Could be psychological. There are those who will never accept a short scale as "a real bass". Or just a case of "It looks more guitar-like than your other basses, therefore it must sound more like a guitar than your other basses". People do tend to hear with their eyes. I’m not saying that’s the case here, but just bringing up the possibility.
It’s a somewhat different instrument, but my MIJ Mustang definitely doesn’t get lost in the mix. It’s not as full sounding as my P, but it can certainly be clearly heard and it sounds like a bass. I don’t have a PJ Mustang, but I’d figure that a PJ on just its P pickup would by bassier than a Jazz, no? For one, short scales are inherently bassy (well, more fundamental, less upper harmonics). Finally, it’s more in the midrange frequencies that one can generally cut through a mix, imo.
Anyway, listening, do you agree with him? I mean, he may be exactly right, how would I know, lol. Are you using only the P pickup? If not, try that. Using both pickups together can create a mid-scooped sound that could get lost in some mixes. Of course the J pickup on its own wouldn’t be the way to go if you’re trying to sound more bassy. Backing off on the tone knob a bit could make it sound less guitary, but turning the tone knob down too low could lead to an indistinct sound that could...get lost in the mix. So, tone knob to taste, with an eye towards cutting through but not sounding like a guitar (I generally like my tone knob almost all the way up [i.e. backed off just a little], fwiw, though I adjust as needed on a case-by-case basis). Finally, a preamp pedal or EQ pedal to let you boost any missing frequencies could be another option besides a pickup change (not that there’s anything wrong with a pickup change; my next projects are pickup changes on two of my basses that just haven’t been cutting it).
Finally, finally, don’t forget to investigate the amp settings. The same settings that worked for your Jazz may not be the optimal settings for your Mustang.
Good luck on working it all out!
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I imagine there is probably some form of treatment for this condition, but I don't want to know what it is. I'm not ready for recovery since I'm currently enjoying my 4-string dependency. I shamefully admit to owning five MB's, three hybrid Mustang builds in various stages of non-completion and an MM re-build on the way. Oh yeah, and a Squire Vintage Modified Jaguar Short Scale. So far, not having any distracting and annoying thoughts of slowing down. Guess it depends on how long the bank account holds up under the strain of constant incoming packages.
