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NBD(?) Fender PJ jazz

Flippy

Flippy

Jun 9, 2017
532
710
Europe
#1
20260411_110611.jpg


Last week an open-box listing for this Fender Hybrid II PJ Jazz Bass showed up while I was window-shopping online. I've been looking for a backup for my Aerodyne and this one ticked all the boxes. I wasn't able to test it so I ordered it, telling myself I would return it if something's not right.

Things didn't start off well, as there was no "this side up" sticker on the box and it arrived upside-down 😆 Luckily it appears brand-new without any dings or scratches.
When I took it out of the gigbag, I noticed there's only one wrap on the tuning posts. The A string was laying almost flat at the nut, and the D and G strings were pulled by the string tree like a bowstring. I was about to tune but decided to pull the wraps down first, lest the string tree come off flying. Sadly I didn't take a photo, it was concerning in an entertaining way 😔

But the next thing takes the cake I think. The EA side of the split-coil pickup was aligned in an opposite way - the A string side being lower than E string side - or so I thought, because the pole pieces on the A side portrude a solid ~3mm from the pickup cover! I've no idea what's going on. I tried pushing them down but they just stick out.

This got me really worried because if this passed QC, what else could've slipped through? I started inspecting it thoroughly, but didn't find other issues. Neck seems straight, frets are level, etc. The end of the fingerboard hovers a bit above the body but I can't tell if it's ok or not. I need to play it a bit more (and hook it up to an amp) but I think it's a solid instrument overall. The neck feels a bit chunkier to play than the Aerodyne but it might just be a matter of the strings or fingerboard radius.

--

While I'm upset about the QC, especially for a Made in Japan bass, I can't tell if that's a reason to return an otherwise good, unique bass.
How would you handle this situation? Anything else I should inspect? Should keep I trying to fix the pole pieces?

--

20260411_104259.jpg 20260411_104939.jpg 20260411_105030.jpg 20260411_110200.jpg 20260411_125001.jpg
 
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#2
For me. Based on previous experience of buying online without playing it. If you’re not happy not happy with it now. You’ll never be happy with it.
Even if the issues are rectified, it will still sit in the back of your mind every time you play it. Those pickup poles would bug me as I know I’d constantly catch my fingers on them.

Have you looked at pictures of other Hybrid II’s to see if they also have the same problems?
 
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#4
It wasn't clear whether you like the neck size/shape. Am I understanding these are limited availability? ...and the possibility that returning this one may not result in a replacement of the same thing? Consider whether that matters to you.

The raised P pickup A-string poles is a curious thing... I hadn't heard of that as a feature. But if so, I wouldn't be surprised if "hybrid" design were to intentionally bring that in. The website says staggered poles for the J pickup, but nothing like that about the P. For the bass overall, seems like details that this model covers *could* lead to it being normal. I'd look for mention of it in reviews of this model. You could also inquire to Fender as a warranty question to verify--I would not try to "fix" it prior to contacting Fender.

New strings, no big deal, put your favorites on.

Some cool features, 21st fret and am curious about the tone block under the bridge. Side question: I wonder if that overhang means someone can now obtain one these replacement necks and put it on a standard 20-fret model and make it a 21-fret.

Hope it works out and you get to enjoy it with confidence.
 
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#6
Raised pole ends are no big deal, just be careful not to hit them with your fingers or pick. The fretboard overhang is also normal, I have one on my Sadowsky ME Hybrid. The crappy wrap job is par for the course, someone just was in a hurry and cut too short and put the strings on in a hurry. When you change just do a better job yourself. 3 wraps should be the norm, with the string ending up near the bottom of the post.

It's a nice bass. Enjoy it!
 
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#8
To me the raised Pole pieces seem Drastic compared to the ones I saw IRL (ie DiMarzio Jazz PUs), or from pictures online. BUT, with a quick google search i found 2-3 photos of pickups that look exactly like this on other basses. It's wild to me the the staggering is that intense but it seems to be normal?
 
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#10
A red Jazz Bass with a P pickup and extra fret? Seems like a winner to me. One of my P basses has a pickup with raised polls at the A string. A “not uncommon” option, but in my opinion, a solution in search of a problem. String it with your preferred strings, set it up to your liking, including appropriate pickup height, and it might just be a keeper.
 
#11
Thanks for the reassuring responses everyone 🥰 Knowing that the portruding A string poles were intended puts this bass in a whole new perspective. I wasn't aware this used to be a thing in the 50s. Although I would replace the pickups one day because I'm hitting the magnets a bit.

W_R said:
Am I understanding these are limited availability? ...and the possibility that returning this one may not result in a replacement of the same thing?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's a limited edition and they're sold out pretty much everywhere. PJ Jazz basses, passive, are super rare so I really wanted this one to work out 😅

packhowitzer said:
Sorry to hear about the issues with the bass, but that Modena Red finish looks incredible in the pics. It's gorgeous! It may be my favorite red I've ever seen on an electric instrument.
Click to expand...

Yeah it's really intense/bright red. I would've preferred the olympic or sunburst if I had a choice, but this is great too. I will look into getting a black pickguard to replace the current one.

