Funny, I played it in the store on a SVT head sitting on an 810 and both pickups sounded clear and good. I liked the P more than the J. I didn't think the J was weak, but everyone else seems to agree. I must tried one of the good ones
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
New PJ Mustang at Summer NAMM
- Thread starter GhettoBrassGuy
- Start date
Funny, I played it in the store on a SVT head sitting on an 810 and both pickups sounded clear and good. I liked the P more than the J. I didn't think the J was weak, but everyone else seems to agree. I must tried one of the good ones
I have a broken in set of Chromes on mine that came off a Hofner Icon I had for a bit. They are very different animals. You can certainly get a similar old school sound with both but the resonance of a Hofner and the resonance of a solid body are quite different.
I don't have my Icon anymore but I have a Hofner Verythin wearing Labellas and they have some similarities but the split P doesn't sound anything like staple pups in the neck and bridge position imo.
Last edited:
Spent a lot of time with it Sunday and I've warmed up to it. Been trying to avoid a post that makes me eat my earlier words but I love it now. Its still not very comfortable to sit and play but its much more comfortable standing. I think I was also trying to justify replacing a perfectly good, and cheaper PJ with a new purchase that is essentially the same only in a shorter scale.
When of the local stores just called to let me know that they just got one in. Going to try get there after work and before rehearsal tonight. Hopefully this one wasn't messed up during shipping.
Well - I take it back. My local GC got a Mustang P/J in yesterday. First Mustang of any kind I've ever seen there.
I bought it today (pics later).
I didn't really want to like it. I already have too many basses. But I picked this one up and couldn't put it down.
The switch feels a little flimsy, but functional. Someone had already hacked up one of the pickup screws.
There was one very tiny little ding on the front too. You can't really see it unless it's in the right light, and I didn't
see it until the deal was done. I can live with it though. It's painted, and if I didn't show it someone, they
probably wouldn't see it.
I got 10% off, but I don't know if it's for a current promotion, or for some other reason.
When using just the P, with the tone rolled off, it's a little quieter than I'd like. All the other settings sound just right.
I had to set it up to my liking, and am still playing with it a bit.
I wasn't really planning on getting it, but once I had it in my hands, I knew I was a goner - LOL
Before I tried it, I was thinking it should have had a blend knob instead of a switch for the pickups. But the switch is fine.
The middle position, with both pickups sounds much fuller than I was expecting.
Happy with it so far.
I bought it today (pics later).
I didn't really want to like it. I already have too many basses. But I picked this one up and couldn't put it down.
The switch feels a little flimsy, but functional. Someone had already hacked up one of the pickup screws.
There was one very tiny little ding on the front too. You can't really see it unless it's in the right light, and I didn't
see it until the deal was done. I can live with it though. It's painted, and if I didn't show it someone, they
probably wouldn't see it.
I got 10% off, but I don't know if it's for a current promotion, or for some other reason.
When using just the P, with the tone rolled off, it's a little quieter than I'd like. All the other settings sound just right.
I had to set it up to my liking, and am still playing with it a bit.
I wasn't really planning on getting it, but once I had it in my hands, I knew I was a goner - LOL
Before I tried it, I was thinking it should have had a blend knob instead of a switch for the pickups. But the switch is fine.
The middle position, with both pickups sounds much fuller than I was expecting.
Happy with it so far.
Last edited:
I got chance to play around with this one for a bit today. Sounded good, even the J p/u. Weird thing though...when you roll off the tone knob it also rolled off a bunch of the volume. Not sure if its a wiring thing or what. Sounded good though and the P and J combined had a really nice and full sound.
Edit: OK - I think you're right. I notice a volume difference with the tone rolled off, but on mine, it's only when using the P pickup alone.
With the switch in the middle position (both pickups), or using the bridge pickup only, it's not noticeable.
Anyways - mine is 8lb., 4oz. BTW. And it's the blue. It looks like a very light blue and not white in person.
But I don't think the pick guard color goes well with it. I'll probably change that in the future.
Intonation was pretty far off. Not sure if it came that way from the factory, or if someone was messing with it.
But it's sorted now. String height is to my liking now too.
With the switch in the middle position (both pickups), or using the bridge pickup only, it's not noticeable.
Anyways - mine is 8lb., 4oz. BTW. And it's the blue. It looks like a very light blue and not white in person.
But I don't think the pick guard color goes well with it. I'll probably change that in the future.
Intonation was pretty far off. Not sure if it came that way from the factory, or if someone was messing with it.
But it's sorted now. String height is to my liking now too.
