• 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.

P or PJ Bass?

#21
This is an endless discussion for some strange reason . . . .

The short version:

A Precision/Jazz Bass hybrid works for some cats as . . . .

1) If you're a Jazz guy but wish you had a bit thicker sound . . . .

2) You're a Precision guy but wish you had a little better articulation . . . .

. . . . and then the whole discussion runs off the track in endless rounds of 'it never gets that PBass-only sound' or the flip side of that 'it never gets that JBass sound'.

Really.

Find one that's carefully built with a matched PJ set, or should you decide to retrofit this setup into a bass you already have, the smarter aftermarket pickup brands sell matched sets. It's easy for that split-humbucking Precision pickup to overwhelm a poorly-chosen (or installed) Jazz pickup. In the past, guys would just grab any Jazz pickup laying around, rout into the back of their Precision and sometimes it worked great . . . . and sometimes it didn't.

And swimming against the tide, I heartily recommend a blend knob instead of two volumes: They make me crazy.

Done well, it's one of my favorite pickup setups, useful for lots and lots of things. The short answer for one done right? Most any Yamaha BB.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: bkbirge, Matthijs, johnnynitro and 2 others
#23
PJ all the way. I have one from the Ultra range and it's amazing. Pickups are nicely balanced with the tail pu having all the honk you want while remaining very rich. I have the Jazz from the same range and, PJ aside, it's the best bass I've ever had but the PJ is all mojo and wins 1st prize. The tonal range is fabulous but always fender-like. It's close to £2000 but worth every penny with the sculpted neck, heel and body not to mention the active circuit. The MIM Deluxe is half the price but not half the bass. Glad I could afford the Ultra but the Deluxe would have been just fine.
4DA1EB68-CBFF-4E0F-BC0F-E4899DF4C4BB.jpeg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Pinkfuzz, icefly and FRoss6788
#24
Nothing like the sound of a P bass! But a PJ gives you that extra more. My Fender Boxer PJ sounds awesome with just the P pick on, but I dial the Jazz pickup for that extra punch. The only con is at least on my bass the J pickup doesn’t sound as good solo’d. Not like it does on a regular Jazz bass. But that’s why I also have a Jazz bass.

CCEAA966-E15A-4B18-A5AC-928725A42560.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: bkbirge, icefly and FRoss6788
#28
My impression is that when you play a J or a PJ, you're mostly using the neck pickup for the basslines, maybe blending in the bridge pickup for more tone and articulation, as needed or desirable. The bridge pickup is also aces for soloing or chordal stuff, so no downside to having that tool available. My philosophy with all bridge pickups is that I think it is cool to have them, even if I don't use them 90% of the time.
 
#30
Julius said:
I'm considering getting a new bass. I only have jazz basses in my collection, but I play various genres. Pop, rock, funk, soul, country, jazz.

And since I'm not owning a P bass at all I was wondering about a PJ bass to... What's the advantages and disadvantages of these type of basses in general or are they any major differences?

Is really a PJ bass right in the middle of a P bass and J Bass soundwise?
Click to expand...

I have a MIA N series PJ which is an awesome sounding bass. That said, solo-ing the P pickup will not sound the same as a PB, nor will solo-ing the J pickup give you the same sound as the bridge pickup of a JB. It will be close, but mine will not provide a dead on copy. Other that have PJ will also attest to that.

That said, my favorite setting on my PJ is both volumes open all the way and the tone all the way up. My amp is set to flat (bass treble and high mids) with a slight boost at around 165hz. I use round wound strings and when they are brand new I might roll of a little treble.

Disclaimer: This setting will not sound that great when you are playing by yourself, but with band, ensemble or recording, it works really well. I get a lot of complements on my tone from band mates, sound men and sound engineers.
 
#31
It really comes down to the implementation of the J pickup. On many J basses the bridge pickup on its own is thin and not terribly useful, except in blending with the neck pickup to varying degrees. If you’re going to have a PJ, it’s really important that the J soloed have value. In my experience Yamaha has done this best of the mass marketed instruments, perhaps because of their long term commitment to the platform. On most of the BB basses, with careful pickup height adjustment, P, J, and PJ are all fine voices.

