PJ Set Recommendation Request

[Tescot]

Love the classic P-Bass sound, but like the feel of the J-Bass, so planning to mod a J-Bass and put in a matched set, but... There's so many options.

Currently I am considering:
1. Fender: Yosemite PJ Set
2. Aguilar: AG 4P/J-HC
3. Seymour Duncan: Quarter Pounder PJ Set

If you have any experience with any of these sets, or another you would recommend... What are your thoughts?

 

[larrysb]

I just installed the Yosemite set in my Fender JP-90. I've owned the JP-90 since new, 1993. The JP90 was made in USA, but it had the less expensive "import" type pickups and electronics in it, with ceramic bar magnet pickups and the dime-size mini pots. I gigged it a bunch way back when, but haven't played much the last dozen years or so.

The Yosemite PJ sets have been on sale for under $100. I played a new American Performer with the Yosemite PJ set and figured they were a nice upgrade.

I like them a lot. Nice, clear, good highs without being harsh, great clarity and a bit more output. Nice upgrade. For what I paid, I think they're a great deal.

 

[sikamikanico]

Aguilars are good. Don’t have experience with Yosemite’s. And folks here either love or hate QPs, but generally the P does not sound like a classic P.

Also popular around here are EMG GZRs, particularly the P.

One more thing: I’d make sure to get a hum cancelling J pickup in the set. It’s nice to blend without noise

 

[JRA]

of the items/sets on your list, my only experience is with the quarter pounders: i like them, i'll keep them, they're fine.

most of my axes are PJs, i prefer them. what i have come to appreciate is that any pickup choice may require that you 'give them time' and let them try to grow on you (some will, some won't!). and what sounds great/disappointing in the bedroom or basement may play very differently on the stage or in the studio. also: each set may sound/play differently in my ax compared to your ax for a host of reasons having nothing to do with the woods/plastics/metals per se.

good luck with your pickup choice(s)!

 

[SteveCS]

Personally I wouldn't get too hung up on the matched set thing. The P/J is never really going to do the mid-scooped 'everything dimed' jazz tone no matter how well matched the pickups, and IMHO the only real purpose of the neck pickup on a Jazz bass is to create that particular tone.

Since first going P/J in the late 80's I've been through a few combinations, but from early doors my guide has been to find a P pickup that you like, find a J pickup that you like, then wire them up in a V/V/T configuration so that you control the blend, rather than on a switch where the blend is fixed and dictated by the characteristics of the pickups and the setup of the instrument.

In '88 I found my holy grail P pickup in the OBL (Bill Lawrence) P-60. Since then it has been paired with various J pickups including models from Dimarzio and Fender. For the last 3 or 4 years the bridge slot has been filled with a Duncan QP, and together they make a great team...

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I have a G&L SB2 and the pickups on it are excellent. They have a very defined and articulate tone. You can buy them from G&L Pickups - G&L Online Store

 

[bigtone23]

The QP P is not a 'classic' P sound--it's more mid scooped and bassy. The SPB1 is the classic P pickup from Duncan.

 

[project_c]

I have the QP’s on a fretless PJ and they sound huge, I really like them. They’re a lot spicier than other pickups though, so I understand why some people don’t like them, but as a PJ set they do work really well.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I have the QP’s on a fretless PJ and they sound huge, I really like them. They’re a lot spicier than other pickups though, so I understand why some people don’t like them, but as a PJ set they do work really well.

I have QPs on a Squire CV 60s P. Very aggressive mid sound, but plenty of low end. I really like the sound I get from that bass.

 

[Nedmundo]

One more thing: I’d make sure to get a hum cancelling J pickup in the set. It’s nice to blend without noise

I agree, and out of those listed would probably choose the Aguilar set for this reason, plus they have a reputation for great tone. But consider Lindy Fralin. I've used his stock-wind P-bass pickup, and it's my favorite vintage-voiced pickup out of those I've tried. Lots of gritty punch for rock, yet retains a warm, vintage vibe. I also have Fralin's Split-Jazz hum-canceling pickups in my MIA Jazz, and they are freakin' amazing IMO. So I'd expect the combination to be a winner. They're expensive, but IME very much worth it.

The G&L MFD pickups from the SB-2 are fantastic, but the bridge pickup isn't a standard J-bass size, nor is it meant to function like a regular bridge pickup. It's designed more like a tone control, to brighten the industrial strength split-coil.

 

[G On Bass]

Off your list, Aguilar.
Others to consider: Nordstrand. They make a matched set that are great and the P is awesome on it's own.

 

[sikamikanico]

Another idea: before you mod your bass, consider trying some different J pickups. Some say that DiMarzio model J (neck pickup) sounds a lot like a P pickup. They’d drop right in your bass... if you don’t like it, you could try Model P in the neck (should pair well with their J), tho model P does not sound like a classic P...

Another recommendation would be Wilde. I’d start with their J set and, if not satisfied, try their P in the neck position. Their P pickup is really nice and just a little bit more modern sounding than classic P pickups. Never tried their J pickups, but some say the neck J sounds a lot like their split P.