Last edited:
I've got two SS Jag's. One stock and one modified. Honestly, they're very similar.
The new Mustang has a deeper, fuller tone, the tone control is more effective,
its got clear coat on the headstock, different color options, different body shape,
different control type and layout, and of course - the Fender logo.
But to your question - if you want the Mustang P/J, but can only afford the Jaguar, don't sweat it.
You won't be missing a whole lot, and nothing that can't be taken care of in the future.
The finish, fit and overall outward quality is near as good on the lower price unit.
I can't speak to the electronics, other than the sound, as I don't know much about them.
With the Jag, you get two volume controls and a tone control. With the P/J Mustang,
you get a 3 way switch with a volume and tone control.
So, how you work with it is different.
Playing them back to back, the Mustang sounds better to me at all settings,
but sound is subjective and someone else might hear it differently.
I've recorded them both at home with similar settings - P/both/J, with tone full on and full off,
and while the P pup is pretty close when used alone,
anytime the J is brought in on the Jag, it sounds a bit nasally in comparison.
Also, you can't do something with the Mustang like have the P full on,
and the J at 80%, like you can do with the Jag, for example.
With the switch setup, it's all or nothing.
Thinking about it that way before trying it, I wasn't sure if I'd like it.
But it sounds very good in all positions and settings.
One other thing to consider is the body shape. Besides the obvious different look,
the Jag has a body contour, and the Mustang is slab cut.
That makes a difference for some people, but I'm fine with both.
Hope that helps you out.
Last edited:
If you're comparing it to the Squier Short Scale Jaguar bass, I have to disagree. The Jaguar isn't even in the same league as the Mustang. The Mustang is far and away a much better quality instrument in almost every way out of the box. I've owned a Jag SS. My opinion is that they're a terrible quality bass, though they look decently from afar.
What exactly was so terrible about your Jag SS? Sorry to hear you must have gotten a bad one.
Both of mine are fine. A lot of people don't like the J pup, but some people probably won't like
the pups on the Mustang either.
Of course, if it's not a financial stretch for someone to get the Mustang, I'd say that's the way to go.
But if someone settles for a Jag SS, I certainly wouldn't call it terrible.
Last edited:
Yes, that's very helpful, thank you. I have a Jag SS with EMG Geezers, and I really like it. It sounds great, plays easy, and I dig the neck and the contoured body. I hate dealing with a V/V/T setup live, though, so I'm attracted to the vol/tone/toggle of the new Mustang. I'm trying to decide if it's worth taking the leap, I'm still up in the air but everybody's impressions are helpful. Thanks again!
I think a Torino Red might be in my future but I will probably cut a tortoise pickguard for it. I think that'll look much better than the standard.
Ok, I've been spending some time with mine. I stand by my comment related to the quality and fit and finish being CIJ'esq. The fret ends are fine, the nut was cut decently, the paint is well done, the fit of most all of the parts is tight and appropriate (one thing is noted below).
It is definitely a step above any other Mexican offering I've seen. Really, I've pretty much abhorred Fender's Mexican offerings down the years. They often seemed like lifeless parts just thrown together. This one seems like the tolerances are tighter making it more of a musical instrument instead of just an instrument (if you get what I mean).
Now to the neck: This is the single best short-scale neck I've ever played. The satin finish on the back is a nice touch and the fret spacing is perfect for my small hands. One of the things I like to test a neck with is to see if I can play the Locrian mode scale on the second fret without having to shift my hands, and I can. This opens up a world of melodies near the nut that were not available to me otherwise on other basses. Sadly, my 29" scale JB62SS did not afford this for some reason despite it being 1 inch shorter than this Mustang. Perhaps they shortened the scale, but left the fret spacing the same as a 34" scale? I don't know.
Anyhow, I'm especially pleased, but have only been plunking on it unplugged. I will report back my findings on how it sounds later.
One odd thing that decries the rest of the fit and finish: The mounting screws for the P pickup have heads that are just a bit too big for the pickguard it seems. The heads seem to just slightly overlap the pickguard which makes me wonder if it was screwed down after the pickguard was put on, or the pickguard was squeezed down over the pickup after it was screwed. If I feel I need to adjust the the pickup I will look more into this. If it sounds fine, I am going to just leave it be.
It is definitely a step above any other Mexican offering I've seen. Really, I've pretty much abhorred Fender's Mexican offerings down the years. They often seemed like lifeless parts just thrown together. This one seems like the tolerances are tighter making it more of a musical instrument instead of just an instrument (if you get what I mean).
