I consider my PJ5 as a P. Shape of the body, feel, even the neck seems to be a bit chunkier then J5. I play 90% of the time pure p, add bit of J when slapping or when room accoustic needs a bit more bite. But J pickup is definetely worth it.
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I don’t have the answer to that. I guess I just pick the bass that works best for the entire song. I have tried (as have most of us) to find the one bass that does it all, all the time, but gave up. It just doesn’t exist. Also, do we really only want 1 bass? So I do my best with a passive P with flats, an active/passive 5J with rounds, and an active 24 fret 5 with soaps and rounds.
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Do you switch basses during your sets? Nothing wrong with that, of course. Just wondering. I don't like to switch, so I typically bring both but keep one of them in reserve in case of a problem. For the Motown band, I stick with the P-Bass. I might use a Jazz for variety-band gigs.
I am working on a way to efficiently swap. I usually play one per set. If I need B string notes, I use a 5. If I don’t, I usually use my P.
I was on a gig a few months ago, with my Metro WL5. 'Keep Forgetting' by Michael McDonald: that J5 just killed it. But then we transitioned, with no chance for a bass swap, into 'What's Going On', and I really wish I had my PJ5, strung with flats and a mute. Did I get it done on the WL5? Sure. Neck pickup with the mid-boost on, and pluck up by the neck, and it definitely didn't sound bad.
I examine my own comments and realize that I'm spoiled as @#$% and it really doesn't matter all that much, but why not reach for that unobtainium?
That is an underrated fretboard/pickguard/body color scheme. Beautiful.
If this wasn't on Sadowsky's Instagram, I would've thought it wasn't real.
Three anomalies there…an absence of frets (I’d be lost). Also, that strange bridge pickup and ovoid pickguard. MMmm.
And maybe a fourth. Producer switch?
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I agree! My Black Pearl baby sounds amazing with P or J soloed, or as a PJ and passive or active.
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I have this one:
Body looks a bit stretched. But from a distance it shines on stage, keeping the crowd asking themselves what bass this is. I'm still getting used to the sound. Lot of different sounds, but few that I feel usefull. The stacked humcancelling J in series sounds a bit muddy, parallel it sounds thin and harsh and in single coil position it sounds more like parallel than a usual single coil. All in all I only play the J-pickup in combination with the MM pickup. The MM in series sounds like a MM. You can get close to a Music Man, but not exactly the same. Parallel again it's thin and harsh and not usefull. In single mode it's a bit like a normal J, but it's not easy to get that Jaco-sound. So I play this bass mostly: J in series, in combination with MM in single mode. Just a tiny bit of bass and highs and dialing in the sound with the VTC.
Off topic - Do you mind sharing where you got your strap? I'd like to get one like that in a light brown if they have one.
Hi
I’m A newbie and read this thread to gain knowledge about the world of bass! There seems to be lots of discussion about the combination and types of pick ups , but not a lot in terms of the type of strings and gauges. Can comments about pick up styles and types be relevant if we don’t know the string being used?
Sorry if this a dumb assumption or question!
My masterbuilt came with Sadowsky’s own nickel strings ( I think ) … do most people stick with Sadowsky strings or change brand to a personal preference?
Thanks
Gary
I’m A newbie and read this thread to gain knowledge about the world of bass! There seems to be lots of discussion about the combination and types of pick ups , but not a lot in terms of the type of strings and gauges. Can comments about pick up styles and types be relevant if we don’t know the string being used?
Sorry if this a dumb assumption or question!
My masterbuilt came with Sadowsky’s own nickel strings ( I think ) … do most people stick with Sadowsky strings or change brand to a personal preference?
Thanks
Gary
I never thought I see the day where someone didn’t think there wasn’t enough talk about string preference here
Welcome, Gary! You started off with the best. My first bass (10 years ago this month) was an MIM Precision, now long gone. Took me years to gravitate to Sadowsky.
IMHO, active basses have such strong capabilities at tone shaping that string choice is of lesser importance. To a first approximation, I prefer rounds on J basses and flats on Ps.
I believe that Sadowskys come with steels rather than nickels. Huge fundamental, lots of harmonics, and potentially a lot of string noise as your fingers slide around. Much of the noise is toned down with nickels (even more with flats) and much can be overcome with technique.
Gauge, brand, tension, finish, construction are all personal choices. Had I spent more time practicing and less obsessing about basses, audio gear, strings and so on, I’d be a much better bassist than I am.
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I never thought I see the day where someone didn’t think there wasn’t enough talk about string preference here
oh dear… sorry Ken … I’ll dig back and take it all in. I suppose it’s not so much the strings but just trying to appreciate the aspect of combinations rather than just pick ups… move on!
