Would you pay $130 more for a PJ bass than a standard P?

[Sgroh87]

I'm looking to order a bass next week, and I've narrowed it down to either a MIM Fender P or a Fender Aerodyne (Japanese PJ bass). The Aerodyne is going to cost me about $130 more (though in reality I'd like to replace the pickguard on the P, which would be another $50).

Many people laud the versatility of a J bass or a PJ configuration, but does the bridge pickup really add that much more to the tonal quality/variety of a bass? I asked the people in the Aerodyne club, and the responses I got were that they rarely solo'd the bridge and don't usually turn it up higher than 50%. They also mentioned that since its an unpaired single coil, it has a tendency to hum.

Also, are the Japanese export instruments better than the MIM Fenders?

As I said, I'm hoping to order it next week, but I want to make sure that I'm not spending more money for something I won't use.

[SalmonCubes]

MIJ Fenders are wonderful basses. You rarely see anything bad bass-wise that comes out of Japan. If I were you, I would personally get the PJ just to have more options if needed.

[solderjunkie]

IMO, you are getting more than $130 worth of "extra" bass with the Aerodyne.

It's a prefessional-level modern instrument with a more ergonomic design and better hardware.

[georgestrings]

Aerodynes are well made basses, but IMO they don't have the low end a regular P Bass does... I also don't like the body shape - to me, it's not as comfortable... Still, if you try one out and like it, they're a very good bass - and MIJ Fenders are consistantly good...


- georgestrings

[Freddels]

MIJ/CIJ instruments are usually very well made. However, I personally don't like the Aerodyne basses. I've played some very nice MIM basses.

[Turtle71]

I'd grab the Aerodyne, as others have said, it offers a bit more versatility, likely lighter weight, and IMO they look awesome.

I had an Aerodyne years ago, I foolishly traded it for some other gear... It one of those basses I'd take back in an instant!

[Sgroh87]

Originally Posted by Freddels

MIJ/CIJ instruments are usually very well made. However, I personally don't like the Aerodyne basses. I've played some very nice MIM basses.

What is it about the Aero that you don't like? I won't have a chance to play it before I order it, so I want to make sure that I won't be disappointed.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by Sgroh87

What is it about the Aero that you don't like? I won't have a chance to play it before I order it, so I want to make sure that I won't be disappointed.

For me it's the lacking low end, and the sharp edge on the front of the body - I find them to be uncomfortable to play...

- georgestrings

[Sgroh87]

From that I understood, the aerodyne (and other PJ basses) are basically just like a P with an extra pickup. Is the low end really compromised that much?

Essentially, I can either get a MIM P and upgrade my pickup to a Quarter Pound or I can get the Aerodyne for about the same price. I have a MIM guitar that I'm happy with quality-wise, though I haven't been playing guitar for too long. I think that the MIM P would be good enough, but everyone keeps saying that the versatility of the PJ is really useful.

[Freddels]

Originally Posted by Sgroh87

What is it about the Aero that you don't like? I won't have a chance to play it before I order it, so I want to make sure that I won't be disappointed.

I didn't like the tone.

[Baird6869]

Yup. And I greatly prefer CIJ over anything MIM. New MIM and Roadworns can be great basses, but CIJ instruments are crazy consistent.

[lowphatbass]

Used? New? Iis there a return policy?

[miziomix]

If I wanted a P bass I wouldn't bother with a PJ. There's something unique about the P bass and anyone who wants that will hardly feel the need for an extra p up. If I were not sure, instead, I would definitely go for the flexibility of the two p ups.

[Munjibunga]

In a microsecond. Yes, the J pickup makes a huge difference in tone and adds versatility that no P bass has.

[ejaggers]

Originally Posted by miziomix

If I wanted a P bass I wouldn't bother with a PJ. There's something unique about the P bass and anyone who wants that will hardly feel the need for an extra p up…...

I don’t like the look of the Aerodyne so I’ve never paid them much attention. I agree with the first part of miziomix’s post 100%. I have a PJ configuration on my Jag, but I didn’t get it for the PJ, I got it because I wanted another short scale. That said, I’d get the MIM P, and spend the $130 on customs, or a Squier J.


057912

[hampulator]

I'd rather have the 2 pups,but if you're not going to play any finger-style funk,or slap, you may not really need that rear pup?

[mmbongo]

I would much rather have a P/J, but having said that the Aerodyne is one of the worst sounding basses I've ever played. No bottom, no punch, just blech. Such a shame because it looks awesome and they are feather light...but I think that's why they don't sound good. I've never liked anything made from basswood.

For much less than the price of an Aerodyne, you can get a G&L Tribute L2000 with an ash body. That's what I would get over either of them.

[P Town]

I bought the Am Dlx P new in late 2011 which has a J pu at the bridge, and it really adds versatility.
(That did not stop me from buying the Am Dlx J at the end of last year. (Both have an active/passive switch.) If I could only have only one, it would be the P bass, with the P/J setup).

[garp]

Tough call. I own MIMs and CIJs, and can’t say definitively that one is better than the other. They’re all terrific in my view. But I also never fell in love with any of Fender’s PJ models. I briefly owned a Cowpoke P, but ended up dumping it for a true P. I also played a friend’s Jazz Bass Special, and much preferred the traditional J setup. The one time I demoed an Aerodyne in a store, it suffered from a terrible set up, so I was biased from the start.

The only thing I can suggest is to play a variety of instruments and try to figure out which one “speaks” to you. Easier said than done, I know.

Best of luck with your decision.

[DogBone]

My main bass is a MIM Precision.

I've owned a few basses with a bridge PU, a PJ Aria Pro and a Ric, and I learned I have no use for them.

I don't like that "burpy" tone. At all.

My experience, "versatility" is an overrated concept in basses, meaning one just has more opportunity to sound wrong.

Anyway, good luck with your purchase.