i’ve been playing active basses predominately for 40 years (RD Artist to Peavey TL-5 to Alembic Rogue), but I have an urge for a passive bass. Leaning toward a P bass, but wondering about the benefit a PJ would offer (and I don’t really want to buy and return). Just playing in church now, can’t find the time or energy for playing like I used to. What say you, Talkbass? Is and added J worth my $200?
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P or PJ?
- Thread starter wideload
- Start date
Depends on the bass. When I went hunting for a P, I wanted just a P. Already have several basses in the PJ configuration, in assorted flavors. Wanted nothing but P on my P for this one.
I have never needed more than just the P pickup in my P basses, but I have at times wanted the J.
Really, the single pickup is a big part of the appeal for me. One pickup and two knobs: that's all you get. You can't get all "fiddly" with the controls on a P bass; you just get to plug it in and play it.
Really, the single pickup is a big part of the appeal for me. One pickup and two knobs: that's all you get. You can't get all "fiddly" with the controls on a P bass; you just get to plug it in and play it.
I wanted to say that but was afraid I'd get a smack down from someone.
I mean the J gives you a whole new dimension to play with, while retaining the simplicity of passive electronics. My main bass is a passive PJ. I default to diming my P, setting my J around 2/3, and the tone rolled off about half-way. BUT cutting the P, maxxing the J, and rolling off more tone sounds like a COMPLETELY different (but still deliciously old-school) instrument.
So I'd say it's worth it and lean PJ, but every instrument is different - and with passive the little differences get magnified. I've definitely played PJ's which feel LESS versatile than P's. And if you find the RIGHT P with a tone you just want to live in forever, I don't think anyone could reasonably hate on that...
... although around here, you can bet someone would try.
So I'd say it's worth it and lean PJ, but every instrument is different - and with passive the little differences get magnified. I've definitely played PJ's which feel LESS versatile than P's. And if you find the RIGHT P with a tone you just want to live in forever, I don't think anyone could reasonably hate on that...
... although around here, you can bet someone would try.
I'm not knocking anybody that prefers a PJ. Heck, my Spector, which is my main player for my rock band, is a PJ. All my P basses are single-pickup instruments, and if a P bass isn't the first bass I reach for, it is almost certainly the second.
PJ. Why not? You lose nothing but gain plenty. Some people will say it doesn't make for a true precision tone but that's a bunch of nonsense, in my humble opinion.
Wasn't wanting to knock anything, but want to say the simplicity factor of just a P. That's what I wanted when I bought one. I already have several PJs wanted just a P on this one. One pickup, two controls keeping it simple.
PJ with a blend. People that want simplicity will still like this. Why? Instead of fiddling with two volumes you mess with the blend and leave the master on full. You can pan to either pickup with one knob. It may not be perfect but I like it alot.
My vote is for "P/J" more versatile...
PJ with a switch instead of a blend or vol/vol.
I refuse to take sides on such things. I have a P, I have a J. I have a PJ. All work great for certain things. Of course, none of them are wired like a Fender.
+1 on a blend.
... but instead of a J (which is almost always overpowered by the P), I recommend going with a heavier pickup that can stand compete with the P or stand on its own... something like a Nordstrand Big Single or Big Split.
P/Music Man is a nice combo as well.
... but instead of a J (which is almost always overpowered by the P), I recommend going with a heavier pickup that can stand compete with the P or stand on its own... something like a Nordstrand Big Single or Big Split.
P/Music Man is a nice combo as well.
since I have a J, if I was getting a P, I would just want a P, not a PJ.....but that is me....
I have both. That said there is something special about a traditional P bass. I reach for one 99 percent of the time.
PJ sounds good soloed, but a P really dominates the mix. Can’t go wrong either way, but the best thing about a P is the simplicity IMO.
PJ sounds good soloed, but a P really dominates the mix. Can’t go wrong either way, but the best thing about a P is the simplicity IMO.
This is just my opinion, but anytime something try to be more than one thing, or combine features of two or more things into one, the end result in something that does a few things ok, but none of them exceptionally well. So for that reason I'd rather have one P and one J. But if I was on a budget and/or could only own one bass I'd go for a P/J.
Heya @wideload --> I recently bought my first passive bass too -- a G. Gould GGi4 PJ with Geezer EMGs in and I love it!
Yes, most of the time when I'm playing with my band I play with the P on full and the J low or off. That said, it definitely gives you some tonal options to have the 2nd pickup. Of course the Gould bass is not a classic P in any sense -- aside from the pickups. But it plays great and definitely delivers a (modern) P-tone. Play some P/Js and if one moves you, don't let the 2nd pickup slow you down.
Yes, most of the time when I'm playing with my band I play with the P on full and the J low or off. That said, it definitely gives you some tonal options to have the 2nd pickup. Of course the Gould bass is not a classic P in any sense -- aside from the pickups. But it plays great and definitely delivers a (modern) P-tone. Play some P/Js and if one moves you, don't let the 2nd pickup slow you down.
I have to agree here. While I personally own 2 Ps and 2 Js, I have a hankering for a PJ. I can't see any drawback and a lot of added flexibility. It might just enable me to take 1 bass to the gig instead of 2, and I like that.
P Bass all the way. In my experience with PJ'S the pickups never balanced out, the jazz pickup would overpower the neck pickup if both were pegged out, I would have to volume down on the P pickup to get its full capacity..
