in defense of PJs

[Levent]

My old PJ had era correct J bridge and P neck placement and they both sounded like 2 seperate real deal J and P basses. There is no other magic behind It.
And when you blended some bridge to neck, It became unbelievable punchy and percussive P with extra woody tone. Awesome stuff.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I like PJ's; I really like them when the bridge pickup is humcanceling. They are versatile and that is a good thing.

 

[Quadzilla]

The best sounding, most balanced P/Js are the ones with the reverse P pickup (IMHO). I have a number of them (Spectors, Brubakers, Fenders, etc).

 

[groovepump]

If you expect a PJ to be either a P or a J, or both, you're going to he disappointed. They're their own thing.

Amen to that!!! They are PJ, and it's different, but just as good or valid as any other bass tone. Just what "is" a P-tone or J-tone anyway? People using pedals out the wazoo to change their tone, to sound like "what"? This tone chasing thing is crazy. Unless you are a recording artist, in my opinion, there is no "specific" target tone. Just my opinion. I agree with you.

 

[groovepump]

The best sounding, most balanced P/Js are the ones with the reverse P pickup (IMHO). I have a number of them (Spectors, Brubakers, Fenders, etc).

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That red one look s nice with the black headstock. And the grey bass with the non-chrome control plate... nice.

 

[squarepeg]

Amen to that!!! They are PJ, and it's different, but just as good or valid as any other bass tone. Just what "is" a P-tone or J-tone anyway? People using pedals out the wazoo to change their tone, to sound like "what"? This tone chasing thing is crazy. Unless you are a recording artist, in my opinion, there is no "specific" target tone. Just my opinion. I agree with you.

When I go into the studio, I go straight into the board with the volumes and tones cranked all the way, and let the engineer and bl eq it the way they like it.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

I am not now, nor have I ever been a purist. Buy whatever you want and play the crap out of it. Have a lot of fun doing it.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

What is the definition of "PJ"? Is it a Precision (Fender or otherwise) with an added J pickup in the bridge position? Or is it literally ANY bass with one split P style pickup and one J style pickup?

Me, I like basses with two pickups, but I also like basses with one pickup.

 

[BassPilot]

Pretty darn good short scale PJ here - I gig it a lot!

 

[Skip Chucker]

Meh. PJ's don't need defending!

 

[Blues Bass 2]

I am a Jazz player pretty much but this bass scratches an itch for me . Sounds way different than my other basses and when gigging it I can always hear it very well . Most of the time I use just the P pickup but blend a little bit of the J pickup for bite . It has an Audere 2 band pre so it's simple to control .

 

[mb94952]

I was reading these posts last week and one thread in particular really kept me up at night trying to understand the strong opinions as to why P/J's have a built in flaw.

I wish I could remember the exact post, but I don't. I have been playing bass for three decades and I have never once heard such strong opinions along the lines of "It has to be either a Pbass or a jazz bass, but a P/J is inherently wrong". I just don't get it and have never encountered that problem. I like P/J's and the sound of most any bass.

 

[ToddB1963]

My PJs stormed the citadel long ago, taking no prisoners, and now they reign supreme.

May I present my '84 BB3000 (top) and '82 BB2000 - both exceptionally versatile, exceptional sounding (especially the latter) instruments.

 

[MobileHolmes]

I like the sound, but don't currently have one as a loaned my Power Jazz to a friend's kid. More mids than a J, snapper than a P. It's a usable sound. I don't much care for the J soloed though

 

[mb94952]

 

[Standalone]

who cares.. play what ya want.

Agree [quits Talkbass forever and stops talking gear]

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I am a Jazz player pretty much but this bass scratches an itch for me . Sounds way different than my other basses and when gigging it I can always hear it very well . Most of the time I use just the P pickup but blend a little bit of the J pickup for bite . It has an Audere 2 band pre so it's simple to control .

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I had one and I miss it! I should have removed that Big Single and put in a Big Split at the bridge.

 

[Deleted member 365158]

 

[80jazz]

I like all of them. Mix 'n match, grab 'n go!

PJ, MudP, J-P, J5-PMMan... whatever. They're all fun!

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Who made the 5 string on the right?

 

[pbass888]

My fretted bass (I dont play gigs with it often ) is a Fender Precision special . Converted it to a passive pj, and put a duncan sjb-2 in the bridge. My number one with frets. Love the growl of the overwound pickup and a bit of "pee" mixed in for taste.

My former teacher Jeff Andrews had a killer p and experimented with the j in different spots finally settling on the 60's position.

Mine below