Shortscale: Mustang vs P vs SG

[SLPimp]

Reverend Wattplowers sre good, but fatter sounding that P and more thump. I have a hard time getting a good P rock sound without lots of EQ. I think it's the rail pickups.

Squier makes a mini P and their CV Mustangs are usually light, but sound nothing like P basses.

 

[kevs1]

I would say that the american mustang can sound close to a classic mustang like JMJ but it also can do other sounds like a jazz bass very well.
It sounds crisp and clear with great highs that you usually dont get from a short scale.
Its weakness is with a pick it sounds a bit thin and that's what I got the SG for,its a monster for pick playing and heavy music.

Personally i dont like the mex mustang,it always sounds to me like there is a blanket over the amp.

Didn't try the banshee yet.
Anyway,watch the videos on the basses and see what you like.

Thanks Leonid great. Well the JMG is a MIM mustang.. but i guess you are saying it's better than the lower priced MIMs, but not as good / versatile as American.. SG wow cool you like it.. If I only got one, and I'm only thinking of getting one. would you go with American Professional over SG? I do love Gibson, I have custom shop Les Paul 60 and 335 as favorite guitars, and one strat, I don't play as much. I've heard you can get Fender like sweetness out of SG.. so I think it'll be between those two then. They have SG finally back in GC stores to try, but most Mustangs backordered for long time.. Being mostly a guitarist I don't think I'd get two basses, but who knows!

 

[kevs1]

No experience with the Mustangs, though I do have an SG. Just want to throw it out there that the current SGs do not sound like the EBs from the 60s and 70s. While they looks similar, the modern SGs don’t actually have the “mudbucker” pickup, but rather a fairly mild humbucker. It isn’t as hard to EQ and sounds good, if not a little nondescript.

A few months before COVID, I took the family to Universal Studios. They had a jazz trio playing in the park where the bassist was playing a Mustang through a small combo amp. Sounded phenomenal.

I have basses that do the P thing, so I like the SG for something different. But if I were in your position, I’d be strongly considering the Vintera Mustang. I’m not a fan of the PJ models myself.

Thanks TDR, can the American Performer get sound of Vintera, darn, don't really like colors of the Vinters, red best, but prefer much white of Performer. Black great but no black on either !

 

[kevs1]

I think the P-bass is too different to be compared to the Mustang and SG. I will say that I prefer the 30.5 scale of the SG bass. The 30 inch scale strings are to rubbery for me.

One thing to remember on the SG bass is the volume on the neck pickup acts like a gain knob from 10 thru 7. 7 to 0 is when the volume actually starts to lessen. The volume knob on the bridge pickup functions normally. I prefer the SG bass. Replace the bridge if you can.

Thanks Don't think I could tell difference between 30.5, or 30 yet... Why SG bridge no good?

 

[MartialDylan]

The stock gibson bass bridges are difficult to adjust. The "Claw" of the bridge that holds the string balls in place is too close the E saddle when the bridge is intonated. You will need to take an xacto knife to the silk windings on the E string to clear the silk windings from the E saddle. The aftermarket bridges solve this problem. Hipshot 3-point bridge for Gibsons is cheaper that the Babicz.

 

[Leonid Nidis]

The stock gibson bass bridges are difficult to adjust. The "Claw" of the bridge that holds the string balls in place is too close the E saddle when the bridge is intonated. You will need to take an xacto knife to the silk windings on the E string to clear the silk windings from the E saddle. The aftermarket bridges solve this problem. Hipshot 3-point bridge for Gibsons is cheaper that the Babicz.

It is a bad design for sure but I have never had any problems with it maybe cos im using strings with no silk,ernie balls sit just right.
I get very low action and never needed to mess with it.
I think the previous owner did reverse the intonation screws so now the access is from the back of the bridge.

 

[Bassamatic]

My Mustang P/J with T.I. Flats sounds 95% like my USA P with flats. Playing live you cannot hear the difference. These are really great basses - so well made and comfortable with a nice slim neck. The J pickup lets you add some "growl" if you want. I replaced my 3-way switch with a balance pot. Improved the sound as it keeps the pickups isolated from affecting each other.

 

[kevs1]

My Mustang P/J with T.I. Flats sounds 95% like my USA P with flats. Playing live you cannot hear the difference. These are really great basses - so well made and comfortable with a nice slim neck. The J pickup lets you add some "growl" if you want. I replaced my 3-way switch with a balance pot. Improved the sound as it keeps the pickups isolated from affecting each other.

View attachment 4266815

Thanks Bassmatic, newbie questions here; P/J means? is MIM or American Professional? TI flats means? Come with...?, finally 3-way switch with a balance pot is.. maybe have closer photo of that... what means... cost of doing that if you have to pay someone?

