Best PJ for the money

[Greenman72]

I’m looking for a P/J in the price range of "high quality but not won't break the bank". (In other words, no $5000 Warwicks.)
Here are the ones I’m considering. Curious to see if anybody has any opinions.
(Note - If you know of any others, let me know.)
All things equal, I prefer slim necks, passive electronics, and balance knob (instead of 2x volume).

ESP LTD Surveyor 1987

Yamaha BBP34

Lakland Skyline 44-64

Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision

 

[bholder]

Sire P7. Best bang for the buck there is, imho.

 

[ClassicJazz]

If you can find one of the Fender Japan reissue of the Jazz Bass Special aka Boxer, awesome basses. High quality Japanese build, plus unlike most PJ these pickups are wired in series which gives you a fatter tone. You can find used ones on eBay and Reverb.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I’m looking for a P/J in the price range of "high quality but not won't break the bank". (In other words, no $5000 Warwicks.)
Here are the ones I’m considering. Curious to see if anybody has any opinions.
(Note - If you know of any others, let me know.)
All things equal, I prefer slim necks, passive electronics, and balance knob (instead of 2x volume).

ESP LTD Surveyor 1987

Yamaha BBP34

Lakland Skyline 44-64

Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision

I have a MIA N series Fender PB that came with the J bridge P/U with VVT controls. IMO, This bass rocks, and I’ve covered just about every genre, besides death metal (don’t have the right rig for it) and reggae (I’m a 72year old white guy a little too intense LOL!!) with no inherent skills. Seriously, this is definitely NOT a one trick pony.

 

[FRoss6788]

If you can find one of the Fender Japan reissue of the Jazz Bass Special aka Boxer, awesome basses. High quality Japanese build, plus unlike most PJ these pickups are wired in series which gives you a fatter tone. You can find used ones on eBay and Reverb.

View attachment 7077939

That's essentially a Duff bass.

Very cool!

 

[SteveLo42]

I've got the Surveyor. I really like it now but only after changing the machine heads, the ones it comes with are pretty garbage stuff, really stiff. I would love to recommend it, but for the money I would look elsewhere.

 

[Greenman72]

^Well, there are two Duff fenders. One is the "all-white", and the other is the white & black one that looks like a "regular" P-bass.

 

[RattleSnack]

Those are all nice bass guitars, but Yamaha BBs are always winners in bang-for-buck category.

 

[BGroovy]

A used 80s Guild Pilot is the best PJ I've ever played and owned.

 

[FRoss6788]

The "all white" one was simply an '87 MIJ Jazz Bass Special off the rack bass.

 

[Greenman72]

^You're talking about the one that has three knobs AND the three-way PU selector switch, right?
Because I think the "black&white" one only has two knobs and the switch.
What's the other knob for?

 

[ics1974]

I picked other because I like the original Fender Duff Signature bass best.
I have owned the Fender Duff signature deluxe and the regular Duff and find the original way better. with the original you get separate volume controls for each pickup but not the deluxe. You can't blend with the deluxe.
I did own a BBP35 and it was very well built but I like the tone of the Duff much better. The TBX is incredible on the Duff but the tone control on the BBP does not have the same range in tone. It's mostly an on/off with not much in between.

 

[Altitude]

A used something or other, of which there are an indeterminate number available and unclear when one might or might not come to market, and in which case it does you would have to handle price expectation challenges with the buyer and convince him to ship, and if he does you would have to figure out which shipping company is least expensive and least likely to damage the bass and you want to be at home when it gets delivered because porch pirates.

That would be your best best.





(Actually, BB34)

 

[bste9]

Spector

 

[ClassicJazz]

That's essentially a Duff bass.

Very cool!

The Duff bass is actually made in Mexico and not as good as the Fender Japan version. His actual bass was a mid 80's Fender Japan Boxer series Jazz Bass Special, which is what these reissues are.

 

[Geddaric]

I purchased a new Fender American Performer P with a satin neck. If you like passive basses, I can tell you this has become my #1.

 

[FRoss6788]

The Duff bass is actually made in Mexico and not as good as the Fender Japan version. His actual bass was a mid 80's Fender Japan Boxer series Jazz Bass Special, which is what these reissues are.

I know that.

Your bass is what I'd recommend, far superior.

IIRC, in the 80's the Jazz Bass Special was never referred to as "The Boxer Series".

 

[FRoss6788]

Spector

Does not meet his budget and the Legend series is way to much money for the bass.

 

[eddododo]

My favorite sounding cheap and mid priced PJ is Ibanez (any). There’s something they just get right with the sound

For nice, maybe too nice, the Roscoe classics are unbelievable

In that list, those Yamahas are phenomenal sounding- but the P has its own flavor, it’s not a very fender-ish P. It’s an amazing tone though

 

[matthewbrown]

MTD Heir. These are so well made that upgrades make perfect sense when you can afford them. A used one in excellent condition will run $800 or so. I can do virtually any gig with the one I bought ten years ago.