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P/J Basses

Yamarc

Yamarc

Supporting Member
Jun 25, 2002
1,827
1,013
48
Rome, GA
#1
I've been trying to do a search on Fender style P/J basses (Lakland, Sadowsky, etc), but the search engine won't let me. Looking for opinions on the P/J set-up as compared to the standard P or J/J setups.

To the eye, P/J seems like the perfect set-up...best of both pick up worlds. Just curious about your preferences & experience with Fender Style P/J basses...seem to always be a lot of P/J basses up for sale on the classifieds. Don't see many pro playing with this set-up either. Wonder why?

Also, does having a J at the bridge effect the pure sound of the P, even when it is turned off?

Thanks
 
#2
Er Victor Wooten, Dave Ellefson, Tony Franklin, Duff McKagan, Reggie Hamilton, Frank Bello?

Tonal effect depends on who you talk to and the wiring. If they have independant vols there shouldn't be any added impedance to alter the tone of either p/up when soloed, a 3 way switch also works for complete isolation.

Generally regarded as a good all round bass, it does P and J bridge tones but won't do mixed J of course. However the P+J is a tone of its own and very usable if your stand alone P isn't cutting as much as you'd like. Also look at P/MM basses where the MM is close to the bridge (Sandbergs for instance) I've got one of these and they sound great. Not so much an MM sound from that p/up as a J bridge p/up on steroids.
 
#3
nah the J pup doest change the sound unless you turn it up.

and i think probably the main reason people DON'T go for PJ is that Jazz pups just aren't the same when there's only 1 of em. At least for me, I would rather do P/MM or like i really want J/P/J.

mmmmmmmm:D
 
#6
The P/J is the perfect bass, IMHO. I love the classic Fender sounds, so a P/J is the fusion of the P Bass' fatness and the J Bass bridge pickup's attack. Add a blend control and you're really opening a plethora of sounds.

P/J's are all I play.
 
#7
There actually quite a few threads on them but I guess "PJ" is tough to search for. Lemme see if I can sum it all up for you.

Die Hard P fans: "IT WILL NEVER SOUND LIKE A REAL P!" *grumblegrumble*

Die Hard Jazz fans: "Yeah, they're cool but they won't sound exactly like a jazz."

Die Hard PJ fans: "These things freakin' rock!"

Everyone else: "So they're P basses... with an extra jazz pup, right?"

Me aka Universal truth: They're as good as any other bass. The pickup configuration doesn't determine how good a bass is relative to others, thats what quality is. And not all basses with similar pickup configurations are the same (look at all the Jazz style basses out there!). If you grab a Spector Euro LX, I guarantee it will sound very different from a Fender Tony Franklin Signature model or a Yamaha BB2020X. They have they're own sound but it widely varies from one bass to another.

Also, just because a ton of pro players don't use them (in comparison to those that use straight up P or J basses) doesn't mean that they're inferior it just means that people will play what they like and what their endorsements can get them, lol. But off the top of my head Tony Franklin, Doug Wimbish, Victor Wooten, Jo Sallins, and Will Cady use PJ basses but they're all different. Try one out and see if you like it.
 
#8
I have a 5 string Lakland 55-01 that I had modified to be P/J with a Nordtrand NP5 and a Big Split in the back wired to their own V/T stack pots. I have flats on it and it does a great job of pulling off both the vintage-y P sound and the farty kinda Bridge soloed J-sound. Enough for me anyway. And with the big split in the back, no hum when soloed.

I sold off some basses recently but could not part with the P/J!

Don't get hung up on others' opinions or pre-conceived prejudices. If it works for you, do it!
 
#9
Yamarc said:
To the eye, P/J seems like the perfect set-up...best of both pick up worlds. Just curious about your preferences & experience with Fender Style P/J basses...seem to always be a lot of P/J basses up for sale on the classifieds. Don't see many pro playing with this set-up either. Wonder why?


Thanks
Click to expand...

Ive too noticed the search limitations!

Victor Wooten uses his EMG PJ bass. Only other mention of one i can think of at this moment is Flea in the video of Suck My Kiss (not sure if it was recorded with it but the video was filmed as if they were recording)

I have a P-Lyte 2EQ and it feels a bit bass-less (small, light, basswood body) so i tend to push towards the P pup more. Also when you add the jazz pup in it adds hum. Its all about the electronics in PJ! Lots of tonal possibilities.
I know many prefer a passive PJ but the main issue is getting the pickups balanced and sounding even. More often than not the P pup is just overpowering for the J. Normally you can find pj sets were the J is hum cancelling and got either thicker core or extra coils.

Ive HAD to stop myself cutting the guts out of mine as i want to keep it stock. But if i were you Id go try and find either the Vint Mod jaguar or the squier pbass special and have a play. If you like what you hear and are willing too spend some money/time finding the right pups and electronics im sure youd get yourself a decent bass.

