I found a space PJ (Ibanez SR650)

[cxc]

I’m looking to get one of these. Had a line on one over the summer but missed out by a day. Too bad, price was right.
I want one that looks like this:

View attachment IMG_0143.webp

 

[2strings2frets]

I also have a 650 which I like very much. Mine is also bright sounding but controllable with EQ. You might try DR DDT strings in 45-105 they are less bright than some others and work well for D standard as well as E standard tuning. Coated strings may help reduce the “ting” you may here when a string hits a fret. Overall one of my goto basses for long practice sessions because of the ease of playing and light weight. Best regards.

 

[Peeved T-40]

I’m not sure how much difference it makes but theoretically it makes sense to me to have it closer to the bridge on the big strings and neck for the smaller ones.

It makes since to me too in theory. take away a bit of bass from the low strings and add a bit of bass to the high strings to balance them out a bit more but honestly, i don't think I believe it makes much difference. it is cool though

 

[bigtone23]

I have a 5 string P pickup on my '00 US Dlx P V. It's an odd set up: the 2 string coil is for B & E, and the 3 string coil for the rest. A common mod on these is to rout it out, get a new pickguard and put the 3 string coil under the B E A and the 2 string coil for D & G.
However, the pickup is balanced and pretty hum free.

I also have a 4 string with the Wilde P46/J45L pickups. The P46 can be spread out to work for 5 and 6 string basses, both coils are identical, and it's dead quiet. Since it's a 'typical' sized P pickup, using it for 5 or 6 string would require some custom routing and/or pickguard.

 

[bigtone23]

It does kind of feel pointless to buy a P instead of a PJ. Role off the bridge pickup and it's still a P. On this one in particular though, I find myself drawn to the middle position. Having both pickups on full just opens up the sound so much. Probably because of the CNDs.

I do like the middle blend of a P/J, too. I’m a J Bass guy, and the cool, scooped/phasey sound of two pickups blended is home.

 

[michael_t]

I’m not sure how much difference it makes but theoretically it makes sense to me to have it closer to the bridge on the big strings and neck for the smaller ones.

I do like the reverse P configuration on my SR650E. All four strings do sound nicely balanced. It does make a difference.

 

[michael_t]

You might try DR DDT strings in 45-105 they are less bright than some others and work well for D standard as well as E standard tuning...

I tried the DR Nickel Lo-Riders 45-105 on my 650E in DGCF for a short time and liked the way they added fullness and extra body to the tone while taming the brightness. If @Peeved T-40 wants to try something not as bright as the Blue Steels, they might be a good option.

 

[Snert]

I'm still wondering what a space PJ is...

 

[Peeved T-40]

I'm still wondering what a space PJ is...

I don't know man, it just looks hyper modern. it's that super thin Ibanez body shape with big weird P and J pickups that you never see. it just looks like a bass made by aliens trying to replicate a PJ with their technology

 

[Andre678]

It does kind of feel pointless to buy a P instead of a PJ. Role off the bridge pickup and it's still a P. On this one in particular though, I find myself drawn to the middle position. Having both pickups on full just opens up the sound so much. Probably because of the CNDs.

I have the 6 string version of this bass and I love it so much I bought a second one for TI jazz flats. I haven't bought the TI's yet.... I am not crazy I just found a super cheap one Kijiji 6 months after I bought my first one and it was so so cheap I had no choice. 600 Canadian. You can't buy an entry model 6 string for less than 1000 bucks these days.

But yeah unbelievably good bass. The tone, the ergonomics, the looks, the bass has it all. Also out of all the P/J basses I have had over the years this is one of only 2 where I like the pickups blended in the middle. It doesn't always work on a P/J but when it does it is wonderful.

(P.S. thanks for explaining "space bass" i was a little confused as well)

 

[Snert]

Fair enough. I'd never heard anything like that one before.

Enjoy the bass.

