It's just occurred to me that I haven't posted a pic of my newest PJ, along with its 'burst sibling. Here it is:
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My first serious PJ hack was cutting the J pup rout in a FSR Honeyburst body, and I chose the '70s location specifically, because at the time, the only PJ I had with that pup arrangement was a Tony Franklin fretted P.
IMO, the traditional P "thump" with the '70s J "growl" is a wonderful blend. I've found it somewhat more versatile, easily producing a more apparent Jazzy tone (compared to the '60s pup location) in live mix environments.
Quickly, old chum…to The Stratosphere!
I have all the parts on hand for my current Franken-scheme. I'm still mulling how I want to hack the standard P body to fit the longer (21-fret) Am Deluxe neck, and whether to use the Am Deluxe asymmetric neck plate, or drill the neck to work with a standard 4-bolt plate.
I'm a fan of BMM on Fender (and otherwise/other brands) basses/guitars but a J ashtray on a P is ONLY for a photo-op in my book. (same with J's) - it takes up WAY too much valuable (articulating/playing) real estate. I personally play at the bridge on my P's and J's, a lot. (palm muting etc) Looks cool but bridge covers are for photo-ops only! (of course, YOMV)
No, I'm with you on it! This photo was from when I bought it. The first thing I did was remove the cover. I think it looks better now too
I found this new Mustang PJ, Olympic White at a local GC. A really nice one.
I found this new Mustang PJ, Olympic White at a local GC. A really nice one.
Those things are so cool! I fiddled around on one recently and man, it's got me thinking about replacing my 34" scale PJ with one...Decisions, decisions.
One reason I like it, the nut is a 1.5" Jazz size. Second, it's not too bad having the Precision pup, and a Jazz pup, with a selector switch to select P, J, or both. Mine weighs in at 7.8 pounds.
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Nice! Are those tapewounds or Black Beauties?
I found this new Mustang PJ, Olympic White at a local GC. A really nice one.
They are D'Addario ETB92S Nylon Tapewounds. A prefect fit, without any reset up needed.
Too funny. I never, ever go past 50% on the J pickup. It's usually primarily the P with a taste of J. That's what's so great about this config, IMHO. So versatile!
How about a modified Ibanez?
1992 Ibanez CTB1
Mods:
Pale ebony nut
African blackwood fingerboard
Aluminum side dot inlay
Refinished neck (Formby's Tung Oil Finish)
Threaded inserts in neck joint and bridge
Knobs made from rosewood and blackwood cutoffs from fb
EMG electronics
Schaller straplocks
All stainless screws
1992 Ibanez CTB1
Mods:
Pale ebony nut
African blackwood fingerboard
Aluminum side dot inlay
Refinished neck (Formby's Tung Oil Finish)
Threaded inserts in neck joint and bridge
Knobs made from rosewood and blackwood cutoffs from fb
EMG electronics
Schaller straplocks
All stainless screws
PJ Club! This is my first visit to your thread. Some really sweet basses here. I've not been a PJ guy long, but it has quickly become my favorite bass of all time. It started as a completely stock MIM Fender Standard Reggie Hamilton Signature Jazz Bass. I swapped the Fender bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan STK-J2B (as used in Duff's bass). That, I dug for awhile.
I soon grew frustrated with the neck on this bass. I'm not knocking Reggie's choice for the 60's era vintage neck (I think that is what it was). I think I just had a bad one. It wanted to be a ski jump. I could not get decent action out of it. I didn't have a lot of money in this bass (relative to my other basses), so I decided to experiment. I ordered a brand new Standard Series Jazz Neck - Maple from fender. The original neck had a rosewood fretboard, but I decide to try maple. Couldn't use my vintage tuning machines. Ordered standard tuning machines. Couldn't use those bushings. Ordered bushings for MIM necks. Sheesh. Anyway, it worked out. THEN, for no reason, I threw in the EMG Geezer Buttler PJ set. Finally, Dunlop Super Bright Nickel Wounds.
HOLY FREAKING MOLY! This combination (passive and active) is incredible. The tone. The way it feels. The sustain. This little MIM is a beast compared to my much more expensive basses. I don't even want to play them anymore except for when a five string is called for. My two bands, our sound engineers, and my ears are all really noticing and liking the sound of this bass. I only have a blend knob, and I always keep it toward the P side. Either 60/40, 70/30, or 100 P (depends on the song). Anyway, here are a few picks. No fancy photography. Only thing here made in the USA is the pickups.
I soon grew frustrated with the neck on this bass. I'm not knocking Reggie's choice for the 60's era vintage neck (I think that is what it was). I think I just had a bad one. It wanted to be a ski jump. I could not get decent action out of it. I didn't have a lot of money in this bass (relative to my other basses), so I decided to experiment. I ordered a brand new Standard Series Jazz Neck - Maple from fender. The original neck had a rosewood fretboard, but I decide to try maple. Couldn't use my vintage tuning machines. Ordered standard tuning machines. Couldn't use those bushings. Ordered bushings for MIM necks. Sheesh. Anyway, it worked out. THEN, for no reason, I threw in the EMG Geezer Buttler PJ set. Finally, Dunlop Super Bright Nickel Wounds.
HOLY FREAKING MOLY! This combination (passive and active) is incredible. The tone. The way it feels. The sustain. This little MIM is a beast compared to my much more expensive basses. I don't even want to play them anymore except for when a five string is called for. My two bands, our sound engineers, and my ears are all really noticing and liking the sound of this bass. I only have a blend knob, and I always keep it toward the P side. Either 60/40, 70/30, or 100 P (depends on the song). Anyway, here are a few picks. No fancy photography. Only thing here made in the USA is the pickups.
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Now all you need is a set of Black Pearloid vinyl "inlays" from Jockomo and you're all set!
JAZZ BASS Block Fret Markers Inlay Stickers Decals
