Reversing the Split P pickups in a Mustang Bass PJ

It's why Ibanez P/J don't sound like Fender P/J:

 

I find the difference more pronounced (and better sounding) on PJ basses. The P just seems to blend better when it’s reversed. I presume this would work similarly on short scale basses like Mustang...

with just the P pickup, the difference is less pronounced, and after some experimentation I learned that I preferred having a classic P (non-reversed) when there is no bridge pickup...

 

I think reverse Ps sound better balanced across the strings. There are two ways to reverse the pickup: for tighter lows, keep the treble half in place, and move the bass half toward the bridge; for plummier highs, keep the bass half in place and move the treble half toward the neck. (I'm guessing the second option is better for P-J?)

Another way to improve P-J blending is to add a series/parallel switch for just the P pickup. (Not a terribly useful tone for a P pickup on its own, but when blended, it's less prone to overpowering the J.)

 

Well. Somebody better tell Sadowsky, Fodera, Lakland, G&L etc.... that they're doing it wrong. ; D

 

No need to tell them . I’m sure they already know they suck. Lol