Don't like PJ's?

[Altitude]

I love P/Js. With both pickups at WOT they present a “ping” in the tone profile that I find really cool. Plus, when I was a kid in Austin during the 80s there was a local badass player who used one. I idolized him and the PJ tone became the sound in my head by result.

But since we’re all here - how do we feel about P/MM basses? Pros and cons versus P/Js?

 

[Benj-jammin]

I love my MIM P Deluxe Special. Put some DM DP-126's in - switched from DM XL 170's to the Dunlop Medium/Brights - ooh-la-la...works for me!

 

[Relayer71]

Preach it, brother!

 

[DJJazzV]

Almost talked myself into a Talman shorty like that, but bailed when I heard the JMJ Mustang was coming out in black. Then I bailed on that when Covid hit.

What is this "Covid" you speak of? What did I miss?

 

[Relayer71]

I hate pancake AND waffles

You monster.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Personally, I can't get my BB PJ to sound like my 7ender P. It can sound P'ish but not pure P.

That's true but you are comparing two very different basses. BBs generally have a much brighter, tighter and "faster" tone than a typical Fender P (or PJ). BBs aren't really direct replacements for Fenders IMO. More like a differently voiced alternative. If you re-wire your BB for P-only, using the same P-pickup, same pot values and the same tone cap it still won't sound like a Fender. It will sound like a BB with the P-pickup soloed.

The only way to make a meaningful comparison is to use the same bass with the same pickup(s) and rewire it between PJ and P. Remove the J pickup if you're worried it may affect the strings magnetically.

Needless to say you will also have to use the same set of strings and play the bass through the same rig with the exact same tone settings. Changing any of these things will have a MUCH larger impact on your tone than P vs PJ(neck only).

There is of course a theoretical difference but for any practical purposes they are negligible. I think most of us would struggle to hear it even in a carefully recorded A/B test, let alone in any real life situation!

Personally I don't mind PJs at all, even though I never really use the J-pickup. When I buy a PJ it's because it sounds great as a P-bass. Many of them do, and this is coming from a vintage P-bass nut!

If I did use the J-pickup I would personally only use a hum cancelling one but I guess lots of people want it to be a true single coil. Whatever works for YOU!

 

[40Hz]

I have two PBs. I have one JB. So I couldn’t see the point. But on the off chance I didn’t get something, I put together a frankenbass from mostly Squier parts. (The pups are Wildes and the hardware is Gotoh smoked chrome. All stuff I already had in my parts inventory.) And I figured I’d finally use this set of DR neons someone gave me because…well…BLUE! right?



Bolted it all together, did a setup, and plugged it in…

So ok. Now I get it. I get it.

(P.S. Sorry about the image flip. Bloody iPhone strikes again.)

 

[57pbass]

The dual coil J pickup is the reason I like this bass. To me it just sounds more better balanced for a passive bass.
I have an active P/J with a single coil that sounds great and balanced..
I could never quite get a good sound with a passive P/J with a single coil J pickup. It always seemed like the P pickup overpowered the J pickup.

 

[TonyP-]

Next to the Avanti / Modern pickup position with soap bars the PJ is my next favorite.

 

[clockworkcorpse]

here's a picture of a P telling a PJ that they will never replace a pure P. The PJ is being polite, because they currently get more attention and they know the P only paid 12$ for that pickguard, and the P is being extra belligerent because they see the PJ staring at the white layers in the pickguard that are just a little too white.

 

[drumvsbass]

As a long time PJ owner and lover I feel as though the PJ is the ultimate Fender. The only thing it doesn't do is that urpy both pickups on full Jazz tone, and even there it does it's own thing. Beyond that you are afforded a slightly sharper P and a slightly fatter bridge J tone.

 

[nickpc]

Loving P/J’s implies an inherent lack of commitment and overall confidence. They’re mostly played by people who don’t have a preference between pancakes and waffles, drink coffee OR tea and can’t tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi.

I'll take pancakes or waffles, although pancakes are easier to make.
I don't drink coffee and rarely drink tea (assuming you mean hot. Sweet tea is one of the nectars of the gods).
I can tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi. But I prefer RC (the other nectar of the gods).
Heck, I like pineapple in my pancakes and on my pizza!

And I enjoy the sound, playability and versatility of my PJ.

 

[howlin]

My main complaint about why I don’t like the P/J configuration is that the J pickup is right where I play when using a pick. Actually, it’s not just a P/J thing it’s J basses in general. The sound is great but I found myself always trying to make it sound like a P. And though I like the looks of a J the offset body never worked for me. As a matter of fact, the only thing about a J bass that does work for me is the neck and that’s why I have one on my P bass.

 

[lowphatbass]

You monster.

Yes, I am.

 

[onamission]

Have one left. Old Duff special with a very nice Squier maple neck. Duncan P and Aero J pickup.

 

[grocker]

P&J a great tasty combo...

 

[nnnnnn]

The first Precisions are single coils, too, and I never heard anyone complain that they don't sound like P's.

A while back in some thread or other someone was trying to argue that "real" Precision basses must have a split-coil P pickup and no additional pickups and they explicitly excluded the original Precision bass from their definition because of its pickup.

 

[oren]

I first got a yen for a PJ a when I was visiting Rocket Music a few years back and tried a Roscoe Classic PJ a that had Honey Badger pickups in it. That bass was just amazing sounding. No wanting to spend the $ for a Roscoe, I ended up putting together a parts PJ with a late 90s Precision Special loaded body and a used J neck. The pickups that came with it were pretty meh and the J pickup couldn’t keep up with the P so I put in a set of Aguilars and now it sounds great. I like the pure P sound, I like the J solo, and I like them blended, particularly with just slightly favoring the J. it’s probably the bass I take out most frequently if I’m playing an electric gig.

 

[squish]

To me, the P bass and J bass not only sound different but they play differently. Some music requires either a P or a J tone. But also requires either the P or J style of playing. This is a real thing.

Forget safety nets. Make a decision and maybe you’ll inspire others to do the same.

 

[Rib 13]

(Top)My Ibanez Destroyer reloaded with EMGs
(Bottom) A POS Vision bass I got for 20 bucks used as my around the house beater that Im currently making into a Player because the P route is Reverse P. I am putting the Destroyer's original pickups in it, ordered a neck, tuners, and bridge, and adding a Series/Parallel Switch for the P. Will post pics when complete

For the most part, I agree with your assessments. I still find that the "scoop", with both pickups on, is much less pronounced than on any of my Jazz basses....and I also find that a PJ, with both pickups full, sounds similar to a P or J but really having its own unique voice in and of itself. That alone is reason enough for me to have one or two. I still think that a fully dimed PJs unique voice has an 80s vibe to it, which can be both a good or bad thing, depending how the player feels about it or if they are even hearing that the same way I am