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Recommend me a passive P/J

#43
LowEZ said:
What has been working surprisingly well is an 80's Ibanez Roadstar P/J with a decent set of pickups...

Recommendations?
Click to expand...

Dig...I really like the 1980s Roadstar basses. I had a Roadstar II P bass that was terrific, and when I was younger and less wise, I parted with it. I continue to like them when I have a chance to play them, and were it not for the fact that I got a new passive PJ pass that I love a few years ago, I'd likely buy a used Roadstar PJ.

So... I'd run with the horse you've got. Or get another in another color with a different kind of fingerboard so you'd have a pair o' PJs! Maybe they're $300 used? You'd have $500 left for upgrading your amp, messing with different pickups or a preamp, or...
 
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#44
Last edited:
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#45
If you look at the photo at left, you'll see my Fender California Series P/J. Around $700 if you can find one. The neck is a non-glossy Jazz maple, for me, the best feel ever. These are the ones that were made in '96-'97 that were shipped to Mexico for painting to get around a change in California volatiles emission rules. The Jazz pup on the bridge has noticeably lower output than the P neck pup, but I rarely use it anyway...
 
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#47
Sweet Willie said:
Dig...I really like the 1980s Roadstar basses. I had a Roadstar II P bass that was terrific, and when I was younger and less wise, I parted with it. I continue to like them when I have a chance to play them, and were it not for the fact that I got a new passive PJ pass that I love a few years ago, I'd likely buy a used Roadstar PJ.

So... I'd run with the horse you've got. Or get another in another color with a different kind of fingerboard so you'd have a pair o' PJs! Maybe they're $300 used? You'd have $500 left for upgrading your amp, messing with different pickups or a preamp, or...
Click to expand...

Roadstars are good, but not perfect for me. Every basswood bodied Roadstar I've played (I own two and I worked for a dealer back in the 80's and 90's) has this hollow sounding mids and high-mids thing going on, even acoustically. They sound fantastic with the tone rolled down 75-100% but I don't like it much with the tone rolled up. Of course, IMHO, YMMV, Not available in all stores, etc.
 
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#48
mikeyjm2 said:
Last one I bought was a P/J - MIJ non-export Fender Aerodyne. Neither "high-end" nor American I know, but a great bass nonetheless. Of the 10 I own it gets the most playtime. Falls into the sub $800 category new - for me it did anyway, and I'm pretty sure you can find one too in that price range if you look.
Click to expand...

He likes it! Hey Mikey!! :p

Whew! I thought I'd be the only one to suggest an Aerodyne. It's a great passive bass, very versatile, cool as Hell-lookin', fairly lightweight and the neck is perfect if you like something a bit more "vintage styled". A new one would fit your budget (an export-edition 'Dyne goes for $800 brand-new) and a used one will easily go for less. :thumbsup:
 
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#49
LowEZ said:
That's EXACTLY what I want from a P/J configuration. I'd never be solo'ing the J anyway.



I'm aware of that one. I had a bad experience with the active version and have had a bad taste in my mouth for MIM Fenders since. Probably completely unjust, but you know how that goes.

Thanks to all for the recommendations, keep 'em coming. I'm not crazy for the big bodies on the BB's but that Godin looks interesting and sounds good in that demo. I've found MIJ Fenders to be a good bet in general so I'll be checking those out as well.

I've played an SB-1 in the past and liked it a lot so the SB-2 will probably still be at the top of my hit-list.
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, the 5 string string version of the Godin Shifter Classic is actually a JJ, just the 4 string is a PJ. I would hate for you to somehow decide to with the Godin and opt for a 5 string without realizing it's not a PJ. I know that probably a long shot, but wanted to you let you know just in the case. Used Godin Shifter Classics can be found from $550 or so on up. New they are usually around $900.

Another model I thought about is the Godin Freeway 4, also made in Canada. Those are can be found cheaper new and used. I have seen those anywhere from 300 to 650. There's one that's $460 on ebay right now.

The G&L suggestions are also great.

If I were in your situation, I would definitely mainly be looking at Godin, G&L, and Carvin.
 
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#50
Yamaha BB's are great. I've got two of 'em.
yamaha-bb424x-electric-bass-guitar-vintage-white--[2]-5283-p.jpg
 
#54
Malak the Mad said:
He likes it! Hey Mikey!! :p

Whew! I thought I'd be the only one to suggest an Aerodyne. It's a great passive bass, very versatile, cool as Hell-lookin', fairly lightweight and the neck is perfect if you like something a bit more "vintage styled". A new one would fit your budget (an export-edition 'Dyne goes for $800 brand-new) and a used one will easily go for less. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Add me to the list of people suggesting the Aerodyne. Great PJ with a great build and sound. Definitely try one out.
 
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#55
LowEZ said:
I hit my 50's a couple of years ago and these days I find myself acting more my age and playing in classic rock and Motown cover bands - something I once swore I would never do. :laugh: My two EBMM Sterling 4H's aren't doing it for me in these situations so it's time to say goodbye to one of them which is gathering dust. What has been working surprisingly well is an 80's Ibanez Roadstar P/J with a decent set of pickups. So I'm on the hunt for a well built (preferably American) passive P/J with a 1.5" nut width in the $800 used range and I'm not aware of much. The G&L SB-2 comes immediately to mind but then I draw a blank. It doesn't ultimately need to be P/J, I just need big, deep and warm and much prefer the versatility of 2 pickups, plus that split P fits so well in the music I am playing.

Recommendations?

Thanks much,
-EZ
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Carvin has some interesting offerings you might look into.
 
#57
I know you said " built in the USA" buy don't knock a lakland skyline until you try one...

You should be able to find a used Duck Dunn ( 4464 custom) at that price point... And maybe even one with a j already installed.

I have a few lakland skylines and I would a b then against a mia gender any day of the week...

Good luck with your search
 
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#59
LowEZ said:
I hit my 50's a couple of years ago and these days I find myself acting more my age and playing in classic rock and Motown cover bands - something I once swore I would never do. :laugh: My two EBMM Sterling 4H's aren't doing it for me in these situations so it's time to say goodbye to one of them which is gathering dust. What has been working surprisingly well is an 80's Ibanez Roadstar P/J with a decent set of pickups. So I'm on the hunt for a well built (preferably American) passive P/J with a 1.5" nut width in the $800 used range and I'm not aware of much. The G&L SB-2 comes immediately to mind but then I draw a blank. It doesn't ultimately need to be P/J, I just need big, deep and warm and much prefer the versatility of 2 pickups, plus that split P fits so well in the music I am playing.

Recommendations?

Thanks much,
-EZ
Click to expand...


Keep what you have - Palm Mute
 
#60
LowEZ said:
I hit my 50's a couple of years ago and these days I find myself acting more my age and playing in classic rock and Motown cover bands - something I once swore I would never do. :laugh: My two EBMM Sterling 4H's aren't doing it for me in these situations so it's time to say goodbye to one of them which is gathering dust. What has been working surprisingly well is an 80's Ibanez Roadstar P/J with a decent set of pickups. So I'm on the hunt for a well built (preferably American) passive P/J with a 1.5" nut width in the $800 used range and I'm not aware of much. The G&L SB-2 comes immediately to mind but then I draw a blank. It doesn't ultimately need to be P/J, I just need big, deep and warm and much prefer the versatility of 2 pickups, plus that split P fits so well in the music I am playing.

Recommendations?

Thanks much,
-EZ
Click to expand...
I have a Sadowski P/J that can be either active or passive. I love this bass, to me , it plays better than a fender. Can't explain why, as they
look identical. I would recommend this bass to anyone looking for a passive p/j
 

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