I am (hopefully) getting a early 90`s MIM Jazz this weekend. It has been in the case under the bed since new; flawless condition, so I`m told. I`m getting it ridiculously cheap, and plan to make what I think will be my "ultimate", if it`s not a dog. I prefer the balance of a J over a P; most add a J pup to a P. Haven`t totally decided on the electronics, but leaning toward the classic VVT setup. Burst finish, gonna add a black PG. I have a woodworking / finishing background, so I`m thinking of artificially aging it. Not "relicing" (ie: tearing up) mind you, but giving it the appearance of a 35 yo closet queen instead of 15, if that makes sense. Add a Hipshot and I think I`ll be set ! If I ruin it, I won`t be out hardly anything. We`ll see...
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Perfect PJ bass?
- Thread starter JoshB8116
- Start date
This one is doing it for me: Franken-P/J... Warmoth maple/maple neck, tung oiled back (P profile that's been shaped down a bit), GOTOH 28:1 tuners, Fender '50's Fiesta Red body, Bill Lawrence pickups, 3 way blade switch Tony Franklin style, GOTOH bridge, Sadowsky Blue Stainless Standard gauge strings... Plays and sounds twice as good as what I have into her!!!
Here's my Fender black 'n maple fretless P/J,... Vol/Tone Vol/Tone, de-fretted, bridge pickup is from Pyramid Guitars of Detroit, huge output for a passive... Just noticed...this pick has the fretted neck on it. I've since had it converted back with the original neck that I had de-fretted in the early 80's...
Link Removed
I'm awaiting a very special new Lull. He has designed and cut a pickguard for a 24 fret M5. As per this thread, it will be a PJ as well. Ash body, maple board, Duncan pups, Bart pre with vtc, black pg, and the finish will be tungsten metallic. It should be done very soon. Oh, there will be pics... There will be pics.
I have a Peavey Foundation S, a Kawai KRB55, and a Fender P-Bass Lyte, all in P/J configuration. The Kawai has the P in a position that's about 1" more toward the bridge than standard. Give it a little more of a growl than my other basses.
All 3 sound fine to this hack, the main difference is the P width neck and the odd P lacement of the kawai. Still all very giggable.
The Lyte has a J neck with a nice round profile, as does the Foundation. I personally like the feel of these better than a thin front to back profile.
That said, here are the nits that I pick: the Peavey has some neck dive, the Fender is active (I prefer passive), and the Kawai has the P width neck (I prefer J width.) and the Kawai doesn't get the "pure" P tone due to the pickup location.
I play all 3 pretty regularly, with none being the "go to" bass over the others.
All 3 sound fine to this hack, the main difference is the P width neck and the odd P lacement of the kawai. Still all very giggable.
The Lyte has a J neck with a nice round profile, as does the Foundation. I personally like the feel of these better than a thin front to back profile.
That said, here are the nits that I pick: the Peavey has some neck dive, the Fender is active (I prefer passive), and the Kawai has the P width neck (I prefer J width.) and the Kawai doesn't get the "pure" P tone due to the pickup location.
I play all 3 pretty regularly, with none being the "go to" bass over the others.
As far as having a thick, growly P sound with a nice and slinky Jazz neck and feel, the current MIM P Deluxe is up there. The stock P pickup is a little thin and clean, but a swap to an SPB-1 (which I have lined up) should sort that out. Also, for stability's sake, a high mass bridge is recommended.
But for a quick pup swap, that is the perfect PJ, IMO...
But for a quick pup swap, that is the perfect PJ, IMO...
I have two, both 4-stringers. One is a Lakland Bob Glaub special, Fralin P/J's, 1.5" nut. Some nice growl, a great bass.
The other is hard to pin down. Fender C/S, beaten up when I got it, with what looks like a very non-Fender bridge and EMG P/J. Alder body, ebony board, 22 frets, very thin neck with great birdseye. the J is like in a '70's position. I replaced the EMG's with Nordstrand (the J is their vintage-style humcanceller). I've generally kept this strung with TI jazz flats, but may change that up. It's a unique axe with amazing burp and growl on the j pickup.
Both are VVT. For me, P/Js should always be VVT.
The other is hard to pin down. Fender C/S, beaten up when I got it, with what looks like a very non-Fender bridge and EMG P/J. Alder body, ebony board, 22 frets, very thin neck with great birdseye. the J is like in a '70's position. I replaced the EMG's with Nordstrand (the J is their vintage-style humcanceller). I've generally kept this strung with TI jazz flats, but may change that up. It's a unique axe with amazing burp and growl on the j pickup.
Both are VVT. For me, P/Js should always be VVT.
I dunno, Mr. Bone. The best p/j I've ever played was a Fender Tony Franklin fretless. The three way switch with the tone control gave me all I needed. Such an expressive instrument.
Normally I prefer the ability to blend between pickups. I never felt like I was missing anything with the T.F.
Normally I prefer the ability to blend between pickups. I never felt like I was missing anything with the T.F.
My Stingray 5HH is the first axe with a selector switch rather than some blend capability that floats my tonal boat.
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...
I would love to own either or better yet both of those!
This is a pretty good PJ for the money with a few upgrades. Not as impressive as my old NS2 though.
BC Rich, Jackson, Ibanez have made some excellent PJ basses capable of that kind of sound combo. Of these, Id prob be more prone to get one of the new PJ basses BC Rich is doing, mockingbird and eagle masterpeice.
4 string 1983 Ibanez Musician 924DS, P/J, Dead quiet, 9v active(switch)with 3 band cut/boost e.q., always on passive with vol-blend-tone, J style neck with dead round wounds and high mass bridge. Play it with a pick, play it finger style, mute it or not. Roll off the treble with the P pickup for way low end, P (cut the bass a bit, pump the mids a bit), J (cut the mids) or spank (boost the highs), you choose.
Attachments
The Pedulla RB-PJ4 is what Michael Pedulla describes as his "modern vintage" bass. It delivers everything that I want in a comfy, fast neck and sonic coverage. Good luck!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Latest posts
-
I asked for feedback here a little while ago, and this is what it turned into- Latest: instrumentlevel
-
-
-
-
