P bass vs PJ bass

[Alexander]

View attachment 3848105

Can I ask what these pickups are and how you like them? I am doing a custom build and was thinking about doing a PJ5 with a Big Single in the bridge and maybe an NP5V for the neck pickup.

 

[Alexander]

Also - for all you PJ folks (and sorry if this is a dumb question). With both pickups blended, does the single coil hum go away like a traditional JJ design? Does the hum start to go away if you slightly favor the P? Trying to decide on a single coil or hum canceling pickup for the bridge.

 

[gigetto]

It depends from bass to bass In economic PJ no, in good made there is an hum cancelling.

 

[Alexander]

I have a single coil (not hum canceling) pickup that I picked out. I am just wondering what hum issues I will have to deal with.

 

[FRoss6788]

I'd recommend going with EMG Geezers. VERY well matched set and comes with everything but knobs. I have them in my PJ and they blend perfectly through the entire range. Great set of pickups.
As Jimmy said, the DiMarzios are nice as well (the Geezers replaced them), I just felt the EMG'S blended a bit better.

 

[micguy]

Can I ask what these pickups are and how you like them? I am doing a custom build and was thinking about doing a PJ5 with a Big Single in the bridge and maybe an NP5V for the neck pickup.

It’s a Dimarzio model P in the neck, and a Nordstrand Big Split in the bridge position. The pickups work great (I’ve had a Dimarzio model P in at least one of my basses for the last 40 years), but the circuit in that bass is at least as responsible for how it sounds as the pickups are.

 

[micguy]

Also - for all you PJ folks (and sorry if this is a dumb question). With both pickups blended, does the single coil hum go away like a traditional JJ design? Does the hum start to go away if you slightly favor the P? Trying to decide on a single coil or hum canceling pickup for the bridge.

If you have a single coil in the bridge, no - it will hum whenever the J pickup is in the mix. If you put a split coil J in there (they've had those since the 1970's), then the thing will be hum free no matter where you put the controls.

 

[Alexander]

If you have a single coil in the bridge, no - it will hum whenever the J pickup is in the mix. If you put a split coil J in there (they've had those since the 1970's), then the thing will be hum free no matter where you put the controls.

Ok - thanks. I’ll look at split coils and the like.

 

[SteveCS]

Ok - thanks. I’ll look at split coils and the like.

Two full-width coils might be preferrable to a split, IME.

 

[Alexander]

Two full-width coils might be preferrable to a split, IME.

Why’s that? I don’t know much about these types of pickups. Thanks

 

[SteveCS]

Why’s that? I don’t know much about these types of pickups. Thanks

Because a split EA and DG will sound closer to a P than two full-width coils. Neither will sound like a true single coil, but two full-widths will be closer.

 

[puff father]

What pjs would you consider amazing? Looking to pick one up.

I just found (and bought) a Wilkins WRTPJ with the J pickup moved closer to the P pickup. Just over 5/8" from the front of the J to the back of the D and G pickup. I think it sounds fabulous even soloing the J. It sounds like a J but thicker, for lack of a better term. Blended it slices through the mix. Solo P pickup nails the P bass imo. Sounds great to my ears.
And fwiw, Pat Wilkins' build quality and the whole feel of the bass is exceptional imo. I was wanting a good passive P bass when I came across this and I'm very glad I pulled the trigger. 1.75" at the nut like a vintage P as well. That width is taking some getting used to as I've been playing a Jazz bass for so many years, but its very comfortable and worth the effort.

 

[Gene Lewis]

I love my BB734A

 

[Rjb1101]

View attachment 3848145 I like a Passive P/J with a P pickup and a dual coil J. This configuration sounds better balanced to me.
With the traditional P/J configuration I always thought the P pickups overpowered the single coil J pickup.

This is sweet. I was planning on going down to lull’s shop tomorrow to see if they could do the dual coil j. Is there any reason you didn’t get a 3-way coil tap?

 

[57pbass]

This is sweet. I was planning on going down to lull’s shop tomorrow to see if they could do the dual coil j. Is there any reason you didn’t get a 3-way coil tap?

Thank you. It’s a really great instrument and I love the color. I think it’s called Candy Apple Blue .. but not certain.
I actually purchased the bass as is New from a shop in Seattle and it wasn’t a custom build.

 

[Rjb1101]

Thank you. It’s a really great instrument and I love the color. I think it’s called Candy Apple Blue .. but not certain.
I actually purchased the bass as is New from a shop in Seattle and it wasn’t a custom build.

My hopes are high to get it with a coil tap now.

 

[Gene Lewis]

 

[Gene Lewis]

Although not a true PJ, I love my Caprice. The bridge pickup is a humbucker, adding some focus to the tone but not the Jaco sound associated with bridge pickups.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I vote PJ. I also have a Jazz V and a P4. They're sitting in the cases back there.

I use split coil "singles" at the bridge with a 3 way switch and separate volumes. I'm on "P only" 90% of the time and "J only" for a song or two in a night. I don't blend them that often, but I do find the blend really useful on the 5 string.

 

[basseux]

I'd recommend going with EMG Geezers. VERY well matched set and comes with everything but knobs. I have them in my PJ and they blend perfectly through the entire range. Great set of pickups.
As Jimmy said, the DiMarzios are nice as well (the Geezers replaced them), I just felt the EMG'S blended a bit better.

I have put the EMG Geezers in a poopy old Vantage 330B fretless that was already in PJ configuration.
It's almost a crime, but now it sounds worth something.

But that's not a fretted Fender so I can't really compare with anything.
Maybe with the Tony Franklin fretless hahaha.