PJ bass recommendations?

[Clark Westfield]

Nice bass!

Off topic: used to have a Zoom B3. They’re nice! Gave it to my cousin and now use a Line 6 HX Stomp unless I’m using my SVT: then it’s just straight to the amp

Never really bonded with the B3.

I find it a PITA to set up and move banks around.

Mostly sits around collecting dust.

 

[Bass Ape]

whoa that’s gorgeous! Pricey for Indonesian production though?

Not really considering they finish and PLEK in Chicago.

I love the look of the 44-64 with a Lakland J neck.

 

[Bass Ape]

Reverend Decision P is more than likely the best back for the buck. I wish it came in a 5er.

 

[thunderstation]

Hey all. I’m in the hunt for a four string PJ bass. Preferably passive. I have two Fender Am Pro IIs, a Precision and a Jazz. I love the matte neck finishes and the feel of both basses. Each has their place in my arsenal.

I recently played a Spector Euro 4 LX that is beautiful but of course active electronics and I’m not sure I wanna go that route. Love the bass though.

Then I saw this photo online and LOVE the look of this bass. What is your go to production PJ? Not opposed to custom just probably out of my price range

Thanks! View attachment 5340409

A Fender P/J Mustang did it for me .Short scale but what the hey.

 

[DuluthDank]

IMO the best PJ's Fender has made are the Tony Franklin fretted, and the old active MIJ PJ special from the 80s.

If you don't need a fender, that opens up a ton of options like Yamaha, Schecter, Lakland, etc.

 

[sgiacomo]

Thanks for all the suggestions. After everyone’s feedback and making another trip to the music stores and playing, I’ve decided on a Stingray of all things. I played and really liked the Fender American Performer but the tonal variety honestly wasn’t much different than the Am Pro II Jazz bass that I already have (also have a P bass). After playing a Stingray it was pretty apparent that I liked the feel and sound. NBD pics of the Stingray that I ordered from Jason at Fret Nation will be upcoming in an appropriate thread!

 

[faulknersj]

The Fender Elite P(J) is insane and I HIGHLY recommend it. Passive or active…and only PJ I’ve ever owned that actually could do a straight up P bass, Straight up barley bridge pickup J bass…and that unique PJ sound with both pickups even. Best production Fenders ever made imho and I own 4 of them.

Here is my Elite P(J) in live action recorded on my cell phone with pics of my bass lol. Cheers!

 

[kinopah]

Fodera passive PJ Monarch is the best PJ I’ve ever owned/played and was 100% worth the splurge for me.
BUT I agree about the Yamaha BBP34 and I’ll add in the Music Man Caprice. Both truly outstanding instruments and the Yamaha especially is the quintessential PJ.

 

[sgiacomo]

The Fender Elite P(J) is insane and I HIGHLY recommend it. Passive or active…and only PJ I’ve ever owned that actually could do a straight up P bass, Straight up barley bridge pickup J bass…and that unique PJ sound with both pickups even. Best production Fenders ever made imho and I own 4 of them.

Here is my Elite P(J) in live action recorded on my cell phone with pics of my bass lol. Cheers!

That’s sweet! If you decide to part with one of your four I’d be interested

 

[Yahboy]

Get another Am Pro Ii and mod it PJ.

Bridge J pup on 60s position for smoother tonal and 70s for better scream and bite.

I prefer PJ bass for aggressive band, you can consider Dimarzio Model PJ and wired in volume/blend only. So, you still can use the stock pickguard.

 

[39-Bassist]

MIJ Fender PJ's are great basses...search those first

 

[sgiacomo]

Get another Am Pro Ii and mod it PJ.

Bridge J pup on 60s position for smoother tonal and 70s for better scream and bite.

I prefer PJ bass for aggressive band, you can consider Dimarzio Model PJ and wired in volume/blend only. So, you still can use the stock pickguard.

That would be cool! Maybe someday

 

[jivebass]

I didn't read all to see if already mentioned. But, my MusicMan Caprice plays and sounds amazing. I believe they were discontinued, but I see them in the classifieds every once in a while. They get my vote.

 

[Mike Vee]

Try to find an American Vintage Hot Rod 60s Precision. Best PJ out there. It's built the same, and from the same time as the coveted American Vintage 63 Precision but with some modern updates, like a satin neck. There's one on Reverb right now. They are quite rare.

I also like the American Performer and then you can do a wire/pickup upgrade to something super nice.

 

[Clark W]

Hey all. I’m in the hunt for a four string PJ bass. Preferably passive. I have two Fender Am Pro IIs, a Precision and a Jazz. I love the matte neck finishes and the feel of both basses. Each has their place in my arsenal.

I recently played a Spector Euro 4 LX that is beautiful but of course active electronics and I’m not sure I wanna go that route. Love the bass though.

Then I saw this photo online and LOVE the look of this bass. What is your go to production PJ? Not opposed to custom just probably out of my price range

Thanks! View attachment 5340409

I have an American Performer Precision PJ, no greasebucket tone circuit, and Aguilar's HC PJ pup set.

 

[KellyC]

I can reccommend you not bother with a California Precision Special if you happen to come across one. Thinnest sounding G string on any bass I ever played.

Huh. I've got a 97 California Precision Special with the maple fret board and it punches way above it's weight in terms of playability and fullness of tone up and down the neck and across the strings. The only complaint I've had is the volume pot crapped out after about 10 years.

 

[packhowitzer]

I prefer my PJs to have a pickup selector instead of VVT. Personally I think VVT works fine for a Jazz bass (where both pickups are more or less balanced), but for PJs I want a switch. So these days, a nice production model that offers that config is the Fender Duff McKagan DLX:

 

[Lowendchamp]

Have you tried a Player series Fender Jaguar? Way underrated and cheap compared to a MIA or MIJ Fender. I like the hot pickups and super thin neck. I’m not budget driven either I have the same basses you do and enjoy the necks too. I’m just surprised at what my Jaguar can do since I got it for so cheap on Amazon ($450 new)

 

[MLC_BassPlayer]

G&L SB-2’s. Tribute or American…

 

[marmadaddy]

The Sire P7 is active/passive and is, in my opinion, the best value for money bass available for today