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Help me find my next PJ

Unmost

Unmost

Oct 27, 2020
367
604
#1
Hi there! I'm looking for a new instrument and it will be a 4 string PJ. I thought it would be easy to pick one because there's plethora on the market but after a few days searching, I didn't find anything satisfying. Here's my wishlist :
  1. It MUST be a PJ
  2. It MUST be available in Europe
  3. It MUST be less than 600 € ($700), used or new
  4. Reverse P would be greatly appreciated
  5. 3-tone sunburst and a black pickguard are nearly compulsory
  6. 34" is preferred
  7. Passive is strongly recommended, I don't want any onboard eq
It will not be my main bass so I don't want to spend too much. I already have an Ibanez EHB1506MS and an SRC6. I owned an American Standard Precision before that so I need something not too crappy QC-wise.

Things I've considered (more or less relevant) : Spector Legend Standard (active meh), Spector Performer (ugly colors), Ibanez TMB100 (active and not the most aethetically pleasing), Yamaha TBX174 (close to match all my criteria but maybe too cheap), Yamaha BB434 (a couple years ago I had to send a BB435 back due to bad QC, it happened twice so I asked for a refund), Orange O-bass (not a PJ but I find it very appealing), G&L Tribute JB (perfect-looking 3TSB but not a PJ, otherwise I would already have ordered it).

Is there anything that would check all the boxes? What's the best passive (reverse) PJ my money could buy?
 
#2
What? Nobody wants to try to convince me his choice should be mine? :(
I've read topics where people lament over PJs being all there is now, where are these PJs?
 
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#4
bigsnack said:
Even though you had a bad experience with Yamaha on the first go, I would try the new BB’s again. IMO they are the best bang for your buck in that price range. They sound great, feel great, balance well, etc.
Click to expand...

This. Every mass manufacturer, and even most boutique manufacturers, will have QC issues from time to time. It’s why warranties exist (in theory, based on the math, the longer the warranty the less likely you are to have an issue), it sucks when it happens to you though. At your price range you are more likely to have issues and in my experience and reading on hear Yamaha has some of the best QC going.
 
#5
i'll take a crack:
B-Mac bought a reverse P PJ, new, for cheap --- get one of those, upgrade with your favorite parts (if desired), mod what you can't stand (e.g., the neck if you don't like them on the chunkier side) and have a lightweight player! ;)
 
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#6
Sean150 said:
This. Every mass manufacturer, and even most boutique manufacturers, will have QC issues from time to time. It’s why warranties exist (in theory, based on the math, the longer the warranty the less likely you are to have an issue), it sucks when it happens to you though. At your price range you are more likely to have issues and in my experience and reading on hear Yamaha has some of the best QC going.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure I would have to change the tuning pegs soon, that's what bothers me the most. I can't see how they could endure the smallest ding without rattling like crazy.
 
#8
JRA said:
i'll take a crack:
B-Mac bought a reverse P PJ, new, for cheap --- get one of those, upgrade with your favorite parts (if desired), mod what you can't stand (e.g., the neck if you don't like them on the chunkier side) and have a lightweight player! ;)
Click to expand...

I'm thinking of going that way too, but I confess I never took the time to investigate the cheapest brands available here. I just watched the latest Charles Berthoud video on YouTube, in which he plays a $85 Glarry. Tone is definitely in the fingers...
 
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#9
You seem a 'Tad' picky with particulars and QC; so doesn't Ibanez have what you want? You seem fine with them.

Maybe a Sire P7 but will need to find Black Pickguard comes with Tort.
Has Passive switch

Or spend a few more bucks and wait a bit more for this, good chance of good QC; again pickguard may be problem [available here now most likely soon everywhere]
PS; does have Sadowsky 2 way active pre amp; Oh well....

Sadowsky (Roger Sadowsky Design) Metro Express PJ 4 2020 Sunburst | Corner Music | Reverb
 
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#12
Nebadon2000 said:
You seem a 'Tad' picky with particulars and QC
Click to expand...

Do I? I just want a passive reverse PJ in sunburst and black pickguard. It doesn't seem unreasonable to me.
Out of the 7 listed criteria, only 3 are mandatory. If I can't find the perfect one, I'll make compromises.

Nebadon2000 said:
Maybe a Sire P7 but will need to find Black Pickguard comes with Tort.
Has Passive switch
Click to expand...

That seems fine, I'll look into it.

Nebadon2000 said:
Or spend a few more bucks and wait a bit more for this, good chance of good QC; again pickguard may be problem [available here now most likely soon everywhere]
PS; does have Sadowsky 2 way active pre amp; Oh well....

Sadowsky (Roger Sadowsky Design) Metro Express PJ 4 2020 Sunburst | Corner Music | Reverb
Click to expand...

It looks great but won't fit my budget.
 
#14
I just bumped into this Schecter CV-4. It looks gorgeous! Need to investigate on this.

CV-4%20BASS%203TSB%20TILT.png
 
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#20
Unmost said:
What? Nobody wants to try to convince me his choice should be mine? :(
I've read topics where people lament over PJs being all there is now, where are these PJs?
Click to expand...
They're at my house
20200823_131512.jpg
20201113_203626.jpg


Ibanez is the reverse P king though. I'd look into the SR650. I can't remember if that one is reversed or not, but it's a great bass.

all in all though, I'd say fender deluxe P, Aerodyne J, or Yamaha BB
 

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