P/J in J or P body? Help!

[slopeshoulder]

Hi.

I'm going to have a P/J made, with a J neck, passive VVT, or maybe VVTT with side jack.

Is there any reason other than aesthetics to choose the P or the J body in this circumstance? Is there any weird physics thing going on that makes P pickups sound better in P bodies?
After all, many folks added J's to P's, but few until recently put P pickups in J's. Why not?

Should I just do what I like?

 

[Din Of Win]

Should I just do what I like?

Yes.

 

[spade2you]

Yes.

No.

 

[steamthief]

I personally feel a P balances better, but that's completely subjective. Do what works for you.

 

[BassyBill]

Yes.

No.

Probably.

 

[slopeshoulder]

OK, make fun a noob.

 

[jeff7k]

From a guy who works on the manufacturing side - nope. Go with the body shape you like best.

 

[Rockingbird]

I think J's balance better because they're offset. I'd go with that.

 

[brickerenator]

Yes.

No.

Probably.

Wat.

 

[Gus Borden]

Before you start building... Go check out a Fender Deluxe P Bass Special: Jazz neck, Precision body, P/J pickups.$650.00.

Great bass. I owned one for a while when I was more into Fenders. Most GC's have them in stock. Worth checking out.

 

[BassyBill]

OK, make fun a noob.

Sorry - not making fun in any nasty way, just gentle kidding.

Seriously, it's just down to the way you want it to look, with maybe just a little consideration for comfort (I'm easy with both shapes in this respect, personally). Try as many basses as you can play, it's the best way to learn what YOU prefer in a bass and that will teach you more than anything on this forum when making this sort of decision.

Don't get me wrong, there's some great tech info to be had here, but this particuar issue is just a matter of subjective preference, as you seemed to know already in your OP.

 

[Din Of Win]

A Fender Aerodyne is a good option too!

 

[slopeshoulder]

OK, thanks!
It's a J!

 

[Gus Borden]

The Deluxe P Special is right in line with what you want to build...

 

[Catbuster]

I think J's balance better because they're offset. I'd go with that.

I'd go with a J also, as they balance better with almost any neck because of the arse end, IMO.

 

[spaz21387]

I think it depends on how low your strap is.. A p bass will balance better at very low settings... think ken Casey of dropkick murphys. I play kind of in the middle I like the pickups to sit right at my belt line and the jazz bass sits more comfortably for me.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

There is no difference, in my opinion. If a P body feels better to play, use that. If not, use a J. I prefer the look of the PJ in the traditional P body shape, but that's me. There won't be any sound difference.

 

[line6man]

Choose whichever body style you like best.

Personally, I like J bodies better, and I think there aren't enough PJ J bodies out there.

 

[Cuthbert]

If you want the opinion of another noob I'd say a P-body with a J neck, like the old Jazz Special...

...as a matter of fact I just bought a MIJ Jazz Special...

 

[A440Hz]

The P pickup in the J pickguard looks a little less slick than the P in its usual home. IMHO. Sometimes, it seems like the P pickup is going to fall off the edge, it's so close.