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P/J pickup spacing, only Sadowsky measures up.

zac2944

zac2944

Dec 28, 2004
2,291
213
Rochester, NY
#1
I just sold my Smith bass and I'm now looking for a nice P/J. I've noticed something about pickup placement during my search. Why is it that only Sadowsky has the P and J pickups in their normal (MIA Fender) locations? The graphic below shows what I'm talking about.

pjbasses.gif


FWIW. Notice how Sadowsky has to use a modified pickguard to fit the P pickup.
 
#2
Are all these pictures in the same scale? The might look the same size, but chances are you are not comparing equally sized pics, hence the misaligments.

But regarless, I know that not every manufacturer/model strictly sticks to exact "normal" P/J locations, giving a slight different sound.

I think there are no "standard" or "normal" P/J location measurements, as you can see by Fender's own models.
 
#4
lefty007 said:
Are all these pictures in the same scale? The might look the same size, but chances are you are not comparing equally sized pics, hence the misaligments.

But regarless, I know that not every manufacturer/model strictly sticks to exact "normal" P/J locations, giving a slight different sound.

I think there are no "standard" or "normal" P/J location measurements, as you can see by Fender's own models.
Click to expand...

I figured these questions would come up.

All the basses are 34" scale 4 stringers. I adjusted the size of the graphics so that the leading edge of the nut and 12th fret lined up. This should allow for pretty good accuracy. I didn't just use the native graphic size. C'mon now, I'm not that stupid.

I know there is no "normal" location. That's why I put "MIA Fender" in parenthesis. My point is not to discuss what is normal, but rather point out that the Sadowsky's P and J locations line up with where the P is on a Fender P and the J(bridge) is on a Fender J. I can't seem to find another PJ like this and thought that it was interesting.
 
#5
For some reason, most manufacturers seem to prefer the 70s placement for the J pickup for P/J configurations which is closer to the bridge than the original (60s) and current pickup placement. Sadowsky seems to be one of the few manufacturers that don't.

My guess is that it's done to add even more "bite" to the P/J pickup configuration as the 70s placement sounds slightly more trebly.
 
#7
phxlbrmpf said:
For some reason, most manufacturers seem to prefer the 70s placement for the J pickup for P/J configurations which is closer to the bridge than the original (60s) and current pickup placement. Sadowsky seems to be one of the few manufacturers that don't.

My guess is that it's done to add even more "bite" to the P/J pickup configuration as the 70s placement sounds slightly more trebly.
Click to expand...

Good point.

Notice how on the Fender RH which has a jazz body the P pup is closer to the neck and the j pup seems to be in the correct 60's location, and on the Lull, Fender Special, and Fender Dlx the P pup is in the correct location and the J pup is closer to the bridge like a 70's J. I know that the DLX doesn't have a true J, but it is still centered closer to the bridge.
 
#10
Point taken about the picture's scale. . . And I see you tried to make them as accurate as possible.

About the subject, I recently had a Fodera Monarch, and I'm pretty sure it had "normal" P/J locations, with the bridge pickup in Jazz '60's position - which coincidentally, is one of the reason I passed it on. I don't really care for the sound of P/J pickups balanced at 50/50 (or both pickups full on). I love the sound of pickup each one separately, but together, I kept missing the more familiar Jazz bass sound with both pickups full on.
 
#11
In Bass Player's review of the Mike Lull P4, which is available on Lull's site (www.mikelull.com), Roger Gee explains why the J pickup is closer to the bridge:

The P4's J pickup soloed had the familiar throaty punch of a Jazz, but it sounded a touch more nasal due to its placement - a bit closer to the bridge than our '64. (Roger Gee of Mike Lull's Guitar Works comments: "if the J pickup is placed in the traditional '64 Jazz Bass spot, it is too close to the P pickup and the two pickups interact in a way that sounds not very pleasing to the ear. We have taken this into consideration by having Lindy wind the J pickup to compensate for its placement close to the bridge.") [Close quote.]

I find this interesting, and since I read it I've been paying attention to J pickup placement on P/J basses. I played two last week, Fender's Aerodyne Classic P and Peavey's Zodiac, and found that, with the P pickups on full, the J pickups didn't noticeably alter the tone unless they were turned up all the way. I wonder whether Lull's placement provides a wider range of tones. But I'm sure of one thing -- I have plenty of GAS for a Lull P4!
Click to expand...
 

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