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Mulling some PJ5 options ...

pickles

pickles

Gold Supporting Member
Mar 23, 2000
10,454
2,836
Ventura, CA
#1
I really need a PJ5, its just the right bass for my style and my gigs. I came very close to buying a Sadowsky NYC but balked at the price at the last minute. If a used one would ever come up I think my problem would be solved ... but that doesn't happen very often.

I recently bought a wonderful Lakland USA Joe Osborne 5 (alder/rosewood/burst), but for my gigs the P pickup really sits better than a J bass of any kind, so I'm thinking over what to do ...

1) Sell the JOBO and some other gear, suck it up and buy a Sadowsky NYC built to spec.

Pros: its the bass I want.
Cons: cost. serious cost.

2) Sell the JOBO and get Nino to build me a bass.

Pros: Nino's basses are pretty damn nice (I had #12 for a while).
Cons: The wait, and I might still find myself gassing for an NYC.

3) Do the IotaNet conversion and have a P pickup routed on the JOBO :eek: Convertable pickguard, the whole deal.

Pros: Might end up being a killer bass, plays like a dream.
Cons: Modding a >$2k bass is insane, might not turn out the way I like, would have to find a luthier to do it, total cost could approach a used NYC, 35" scale might throw it off of a true P vibe, and pickup placement calculation is tricky on the different scale.

There are lots of other options I don't like for various reasons (don't like the look or the polepiece arrangement on the Fender PDV, tried and disliked a lull ...), but I'll listen to any and all opinions.
 
#7
pickles said:
I recently bought a wonderful Lakland USA Joe Osborne 5 (alder/rosewood/burst), but for my gigs the P pickup really sits better than a J bass of any kind, so I'm thinking over what to do ...

3) Do the IotaNet conversion and have a P pickup routed on the JOBO :eek: Convertable pickguard, the whole deal.
Click to expand...
Personally, I would have the P installed on the Lakland. Lakland's are great basses and from your wonderful comment, you like it. :) Selling a ball that you like sucks, I know.
 
#8
I have a Nordy on order a JJ/PJ interchangable pickup at the neck two pickguards, blocks & bindings, matching headstock.
Standard is around mid 2K with my adds there is an up change but sill less expensive than a NYC Sadowsky PJ5.
 
#12
That's a tough call, and since I play neither boutique basses nor fives I don't have much input, especially since you don't like the Lull P5 which is about all I could think of. (And IMO it sounds freakin' amazing. They're light too.) So while you mull it over, maybe install a series/parallel switch on the Lakland to get that P-like bump in the lower mids. I know it's not pure split-coil tone, but maybe it would tide you over for awhile.
 
#13
I dont know if anyone stated this yet but I know that Sadowsky is coming out with a P5 Metro. I'm sure they're will also be a PJ5 as well. It'll save you some dough unless you want fancy woods and stuff. Personally I wouldnt mod the jobo, sell it if you're unhappy with it.
 
#14
Nedmundo said:
That's a tough call, and since I play neither boutique basses nor fives I don't have much input, especially since you don't like the Lull P5 which is about all I could think of. (And IMO it sounds freakin' amazing. They're light too.) So while you mull it over, maybe install a series/parallel switch on the Lakland to get that P-like bump in the lower mids. I know it's not pure split-coil tone, but maybe it would tide you over for awhile.
Click to expand...

Thats another quality suggestion.
 
#16
pickles said:
Sounds sick ... when's the delivery date.

Only thing I'm not feeling on the nordy is the headstock.
Click to expand...

Late August to early September on the delivery.
BTW if you look at my avatar that is a Skjold jazz style body the "Lions Pride" line that one is going to be a fretless 5 it has his C4 pickup in the neck with four coils in it configured as a P pickup where you can at the flick of a switch reverse the P.
Checkout skjolddesign.com these to are afordable priced.
 
#17
pickles said:
Where do you think the pickup goes on 35" scale?

[snip]Measure...then multiply by 35/34?
Click to expand...

That's what I always came up with when I gave pup placement on 35" scale idle thought. Having just given it a bit more thought for other variables, though, it's worth noting that given that the difference in sound in pickup placement is caused by measuring different points of vibration on the string (it may be vibrating more or less or in a different way at different points), and the gauge of string is not changing (presumably) along with the scale length, the same spot at a given proportionate point on a 35" scale with the same gauge strings may not sound exactly the same as the same proportionate spot on a 34" scale.

FWIW, I'd guess if there's any difference, it would be barely perceivable given that width of each of the strings is about or less than a tenth of an inch compared to about a 3% increase in scale length. I'm just trying to play devil's advocate and/or sound smart. :p :smug:

I don't know if anyone else can chime in on whether this is something to factor in. I'm guessing it's not, and that doing as you suggested would be fine.
 
#18
Fender American Deluxe Precision V

apd5_tort.jpg


Discontinued but generally available used for around a grand or slightly less.

AWESOME bass with a nice legion of fans on TB. Check out this thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310171&

EDIT: I just read where you said you don't like the look of this bass. Humpf -- don't sleep -- it's awesome.
 

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