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Can a P/J replace a P and a J?
- Thread starter hills1234
- Start date
I had a BB414 (yamaha) in PJ config. Was very versatile, went from muddy P sound to thin J bridge, with a cool sound in between (both on). I can say the P in this one was muddier than Fender P pickups and the J sounded thinner than Fender's. I used all 3 positions and it did mimic a P and a J, but if you like and use a lot the neck sound of a J, forget it, the P doesn't come close, but I sure like the P a lot more.
Just bought a 92 P-Plus (didn' arrive yet), so let's see how those lace sensors sound like in P/J...
Just bought a 92 P-Plus (didn' arrive yet), so let's see how those lace sensors sound like in P/J...
I have a Fender P (MIA), a Fender J (MIM) with Noiseless pickups and a Fender Aerodyne P (MIJ) that has both P and J pickups. To my ears, they're three different basses.
I've found with PJ basses that the position of the J pickup is absolutely critical to the sound of the blended pickups, even moreso than it's effect on a traditional JJ setup (i.e. 70s vs. 60s)
I've played several older Yamaha PJ basses, and find that the 70s J-pickup position gives the bass a VERY mid-scooped Duff McKagan sound. Play the first few bars of "Sucker Train Blues" to hear what I mean.
On PJ basses with the J closer to the next, like the Ibanez RKB or Tony Franklin, I've found the tone is much less "aggressive" for lack of a better word - there's less tonal change between G&D and A&E. A bit more polite-sounding, them.
I've played several older Yamaha PJ basses, and find that the 70s J-pickup position gives the bass a VERY mid-scooped Duff McKagan sound. Play the first few bars of "Sucker Train Blues" to hear what I mean.
On PJ basses with the J closer to the next, like the Ibanez RKB or Tony Franklin, I've found the tone is much less "aggressive" for lack of a better word - there's less tonal change between G&D and A&E. A bit more polite-sounding, them.
Between this and which bass for metal, we're starting to really rehash and complain about the same stuff on a daily basis.
Having owned a P bass, a J Bass and a P/J
I would say a P/J can replace a P but not necessarily a Jazz Bass
especially if you are a fan of the Jazz Bass completely dimed
(all knobs 100%)
I would say a P/J can replace a P but not necessarily a Jazz Bass
especially if you are a fan of the Jazz Bass completely dimed
(all knobs 100%)
I have an older ESP P/J. its my first P/J actually. I LOVE IT!!!!
I can honestly say its now my favorite pick-up configuration. I can get alot of tones out of it. But when I am at rehearsal (metal), both pup at once just has so much more punch than you can get out of a Jazz bass alone.
I had a USA Jazz earlier this year. Sold it. My USA P bass is on its way to fedex today(to be traded). I love the P but something can definatley be said for that extra J in the bridge spot.
I can honestly say its now my favorite pick-up configuration. I can get alot of tones out of it. But when I am at rehearsal (metal), both pup at once just has so much more punch than you can get out of a Jazz bass alone.
I had a USA Jazz earlier this year. Sold it. My USA P bass is on its way to fedex today(to be traded). I love the P but something can definatley be said for that extra J in the bridge spot.
i only use PJ config on my basses....4 and 5. i love the blend of p and j, you get the best of both worlds. thats what i think.
I sold my 60's Jazz, my P/J sounded better and fatter dimed, both before and after upgrading pickups on the Jazz.
Yup. What he said.
I think if I had to get "up and running" fast, I'd get a new Fender P and have my local guy put in SD Quarter pounders with a J in the bridge pos.
Don't tell Tony Franklin that. Of course with him we're dealing with 80s-early 90s metal, which today counts as Easy Listening music or so I've heard.
+1 On my "Wish it was a sticky thread" list, right after the sticky, "P or J?" would be, "Does P/J sound like either?"
if you really have to sell two of your basses.. and if you like the P-thump a lot.. I guess a good P/J is the way to go. It is not going to give you all that Jazz bass brightness but it will deliver a P-sound and a decent J sound, and when you use both pickups together it gives you a very cool tone.
but.. if there´s hope of selling just one.. I would sell the PJ, buy the best pickups I could for the PJ fretless (sadowsky is a good choice) and keep the Jazz.
cheers,
Leaning towards this option.
I took only the Jazz to rehearsal tonight - and for the P songs used the neck p/up solo. Did a reasonable job. But I really do use that dimed J sound a lot - and if a P/J can't deliver then maybe the Jazz will earn a reprieve. So this weekend I'm off to the local store to try a good P/J if I can find one.
Appreciate all the input.
True that! A P/J can NOT do the work of a J.
HOWEVER, a J in series mode CAN do a reasonable job of impersonating a P. So if someone forced me to only have ONE it would be a J with a series/parallel mod.
Gotta agree with dab on this one. In your situation, your most economical route is to do the series/parallel mod for the Jazz. For less than $20 and a little time this is your best bet.
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Although it was a beautifully playing bass, I wasn't thrilled with either pickup soloed on my US Glaub PJ. Together they sounded good, but I was hoping to essentially have two basses blended into one. Bringing a real J and a real P to a gig is no trouble (I'd bring a backup with the Glaub anyway) so I sold the Glaub.
