PJ Basses

[Malak the Mad]

I have three P/J basses. The P is exactly where the P on just a P bass would be on all three of them, so I don't understand this comment.

So far, the production model P/J and P/P Jazzes I've encountered (Fender Aerodyne, Fender Hot Rod, Fender Blacktop) have had the neck pickup located closer to the neck than the Reggie-sig and Warmoth. Best I can tell, they're placed on, or really damn close, to where a split-coil would sit on a Precision body. However, if you have some exact measurements, or know of other examples of P/J Jazzes that have it directly on the "sweet spot", I am all ears!

But, even if I'm off by a considerable margin, I can testify that moving the split-coil pickup from the Blacktop's neck-ward spot to the Reggie-sig position was a definite improvement. I'm not surprised, though. The good Mr. Hamilton himself explained here on TB about the great deal of engineering that went into finding his bass' particular "sweet spot".

 

[badinage]

I’m a big fan of the ESP-LTD AP-5. Between that and my Aerodyne, I’m flush for PJ’s.
If I were in the market for another PJ though, this would probably be it. The ergo’s of the five string are really comfortable and the hardware/electronics are what a lot of people upgrade to, anyway.
View attachment 4752737

I'm really drawn to the ESP-LTD AP-5. I'm told that designing a five with an "asymmetrical" P pickup and then pairing it with a five or ten pole J pickup "might" bring a new set of challenges all it's own to balancing the P & J combination. If I ever get my hands on one though, I'll know if it's "the" PJ I need.

 

[grunz7]

The two PJs that I use. Both are mid 80s made in japan Fenders. Medium scale, pretty lightweight and rather small basses. The pickups are Lace Sensor (at least that's what I read somewhere), active electronics. The P has a nice throaty sound to it and the J can add clarity and higher details if needed.

 

[badinage]

Question: I have played lots of basses over the years, but I can’t recall playing a PJ. I have a P and a J. I have played two pickup Epiphones, Gibsons, and Ibanezes, but never a PJ. Is there any interaction between the pickups when you are just on the P pickup? Does the additional wiring or magnet pull on the strings affect the sound like it does on a guitar? On electric guitar, there is a noticeable difference between a single pickup guitar in the bridge position and the bridge pickup soloed on a two-pickup guitar.

This is the kind of deeper-dive stuff that intrigues me. I don't have answers for you but my belief is that yes, all of what you've noted becomes part of the equation: the "interaction" has to be there, both electronically and to some extent, magnetically. Throw in different pickup designs, active versus passive designs, the myriad different values of pots and capacitors and the possible combinations in the stew are an almost boundless source of experimenters' joy or endless frustration if all you're trying to do is figure out what it takes to hit the sweet spot, or not.

 

[51PRI]

The two PJs that I use. Both are mid 80s made in japan Fenders. Medium scale, pretty lightweight and rather small basses. The pickups are Lace Sensor (at least that's what I read somewhere), active electronics. The P has a nice throaty sound to it and the J can add clarity and higher details if needed.

View attachment 4754661

What is that model called?

 

[grunz7]

What is that model called?

They are called Fender PJM-65M, the first M is for medium scale, the last for maple fretboard, there are also PJM-65 out there with rosewood boards. The rosewood fretboard versions have matching headstocks, and they came in black (black sparkle for the rosewood version), aged olympic white. Standard white and red (I think these were rosewood version only colors, at least I have never seen them with a maple board). Not sure how many of these were produced by Fender Japan though.

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From the catalog you can see that they also produced a 34" Version of that bass, that looks pretty much as an US or mexican made Zone bass, that one had 22 frets - for the medium scale version it seems that they just mounted a 21 fret neck onto the same body - and Lace Sensor pickups weren't used on all of the models (new to me, but again learned something about them).

At the moment the prices for these MIJ Fenders are rising quite significantly - but if a medium scale Fender with active electronics, lightweight (and they also have the neck tilt adjustment system) that is just a little bit different to the majorities of Fenders is what you are looking for ... give them a try. I like mine quite a bit.

 

[bcouper]

Try out a Harley Benton and you can at least see if you like the idea of a PJ. Very decent for the $$

 

[hwystar]

Find an old Ibanez Roadstar RD650. It's the bass Fender couldn't build.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

View attachment 4753156 My go-to basses are Spector Euros. Both are reverse P/Js. My Euro 6LT has the reverse P and the J pickup in soapbar shells./QUOTE]

I've just recovered a Warmoth Alder J Bass Body with a 2 Tek (off eBay) that was purchased from me by a shop that mangled the neck. It has 2xEMG35 soapbar pickup routes that I can drop in whatever I want.

