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converting a P to a P/J Q's!

#21
By stack J, I assume you mean a j-pickup with two coils. In that case, they are typically humbuckers. There are several humbuckers in a J-style pickup that are very good solutions to the single coil hum issue. Some J affecianados will say that they do not sound like a real J pickup. I am not enough of a J conniseur to really tell the difference. I am mostly a precision guy. However, since we are talking P/J, maybe the pure J sound is not such an issue. Anyway, I outfitted my Fender Am Std P5 with a Nordstrand P and a Nordstrand Big Split in the bridge position. (The Big Split is side-by-side split coil super J type in a soapbar housing.) It works very well for me.
 
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#26
Well like I said - I'm looking for something to pair with the '62 Precision pup.
I'm thinking:
1- Fender Custom Shop 60s Jazz
2- Fender Vintage Noiseless
3- Nordstrand NJ4se or NJ4sv

Opinions?
 
#27
If you are looking for the 60's jazz sound, I would look at a Fralin P/J set. I would definitely order a set with a humbucking j. I am a fan of Nordies. They have a deeper, tighter bottom than Fralins. They are not as vintage IMO, but I still prefer the sound.
 
#28
Hey guys,

I'm in a similar situation as WillEVee but I already got a 62 bridge pup to go with my 62 P.

My question is this; included with the pickup was a shield plate with an "arm" and a black wire. The circuit is already properly grounded to the bridge, so do I need to solder the black wire from the shield plate into the circuit, and what about the arm? I suppose it is meant to cross over to the bridge but if the circuit is already grounded, I won't need it right? (at least that's what a search in the P&E sub told me)

Thanks in advance!
 
#29
BFunk said:
Anyway, I outfitted my Fender Am Std P5 with a Nordstrand P and a Nordstrand Big Split in the bridge position. (The Big Split is side-by-side split coil super J type in a soapbar housing.) It works very well for me.
Click to expand...

I'm in the process of building a PJ, was considering going the same route. Nordie P5 and BS. Since you've been down that road, would you say the output between those two pickups is somewhat in the same ballpark?

Can you also comment on how this selection might differ tonally compared to a classic P/J pickups selection? Thanks.
 
#30
Doug Parent said:
I'm in the process of building a PJ, was considering going the same route. Nordie P5 and BS. Since you've been down that road, would you say the output between those two pickups is somewhat in the same ballpark?

Can you also comment on how this selection might differ tonally compared to a classic P/J pickups selection? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Properly adjusted, the output is very even, but with very different tones of course. And I don't have to bury the P or have the J kissing the bottom of the strings to do it.

The Nordy P is fuller range, and tighter bottom than a typical early sixties P sound. I you like a wooly bottom, you will probably not like the Nordie. It is less peaky than say a Fralin, but reaches higher. Overall, I would say it is a more modern sounding P than the Fralin. If you are doing rock, r&b, or anything where you want tight and punchy, this is great pickup. If I were doing trad blues or country, I would probably prefer a Fralin. Just for your information, I tried a Fralin and a Nordie in my 60th anniv. P. (Also the stock CS p'up, of course.) I most definitely preferred the Nordie. But tight and punchy is my thing.

As for the Big Split, it is an animal unto itself. It is definitely in that modern super-j vein. Don't expect vintage j sounds from this guy. It has a wider aperture than a J which means it sense more of the sting. I think this accounts for a large part of it's sound. I have mine in the 70's position. It can definitely get that j-bridge-soloed snarl ala jaco, but I can also add a lot more bottom my moving my right hand over the P p'up. Together tThe warm mids of the P tone sit nicely in the center of the scooped J sound. It is a unique sound, and very useable. I will try to get a recording posted by the weekend with some samples.
 
#31
BFunk said:
Properly adjusted, the output is very even, but with very different tones of course. And I don't have to bury the P or have the J kissing the bottom of the strings to do it.

The Nordy P is fuller range, and tighter bottom than a typical early sixties P sound. I you like a wooly bottom, you will probably not like the Nordie. It is less peaky than say a Fralin, but reaches higher. Overall, I would say it is a more modern sounding P than the Fralin. If you are doing rock, r&b, or anything where you want tight and punchy, this is great pickup. If I were doing trad blues or country, I would probably prefer a Fralin. Just for your information, I tried a Fralin and a Nordie in my 60th anniv. P. (Also the stock CS p'up, of course.) I most definitely preferred the Nordie. But tight and punchy is my thing.

As for the Big Split, it is an animal unto itself. It is definitely in that modern super-j vein. Don't expect vintage j sounds from this guy. It has a wider aperture than a J which means it sense more of the sting. I think this accounts for a large part of it's sound. I have mine in the 70's position. It can definitely get that j-bridge-soloed snarl ala jaco, but I can also add a lot more bottom my moving my right hand over the P p'up. Together tThe warm mids of the P tone sit nicely in the center of the scooped J sound. It is a unique sound, and very useable. I will try to get a recording posted by the weekend with some samples.
Click to expand...

Great! Thanks.
 

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