Should I get a P or J bass?

[Snakeman1066]

That's what Beavis & Butthead probably thought when they invented it, but they can't get past the physics -- particularly the electronic mess known as the "V/V/T Syndrome," which is bad enough on a conventional Jazz.

I've been telling people this for ages, which they've of course resisted, but with the advent of the pricey Tony Franklin, which uses the switched P/J pickup arrangement I've recommended since sometime in the last century, I now retroactively make sense.

which is why all of mine are volume/balance/tone

i still say go P/J

 

[cnltb]

This thread isn't on which one is better Im just wondering which I should get for the price. One is a squier affinity precision used for $180. The other is a used fender jazz modern player for $400. I tend to play stuff from RHCP and Iron maiden if that helps.

I really think you need to try the two(or three if you are taking the original P design into account as well) for yourself.
I personally am a huge fan of my single coil P and play all sorts of things on it.
It is much more versatile than I'd ever have thought!

 

[Batmensch]

Get a Fretted Fender Tony Franklin Bass.
To me, it get the best tone for a P & J. ( Not sure why)
And when you blend both pickups, they don't sound like crap.

And they cost $1800 new. Since the most expensive bass he is considering is only 4 bills, a TF seems out of the question. And I agree those are way overpriced for used basses of those particular models.

 

[georgestrings]

Should you get a P or a J bass? Yes.

For RHCP, jazz. For Iron Maiden, Precision.

Seriously, those prices seem high on both. Look around, you should be able to get a high-end Squier Classic Vibe used for $250ish or Fender MIM for $300-350.

JMHO of course and YMMV etc. etc. Full disclosure: I have both P and J, and then some. And then some more.

Agreed on all of the above...


- georgestrings

 

[Bongolation]

[V/V/T Syndrome] is why all of mine are volume/balance/tone

That's still problematic, though not as bad.