P.S Those squier jags are real nice for the money, with ducan design pups and the old jazz style concenteric pots its hard to say no :)
 
#11
Yamarc said:
Also, does having a J at the bridge effect the pure sound of the P, even when it is turned off?

Thanks
Click to expand...



As fas as I can tell..when (J) turned off...sounds like a P.

With the P off, and J "up"..sounds like a Soloed J(If u would ever want that sort of thing).

BUT..the Magic happens when you start with both up full throttle..then back off the "J" ...just a "scoatch"..(maybe less than a 1/4 turn.).

Don't know why, but its just louder at this point than both full on, or any other combo for that matter.(Its like Super P or something.)
If I use the J pickup at all..its in this mode...of both full on...
I really don't know why all P's dont come with a J pickup too.


JMO?
 
#13
Kwesi said:
There actually quite a few threads on them but I guess "PJ" is tough to search for. Lemme see if I can sum it all up for you.

Die Hard P fans: "IT WILL NEVER SOUND LIKE A REAL P!" *grumblegrumble*

Die Hard Jazz fans: "Yeah, they're cool but they won't sound exactly like a jazz."

Die Hard PJ fans: "These things freakin' rock!"

Everyone else: "So they're P basses... with an extra jazz pup, right?"

Me aka Universal truth: They're as good as any other bass. The pickup configuration doesn't determine how good a bass is relative to others, thats what quality is. And not all basses with similar pickup configurations are the same (look at all the Jazz style basses out there!). If you grab a Spector Euro LX, I guarantee it will sound very different from a Fender Tony Franklin Signature model or a Yamaha BB2020X. They have they're own sound but it widely varies from one bass to another.

Also, just because a ton of pro players don't use them (in comparison to those that use straight up P or J basses) doesn't mean that they're inferior it just means that people will play what they like and what their endorsements can get them, lol. But off the top of my head Tony Franklin, Doug Wimbish, Victor Wooten, Jo Sallins, and Will Cady use PJ basses but they're all different. Try one out and see if you like it.
Click to expand...

This 100%
 
#15
I have a hot rodded P and it gives, IMO, 2 really cool tones. the P/J is unique and very cool and the P is close enough. I suppose the J alone would be cool too if you're into that thing - but I'm not

The only drawback, at least on my passive instrument, is the noise drop between both. The P alone is MUCH louder - this makes it kinda useless for quick switches on a gig . . .not soo annoying in the studio

as for comparing the P I can't do a fair assessment as my plain P has Fralin's so it would sound different regardless ...
 
#17
pandathe3 said:
when you add the jazz pup in it adds hum. Its all about the electronics in PJ! Lots of tonal possibilities.

I know many prefer a passive PJ but the main issue is getting the pickups balanced and sounding even. More often than not the P pup is just overpowering for the J. Normally you can find pj sets were the J is hum cancelling and got either thicker core or extra coils.
Click to expand...

This.

I converted a Squier P-Bass to a P/J and needed to use a high-output J pup (DiMarzio Ultra) or it would get lost in the mighty P. Also part of my mod, was a 3-way "Tony Franklin" switch and plenty of copper shielding to keep hum at bay. I think it's a great, versatile configuration.
 
#18
I like the PJ set up a lot. I have a Sadowsky PJ5 that works great in a lot of settings.

With the P PU only and w/ active bypass, it does present a VERY respectable Old-school P bass tone. The PU pan is great with this one in that you get quite a bit of tonal diversity as you pan. Set dead center and active, the bass almost has a slightly modern flavor, but that's a good thing.

The J pickup is a Sadowsky hum cancelling, so there are no noise issues at all. This is a good because you have to favor the bridge pickup almost to the point of soloing it to get that "burp" jazz tone. Fortunately, the active preamp allows you to bump the bass so it doesn't sound thin.

All in all, I really like my PJ. I've had two Sadowsky PJs and I also had an Fender American Deluxe Precision V, which, in effect, is a PJ. I personally, prefer them greatly over a straight jazz, especially in a five string. They're very diverse tonally, yet easy to get a good sound from.
 
#19
I swear by the PJ setup. IMO it is the most versatile sounding combo and, for me, the best for live situations. I have JJ and J/Humbucker configurations too, but I always find myself reaching for my PJ's first.

Most of my basses have EMG's, but I just modded an old Crestline P style bass from a single lipstick to a PJ configuration using Nordstrand np4 & nj4se. Pickups The J is split and wound for a warm Jaco type sound. They sound great together as well as when soloed.

I think you need to check one out and make your decision based on your sonic needs. Ultimately it's the sound you like that matters.
 
#20
+2 Kwesi

Couldn't agree more....I've played every configuration just about and I mostly will use a PJ p-bass...just great tones for MY taste...Good luck.
 

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