Fender PJ -- What are My Options?

[Tom Howland]

Get a USA Lakland 4-64 with an added J-pickup.

 

[groooooove]

i have a very special early 90's USA P, its a "p bass special" or something. it's passive.

i've seen one other. that one also was a superb example

they both were early 90s, lace sensor pickups, and a big fender bridge (not a typical jazz style bridge) with fine tuners on it. it also had a phase switch for the P-pickup.

if you happen to pass by one of those by any chance, give it a good look. mine and the one other one i played were the two most usable P/J basses i've ever played. (and ive played a lot!)

good luck on the search.

t

 

[logans59]

I've got 2 P/Js, an Aerodyne P and a Squier Affinity. I love them both, though they do sound different. The Squier is actually much hotter, but that's neither a plus or a minus, just different. Don't rule something out just because it has a low price point

 

[boristhespider9]

Budget?

 

[NoShogun]

I would recommend a yamaha bb2000 if you can find one. They're getting hard to find for sure, but that whole line of late 70's early 80's BB basses was just phenomenal

 

[DuShauh]

Looking at the BB Yamahas they seem to have the same extreme price points -- it looks like they're only available at a $500 and a $2500 street price with nothing in between. If that's correct, then the Yam lineup has the same problem that the Fender lineup has -- good options are available at the two price extremes without much in the middle. Am I missing something in the Yamaha lineup?



I do appreciate the feedback on the Mexi Fenders. Maybe that's an option to pursue.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

Yes, you are missing a really stellar bass, that definitely fits the bill that you described. Wedged neatly in the middle of the BB424/5 and the BB2024/5, is the BB1024(X). Worth a look...Good luck with your search. There are many choices out there, with many names. When the right one is in your hands...with closed eyes...you will find the right one.

 

[theschnitt]

I got a Fender Modern Player Jaguar a few months back, and I dig it. I wanted a P/J setup, and it delivers well. I especially like the fact that it's got a standard Jazz control panel, it was easy to drop an after-market preamp in there. Sounded great passive, too, but I can't deal with V/V/T on a gig.

 

[Guinness20]

Get one of these:

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or get one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016K2XLC/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

Sorted. You're welcome.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

I'm an admitted dyed in the wool Fender fan, but consider the ESP Vintage 4 or the ESP/LTD 214.

I have a modded 214 and a Vintage 4 with EMGs and these are my most played basses in my collection.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Correction- my ESP is actually the 204. Black with maple fretboard.

 

[georgestrings]

I've probably owned atleast half a dozen P/J Fenders, and the only one I've kept is the MIM Deluxe P Bass Special - for $300-$400 on the used market, they're an excellent value, and don't suffer from the VVT syndrome that most passive P/Js do...


- georgestrings

 

[WretchedExcess]

VVT syndrome?

 

[pbass888]

I've probably owned atleast half a dozen P/J Fenders, and the only one I've kept is the MIM Deluxe P Bass Special - for $30-$400 on the used market, they're an excellent value, and don't suffer from the VVT syndrome that most passive P/Js do...


- georgestrings

Those mom deluxe p's are solid basses and get a great range of tones.

 

[pbass888]

That's MIM

 

[two fingers]

Another vote for the Aerodyne. Either the P or the J (both are PJpickups.) Slim, light, sound great. Can't go wrong. If I could find a five......

 

[Snakeman1066]

I'm an admitted dyed in the wool Fender fan, but consider the ESP Vintage 4 or the ESP/LTD 214.

I have a modded 214 and a Vintage 4 with EMGs and these are my most played basses in my collection.

Yes this!

 

[Rodslinger]

The best Fender PJ is the Schecter Model T (by some margin). Failing that, the next best Fender PJ is the Yamaha BB (424/1024/2024). You need to take those Fender blinkers off!

I had the model T & it's not the best PJ but to each his own. For me it's my Fender Cowpoke Precision Special. What made the model T great was the Basslines pickups & thats it. You still can't beat a MIM Fender Precision Special for an affordable PJ bass that sounds great.

 

[JACink]

Have you checked out Sandberg? They make some very nice basses.

 

[fhm555]

...I do appreciate the feedback on the Mexi Fenders. Maybe that's an option to pursue...

Don't let the MIM tag fool you, they are as nice a bass as most players would ever want. I've played many and own a couple and like you I'm wanting a p/j pup config in the worst way.

I played a MIM deluxe P for a while and it's got major BALLS and plenty of tonal options. Then J neck makes it fast and the P body makes it not on my list of favorites. Between my preference for the J body and the ugly vinyl pick guard it just weren't for me.

I've been resisting the urge to just buy the MIM Reggie Hamilton model for quite some time and the only thing that keeps holding me back is the hipshot D tuner it comes with. I've picked them up in the store and they feel wonderful and have the same basic electronics layout as the Deluxe P with the exception of having a passive/active switch and they are on a j body which makes them almost ideal. I decided here recently I'm going to start keeping my eye out for a good used one and if one bubbles up I'm going to snag it up if it's reasonably priced.

MIA Fenders are nice, but so are MIM Fenders. Either one will get the job done.

 

[Freddels]

The Tony Franklin model is good too.