 

[AlexanderB]

Thanks Bassmatic, newbie questions here; P/J means? is MIM or American Professional? TI flats means? Come with...?, finally 3-way switch with a balance pot is.. maybe have closer photo of that... what means... cost of doing that if you have to pay someone?

P/J means it has one Precision pickup (neck) and one Jazz pickup (bridge). The common one is the Fender MIM version, but others exist.
TI = brand Thomastik Infeld, flats are strings with flat outer surface, less sustain and much duller/darker sound.
I have a special version of that MIM P/J Mustang, with maple/maple neck, which might be the brighter sounding one vs rosewood or pau ferro fretboard.
My Mustang sounds much like a Precision, just a little less articulation and authority. Plenty of deep bass, though. And the J pickup works fine blended in or even soloed. Have used it for some very percussive african style music. There is no way I would go for a short scale Gibson or Epi instead, except maybe the RumbleKat.

 

[kevs1]

P/J means it has one Precision pickup (neck) and one Jazz pickup (bridge). The common one is the Fender MIM version, but others exist.
TI = brand Thomastik Infeld, flats are strings with flat outer surface, less sustain and much duller/darker sound.
I have a special version of that MIM P/J Mustang, with maple/maple neck, which might be the brighter sounding one vs rosewood or pau ferro fretboard.
My Mustang sounds much like a Precision, just a little less articulation and authority. Plenty of deep bass, though. And the J pickup works fine blended in or even soloed. Have used it for some very percussive african style music. There is no way I would go for a short scale Gibson or Epi instead, except maybe the RumbleKat.

Thanks Alexander, nice post info.. The P pickup on a mustang is is place about where the pickup is on a precision? I've kind of like the Precision over the Jazz and so simple two knows, done. But if they put that P pickup about where it is on Mustang, then that would be great, then Jazz one would be kind of a bonus then..?

I think my MIM P came with rounds right? Why would someone want less sustain? Even darker I would not want. Thats kind of what I did not like on SG, testing it at GC few days ago..seems to Low, and not as creamy, smooth. Maybe I'll have to get over my fixation/ love for Gibson (I have red 335 and custom LP), and stay with Fender for bass, probably lean towards now American Professional Mustang.. So this thread, really helping focus...

SG seems like would be fun for a 2nd bass, but I'm not bass player, so I'll probably hold off on that for while...

 

[ThingsAbove]

I've had a MIJ Mustang and currently play both a MIM JMJ Mustang and a Player Precision. Both my JMJ Mustang and Precision are wearing flats, but the Mustang has Labella DTF and the Precision has TI flats. I don't think they sound anything alike. I alternate playing them out. Sometimes I'm in the mood for the thuddly / woody goodness of the Mustang and sometimes I want a little zing with my meat and potatoes from the P. They are both comfortable and honestly don't differ much in weight.

My MIJ Mustang did not sound quite as good to me as my JMJ Mustang but it did have a tort pickguard which made it awesome all on its own.

I haven't played a P/J Mustang, but then it wouldn't be a Mustang would it? <duck>

 

[Mustang Surly]

I switched from guitar exclusively to primarily playing bass about 6 or 7 years ago. My first bass was an MIJ Mustang, which made the transition from guitar scale length easier. I found the stock pickups to sound kinda "meh", so swapped in a set of Nordstrand NM-4s, which sounded noticeably, if subtly so, better. But once I started playing other basses, the Mustang began feeling awkwardly small and "toy-like".

I still prefer short scales with narrow string spacing because my hands are arthritic, but feel more comfortable with the ergonomics of a larger body. The Guild Starfire Bass (with a body about the same size as that of an ES-335) is a perfect fit for me, since 335-type guitars were/are my preference.

 

[kevs1]

I've had a MIJ Mustang and currently play both a MIM JMJ Mustang and a Player Precision. Both my JMJ Mustang and Precision are wearing flats, but the Mustang has Labella DTF and the Precision has TI flats. I don't think they sound anything alike. I alternate playing them out. Sometimes I'm in the mood for the thuddly / woody goodness of the Mustang and sometimes I want a little zing with my meat and potatoes from the P. They are both comfortable and honestly don't differ much in weight.

My MIJ Mustang did not sound quite as good to me as my JMJ Mustang but it did have a tort pickguard which made it awesome all on its own.

I haven't played a P/J Mustang, but then it wouldn't be a Mustang would it? <duck>

Thanks .. Things, now I need to know what MIJ stands for, I just learned what P/J stands for. Wow lot of abbreviations to know. Why JMJ sound better?

 

[Joe Nerve]

I've owned a bunch of Ps, a MIM Mustang, a MIA Mustang, and an SG. I like basses and buy lots of them .

Every P I owned sounded a bit different to me. I currently have an American Special, and it ain't my favorite bass. It is however my favorite P.

