Whats the difference in sound? I know i like JJ, but I'm building my own Jazz bass and I want to consider all my options. How does PJ tone differ from JJ tone? Which do you prefer and why?
We have a handy feature called a "search." This has been done before a number of times, rather recently if memory serves. Long story short: PJ does the P and kinda the J, but not really. JJ does the J and kinda the P, but not really.
I have two Sadowsky 4 string basses: JJ and PJ. They have different woods: JJ swamp ash, maple board PJ alder body and rosewood 'board The combined mid-blend sound of both pickups is quite different. The PJ has a bit more of a hollow tone or mid cut than the JJ with the combined pickup setting. A good recording of the combined PJ sound is Wooten's "A Show of Hands". For the combined JJ sound check out any Marcus Miller CD. (Of course the tone is affected by production and mastering but you'll get a very good idea of it.) Solo bridge J pup: no major difference Solo neck P vs J: big difference as the P is rounded and 'fuller'; the neck J is a bit leaner My comments are soooooo ...amorphous? You can probably go to any major music store and play a few PJ and JJ basses to get a much better idea. I cannot tell you which I prefer: I love 'em both! Heck, that's why I have them.
Also, the search function does not work for words that are less than 3 letters. I found that out when I was looking for "PA" information. I own a jazz bass and played the Fender HRP (PJ) a couple times. I think both tones are pretty cool and wouldn't mind adding a PJ to my toolbox...
Consider reverse PJ. The coils of the P pickup are place with the 'treble' or DG coil more towards the neck and 'bass' or EA coil towards the bridge. This supposedly gives more of a classic pop on the G string. It will be different than but more of a classic P tone than a J neck pickup for sure. Just one more thing to confuse you.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=80215 I believe this covers what yer lookin' for. Searched under "P/J", just gotta try different search methods.
i always hear people talking about the series/parallel switch, but what advantage does it have, and what are the tonal differences?
Parallel is how a normal Jazz is wired. It gives a mid cut when both pickups are on full. Series is how a humbucker or P-pickup is wired, with a big low-mid jump.
Even though it's has an active e.q., you still might want to check out the features Stu Hamm's signature Fender Urge II JPJ bass. I've heard one played by a friend of mine and it sounds good though I don't know what p'up combination he uses. 1)Pickups: 1a)2 Custom Noiseless Jazz Bass® Pickups (Neck and Bridge) 1b)1 Custom Precision Bass® Pickup (Middle) 2)Controls: 2a)Master Volume 2b)Dynamic (Pan) Control 2c) 3-Band Active EQ with Treble Boost/Cut, Bass Boost/Cut, Mid Boost/Cut 3)Pickup Switching: 3-Position Mini-Toggle with Dynamic (Pan) Control: 3a)Position 1: Pan Control Full Clockwise: Front Jazz Bass Pickup Pan Control at Mid Point: Front and Rear Jazz Bass Pickups Pan Control Full Counterclockwise: Rear Jazz Bass Pickup 3b)Position 2: Pan Control Full Clockwise: Front Jazz Bass and P Bass® Pickup Pan Control at Mid Point: All Three Pickups Pan Control Full Counterclockwise: Rear Jazz Bass and P Bass Pickup 3c)Position 3: P Bass Pickup Only One option you might consider is to plan for JPJ but first only install JJ and the series/parallel switch. If that doesn't work for you, then add the P along with additional controls. {}