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Do you lose anything with a PJ?

hrodbert696

hrodbert696

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Jan 15, 2010
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Like old Hampshire, but New
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#1
I was just curious; I know that many here are fans of the classic P bass. I was wondering if there was any significant difference between a P and a PJ with the P pickup soloed. Is the PJ simply a win/win, or does something happen when you add that second pickup that loses you the classic P tone? (I haven't tried them out side-by-side before, at least not the same brand and quality level).

This has probably been discussed before, but I couldn't figure out the way to search it since the key terms have less than three letters. Links to prior discussions would be welcome.
 
#5
The only problem with a P/J is that if you use the typical volume/volume wiring, you won't get a true P tone when you solo the neck pickup. I'll quote line6man since I'm lazy:

line6man said:
To put it plain and simple, if you use a second volume or a blend, the P bass tone will change.

I always prefer 3 way switches, as they keep the wiring direct and do not add resistance, which would darken up the tone.

Aside from that, 2 volumes is better than a blend pot.
The blend pot adds another pots worth of resistance, and of course there are problems associated with passive blends as well.

I say 3 way switch, and failing that, 2 volumes.
Click to expand...
 
#6
I don't understand about a 2nd pot ALWAYS adding resistance.

Can't you get a blend pot where, when it's turned fully in one direction, one of the paths through it has zero resistance?

Actually, I thought I had seen blend pots that were spec'ed where, in the center both paths have no resistance and, when you start turning it in either direction, one path stays at 0 resistance and the other side slopes to 250K or 500K or whatever.
 
#7
From what I've read about Bourns blend pots, they're the next best thing to a 3-way switch.

Regarding the original topic: I try to like the PJ, I really do, but it seems like rather than the best of both worlds, it seems to be the worst of both worlds. The P pickup lacks the "P tone" and the J pickup just sounds weak and thin.

But, maybe I just haven't tried a good PJ yet. I've listened to the one on Lakland's website and that one sounds pretty good.
 
#9
StuartV said:
Can't you get a blend pot where, when it's turned fully in one direction, one of the paths through it has zero resistance?
Click to expand...

Well, you can, but they're called superconductors and are the subject of a great deal of research! Unfortunately those extra pots are going to have some resistance, even when turned down to zero, and that will affect the balance of frequencies you get out of the bass. Now, I don't know how much of a difference you'd actually be able to hear, but just considering the electronics, I'm going to side with all those advocating the 3-way selector switch - at least then you can be sure that you are truly soloing the neck pickup and not colouring it with anything from the bridge pickup.

It has occurred to me that I could actually test this on my Epiphone bass...I'll have to let you know if I can hear a significant difference!
 
#11
There's always some loading of the pickups with a standard passive volume control network. A blend pot adds another resistance path so purists will decry a V/B/T set up, but that's what I prefer. And whether the sound of the soloed P PUP is altered significantly is purely up to the person playing the bass. I've been through several iterations of the P/J on my basses, and the soloed P PUP sounds like a P.

Now neither my Jazz Bass Special nor my California Precision Special sounded just like my Vintage Series '62 Precision. But I wouldn't expect them to. The JBS had a basswood body, a skinny maple neck with rosewood board, and totally different pickups. The CA had the same kind of PUPs, same bridge, and probably a very similar body, but it was also had a very skinny one-piece maple neck with a different truss rod assembly and it had 15 years less playing time on it. BUT, I couldn't tell from the recordings made (straight out of the board at live gigs to a CD burner) whether I was playing the VS or CA unless I used the bridge PUP on something.

John
 
#12
My 62 P has a Jazz PU added. Both knobs are wired V/V, and tone is hardwired to 100%.

When I turn down the jazz volume all the way, it sure sounds like a plain old' 62 Precision to me...

Honestly, I would say that 99% of people won't be able to hear the difference.

Where's Dan Atkinson to do a test for us???
 
#13
Spinal Tapper said:
Honestly, I would say that 99% of people won't be able to hear the difference.
Click to expand...

I would say that you are underestimating the percentage on that one....I think that 99.95% of people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a soloed P pickup on a P/J and a regular P-bass.

Is there a difference? Probably. Can anyone really tell the difference? For all intents and purposes, no. Certainly not in a live, or recorded, mix IMO.
 
#14
Double Agent said:
I would say that you are underestimating the percentage on that one....I think that 99.95% of people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a soloed P pickup on a P/J and a regular P-bass.

Is there a difference? Probably. Can anyone really tell the difference? For all intents and purposes, no. Certainly not in a live, or recorded, mix IMO.
Click to expand...
Depends on the bass and the pickups.

My church's Ibanez SR400 PJ with the P pickup solo'd sounds nothing like my SX P bass.
 
#15
Double Agent said:
I would say that you are underestimating the percentage on that one....I think that 99.95% of people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a soloed P pickup on a P/J and a regular P-bass.

Is there a difference? Probably. Can anyone really tell the difference? For all intents and purposes, no. Certainly not in a live, or recorded, mix IMO.
Click to expand...

+ a million. P/J basses, despite TB often claiming they're not even a legitimate bass, are GREAT basses. If you want to listen to a bunch of whiners, then avoid the P/J at all costs. If you want something that's the best of both worlds, get yourself a P/J bass and have fun.
 
#16
BigOldHarry said:
Where's the popcorn?
Click to expand...

MichaelJacksonJackson_popcorn.gif
 
#18
I'll close my eyes and predict at least one thread entry:

"Man, if you do anything to a P-bass put put flats on it and rock it through and Ampeg or Acoustic 360, you are violating its purity, it vintage essence. Adding that J pickup is a crime against nature!!!!"
 

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