Having both Mustangs I decided to hang onto the MIA. The main reason for that is that the pickups are more balanced, the J has a little more oomph, and the P is a lot sweeter sounding for my tastes. The P pickup on the MIM (now called the Player or PJ) was thicker, darker and louder. And if you like P basses I doubt you'd be disappointed with the MIM. You might be with the MIA as the smaller pickup has a different character to it. It doesn't get the lows that the other does, but I'm fine with that.

RE the SG - they're deep, dark and muddy. Not very versatile. Many of them have a quirky thing going on where you get a chorusy sound on the strings. Some have been able to dial that out with the perfect pickup height/balance and string combination, but I couldn't.

Last note: Some may tell you that short scales won't give you the same sound as a long scale bass, but that's simply not true. I'll challenge any of those naysayers to tell me whether I used a LS or SS in a recording. I played long scales for many years and now only play SSs.

Last not for real: If you like the sound of Stingray, check out the SBMM Short Scale Stingray. I'll be happy to tell more about that if you're at all interested.

 

[Mustang Surly]

Thanks .. Things, now I need to know what MIJ stands for, I just learned what P/J stands for. Wow lot of abbreviations to know. Why JMJ sound better?

MIA = "Made in America"
MIJ = "Made in Japan"
MIK = "Made in (South) Korea"
MIC = "Made in China"
JMJ = Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Signature Model)

Etc....

 

[ThingsAbove]

Thanks .. Things, now I need to know what MIJ stands for, I just learned what P/J stands for. Wow lot of abbreviations to know. Why JMJ sound better?

Ah, sorry. Yeah, lots of abbreviations.

MIJ == Made in Japan
MIM == Made in Mexico
JMJ == Justin Medal Johnson signature model (special version of a MIM Mustang with a different neck, pickups and relic'ing
Tort == Tortoise Shell pickguard (usually Faux tortoise shell), lots of jokes on this forum regarding the necessity of a tort pickguard for proper bass tone.

 

[AlexanderB]

Thanks Alexander, nice post info.. The P pickup on a mustang is is place about where the pickup is on a precision? I've kind of like the Precision over the Jazz and so simple two knows, done. But if they put that P pickup about where it is on Mustang, then that would be great, then Jazz one would be kind of a bonus then..?

I think my MIM P came with rounds right? Why would someone want less sustain? Even darker I would not want. Thats kind of what I did not like on SG, testing it at GC few days ago..seems to Low, and not as creamy, smooth. Maybe I'll have to get over my fixation/ love for Gibson (I have red 335 and custom LP), and stay with Fender for bass, probably lean towards now American Professional Mustang.. So this thread, really helping focus...

SG seems like would be fun for a 2nd bass, but I'm not bass player, so I'll probably hold off on that for while...

Why anyone wants flats is beyond me as well, and have given them a try a couple of times. Stiffer to play, less sustain, less mids, muted highs, often less fundamenral as well. Flats will also to some extent hide/diminish both sloppy technique and intricate, finer details, like tap ons, harmonics etc. Turns the bass into a semi drum, especially when played with a pick.
I can imitate that by using palm mute on my bass, but there is no way of getting the sound of rounds from a bass with flats.

The MIM P/J has an actual Precision pickup, whereas the JMJ, MIJ, Vintera etc have a pickup similar to what was in the original Mustangs, with a more compressed and less open sound. I tried the JMJ, and it was a really good bass, but (like your Gibson basses), knd of a one trick pony.

 

[selowitch]

I really like my medium-scale headless Traveler TB-4P that weighs under 7 lbs. and delivers a Mustang-esque tone for under $500 new.

 

[KenB]

The P pickup on a mustang is is place about where the pickup is on a precision? I've kind of like the Precision over the Jazz and so simple two knows, done. But if they put that P pickup about where it is on Mustang, then that would be great, then Jazz one would be kind of a bonus then..?

The pickup on a Mustang Bass is in a different location from the pickup on a Precision.

Here is a "quick and dirty" overlay of a Precision over a Mustang. (Ignore the scale - the Precision is reduced in size so that the bridge saddles and nuts are lined up.)

You can see that the Precision pickup is located much closer to the bridge. The change in location will explain some of the tone difference between the Precision and mustang.

By the way, the relative position of the P pickup on the MIM P/J Mustang is about halfway between the positions of the two pickups in the above picture!

 

[Joe Nerve]

Why anyone wants flats is beyond me as well, and have given them a try a couple of times. Stiffer to play, less sustain, less mids, muted highs, often less fundamenral as well. Flats will also to some extent hide/diminish both sloppy technique and intricate, finer details, like tap ons, harmonics etc. Turns the bass into a semi drum, especially when played with a pick. I can imitate that by using palm mute on my bass, but there is no way of getting the sound of rounds from a bass with flats.

In all my 21 years on Talkbass...

That is the single greatest post I've ever seen about flats !

I agree with you completely.