 

[Tescot]

Another idea: before you mod your bass, consider trying some different J pickups. Some say that DiMarzio model J (neck pickup) sounds a lot like a P pickup. They’d drop right in your bass... if you don’t like it, you could try Model P in the neck (should pair well with their J), tho model P does not sound like a classic P...

Another recommendation would be Wilde. I’d start with their J set and, if not satisfied, try their P in the neck position. Their P pickup is really nice and just a little bit more modern sounding than classic P pickups. Never tried their J pickups, but some say the neck J sounds a lot like their split P.

I hadn't really considered that a J-Neck would sound like a P... Have to look into that.

 

[Tescot]

Personally I wouldn't get too hung up on the matched set thing. The P/J is never really going to do the mid-scooped 'everything dimed' jazz tone no matter how well matched the pickups, and IMHO the only real purpose of the neck pickup on a Jazz bass is to create that particular tone.

Since first going P/J in the late 80's I've been through a few combinations, but from early doors my guide has been to find a P pickup that you like, find a J pickup that you like, then wire them up in a V/V/T configuration so that you control the blend, rather than on a switch where the blend is fixed and dictated by the characteristics of the pickups and the setup of the instrument.

In '88 I found my holy grail P pickup in the OBL (Bill Lawrence) P-60. Since then it has been paired with various J pickups including models from Dimarzio and Fender. For the last 3 or 4 years the bridge slot has been filled with a Duncan QP, and together they make a great team...
View attachment 3787775

Much more work than I was considering, but I definitely get it... use the volumes... Thanks!

 

[SteveCS]

Much more work than I was considering, but I definitely get it... use the volumes... Thanks!

That's it. Even with a matched set on a switch, the middle position is essentially a preset that may or may not work for you. You can tweak it using the pickup heights, but matching for outputs in this way means you are not necessarily getting the best from either pickup. And it is usually the P that makes the compromise, IME.

 

[bench]

if you like a classic p sound: Seymour Duncan SPB 1. if you like a j pickup that's noiseless and gets closer to the p volume wise: Dimarzio Ultra Jazz...

 

[BassBeginer64]

Going to try some Epic Custom Pick Ups in my PJ Geddy Lee that I am building. Run about $90 bucks.
PJ1 for Precision Bass
PJ2 for Precision Bass
The F series pickups are P-Bass replacement pickups F1 = 1/4" alnico V magnets, slightly over powered, hand wound, wax potted, with cloth vintage pushback wire.
The E series are the Jazz Bass replacement sets: E1 = 1/4" alnico V magnets, slightly over powered, hand wound, wax potted, with cloth vintage pushback wire.

Just a note on these pick up's -EF-1 do drive hard, had these in a deluxe with preamp and could not go past 3/4 volume with out distorting the amp -SVT CL, I am trying these in a passive bass this time, i have not heard of anyone complaining about these pick up's as of yet, other than myself.
My back up pick up's will be Norstrand Hum Canceling Vintage PJ set.

 

[Tescot]

OK, Here's the help I did receive from you wonderful bassists:
1. Be specific - I'm looking for passive
2. Hum Canceling J pickup
3. No need for fancy controls... The standard JB setup works best. (From other threads)
4. Probably not interested in the SD QP

Here's where you haven't been as much help. I went from the original list of 3 possibilities (removed one option the QP) and now, this is the list of possibilities (in price order):
Bass PJ Pickup Sets
Classic P-Bass Sound and hum-cancelling J-Bass pickup

1. USA Fender P + Dimarzio Ultra J ($145 - $75/$70)
2. Seymour Duncan SPB-1 / Apollo Jazz Bass ($170 - $75/$95)
3. EMG GZR ($179)
4. Aguilar AG 4P/J-HC ($195)
5. Nordstrand ($244)
   1. NP4 / NJ4SV - NPJ4SV VINTAGE HUM-CANCELLING SET ($244)
      1. The neck position distributes a full bodied and resonant 60s & 70s tone
      2. the bridge cuts through with its genuine growl and piercing lucidity.
   2. Norstrand NP4V / NJ4SE - NPVJ4SE HUM-CANCELLING SET ($244)
      1. nostalgic vintage P sound without abandoning the
      2. modern characteristics of split J tone unbelievably contemporary in the bridge
   3. Norstrand NP4 / NJ4SE - NPJ4SE HUM-CANCELLING SET ($244)
      1. two pickups designed to compliment the negatives of the other's positives
6. Lindy Fralin - P-J Set ($290)

The good news... I'm pretty sure I would be very happy with any of the above sets! So yes, VERY grateful this group is here. Mahalo!

 

[shoulderpet]

Not much too add other than I had the SPB-1 and hated it, lots of low end, not much mids, timid treble,no growl,was a very polite sounding pickup, have since then tried a number of P pickups and have liked them all but the SPB-1 was really not my thing