Perfect PJ bass?

[JoshB8116]

Anybody ever owned or played my idea of a perfect PJ bass?

That low, growly Precission tone but with the maneuverability of a Jazz (thin, fast neck etc.).

In theory this is my ideal bass but i havn't come across one as yet.

 

[stflbn]

Your idea of the perfect PJ will be different than everyone elses idea of the perfect PJ.
You interpretation of low, growly precision tone and thin, fast neck will also be different than everyone elses.

That's exactly why people buy stuff based on other people's input here on Talkbass, then realize in disbelief that it isn't what 'they' expect it to be.

IMHO.

 

[screaminglucy]

Your idea of the perfect PJ will be different than everyone elses idea of the perfect PJ.
You interpretation of low, growly precision tone and thin, fast neck will also be different than everyone elses.

That's exactly why people buy stuff based on other people's input here on Talkbass, then realize in disbelief that it isn't what 'they' expect it to be.

IMHO.

This is what I call internet lore. Buyer beware.

 

[Stranger Danger]

OP, if you find it, let me know.

Good luck!

 

[kaiuk]

precision bass + jazz neck = win

 

[cabcreaser]

I have yet to find it and I actually disagree on this one, I bet the majority know what he means.

He wants it to feel like a j but actually sound like a nice grunty p. I've had two Sadowsky NYC PJ5's (one with a j body, one with a p) and a Celinder PJ5. All three great basses, but not really a p or a j but really nice PJs.

One thing (and this will probably get me flamed), I think four strings are a key component to the p bass sound. What makes a b string sound great seems to refine the sound of a p. I have played but haven't owned a Mike Lull PJ5, again great PJ5 but I wouldn't say it nails your description.

I have a Alien Audio PP5 bass coming in perhaps next week and I'll let you know if it nails the p thing or not, however, I know the PP thing is something altogether different.

 

[80'sRocker]

Yes, my Fender Aerodyne - awesome!

 

[tangentmusic]

Josh.. I own an '04 Fender P-Bass Deluxe Special. MIM, passive.
It comes stock with a Jazz neck, P body & P/J p'up config.
For me it is the best of both worlds. I bought it new off of Musician's Friend sight unseen and have not regretted it. Very nice bass.

 

[Arnold]

My Sadowsky Metro PJ with a jazz taper neck does it for me. I bought it used and in brand new condition so it obviously didn't do it for the original buyer. I think it has great 'P' tone and with the VTC and the active EQ can go a lot of places.

 

[nostatic]

I'm enjoying this so far:

 

[yamark]

G&L SB-2! Its the last bass I'll ever own.

 

[canadian_man_44]

Fender Precision Deluxe works for me. Might not work for you though.

 

[klokker]

That low, growly Precission tone but with the maneuverability of a Jazz (thin, fast neck etc.).

Just get a P bass if you like the P bass tone. I think the neck is just as fast as any other bass. I have a old Ibby with a super thin neck.......its no "faster" or more "maneuverable".

 

[steamthief]

I just bought a Spector Euro 4LX, and after playing it for an hour, it bumped my Fender California P Special from the #1 chair. Try a Doug Wimbish model for that Jazz taper neck.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

I've got two perfect P/J's. A 1975 and a 1962. The 1962 now has the original threaded saddle bridge, and the 75 has the BAII on her.

Amazing playing and sounding basses...

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I've got two perfect P/J's. A 1975 and a 1962. The 1962 now has the original threaded saddle bridge, and the 75 has the BAII on her.

Amazing playing and sounding basses...

Yeah, but you're have those wide old P necks... Which is fine if you dig those...

Have you tried the new MIA P-bass deluxe? I have to say, Fender skeptic that I am, I was very impressed...

 

[Fuzzbass]

One thing (and this will probably get me flamed), I think four strings are a key component to the p bass sound. What makes a b string sound great seems to refine the sound of a p. I have played but haven't owned a Mike Lull PJ5, again great PJ5 but I wouldn't say it nails your description.

I disagree with this as a blanket statement (all 5's versus all 4's), but it's simply a matter of opinion -- it's wrong to flame or be flamed over it!

I owned a Mike Lull PJ5. Excellent bass, but it's 35" scale, and I definitely notice a difference in timbre between 35" and 34".

I will add that Sadowsky basses (4 or 5 string) have a more refined sound than passive Fenders, IMHO. I don't believe that's true for all fivers, however. I've never owned an Alleva-Coppola, but my very limited experience backs up what their owners say: that they are very close to the traditional Fender tone.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

Yeah, but you're have those wide old P necks... Which is fine if you dig those...

For the 62, yeah - that's a wide neck indeed, but the 75 has an A neck. It's REALLY thin at the nut, but it does have some hefty roundness around the back of it. Pretty close to a jazz neck width of that era, I'd say.

 

[Fuzzbass]

To the OP, I agree with what others have said: look for PJ basses that have the neck profile you like, then decide which of those works best for you. Yes, that can be difficult, especially if you can't audition them all before you purchase. Unfortunately, learning which bass is best for you is usually a matter of trial and error... that's just the way it is. Good luck!

 

[JoshB8116]

stflbn: that's why i went on to describe my ideal PJ combination. Don't bother replying if you don't have anything constructive to add. Close the thread and move on. There seems to be alot of people on this site like you.

To those who understand how a forum works and are mature enough to use it for it's intended purpose (cabcreaser, 80'srocker, tangentmusic, Arnold, nostatic, yamark, Spinal Tapper), I'm not currently looking to buy but will be in the near future. I just wanted to get peoples opinions on the subject and see if there are any basses like this out there.

That Fender is gorgeous btw.