I'm hunting for a bass with the tonal depth of a Precision and the crispness of a Jazz, so, naturally, a bass with a P/J pickup configuration seems like a logical choice. What would be the most recommendable P/J bass that I can get for less than $1200? I'm sure I'll get a lot of "Fender" answers to this question...
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Best P/J under $1200?
- Thread starter PartyFindsYOU
- Start date
I'm just trying to figure out what else is out there. I've seen the Fender P/J - I like it. I'd like to find out what other quality options I have, just to see what my range of choices is.
And I've also seen the GSR... it sounds good for the money, but it's not as comfortable or versatile as I'd like.
Maybe I could be more specific. I'm not necessarily looking for a "budget bass." If there are any quality five string P/Js out there, that's what I'm aiming for.
And I've also seen the GSR... it sounds good for the money, but it's not as comfortable or versatile as I'd like.
Maybe I could be more specific. I'm not necessarily looking for a "budget bass." If there are any quality five string P/Js out there, that's what I'm aiming for.
Reverend Rumblefish PJ. It works well.
Original Guild Pilot. Hugely under-rated. The better models sport EMG / Active / Maple body. IIRC, they are 24 fret though.
The only Fender P/J I ever liked is my custom shop Reggie Hamilton. I haven't played a bunch but I have played some and generally wasn't all that excited about them.
Original Guild Pilot. Hugely under-rated. The better models sport EMG / Active / Maple body. IIRC, they are 24 fret though.
The only Fender P/J I ever liked is my custom shop Reggie Hamilton. I haven't played a bunch but I have played some and generally wasn't all that excited about them.
Fender P/J models over the last 20 years:
Tony Franklin
Precision Special
Hot Rod P
Precision PLUS (best damn bass ever)
Aerodyne
Precision deluxe (technically p/jj)
Frank Bello sig
Duff McKegan sig
Precision Lyte
Power Jazz
Reggie Hamilton sig
none of them are the same. they all have wonderful variations.
Tony Franklin
Precision Special
Hot Rod P
Precision PLUS (best damn bass ever)
Aerodyne
Precision deluxe (technically p/jj)
Frank Bello sig
Duff McKegan sig
Precision Lyte
Power Jazz
Reggie Hamilton sig
none of them are the same. they all have wonderful variations.
Are we talking new or used? That could make a big difference.
I have one of the Fender Precision Lytes (the Zone was the reissue) and they're very nice basses, but usually you need a pickup replacement.
The Aerodyne is also a nice bass, but same as above. I would also say the same about the Fender P bass Special.
There's the Yamaha BB models which you can find both new and used for under that price. The older ones especially (higher models 1000+ are great)
There's also the Spector Euro (used), older Ibanez SR's (higher # models) and G&L SB-2s
I have one of the Fender Precision Lytes (the Zone was the reissue) and they're very nice basses, but usually you need a pickup replacement.
The Aerodyne is also a nice bass, but same as above. I would also say the same about the Fender P bass Special.
There's the Yamaha BB models which you can find both new and used for under that price. The older ones especially (higher models 1000+ are great)
There's also the Spector Euro (used), older Ibanez SR's (higher # models) and G&L SB-2s
That Fender P Plus looks pretty cool, I'm not going to lie. If I can find it on the used market, I'd get it. I'm definitely not opposed to buying used. Would that possibly fit my budget?
I've heard nothing but good things about Spectors; that seems like something well worth the search. The G&L is also interesting-looking, but I'm not sure where I would find one to try it out.
Any five-string recommendations?
I've heard nothing but good things about Spectors; that seems like something well worth the search. The G&L is also interesting-looking, but I'm not sure where I would find one to try it out.
Any five-string recommendations?
2 Precision plus' on ebay right now. a red one thats around 1200 but its at a pawn shop and been up for months..im sure you say 900 and theyll jump just to make some money on it. then theres a REALLLLLLY rare nautral one for 1400 im sure theyd take 1000-1100 for since its been up a while too and also looks like its from a pawn shop, but it also looks like they have a pretty rough idea of how rare it really is so ya never know.
i have one of the couple of the naturals made in this configuration it was going for 1400 at the time and i snagged it from the very awesome seller at $950 (its all i had and i had searched for this specific for years and he was nice enough to hook me up)
hands down the best bass i have ever played. every one i know who owns one loves it to pieces and feels as strongly as i do about em. everyone ive talked to whos sold one has regreted it.