Currently, I have two X series "Spector-style" P4 pickups and a DC (dual coil) ceramic pickup and will obtain a TW ceramic and steel that is selectable for single OR dual coil operation. The TW will be a REVERSE with the top coil being selected when in single coil mode to be in a 60's position if in the bridge location or closer to a standard J location if in the neck.

Soapbar pickups offer a bunch of flexibility in mixing and matching pickups. I have the dual P pickup in it right now. SWEET!

 

[Hondapunk]

I’ve got a few basses in my Arsenal but the one thing that’s missing is; wait for it, wait for it…. A P Bass!

So… I don’t really want a modern P so if I get anything it will be a PJ. I’m not a big fan of production brands but I could be swayed, the closest I have to a production instrument is a KSD ProtoJ. Looking forward to your suggestions.

Bass of the Week: Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass
Made in Japan Beautiful binding. Next on my list.

 

[TJL]

Without question, the killer bass to get is a John Carruthers Lee Sklar Replica. Mine is simply unbeatable, and sounds amazing...just like Lee's which is the most recorded bass on the planet. You will have a totally hand made custom that has about a million reasons why it is vastly superior to a production bass. Trust me, the reverse double P pickups in the Jazz position will make you a believer.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

A bass with a P, plus a soapbar in the bridge position sounds interesting.

I hardly ever solo the J pickup on my PJs, I typically use it to add a bit of top end. For the most part I favor my P pickup.

I’ve always been a fan of a thick sound, with punchy midrange. A bass with dual P’s definitely interests me too!

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Without question, the killer bass to get is a John Carruthers Lee Sklar Replica. Mine is simply unbeatable, and sounds amazing...just like Lee's which is the most recorded bass on the planet. You will have a totally hand made custom that has about a million reasons why it is vastly superior to a production bass. Trust me, the reverse double P pickups in the Jazz position will make you a believer.
View attachment 4756150

Absolutely killer!!!

 

[LowWay]

I love that double reverse P idea. Makes me think maybe I need Cliff to add me another bass in the queue. But honestly my bass with the 2 nordstrand dual coils with coil taps and parallel/series switches is pretty badass in its own right. I think I’m gonna hold back for now. I can’t justify building more customs even though I’d love to.

 

[Mark Ellis]

I love PJ bass guitars too. There is the Fender Aerodyne that is a PJ config with a Jazz bass neck.
Fender make PJ basses in their Precesion Bass range like my American Deluxe.

I also have a Warmoth Jazz bass neck put on a custom made Jazz shape body. I find the Jazz Bass body sits in my lap better.
Shaller machine heads, DiMazio PJ pickups, Aguilar preamp, high mass string through body bridge.
The body is mahogany with a maple top stained with purple dye and then finished.
This is the best bass I have ever payed.

 

[IPA]

I think the production was short. Not sure when they came out but they went out of production around 2018. You can find them used, but they command a new Stingray price.

Personally, I really want one, but I can't give that much for a bass right now.

Joe Dart demoing the Caprice with some Jaco licks:



The video was 6 years ago, so, maybe introduced in 2016? They also did a P called Cutlass.

I regret not getting a cutlass when I could. They seem near impossible to get now. Time for a Sterling run of them!

 

[DJ Dru]

I’ve got a few basses in my Arsenal but the one thing that’s missing is; wait for it, wait for it…. A P Bass!

So… I don’t really want a modern P so if I get anything it will be a PJ. I’m not a big fan of production brands but I could be swayed, the closest I have to a production instrument is a KSD ProtoJ. Looking forward to your suggestions.

I'm pretty happy with my Duff McKagan Fender Jazz Special. It get's the job done and sounds awesome.

 

[conttador]

I'm pretty happy with my Duff McKagan Fender Jazz Special. It get's the job done and sounds awesome.

View attachment 4756297

I’ve considered getting one of those!

 

[David Lakin]

I’ve been really impressed with both the American Performer and the Duff McKagan basses. I don’t personally own either one of these basses, but the ones I’ve played have been really great!

 

[Jinobass1]

Who Made Fender Pbass and Jbass??? Yep these guys have made many PJ’s As well,My Favorite is PJJ(like a Humbucker)
And John Shur Design preamp.
Master Volume,pick up balancer,Master tone when used in Passive Mode(passive switch)
3band Eq Bass,Mid and Treble .
It’s Fender American Deluxe Precision Bass and it’s the most versatile PJ Fender ever made.