I imagine it varies from instrument to instrument. The one I used was very neck divey.
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Best PJ for the money
- Thread starter Greenman72
- Start date
OF the four you listed (and the wide price range among them), for me . . .
First, Yamaha BBP34. Yamaha figured out the perfect PJ mix YEARS ago with the 80's BB's, and you never hear 'I just don't like P/J's' after somebody buys some version of the BB. The BBP's are exceptional in that these are Jen-U-Wine Made in Japan by Yamaha's Music Kraft shop, their best, same shop that makes all the JP's, the Sheehans, and the Nate Easts. Top of the range Yamahas are as good as it gets in off-the-rack production basses.
AND a note to Fender: See the black plastic lined cutout at the end of the fingerboard for EASY ACCESS to the truss rod without removing anything? Hint. Hint. Hint.
Yamaha BBP34
Second, the ESP Navigator Surveyor re-issue. ESP, when the shape and color suits Western eyes (a lot of their JDM guitars and basses are a little much on this side of the pond as are a lot of home-market Japanese axes, just a different design outlook) are to me the most overlooked well built basses and guitars out there. Metal guys who demand a lot are smart enough to see it. These are to me the very best traditional FSO P/J out there, better than any Fender in this format. The right pickups, hardware, woods, and build quality. First rate. These were everywhere back in the 80's, and deserve to be out there again today.
ESP LTD Surveyor reissue
And in both cases, the Jazz pickup has a little breathing room distance from the bridge, which is what you want. Too far forward, you can't get your fingers between the two pickups and they hear each other a little too much, and too close to the bridge results in too much twang and less output. And both these builders balanced the pickups for output, like smart people will.
First, Yamaha BBP34. Yamaha figured out the perfect PJ mix YEARS ago with the 80's BB's, and you never hear 'I just don't like P/J's' after somebody buys some version of the BB. The BBP's are exceptional in that these are Jen-U-Wine Made in Japan by Yamaha's Music Kraft shop, their best, same shop that makes all the JP's, the Sheehans, and the Nate Easts. Top of the range Yamahas are as good as it gets in off-the-rack production basses.
AND a note to Fender: See the black plastic lined cutout at the end of the fingerboard for EASY ACCESS to the truss rod without removing anything? Hint. Hint. Hint.
Yamaha BBP34
Second, the ESP Navigator Surveyor re-issue. ESP, when the shape and color suits Western eyes (a lot of their JDM guitars and basses are a little much on this side of the pond as are a lot of home-market Japanese axes, just a different design outlook) are to me the most overlooked well built basses and guitars out there. Metal guys who demand a lot are smart enough to see it. These are to me the very best traditional FSO P/J out there, better than any Fender in this format. The right pickups, hardware, woods, and build quality. First rate. These were everywhere back in the 80's, and deserve to be out there again today.
ESP LTD Surveyor reissue
And in both cases, the Jazz pickup has a little breathing room distance from the bridge, which is what you want. Too far forward, you can't get your fingers between the two pickups and they hear each other a little too much, and too close to the bridge results in too much twang and less output. And both these builders balanced the pickups for output, like smart people will.
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B-Stock Instruments - Tribute SB-2 - Surf Green - MP
Series: Tribute Series Model: SB-2 Serial Number: 240209414 Body Finish: Surf Green Body Wood: Poplar Neck Wood: Maple w/ Maple fretboard Neck Finish: Satin Weight: 8.75 LBS Condition: B-Stock. Gaps at the neck pocket. (May be difficult to see in photos). *Sold only in the 48 contiguous states...
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Slim neck and she get roasted + reinforce rod inside - Check !
Balance / blend knob - Check !
Passive electronic - Sure i remove the onboard preamp and mod it to 500K volume / MN250K blend - Check !
My passive Charvel Pro Mod PJ IV !
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I chose the Fender in your choice meaning Fender Jazz Bass Special and its modern derivatives that are made in Japan
I modified mine with EMG GZR, PJ set and removed the series wiring, Hipshot Bridge and D-Tuner. I thought should I sell. I got it when I sold my SR-5 and Yamaha TRB 6 and when I stopped playing out in 2004 or so, just to have a fretted bass. I love the VVT + 3 way switch
I am not a passive bass nut but these two are played regularly. Both have detruners and both are under 8 lbs after the hipshot upgrades
I modified mine with EMG GZR, PJ set and removed the series wiring, Hipshot Bridge and D-Tuner. I thought should I sell. I got it when I sold my SR-5 and Yamaha TRB 6 and when I stopped playing out in 2004 or so, just to have a fretted bass. I love the VVT + 3 way switch
I am not a passive bass nut but these two are played regularly. Both have detruners and both are under 8 lbs after the hipshot upgrades
My suggestion, is a new Sire P7. Or, a second hand one. I love my three Sire basses, I'm lefty, and also a long time Luthier/ repairman.. but I do not build Fender basses, or Fender styled ones. Sires are great basses for the money.
