P-Bass vs PJ-Bass; do you lose anything with the PJ?

[kristlik]

I really like my P-bass, and that P-Bass thump; but there are some songs that I would like to add a bit more "bite" or edge to that P-Bass sound; so I've been thinking about ordering my next P-Bass with the PJ pups (also passive). (looking at Fralins).

So my question is; do you lose anything of the P-Bass sound when you add a J pup? Or can you truly turn the J pup off, to get the full P-bass thump?

[i_got_a_mohawk]

You can turn the J pickup fully off.

Even better though, you can add a series/parallel switch between the pups, and when a P and J are in series, UBER thump

[Nedmundo]

Only loss is the satisfying minimalism of a straight up P, which limits the thought process. That's always a good thing, at least for me. But with my SB-2 I've grown to like the P/J configuration. The additional high end sparkle from the bridge pickup is useful sometimes. Yet typically those aren't my favorite times.

Oh yeah, Fralins rule. Definitely get those.

[bikeplate]

HI

NOPE!! They rule. Get yourself one. I love mine

Rob

[basspraiser]

Nope! you only gain!!!!

I turned my Glaub P into a P/J and I love the added tone I can get.....just make sure you get tone and volume control for both pick ups....that way, you have more control.....

Doug

[speedkills]

Originally Posted by kristlik

So my question is; do you lose anything of the P-Bass sound when you add a J pup?

No.

Originally Posted by kristlik

Or can you truly turn the J pup off, to get the full P-bass thump?

Yes.

I was demonstrating this today to a friend.

If I turn the J off you get good old P Bass thump.
Turn the P and J on and you get a lot crisper attack.

The only config I am not really impressed with is the single J pup on and the P off.

MY (slightly hijacking) QUESTIONS:

Can someone provide schematic for adding a series/parallel switch ??

And is there anywhere I can hear the diff between series and parallel pups?

[waseok]

I have one also, and overall it's very useful
A pleasure to play, even with the EMG PJ set i don't loose that P sound

[RMay]

Nope! excellent for dialing in bit more "bite" or edge to that P-Bass sound

[Basshappi]

Hmmm, I'm not totally convinced about this whole P/J thing;

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by speedkills

MY (slightly hijacking) QUESTIONS:

Can someone provide schematic for adding a series/parallel switch ??

And is there anywhere I can hear the diff between series and parallel pups?

Schematics for a series/parallel swich are pretty easy to find.

If i have any spare time tomorrow i'll see if i can record something quickly to allow comparison.

Basically tho, series = super thick sound.

[Lesfunk]

best of both worlds

[speedkills]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Schematics for a series/parallel swich are pretty easy to find.

If i have any spare time tomorrow i'll see if i can record something quickly to allow comparison.

Basically tho, series = super thick sound.

Ok - Thanks, I'll look for the schematic.

If you could record something so I could here the difference that would be very cool!

[Da LadY In Red]

subscribed for those recordings.

[weissguy]

I was going to post a similar question. I picked up a 70's precision and a previous owner put the J pickup in it. The tone pot is very scratchy, and there is a mini switch - just on-on - no both.
I was trying to decide on how I'd like to rewire this baby...
Push-pull pots? Concentric tone/vol pots - three pots vol-vol-tone?
Any other favorite/suggested configurations that weren't already mentioned? I'm new to bass, and in general, I think the bass is too bright sounding - I have flatwounds on order.

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by bikeplate

HI

NOPE!! They rule. Get yourself one. I love mine

Rob

ahhh...Rob...we caught you again with the gratuitous "showing off my awesome hybrid" pic...

I never get tired of looking at that thing...I am sure that you never get tired of playing it...one of my favourite basses on TB for sure...

[bikeplate]

HI

LOVE THAT BASS!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by speedkills

No.

Yes.

I was demonstrating this today to a friend.

If I turn the J off you get good old P Bass thump.
Turn the P and J on and you get a lot crisper attack.

The only config I am not really impressed with is the single J pup on and the P off.

MY (slightly hijacking) QUESTIONS:

Can someone provide schematic for adding a series/parallel switch ??

And is there anywhere I can hear the diff between series and parallel pups?

for a schematic, do it like this...

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...c=jass_bass_sp

as far as the series tone on a P/J...well worth it, IMO...I have my P/J wired with a push-pull series pot and in series you get a volume boost and more low-mids...similar to the P-tone but with more "gusto"...

[Alembic83]

I gotta agree and say "no" you don't lose anything with the P/J setup. Just the "P" is good and "P/J" is great but like someone else said just the "J" doesn't do much for me.

Not to try and hijack the thread, but what about a J-P-J config? Anyone have that? Wouldn't *that* truly be the best of both worlds? I think Jason Newsted had this config on some of his Alembics back in the early '90s...I'll try and dig up a pic of it, or at least an article quote...

[squish]

i guess i'm the only one going this way, but i think that p basses without the j give the vibe that "i'm playing a p bass dammit! i can make a decision!"

[BassBob185]

Love my modified SX PJ. It has become my go to bass, more now than my MIA Jazz. Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/BassBob185/SXNewPickup