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P or PJ? ... that IS the question

To P-J or not to P-J?

  • Total voters
    63
  • Poll closed .
ExaltBass

ExaltBass

XBass Cables
Supporting Member
Commercial User
Sep 28, 2006
9,171
30,879
Twin Cities, MN
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Disclosures
I make custom cables
#1
I have a Sunburst Road Worn P-Bass and I have Fralin pup for it already. Before I do the pup swap... Should I rout for the J?
(I would add a J bridge Fralin)

I have a P (was P-J) and (2) J's... kinda missing the P-J flavor. BUT, resale IS a factor.

  1. Leave as is?
  2. Do the Rout!
 
#5
I had a P-J, and reversed it recently. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=536675&highlight=
I'm glad I did in that instance, but there's something about a P-J :bassist: that is awesome too. BTW, I would do a 70's spacing like my other one was. I don't think a 'RW' is especially special or valuable... BUT, I don't want to totally destroy the resale value by doing this mod.
 
#6
After playling and owning a multitude of P's and PJ's I'd say leave it the way it is. I don't really think that the J pickup makes enough of a usable difference. I never used the J pickup on it's own (too thin sounding) and the tone of the P and J together was never as good as the P by itself.
 
#13
Dark Horse said:
It's YOUR bass - if you like the "PJ" sound better than the "P" sound, I say "go for it". Whatever makes you happy ! :)
Click to expand...

My P (as a P-J)... best sounding bass I ever had
IMG_2194.gif


After restoration to 'original'
DSC00256.gif


With the restoration I have an AWESOME P-Bass, but I miss the spice a P-J adds. I am leaning towards the rout, but as I am an unrepentant modder, I do need to consider resale - even though that shouldn't be the only consideration. I guess what I'm really asking is: If I do rout a Road Worn P-Bass, does it adversely affect resale value - even if I do it 'right' (Fralins and shielding, etc)
 
#16
nostatic said:
You want to play it or sell it? I can't see routing making more than a hundred here or there difference. It isn't a rare bass. Are you saving it for the next owner?

Power tools. You know you want to...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...
Nice Sunburst!!!

:D Just can't understand all the 60's spacing on the P-Js WTH!
 
#18
Yes add it. You have an advantage over most pj basses. In that the p pup is in the position of std single P pup basses. So when you solo or blend it its gonna give that little sound diff over conventional pj basses. So the real question is: Do you put the J pup in bridge or neck postion? Well, are you looking more for the versatility that blending middle postion with neck pup gives, or with bridge pup? O shoot, why not add a second J pup, then you'll have a P bass, a full J bass, and a PJ JP bass as well. Egads a stratocaster bass. LMAO.

Id prob just put it in slanted neck position (E string side closer to bridge and G string side closer to neck) with P pup with its EA string half in the closer to bridge position.
 
#20
I had a P that the previous owner had routed to add a J, using 70s spacing. The J pickup was almost unusable, it was so thin sounding by itself, and added nothing of value to the P sound whatsoever, so I didn't use it. I sold the bass and bought a regular P bass instead and haven't regretted it. You're not missing anything, seriously, by not having a J pickup. If you want one, just go get a J bass.
 

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