I had a P Lyte Deluxe for several years I wanted to love. Beautiful bass, very light weight, great neck. One of the most soul-less basses I've owned. Admittedly, my sound is vintage passive Precision bass, above all, but I own 3 PJs with selector switches that get that sound.
The Lyte just sounded blah.
For the money, one of the best bang for the buck basses out there is the Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod PJ (also comes as a 5-string).
Lots of features, including an active/passive switch, 3-band EQ, fast slim roasted maple neck, and Luminlay side dots. The pickups are nice and beefy.
The split could is a reverse split coil, but don’t be off put by that, it’s genuinely an enhancement.
I voted BBP, but I'd consider contacting some of the Japanese houses (Atelier Z, TS Factory, Three Dots/Kikuchi, ESP) to see if they can do a custom order for you. With the weak yen, off- the-shelf product is in the USD 2,500 range so I'd expect to pay mid USD 3,000. Atelier Z is very receptive to custom orders and will produce as good an Fender-style PJ as can be had.
I'll mention the Fender Tony Franklin basses - fretless or fretted. Only thing different from your preferences is a blade switch for pickup selection rather than a balance knob.
BobDeRosa
Commercial User
- May 16, 2012
- 2,444
- 4,402
- Disclosures
- Owner, Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps
I don't know all those guitars but I love my BBP34 and cast my vote that way. The Laklands are sure nice, too, but I traded one away some years ago. I remember liking it but I don't really miss it. On the other hand, I'm not sure I would ever trade my Yamaha.
Not to dog-pile, but rather to add a bit more for posterity...
I can think of two, great P/J's, but both are built around Jazz specs, so for some, that could be a non-starter. Still they're worth mentioning.
1. Fender Aerodyne Jazz...specifically, the first-generation.
Excellent build quality from Fender-Japan. The pickups may not be for everyone, but I've found that adding D'Addario Chromes gives it a bit more "thump". Otherwise, the pickups can be switched out to fit one's tastes. Changing the pots can be a little trickier, given the narrow rear-routing.
Finding a used one isn't difficult and the quality gives a lot of bang for the buck, even if one wants to mod or upgrade it. (e.g.: I'm currently seeing four on Guitar Center's used database, all for around $700.)
2. Fender Reggie Hamilton Jazz.
An interesting mix of American and Mexican parts. One good thing, though, was that they were built after Fender had executed their across-the-board quality control bump in 2008.
I had a Mighty Mite J-body re-routed to mimic that pickup placement and it was a fantastic decision. If one is thinking of turning a J/J into a P/J, I highly recommend getting a WD Music Reggie guard to use as a template.
As for the preamp, I must mention this; while it can switch to passive mode, it doesn't have any tone control, just a pickup blend. However, there's a fair amount of room inside for an upgrade. Basically, it's built much like the Fender Deluxe Active basses from around the same time, complete with a screw-down battery cover on the back.
1. Fender Aerodyne Jazz...specifically, the first-generation.
Excellent build quality from Fender-Japan. The pickups may not be for everyone, but I've found that adding D'Addario Chromes gives it a bit more "thump". Otherwise, the pickups can be switched out to fit one's tastes. Changing the pots can be a little trickier, given the narrow rear-routing.
Finding a used one isn't difficult and the quality gives a lot of bang for the buck, even if one wants to mod or upgrade it. (e.g.: I'm currently seeing four on Guitar Center's used database, all for around $700.)
2. Fender Reggie Hamilton Jazz.
An interesting mix of American and Mexican parts. One good thing, though, was that they were built after Fender had executed their across-the-board quality control bump in 2008.
I had a Mighty Mite J-body re-routed to mimic that pickup placement and it was a fantastic decision. If one is thinking of turning a J/J into a P/J, I highly recommend getting a WD Music Reggie guard to use as a template.
As for the preamp, I must mention this; while it can switch to passive mode, it doesn't have any tone control, just a pickup blend. However, there's a fair amount of room inside for an upgrade. Basically, it's built much like the Fender Deluxe Active basses from around the same time, complete with a screw-down battery cover on the back.
I'm not questioning that, but it was never referred to as a Boxer bass at the music stores I frequented in the 80's, Gelb, B Street, Haight Ashbury, etc.
