge pup added to P - awesome combo.

[meatwad]

So far, I mainly only use the P on my P/J Ibanez because it just sounds the best. I do suspect the stock pickups in this thing to be crappy, because the J is very thin and weak sounding when solo'd. When the two are combined, it just sucks the mids out, and I hear more of a phasing effect than I hear a Jazz. I want to try a humbucking J pickup, but will probably just throw in a matched set with an active preamp, like Barts, EMG, or Duncans.

[impactwrench]

Originally Posted by TonyFranklinFan

P/J is the ONLY way to go ..best of both worlds and you can solo each as if the other weren't there and convince the listener as well.

I'll second that! I can get any sound I desire out of my HRPB.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Yeah, P/J is the way to go if you must have a P-ish sound.

Agreed. I have *never* got the whole "Pure P" thing. A PJ bass can run the P all out and then... have *options* - useful options. And when are options bad?