P vs J: 2016

[Cat-A-Tonic]

G&L frankenstein

MFD - P
MFD - humbucker in L-1500 position

Active/passive with Bartolini pre & EQ with mid freq switch
Tonal options on the fly!

 

[johnson79]

P Bass with Oatmeal pickguard.

 

[Alexander]

Where is the PJ option? You can't have a valid argument if you only have 2 out of the 3 options...

Forgot single coil P Basses too - the Excalibur of basses...

 

[Bipslapper]

Funny, I've been considering a P bass after 30 years since owning one; have preferred Jazz basses. Now I can have the best of both worlds as I have a Mike Lull M5V and it sounds fantastic with both pickups on, just the bridge AND when you solo the neck pup it gets a fantastic Precision tone, in my opinion. Best of both worlds in one bass. Active and Passive, Aggie OB-3 pre-amp and Seymour Duncan pick ups.

 

[hintz]

PJ.

This without question!!

 

[EVerderame]

PJ, but if to choose, J

 

[JWMurrayJr]

So...er...the new guy asks, "What's the difference?" (No jargon please.)

 

[RiZzBot]

I have one of each. Love em both for different reasons.

 

[brianrost]

What are your current thoughts on P vs J in 2016?

Same as the last few decades, I guess. I've owned both, prefer the P. Especially with tort

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Tort, of course!

Yep

 

[geowis]

Absolutely passive only, I prefer the tone of my P for home practice, but my J in a band mix.

 

[socialleper]

If I could only pick one, I would pick a jazz over a precision bass. The tonal options of a jazz bass make it more flexible, including a pretty reasonable approximation of a precision bass. There are a lot more brand options for buying a jazz bass than there are for precision basses, and it seems like people do more interesting things with the body designs and colors of jazz basses. Everyone's precision basses always seem to be the same old-same old Fender grandpa designs.

 

[Camarillo]

I can't answer. I own both. They're different. I prefer the J (with dr sunbeams rounds) right now, just because I haven't reached yet the sound that I want from the P with TI flats. And I prefer the J neck at the moment, since I switched from guitar not so much time ago...

 

[Joebone]

Neither. Dual Soapbars, with individual coil taps, are the jam.

If you can't go there, then as much I love the P, I'd vote a P with j pickups, or a PJ. I can't deal with the J body shape, but can't live without the burpy Jaco-like sound from pushing the bridge pickup, with the tone rolled down.

Hey, the OP asked...

 

[bassliner50]

I own both, a J and numerous P's. The P is simpler. For starts with the P, I get less inductive noise from the lighting at venues etc. Most of all, the P sounds thicker. I can approach an upright tone if I like. In defense of the J, it does articulate nicely. Sometimes J will sound nasal. J neck feels a little cramped to me after playing the P. That said, both are excellent instruments.

 

[electracoyote]

I still need at least one of each.

 

[bassbombs84]

Lifelong p-bass guy. Got two. Recently bit by the Jazz bass bug though. Getting old is weird!

 

[Showdown]

I have to respectfully disagree with the people saying you can get a P sound by soloing the neck pickup of a J. You can get in the neighborhood, but there is always something missing. If you are ok with close to a P then it will work for you, but it doesn't for me.

 

[sonicblue62]

Both. But lately, my G&L L1005 is proving useful for almost everything.

 

[Gaolee]

Upright, Thunderbird, P. In that order. J? Nope.