I have owned several PJ basses (Euro Spectors and Warwick Streamers). My current PJ is a Fender American Performer. I’ve been almost always using the P pickup only. How about you?
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PJ players, how often do you use the J pickup?
- Thread starter Chrisk-K
- Start date
Hmm...that's something I'd be interested in exploring since I just don't prefer the sound of two pickups in parallel.
All the time. Sometimes both are full, sometimes I back off one, and sometimes I run both in series. I rarely only have one on full with the other turned off.
On my Pedulla MVP, usually both on. But some tunes call for something different.
For example, to get into the tonal quality of the tune "Black Velvet," I'll go mostly J pickup, with the tone rolled down.
But for Boz Scagg's "Lowdown," it's all P pickup with tone full up.
For example, to get into the tonal quality of the tune "Black Velvet," I'll go mostly J pickup, with the tone rolled down.
But for Boz Scagg's "Lowdown," it's all P pickup with tone full up.
i voted, "always" (more or less! 
).
i start from the center detent on my balance/pan control and go from there. it's part of my signature tone that no one else can copy.
).i start from the center detent on my balance/pan control and go from there. it's part of my signature tone that no one else can copy.
Plectrum songs: P @ 100%, J @ ~85%
Fingerstyle songs: P only
I have a switch to disconnect the J so that I can switch back and forth without having to dial in the sweet spot every time
Fingerstyle songs: P only
I have a switch to disconnect the J so that I can switch back and forth without having to dial in the sweet spot every time
Almost always. The VVT controls are wide open 90%of the time. I use DR Lo Rider rounds and I might roll of a little tone when the string are brand new. Oh, I play in a Motown review band and nobody has had a melt down that I’m not using flats.
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My Guild Pilot PJ’s , with reversed P, blend is in the center.
My Fender PJ, almost always solo the P, so much better, to me.
There’s something about the layout of the Pilot that doesn’t produce the plinky sound on the D and G strings that I get from the Fender, or any standard PJ layout.
My Fender PJ, almost always solo the P, so much better, to me.
There’s something about the layout of the Pilot that doesn’t produce the plinky sound on the D and G strings that I get from the Fender, or any standard PJ layout.
Always for me. I blend the pickups in all sorts of ways, depending.
It’s an easy mod, and cheap. Just need a DPDT switch.
In series you don’t get that pronounce midscoop, the sound more like a beefed up P bass pickup with more articulation. It’s a pretty big sound.
Most of the time I fade back the neck pickup so the J is slightly dominant.
The bass is a Daion PowerMark XB with VVTT and a 3-way toggle. The wiring is like a Les Paul. So when both pickups are selected, turning down either volume kills the signal from both pickups. However a small amount of fading is possible.
The bass is a Daion PowerMark XB with VVTT and a 3-way toggle. The wiring is like a Les Paul. So when both pickups are selected, turning down either volume kills the signal from both pickups. However a small amount of fading is possible.
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I never find myself using just the J by itself. Might be missing out, but that tone doesn't appeal to me. If were keeping track, my favorite PJ has a reverse P. Love it blended down the middle with the J.