--

I spent some more time playing it and wow, this bass sounds (and feels!!) very different through the pickups than it does unplugged. Definitely well balanced with a slight scoop. The pickups are ~5dB quieter than Dimarzio 126 I have in the Aerodyne. Also there's surprisingly little noise coming from the single coil pickup.

After I played a few songs, I now kidna think it's more comfortable than the Aerodyne 🤔 Maybe because the P pickup is higher up, making it easier to rest the thumb on? Although the stock Fender strings still feel like sandpaper.

Also it weighs 4.1kg, that's 0.5kg more than the Aerodyne but still not bad, especially considering it has the "tone block". I've no idea what it does and I wasn't aware it has one until now, but I did notice the open E string has some pleasant depth/definition. But maybe that's because strings are still fresh? I did not find any dead spots.
 
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#12
Flippy said:
View attachment 7471972

Last week an open-box listing for this Fender Hybrid II PJ Jazz Bass showed up while I was window-shopping online. I've been looking for a backup for my Aerodyne and this one ticked all the boxes. I wasn't able to test it so I ordered it, telling myself I would return it if something's not right.

Things didn't start off well, as there was no "this side up" sticker on the box and it arrived upside-down 😆 Luckily it appears brand-new without any dings or scratches.
When I took it out of the gigbag, I noticed there's only one wrap on the tuning posts. The A string was laying almost flat at the nut, and the D and G strings were pulled by the string tree like a bowstring. I was about to tune but decided to pull the wraps down first, lest the string tree come off flying. Sadly I didn't take a photo, it was concerning in an entertaining way 😔

But the next thing takes the cake I think. The EA side of the split-coil pickup was aligned in an opposite way - the A string side being lower than E string side - or so I thought, because the pole pieces on the A side portrude a solid ~3mm from the pickup cover! I've no idea what's going on. I tried pushing them down but they just stick out.

This got me really worried because if this passed QC, what else could've slipped through? I started inspecting it thoroughly, but didn't find other issues. Neck seems straight, frets are level, etc. The end of the fingerboard hovers a bit above the body but I can't tell if it's ok or not. I need to play it a bit more (and hook it up to an amp) but I think it's a solid instrument overall. The neck feels a bit chunkier to play than the Aerodyne but it might just be a matter of the strings or fingerboard radius.

--

While I'm upset about the QC, especially for a Made in Japan bass, I can't tell if that's a reason to return an otherwise good, unique bass.
How would you handle this situation? Anything else I should inspect? Should keep I trying to fix the pole pieces?

--

View attachment 7471976 View attachment 7471975 View attachment 7471974 View attachment 7471973 View attachment 7471971
Click to expand...
According to this eBay ad, the reversed P pickup and the raised A pole pieces are how it's supposed to be ...

www.ebay.com

Fender 2024 Collection Made in Japan Hybrid II Jazz Bass PJ Forest Blue New | eBay

Bridge Pickup: Hybrid II Custom Voiced Single Coil Jazz Bass. Body Shape: Jazz Bass. Middle Pickup: Hybrid II Custom Voiced Single Coil P Bass. Color: Forest Blue. Series: Made in Japan Hybrid II. (Bridge Pickup), Master Tone.
www.ebay.com
 
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
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#13
This is a pic of my Sadowsky hybrid's p'ups, and you can see the A is raised on mine too, but it's on the J p'up. The poles are sharp too. You don't want to dig in on those.
 

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#16
Flippy said:
View attachment 7471972

Last week an open-box listing for this Fender Hybrid II PJ Jazz Bass showed up while I was window-shopping online. I've been looking for a backup for my Aerodyne and this one ticked all the boxes. I wasn't able to test it so I ordered it, telling myself I would return it if something's not right.

Things didn't start off well, as there was no "this side up" sticker on the box and it arrived upside-down 😆 Luckily it appears brand-new without any dings or scratches.
When I took it out of the gigbag, I noticed there's only one wrap on the tuning posts. The A string was laying almost flat at the nut, and the D and G strings were pulled by the string tree like a bowstring. I was about to tune but decided to pull the wraps down first, lest the string tree come off flying. Sadly I didn't take a photo, it was concerning in an entertaining way 😔

But the next thing takes the cake I think. The EA side of the split-coil pickup was aligned in an opposite way - the A string side being lower than E string side - or so I thought, because the pole pieces on the A side portrude a solid ~3mm from the pickup cover! I've no idea what's going on. I tried pushing them down but they just stick out.

This got me really worried because if this passed QC, what else could've slipped through? I started inspecting it thoroughly, but didn't find other issues. Neck seems straight, frets are level, etc. The end of the fingerboard hovers a bit above the body but I can't tell if it's ok or not. I need to play it a bit more (and hook it up to an amp) but I think it's a solid instrument overall. The neck feels a bit chunkier to play than the Aerodyne but it might just be a matter of the strings or fingerboard radius.

--

While I'm upset about the QC, especially for a Made in Japan bass, I can't tell if that's a reason to return an otherwise good, unique bass.
How would you handle this situation? Anything else I should inspect? Should keep I trying to fix the pole pieces?

--

View attachment 7471976 View attachment 7471975 View attachment 7471974 View attachment 7471973 View attachment 7471971
Click to expand...
No worry , dude ,that raise A magnet poles piece are standard on Hybrid II series .
 
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