Best PJ for the money

[Malak the Mad]

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.

I totally get it. I was comparatively late to learning bass (started as a drummer in the '80s and didn't pick up a bass until 2011), but even after joining TalkBass, it literally took years for me to get clued in to the whole "Boxer" naming convention thing. One day, I was all like, "Oh...so all of these are considered 'Boxer' basses! I have learned 'a thing'! Cool!"

(For the record, these aren't mine! I am not that fortunate! )

 

[ClassicJazz]

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.

I do not believe the Boxer series was sold in the US back in the 80’s. They were strictly for the Japanese/Asian market like lot of Fender Japan guitars and basses. Even today there are allot of Fender Japan models not offered in the US. This description was from the Fender website before they discontinued the Boxer Reissues.

“The Fender Boxer Series PJ Bass is a Japanese-made instrument that recreates a classic Fender collection from the late 1980s. It is designed for high-performance players and comes equipped with high-output pickups, speedy necks, and advanced electronics. The Boxer Bass combines a high output P-Bass split-coil pickup with a hot Jazz Bass single-coil pickup, independent volume controls, and a TBX tone control”

 

[Git]

I own 4 PJs: A Reverend Decision P, two Charvel PJ IVs and a Spector Pulse 2. They are all quite different but also, all keepers. I love a PJ, particularly reverse PJs

 

[just-1-more]

1. Fender Aerodyne Jazz...specifically, the first-generation.

+1. Used Fender AJBs come up regularly without breaking the bank.

Really well put together MIJ quality and a good platform for upgrades / customisation if that's your thing. The necks are really nice on this model - 1.5" nut, 7.25" fingerboard radius, nice C-shape with a light gloss finish. Some people aren't big fans of the stock pickups but the ones in mine sound good to me. I played a few before settling on this and the pickups were definitely beefier than some of the others I played. There is some variability between stock pickups.

 

[Corrington]

I vote for the Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass PJ IV.
It's insanely comfortable play, well-balanced, sounds amazing, and looks terrific.
It's a Fender with tons of attitude.
Add a dab of carbonara wax to the back of the neck and it feels like silk.
Bang + Buck = BOOM!!!

I loved the look, feel, and tone of my Aerodyne, but it always looked ugly and dirty to me because that sexy glossy ebony finish was a bloody smudge and dust magnet. The Charvel has a wonderful satin finish.

 

[Ralph Manak]

Check out Maruszczyk (public-peace.de). Jake (P) or Elwood (J) can be ordered in PJ configuration, and you can spec out many features as you wish. Excellent value and worth the wait, if you can wait.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

The best "anything" for the money is something used, that you've done your homework on and have found a good deal on.

 

[dregsfan]

I opted for a frankenbass and just mixed and matched parts for mine. I was able to get exactly what I wanted in a PJ without spending a lot of money.

Gotta love the interchangeability of Fender type parts.

I've put together more than a few Fender style basses and even did a Strat for a friend.
I used to work in a well known (at least it was well known in the large city I lived in) guitar/bass repair shop many years ago and we ordered Fender style replacement parts (necks and bodies) pretty often. Back then the parts we used came from Warmoth, and the stuff was great. Later I started getting necks and bodies from Tommy at USA Custom Guitars.
All the basses I put together for myself over the years following my employment there, were easily as good as any Fender I'd ever played. Nothing against Fender, I see Leo Fender as a god .
I'm pretty fastidious about......well......everything , and, again they played and sounded great. Plus, it was fun being able to choose all the components to my liking.

Like 40Hz said "Gotta love the interchangeability of Fender type parts"

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[bste9]

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

why doesn't it? A budget wasn't mentioned other that " doesn't break the bank" That could mean different things to different people. You could also go used

 

[fundando]

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

From this bunch I would definitely go with the Yamaha. You cannot got wrong with the made in Japan Yamahas.

The Duff McKagan bass would be my second choice.

The choice I made was a mod shop PJ. In the price range of the Yamaha with the discount. No blend control on this tho. Stacked volume/tone knobs.

 

[W_R]

Also keep an eye out for a Fender Zone or Precision Lyte

I can second the recommendation of the MiM Zone as worth a look. Also have a similar older Japan PJR, the neck is thinner in feel, otherwise very similar.

 

[Justin Keoni]

Other: Maruszyczk

 

[MachMike]

Oooof. This is a tough one.


Spector USA NS-2 are awesome, but I can't say best for the money. You are actually having to pay for that sound. $4500-$7k . Worth it for anything below the 6k yes. I think anything over 5k starts getting into a complete custom build and doesn't add value.


Sandberg California VM4 - Not really PJ more like P/mm - (Music Man). Which is arguably better. They are quite amazing and a great value for your dollar. $2300 (negotiated price) - Top Choice - Great value the craftsman ship is top tier. On par with USA Spector. Best Value for bass.


Sadowsky - Metroline P/J (top line) - Excellent. If you have a reseller you can get these about $2700 (negotiated price) - Top Choice. On par with Sandberg, but Sandberg have more options when ordering. - I'd say one of the best values for bass at the sub 3k mark

 

[Straw_hat]

Fender FSR De Luxe Special. A really nice instrument.