Can a P sound like a J?

[SteveC]

I never understood the "get both" argument.
Buying both would mean exactly that, having to have two basses instead of one.

Right. I just want one bass.

Why not get a PJ then?

I'm leaning this way.

Because TB says they'll never sound like a P or a J, so worst of both worlds. I hate all of my P/J basses for that reason.

I don't necessarily want one bass that sounds P and J. I like the P tone for lots of stuff, but I like the J tone for smooth jazz (my main gig so that's important) and slap. I am irritated by noise right now so I was thinking passive and P - one pup, no noise.

I'll probably just keep my current bass and deal with the noise. It's really only noticeable when I'm not playing.

 

[ezstep]

My newest, yet-undelivered bass is a P/J, passive, 5-er.

 

[line6man]

Because TB says they'll never sound like a P or a J, so worst of both worlds. I hate all of my P/J basses for that reason.

Whether or not a PJ can sound like a J is dependent on your definition of the J tone. (For me, it's the soloed bridge pickup, I guess most people think of it as both pickups on full.)
However, there is absolutely no reason a PJ cannot sound like a P. Stick a regular P pickup in the traditional location and wire it right and you've got a P bass.

I find it ridiculous that so many people think that simply adding a J pickup in the bridge position of a P bass will take away it's P bass vibe. That's nonsense!

 

[Kwesi]

Doubt it .. But your best bet is to get a multitonal bass .. Perhaps a MTD where you can set it up to get both p & j sounds .. Also, Im sure its rather expensive but the Warwick PUT III Signature Bass is built with one P-Bass pickup as well as a Humbucker pickup .. So see what works for you.

Considering that MTD jazzes style basses barely sound like typical jazzes that may not be the best of ideas, lol.

My personal opinion is that a good J is superior to the best P in every way, shape and form.

 

[spade2you]

I find it ridiculous that so many people think that simply adding a J pickup in the bridge position of a P bass will take away it's P bass vibe. That's nonsense!

Pretty much.

 

[Baird6869]

I always gig with a P and a J. If I am too lazy to grab my P for certain songs, I solo the neck PU and roll the treble off completely on a Jazz.

It sounds acceptable in a band mix, but not as in your face as a P.

 

[line6man]

My personal opinion is that a good J is superior to the best P in every way, shape and form.

That's going to start a flame war, or worse, another P vs. J thread, but I agree!

 

[peledog]

Sort of an odd question by the OP.

I don't really think you can. You might get something close by selecting the neck J pickup, and turning down the tone knob - and then adding some EQ or your amp. But they really are different sounds. I think the neck J pup might get you a closer sound to a piezo, IMO.

 

[Kwesi]

That's going to start a flame war, or worse, another P vs. J thread, but I agree!

Good, it's always fun to see grown men wet themselves in internet fury

 

[Jazz Ad]

Hi pass at 100 Hz. Instant Jazz Bass.

 

[RCCollins]

Hi pass at 100 Hz. Instant Jazz Bass.

with better pickup placement

 

[JasonLamb]

never

 

[David Jayne]

Yeah, no.

 

[LearStevens]

Can any bass sound like the outstandingly superior P?

 

[groooooove]

You dont get a P sound from a J by favoring the neck pup. You only get a neck J pup sound. Never heard a J that came close to a P as far as fullness of sound and P thickness of tone.

in some really awesome basses i think the J neck pickup can totally do P bass sounds. just as thick and meaty and nasty. IMO.

P basses dont sound like jazz basses though.

 

[line6man]

Can any bass sound like the outstandingly superior P?

Sure. Play any bass poorly enough and it will sound just like a P.

 

[aledeville]

According to my mum - sitting nearby - they sound the same.

 

[Batmensch]

Sure. Play any bass poorly enough and it will sound just like a P.

That's right, you better hide!

 

[Ric5]

I know you can get a J bass to have a P tone by favoring the neck pup. My question is can you make a P sound like a J? Can you EQ that in or are you out of luck because of pickups and placement.

There are 2 ways to get the jazz sound out of a p-bass.

1 - Add a jazz bridge pickup.
2 - Wire the pickup parallel instead of series.

 

[conqr]

Classic both pickups plus opened tone J from P? Not even close. But the J and LOTS of other basses with a soloed neck pup and a little eq can most definitely approximate classic P tone. Of course however, only a P does P like a P, and if you really want P no other bass will do - period.