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PJ vs P vs J….please advise!

rawchuck

rawchuck

Feb 17, 2015
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#1
I’m on the hunt for a 5 string bass. I already own a 4 string Nash P bass, and I like it a lot. I have been wanting a 5 string and decided to take the plunge.

At first I was set on a jazz style v, now I’m also considering a pj.

I don’t slap, so that “both pickups” sound a traditional j bass offers is not much use to me. Does a j style neck pickup sound good on its own, or wi having a p style pickup sound better in this case?

I will use this bass mostly for finger style funk.

just wondering the pros and cons of a pj v vs a jv?

Does the p bass pickup fart out and rumble, or does it sound good on a v?

I can get either p style neck/body or a j style…..How does the string spacing feel on a J style v vs p style v?
 
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#4
If you end up going the J route I don’t have much to say; but if you go the P route, I highly recommend the PJ for a 5-string, for the reasons indicated by @Snakeman1066 a couple posts back. I settled on a Yamaha BB735A myself, after trying more than a few. The P versus J neck profile consideration kind of goes out the window with 5-strings; I think you’ll just need to read up and if possible play a few to determine what will work for you.
 
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#5
Biggest reason I stay with P, PJ, or HB over the J is the neck pickup and the hum with single coils. That’s a deal breaker for me using it with the balance towards either side but if you get a humcanceling J set then you’re good.
 
#6
Your needs and wishes have kinda spelled out the direction you need to go in…

Quite the opposite of mine. I need the funk and R&B tones of the Jazz (both pups 100%) and the visceral growl and gnarly nature of the Precision. No need for a PJ here.
 
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#9
rawchuck said:
I’m on the hunt for a 5 string bass. I already own a 4 string Nash P bass, and I like it a lot. I have been wanting a 5 string and decided to take the plunge.

At first I was set on a jazz style v, now I’m also considering a pj.

I don’t slap, so that “both pickups” sound a traditional j bass offers is not much use to me. Does a j style neck pickup sound good on its own, or wi having a p style pickup sound better in this case?

I will use this bass mostly for finger style funk.

just wondering the pros and cons of a pj v vs a jv?

Does the p bass pickup fart out and rumble, or does it sound good on a v?

I can get either p style neck/body or a j style…..How does the string spacing feel on a J style v vs p style v?
Click to expand...
No comment on P or J. Either is fine with me.

With P/Js, a thing I will say is that the only times I've found myself drawn to a P/J, it's had a reversed P pickup. The D/G coil is closer to the neck instead of being closer to the bridge. The first one I tried like this was an Ibanez Mikro, which I probably would have bought if I didn't already have so many 4 string fretted basses. Otherwise, I really enjoy the sounds I hear from the Yamaha BB2000.

I think, to me, the P/J configuration doesn't really quite balance right when it comes to maintaining a full sound. I think reversing the P pickup gets a bit more fullness out of the D and G strings. But many players who are better than me also swear by them.
 
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#10
rawchuck said:
I don’t slap, so that “both pickups” sound a traditional j bass offers is not much use to me. Does a j style neck pickup sound good on its own, or wi having a p style pickup sound better in this case?
Click to expand...

Killing Floor said:
Which neck shape do you like best? Do that one.
Click to expand...
Agreed. In this case, give more weight (no pun intended) to how the bass feels rather than the pickup config. I'm really a jazz guy at heart, but a few years ago I had a Celinder PJ-5 that just killed. The neck profile was more P than J, but it still felt comfortable to me.

Yes, a J style neck pickup sounds good on its own. There is sometimes a slight difference, but mostly, I've never had a Jazz that I couldn't make sound like a P. I do like the lovely smoothness of evenly blended JJ pickups even for finger style playing. A J can "sit in the mix" just as well as a P. In terms of sonic flexibility, both a PJ and a JJ will get you there. In the end, only you know what works best for you. If you can, play both and then decide.
 
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#11
I don't slap either. This however doesn't mean a J bass shouldn't be considered.
After watching a young guy play a J bass in an INXS tribute show the other night, the tonal shaping abilities were incredible... IIRC there was 1 solitary "slap" moment in the whole show.
I'm now considering getting one for my cover band..
 
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#14
travisferrell said:
Not to be difficult, but i think that a pj doesnt do full justice to either a p or a j. Im betting for most situations you either prefer a p or a j, so the only solution is to get one of each. :)
Click to expand...

Gotta agree with @travisferrell here.

Although the first bass I ever bought was a p/j, I think the tonal qualities of the jazz is the superior choice....especially for finger funk style. I don't knock the precision. There are times where the mix requires a solid P sound. I own both p's and j's..... but wouldn't consider a p/j ever again.

I won't knock the hustle if that's what you decide on the p/j though..
 
#16
rawchuck said:
I’m on the hunt for a 5 string bass. I already own a 4 string Nash P bass, and I like it a lot. I have been wanting a 5 string and decided to take the plunge.

At first I was set on a jazz style v, now I’m also considering a pj.

I don’t slap, so that “both pickups” sound a traditional j bass offers is not much use to me. Does a j style neck pickup sound good on its own, or wi having a p style pickup sound better in this case?

I will use this bass mostly for finger style funk.

just wondering the pros and cons of a pj v vs a jv?

Does the p bass pickup fart out and rumble, or does it sound good on a v?

I can get either p style neck/body or a j style…..How does the string spacing feel on a J style v vs p style v?
Click to expand...

SADOWSKY METROLINE PJ 5 STRING. Thank me later!
 
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#17
u2brothr said:
Gotta agree with @travisferrell here.

Although the first bass I ever bought was a p/j, I think the tonal qualities of the jazz is the superior choice....especially for finger funk style. I don't knock the precision. There are times where the mix requires a solid P sound. I own both p's and j's..... but wouldn't consider a p/j ever again.

I won't knock the hustle if that's what you decide on the p/j though..
Click to expand...

Funny I am the kind of the opposite. I see no real reason why not to have a P/J if you want a p bass. I see it as a better to have it and not need it type of deal. Especially if the pickups are properly matched. My 2014 hot rod 60's P(/J) has an amazing humbucker like tone with pickups on full. I will admit my other P/J's don't balance nearly as well but even when I want a bridge pickup tone I think it sounds soo much better with a little bit of p pickup blended in to give it some beef.

(p.s. This was not meant to be personal, just a good opening for my opinion.)
 
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#18
My only advice for PJ is to use a 3 way switching system VVT. + 3 way. For me unless it is an active blend, The J almost get eaten when blended and the P looses its punch when soloed. One of my workhorse bass now is Fender Jazz Bass special, with EMG Geezer Butler PJ set. It is a very good gigging bass. The original pickups where very hot and too much mid range and the TBX tone control did not help. NOW THE EMG GZR PJ SET + the included passive controls are just what the doctor ordered. I am getting a lot of compliments
 
#19
I’m not into bright bass sounds so on my PJ I have a split coil pickup in the bridge position. It a bit darker but to my ear it more adds oomph - plus it eliminates the single coil hum you get on PJs.

For what it’s worth: (and this is sacrilegious) I can get close to most tones with my Aria Sinsonido travel bass and a SansAmp Bass Driver DI (referred to as a BDDI here). So I’m my opinion get what is most comfortable and the best quality you can in your price range - there are a ton of ways of modifying your sound.
 

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