I don't know man, it just looks hyper modern. it's that super thin Ibanez body shape with big weird P and J pickups that you never see. it just looks like a bass made by aliens trying to replicate a PJ with their technology

 

[Peeved T-40]

You can't buy an entry model 6 string for less than 1000 bucks these days.

I posted this a few weeks ago. It's an excellent neck through 6 string for about $600 including shipping. They also have a 7 string model.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/i-bought-the-most-expensive-harley-benton-bass-bz-6000-ii-nt.1659827/

 

[Chuck M]

I have a really nice SR655 in natural listed in the ads.

https://www.talkbass.com/classifieds/ibanez-sr655-in-great-condition-with-a-gig-bag.1657313/

 

[InkCow]

It’s really wild to me that your bass is as bright as you say: I have a Talman TMB605, which has the same pickups (albeit in standard P formation) with GHS pressurewounds and the tone is huge and deep. Like, notably so. I wonder if it’s your strings.

Also, just be aware: in my house, which is an extremely old 60 cycle hum factory, the bridge pickup is basically unusable. It was a shock when I first took that bass to a rehearsal space and I was able to blend in the bridge pickup and it didn’t sound like we were playing next to a large waterfall. Just keep that in mind if you play a gig somewhere with old, poorly shielded electrics.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I'm still wondering what a space PJ is...

I don't know man, it just looks hyper modern. it's that super thin Ibanez body shape with big weird P and J pickups that you never see. it just looks like a bass made by aliens trying to replicate a PJ with their technology

Where my mind ran to immediately after seeing "space PJ"...

 

[Peeved T-40]

It’s really wild to me that your bass is as bright as you say: I have a Talman TMB605, which has the same pickups (albeit in standard P formation) with GHS pressurewounds and the tone is huge and deep. Like, notably so. I wonder if it’s your strings.

Also, just be aware: in my house, which is an extremely old 60 cycle hum factory, the bridge pickup is basically unusable. It was a shock when I first took that bass to a rehearsal space and I was able to blend in the bridge pickup and it didn’t sound like we were playing next to a large waterfall. Just keep that in mind if you play a gig somewhere with old, poorly shielded electrics.

Yeah, it's really bright. I'm guessing the strings play a part but I think it's just Ibanez's electronics. I have an SR250 and it's also extremely bright

 

[Snert]

You can't buy an entry model 6 string for less than 1000 bucks these days.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GSR206BK--ibanez-gsr206-gio-black

I have the older one (2018), and it's excellent. $349 or $379 with a spalted top.

 

[michael_t]

It’s really wild to me that your bass is as bright as you say: I have a Talman TMB605, which has the same pickups (albeit in standard P formation) with GHS pressurewounds and the tone is huge and deep. Like, notably so. I wonder if it’s your strings.

Yeah, it's really bright. I'm guessing the strings play a part but I think it's just Ibanez's electronics. I have an SR250 and it's also extremely bright

String selection does make a difference. I have Ken Smith Compressors on my 650E, which are the closest sibling to GHS PWs, and it sounds nice and full-bodied without being too bright.

 

[denchiq]

I've been curious about 5 string P pickups because they have to be asymmetrical. I've heard they can unbalanced and noisy. What's your experience with it?

this depends on the configuration of a P5. If they have a short+a long coil then yes, they may be unbalanced and noisy. For this reason some makers started to make P5s with two long coils of the same size and winding, think of a P6; but they don't have polepieces for one string. The two identical coils cancel each other in the same way how they do it on a P4, but the missing 'sixth string' polepiece (-s) doesn't pick any sound
Nordstrand among others does it, and the SR655 has that kind of a P5 (see pic 1)
Same is true for the Lakland P5 pup (see the link)

https://www.talkbass.com/classifieds/fs-lakland-55-64-log.1016532/

 

[Basta-bass]

It's funny to see your surprise with ibanez SR p/js...
Don't know about your youngtimers, but I bought my sr800 in 1991 (my god! Am I old!!! ) and of course it was pj! With high z pickups by emg!