i have one of the couple of the naturals made in this configuration it was going for 1400 at the time and i snagged it from the very awesome seller at $950 (its all i had and i had searched for this specific for years and he was nice enough to hook me up)
hands down the best bass i have ever played. every one i know who owns one loves it to pieces and feels as strongly as i do about em. everyone ive talked to whos sold one has regreted it.
as for 5 string i really enjoy the precision deluxe. id like to have that as a fiver myself. all i really want is my precision plus as a 5 though so much that if i get some "custom made" cash together i will be having it replicated as a 5
Don't overlook the MIJ Jazz Specials from the mid-80's. Despite the name, they have a P shaped body and IMHO feel much more like a Precision than a Jazz. The "Jazz" aspect is only really noticeable very close to the nut
Nice clean examples are currently running around $500 or so
just my 2¢ worth....
damn and i really did my best not to leave any out. they have so many. i love fender P/J's i just tend to gravitate towards ones with a jazz neck. do the jazz specials have a jazz neck?
You might also check out a Mike Lull P/J if you can find one used. I snagged a 5 string from Craigslist last year for $1,000 and it's wonderful bass. The 35" scale took a little getting used to, but it plays and sounds like a dream, and records beautifully.
Why not the ultimate expression of the original Fender concept?..... a G&L
That's what I'd try if I wuz doing it allover again.
That's what I'd try if I wuz doing it allover again.
#1 Mike Lull - they are out there at your price point - seek!
#2 G&L - SB-2 Wonderful but an acquired taste. Fort most people a little too 'hair shirt' control wise. Soundwise, super versatile with practice.
You owe it to yourself to try either or both. Best of luck.
#2 G&L - SB-2 Wonderful but an acquired taste. Fort most people a little too 'hair shirt' control wise. Soundwise, super versatile with practice.
You owe it to yourself to try either or both. Best of luck.
If you can manage to find a Lull for $1200ish grab it! Lull makes the absolute best PJs I've ever laid hands on not to mention some of the best basses period.
I have a 96 (I think) P Bass Special with the P/J combo, and the 1 piece maple jazz shaped neck. It's from the "California" Series- the ones with the AMXxxxx serial numbers. It's not an active bass like the newer P Specials, which is a plus to me. I also like the fact that the controls are V/V/T, so the output jack is moved off of the pickguard... I just prefer that way.
Anyway, I absolutely LOVE this bass. It looks unique, the neck is awesome, and has such a huge variety of vintage Fender tones that I really feel no need to look for anything else. I bought it bone stock (as in dead mint and completely not set up) from a pawn shop a couple years ago for around $600.
It's MUCH less mint now than when I bought it, since it's been a road dog from day 1, but I swear I only have to tune this thing about once a month.....
The only things I've done from stock are change the pickguard and add a vintage p/u cover. YMMV...
Anyway, I absolutely LOVE this bass. It looks unique, the neck is awesome, and has such a huge variety of vintage Fender tones that I really feel no need to look for anything else. I bought it bone stock (as in dead mint and completely not set up) from a pawn shop a couple years ago for around $600.
It's MUCH less mint now than when I bought it, since it's been a road dog from day 1, but I swear I only have to tune this thing about once a month.....
The only things I've done from stock are change the pickguard and add a vintage p/u cover. YMMV...
I always wondered why they decided to call it a Jazz Bass Special since it has the P body and pickups. It does have the J bridge pickup and a Jazz neck, so I guess that was the deciding factor.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,943
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I've had a few P/Js and for some reason most of them really didn't have the thump or cut I wanted. Recently bought and sold a MIM P deluxe that I hated the sound of. Didn't have much cut (even with swapped out Dimarzios) and had a 'boingy' kind of sound to it. One of my favorite sounding basses and the only 4 string P/J I held onto and actually use is this:
Warwick Fortress One that I scored for around $450. They went for around $1400 new I believe, can be found used between the price I paid and $700. Not sure if it has the P bass sound you're looking for but it's light years away from the MIM Fender. Tons more bottom, depth, balls, bite, punch... plus the added Warwick growl which actually exists.
Warwick Fortress One that I scored for around $450. They went for around $1400 new I believe, can be found used between the price I paid and $700. Not sure if it has the P bass sound you're looking for but it's light years away from the MIM Fender. Tons more bottom, depth, balls, bite, punch... plus the added Warwick growl which actually exists.
