PJ basses with Custom Shop 60's pickups?

[Chas49]

I'm really interested in getting a PJ bass, specifically one with Fender Custom Shop 60's pickups. I know the "Parallel Universe" Tele bass has such a configuration, but are there any other models that came with these pickups standard? Did fender release any PJ basses from 2012-2016 besides the Magnificent 7 PJ limited run?

I dream of a PJ with 60's CS pickups that also has a nitro thin skin in sonic blue...

Thanks for your help!

 

[Chas49]

Also I should add that I'm only looking for long-scale basses.

 

[rockdoc11]

I think you may have to build your own, using a PJ platform and putting in your own pickups.

I recently did just this: a 2001 MIM Precision Special (Deluxe Series) to which I added a '62 P pickup and a "Noiseless" J pickup.

I'm quite happy with the results!

 

[mikeswals]

Did fender release any PJ basses from 2012-2016 besides the Magnificent 7 PJ limited run

Fender made the Tony Franklin PJ in both fretted and obviously fretless. Its the only one I'd consider because the J pickup is a split coil...it's the only way to rid the hum.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

Just my two cents: I like PJ's with active / passive switches better.

• P alone, passive: Obviously "P"
• J alone, passive: Obviously "Jaco"
• PJ, active with slight mid + bass boost: Great Musicman'ish - Jazz'y tone

 

[Chas49]

Just my two cents: I like PJ's with active / passive switches better.

• P alone, passive: Obviously "P"
• J alone, passive: Obviously "Jaco"
• PJ, active with slight mid + bass boost: Great Musicman'ish - Jazz'y tone

Can you talk about why you prefer active/passive switches? Is it just the tone? Cuts down on hiss? Something else? I'm not sure I understand what they do, or why they are important.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

Can you talk about why you prefer active/passive switches? Is it just the tone? Cuts down on hiss? Something else? I'm not sure I understand what they do, or why they are important.

Sure! There are a couple of (subjective) reasons.

First of all; in my particular bass, active mode provides a more compressed tone with a tighter bottom end. I can't get the same sound when I set the bass to passive mode and turn up the volume on the amp.

• On the precision pickup alone, I prefer the raw low-mid power of the passive sound
• On the jazz pickup alone, I prefer the raw high-mid-rich Jaco'ish passive sound
• On the PJ mode, I prefer the Marcus Miller'y tight active sound

This is the significant sound difference for me. Beyond that, there are some optional but convenient utilities that I find useful from time to time.

Active mode utility perks:

• On some rehearsals; if I need to go into the desk directly, I can alter my sound right from the active EQ under my hand. That's one (EQ) pedal / cable / power supply less - means that I can just grab my bass and go.
• If I need to change my sound during a live show for a song or two; I can do it on my bass. That's one pedal less + don't need to turn back to the amp and get suspicious looks from the sound guy.
• If the backline doesn't have any active DI's and the cables are long, using the bass in active mode helps keeping a low-impedance signal and keep my treble alive (worst case: boost treble on the bass EQ).

Passive mode utility perks:

• If my batteries or preamp die during the show, I can simply switch back to passive mode, turn the volume up a bit and keep playing without any interruption.
• In the studio; if the producer insists to record me in passive mode, he can.