Another point is that the B string on a 5-string P-bass typically doesn’t have firm pitch. Adding in a bit of J pickup really solidifies pitch. This isn’t a valid argument in a 4-string, but it really is in a 5er.

6492CB9C-6D9E-46FD-BC74-45BDAED2053F.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: HowieD72, StevieMac and Corto14
#32
Julius said:
I'm considering getting a new bass. I only have jazz basses in my collection, but I play various genres. Pop, rock, funk, soul, country, jazz.

And since I'm not owning a P bass at all I was wondering about a PJ bass to... What's the advantages and disadvantages of these type of basses in general or are they any major differences?

Is really a PJ bass right in the middle of a P bass and J Bass soundwise?
Click to expand...

Based on the range of genres you play, I'd personally say PJ, but that's me. It'll do the job in every way that you want it to.

If in the future you end up really wanting the "just a P" experience, you can buy one. But if that never happens, you won't have to worry about selling a bass that you no longer want.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KJMO
#35
I've been playing bass since the late 70's and my early, good quality basses were Aria Pro II's. They happened to have J-bass neck profiles, and although I didn't know it at the time, that has influenced my preference. I've played chunkier necks and liked them, but given the natural choice I go for that slim neck. Meanwhile I prefer the P-bass body. That is also influenced by the early basses I played. I have a sound I like to hear, but I also know what I hear is completely different than what an audience hears or what a sound person will color in the mix. So the moral of my story? Go someplace and choose some basses that are aesthetically pleasing to you. Then play the instruments. Close your eyes. Play them all through the same amp and try to sit as far as possible away from it. Which one(s) talk to you? Which feel right? That's your instrument. I have several and they all have their moods. There will be times where I play one for more than a year and the others collect dust. Then one hanging on the wall seems to attract my attention and its like we never took a break from one another. There is no "what is the best...". It is what is best for you? That sound, feel and look becomes a big part of who you are as a musician.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PlayTheBass and tangentmusic
#36
Maybe some of the Sire Guys can chime in hear. I’ve alway been confused about this and would love the clarification.

On say a Sire P7 or a Reggie Hamilton jazz bass. Is the P pickup in the same spot as a “regular” P bass. Are the poles on the pickup the same distance from center of poles to the nut? Or is the pickup in the same position as the J pickup that is being replaced? I want a P bass with an added J pickup, not a Jazz bass that just has the P pickup in its Jazz location.
 
#39
Julius said:
I'm considering getting a new bass. I only have jazz basses in my collection, but I play various genres. Pop, rock, funk, soul, country, jazz.

And since I'm not owning a P bass at all I was wondering about a PJ bass to... What's the advantages and disadvantages of these type of basses in general or are they any major differences?

Is really a PJ bass right in the middle of a P bass and J Bass soundwise?
Click to expand...
—————————————
YMMV, but this was my experience with owning a PJ…

(Specifically this one): [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Bass sounds great overall, but I found myself constantly soloing the P pickup bc I liked the sound better…

I almost never used the J even to slightly add some additional sounds in with the P pickup…

Finally realized one day that the extra knob and the J pickup just weren’t necessary for the sound I wanted out of my bass…

So I wound up with a full on Fender MIM P (which I absolutely LOVE)…

It sounds like it’s got enough anger to get me what I want out of a bass…

I don’t hate Jazz basses or anything, just didn’t seem to wanna bond with that sound as much as the P…

My PJ sounds pretty darn close to the P, but doesn’t have the same level of aggression and anger as the pure P in my opinion-I also have heavier gauge strings on my P…

I mostly play Metal, so I’m not genre hopping trying to find different bass sounds-If I were in a band that played multiple genres I can see how a PJ would be more useful…

Personally I also like the simplicity/no frills /more “Spartan” feel of a P- It’s just a pickup with two knobs and four strings on a slab of wood…

I probably would not have reached that conclusion without playing on the PJ for a few months, but ultimately (for whatever reason) I keep coming back to the P…

Best of luck whatever you decide…

Thanks! \m/
 
  • Like
Reactions: butterfingers1

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back