Now to the neck: This is the single best short-scale neck I've ever played. The satin finish on the back is a nice touch and the fret spacing is perfect for my small hands. One of the things I like to test a neck with is to see if I can play the Locrian mode scale on the second fret without having to shift my hands, and I can. This opens up a world of melodies near the nut that were not available to me otherwise on other basses. Sadly, my 29" scale JB62SS did not afford this for some reason despite it being 1 inch shorter than this Mustang. Perhaps they shortened the scale, but left the fret spacing the same as a 34" scale? I don't know.
Anyhow, I'm especially pleased, but have only been plunking on it unplugged. I will report back my findings on how it sounds later.
One odd thing that decries the rest of the fit and finish: The mounting screws for the P pickup have heads that are just a bit too big for the pickguard it seems. The heads seem to just slightly overlap the pickguard which makes me wonder if it was screwed down after the pickguard was put on, or the pickguard was squeezed down over the pickup after it was screwed. If I feel I need to adjust the the pickup I will look more into this. If it sounds fine, I am going to just leave it be.
I would consider a tortie for my pale blue Mustang. I bet it would actually bring out the blue more.
I agree about the neck. It's just a joy to play. Feels about the best I've tried to me.
Here are some thoughts on the pickups:
The bridge pickup did seem a bit underpowered compared the the neck pickup, so I adjust it up a bit and it's evened out now.
The pickups aren't quite as good as the MIJ JB62SS now that I've spent some time with them. That being said, they're not bad at all and I could be happy enough to keep them stock. I don't currently play in a band or gig, but I would feel comfortable doing so with these pickups.
I would not feel that way about the budget Squire pickup offerings (except for the Vintage Modern Jazz bass pickups, which I feel are a standout in budget fender pickup tone).
The bridge pickup does have some buzzing, so it may benefit from better shielding or perhaps it wasn't grounded properly. I haven't peeked inside at the wiring to find out yet.I get that it's a single coil and that's always a possibility, it's just this one seems a bit noisier than typical.
The P pickup sounds better than the J pickup, in my opinion. It's closer to a classic fender P tone than the J pickup is to a classic fender J tone to my ears.
Both pickups are serviceable and if you're not too picky you will like this bass stock. Would I possibly swap them out in the future? Maybe, but it's not like a lot of cheaper basses where I could not tolerate the crappy, flat, lifeless tones that I have had over the years (squiers, Rondos and the like).
The bridge pickup did seem a bit underpowered compared the the neck pickup, so I adjust it up a bit and it's evened out now.
The pickups aren't quite as good as the MIJ JB62SS now that I've spent some time with them. That being said, they're not bad at all and I could be happy enough to keep them stock. I don't currently play in a band or gig, but I would feel comfortable doing so with these pickups.
I would not feel that way about the budget Squire pickup offerings (except for the Vintage Modern Jazz bass pickups, which I feel are a standout in budget fender pickup tone).
The bridge pickup does have some buzzing, so it may benefit from better shielding or perhaps it wasn't grounded properly. I haven't peeked inside at the wiring to find out yet.I get that it's a single coil and that's always a possibility, it's just this one seems a bit noisier than typical.
The P pickup sounds better than the J pickup, in my opinion. It's closer to a classic fender P tone than the J pickup is to a classic fender J tone to my ears.
Both pickups are serviceable and if you're not too picky you will like this bass stock. Would I possibly swap them out in the future? Maybe, but it's not like a lot of cheaper basses where I could not tolerate the crappy, flat, lifeless tones that I have had over the years (squiers, Rondos and the like).
Last edited:
Let's be honest, the original Mustang pickup is terrible sounding. The P/J pickup option is one of the key features that makes this bass so attractive.
We don't agree on a lot of things, but I guess everyone's got different opinions.
I like the stock Mustang pickup sound a lot, especially with flats.
That sort of describes the sound too - a bit flat and thumpy.
I would describe the pickups on this new P/J Mustang as vibrant, with a lot of range.
I'm really liking this bass a lot, and I don't think it's just a honeymoon phase.
I don't have any noise from the J on this new bass, and it's gnarly and snarly
if you play right over it with the tone maxed.
The P goes from a bit muted and mellow with the tone down to nice and snappy with tone up.
I feel totally comfortable with this bass after just a couple days.
More-so even than with my MIJ Mustang that I've had for a couple years.
That one has a different fretboard radius though, and it took me a while to get comfortable with it.
I also had to knock down the stickiness on the back of the neck of that MIJ Mustang,
in order for my hand to slide smoothly on it.
I'm happy I took the plunge on getting this bass. Very pleased with it right from the start.
Last edited:
