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P or PJ?
- Thread starter wideload
- Start date
The PJ obviously offers some versatility. However, there is a potential tradeoff in that you lose the "purity" (Lol) of a Precision bass. If you desire a Precision bass, a PJ isn’t quite the same thing. As others have said, the amazingly effective simplicity of a Precision bass is part of what makes it so attractive to many. If that is you, then it isn’t so much that adding a J pickup would be worth an extra $200, but that taking away the J pickup (and attendant knob or switch or whatever and the choices involved with having such) would be worth extra. It’s like ordering a pepperoni pizza and being told that adding pineapple is "only" $2 extra. Buddy, I’ll pay you two bucks to keep the pineapple off!
Of course, if the pure Precision experience isn’t something you particularly value and you want one passive bass to cover lots of sonic ground, a PJ would be a good way to go.
It’s an interesting question. A PJ in a Fender P body with a standard Precision neck is really pretty dang close to a P. A PJ in a different body with a Jazz or thinner neck is a different animal entirely. A PJ in a P body with a Jazz neck would probably be a nice all-rounder (I don’t have one myself, so that’s just my thought). I dunno; with my Jazz, I’m always messing with the settings. With my Precision or my Mustang RI bass (also one pickup), I just play. They sound good and that’s that. Next. But I could see how someone could want more versatility. Not me so much, but someone else, certainly. Tricky!
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It depends. It always depends! PJ is fine, but not on a P bass, because then it's not a P bass, which is a thing in itself. P basses are not "Swiss Army knife" basses. It's one sound you can do a lot with, rather than a toolbox of sounds for a variety of purposes. You wouldn't use a fine single malt scotch for cocktails.
Most of the basses I have owned has been P/J basses, including my current main.
Never owned a pure P bass and almost exclusively used my P/J basses with both pickups full on.
I figure you will not really loose anything by having the option of adding some flavor from the J pickup if you chose a P/J bass, on the other hand there will be no reason to have an additional J pickup if you are never going to use it anyway.
I'd recommend a P/J bass, cause it will allow you to dial in some tones a pure P bass wouldn't offer, but at the same time allow you to get the tone of a pure P bass if that is what you want, but really depend on what kind of tone you like, as I said, no reason for an additional J pickup if you are never going to use it.
Never owned a pure P bass and almost exclusively used my P/J basses with both pickups full on.
I figure you will not really loose anything by having the option of adding some flavor from the J pickup if you chose a P/J bass, on the other hand there will be no reason to have an additional J pickup if you are never going to use it anyway.
I'd recommend a P/J bass, cause it will allow you to dial in some tones a pure P bass wouldn't offer, but at the same time allow you to get the tone of a pure P bass if that is what you want, but really depend on what kind of tone you like, as I said, no reason for an additional J pickup if you are never going to use it.
I play mainly PJs but they all could really be just Ps, except the fretless really likes the J pickup. I suggest the standard P you can't go wrong. I always feel my PJs are a bit of a compromise, I have them because they were deals and played well. I would choose based on other things first, like the feel and quality of the neck. Also every bass P or PJ will have a bit of it's own character.
Jazz basses with P pickups! P basses with Jazz pickups! What is the world coming to?
IMO, put the extra $200 towards a better Precision.
IMO, put the extra $200 towards a better Precision.
At one time I thought (up until yesterday) that I could get all of the sounds that I wanted out of a PJ. Last night I ran into a sound that my Jazz couldn't duplicate well enough. The song? Come Together by the Beatles. Lord knows I don't want to have to buy a Hofner just to play one song.
I have 2 passive "P" basses... a Precision by Fender and a Precision/Jazz by Squier. For me... the nice thing about the Jazz pickup is that I can add it to the tone as much or as little I want. Some gigs when I take the Squier I turn down the Jazz pickup altogether on some songs ..but on other songs I turn it up 1/2 way or a little less just to add a bit of clarity....
Attachments
- Jul 7, 2010
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- Endorsing Artist for: Duncan Pickups; Line6, Hipshot, GHS Strings, Somnium Guitars
Well, I suppose it depends on the PJ. Some work, and some don't. It's not a price thing either - I've played a Squier Affinity PJ that just smoked, and that's for $200 total (i.e. not the price difference between a P and a J from OP). And I've played (or heard) PJs that sounded annoying with both pickups on (especially on D and G strings). I think it may depend on pickup spacing - just where exactly is that J (60s vs 70s spacing, or even further back or forward). And then some have a reverse P, which can work better for PJs, but then you don't have the classic P sound available. And don't get me started on vol-vol vs. vol-bal vs. vol-switch issues etc... a can of worms really 
On the other hand, a P just works (after finding the right strings and a good setup). It's up to you how you make it sound, and I really enjoy playing a P for it's simplicity.
In short, I think it boils down to what you need. If you have plenty of other basses for "versatility" then you might as well just get a P. If you only have a few basses (or one), a good PJ might be helpful to unlock some other sounds...
On the other hand, a P just works (after finding the right strings and a good setup). It's up to you how you make it sound, and I really enjoy playing a P for it's simplicity.
In short, I think it boils down to what you need. If you have plenty of other basses for "versatility" then you might as well just get a P. If you only have a few basses (or one), a good PJ might be helpful to unlock some other sounds...
This really depends on what kind of tones you are after, and what styles of music you play, etc...no one can answer this for you. Ps, Js, and PJs are VERY easy to find, if I were you I'd just borrow / rent a copy, one at a time for like a week each and try it for myself to confirm what I prefer.
Me, after nearly 2 decades of playing a dual-humbucker active bass exclusively, I came to the conclusion that I almost never use a bridge pickup for what I do. I picked up a P-type bass (G&L LB-100) about 2 years ago and I haven't been able to put it down since. To me it just sounds perfect, every time, in the context of what I do (jazz, funk, soul).
Me, after nearly 2 decades of playing a dual-humbucker active bass exclusively, I came to the conclusion that I almost never use a bridge pickup for what I do. I picked up a P-type bass (G&L LB-100) about 2 years ago and I haven't been able to put it down since. To me it just sounds perfect, every time, in the context of what I do (jazz, funk, soul).
I've been GASsing for a PJ for a while now. I rather have that J pickup and not need it that the other way around. I can always kill the J and still have the P-bass sound if I need to.
Me too. While I can see the "simplicity" thing of just plug it in and play it, I'm pretty much of the school: better to have it and not turn it on than need to turn it on and not have it. Looking down at an extra knob does not drive me nuts.
I guess it comes down to what you are after. A PJ is more flexible than something with just a split single. The necks tend to be more on the J side, which may or may not be something you want. The J pickup isn't always as good as the bridge J on a jazz, it just depends on tbe design. Don't sweat controls. If you can't manage one more knob, you should work on walking and chewing bubble or something. It isn't rocket science.
Yeah, I don't understand the fear of an extra knob. There's nothing complicated about two volume knobs. Just blend them to taste and play.
Personally, I like a PJ - I usually have either the P pickup on full with no jazz pu and it really sounds no different from a dedicated P bass (which I've had a few of previously), or what I really like is full P with a hint of the j for a little edginess and bite. It really is a nice option to have.
Typically, I only use the added J pick-up when I need to cut thru obnoxiously loud band members or a crappy mix. I don't like the Quack sound of a single J bridge pick up on its own.
