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That old question: Sadowsky J/J or P/J?

Santraginus

Santraginus

Apr 24, 2005
253
27
56
Frankfurt, Germany
#1
O.K., I am looking for a new 4-string bass.

I have...

- a Sadowsky NYC RV 5 (and am really pleased with it),
- a Warmoth 4-string Jazz (that sounds great but is very very heavy),
- a MIJ 62RI Jazz that I like a lot, strung with flatwounds ...

... but I think that I'd like to add one more bass to the herd. I came to the conclusion that it will be one more Sadowsky, so recommending Laklands or other brands wouldn't help me...

My dilemma is: I think that I covered the variety of Jazz sounds pretty well - with two passive Jazzes and a Sadowsky 5-string Jazz.

So I think about ordering a Sadowsky P/J. I play blues, rock, and I'm already starting to learn some jazz tunes.

Will the P/J be a completely different beast? Will it add just the right amount of variety?
How much of a difference will there really be between the sound of the J and P neck pickups soloed? How about the difference using both pickups?

So, what would you do, and why? Would you get a Sadowsky 4-string J/J or a P/J???
It *will* be a 4-string, and it *will* be a Sadowsky... but I simply have a hard time decinding on the pickup configuration.

Ah: And for reasons I don't understand myself, I seem to not like the idea of universal routes...

I appreciate your help and suggestions!!!
 
#2
Santraginus said:
O.K., I am looking for a new 4-string bass.

I have...

- a Sadowsky NYC RV 5 (and am really pleased with it),
- a Warmoth 4-string Jazz (that sounds great but is very very heavy),
- a MIJ 62RI Jazz that I like a lot, strung with flatwounds ...

... but I think that I'd like to add one more bass to the herd. I came to the conclusion that it will be one more Sadowsky, so recommending Laklands or other brands wouldn't help me...

My dilemma is: I think that I covered the variety of Jazz sounds pretty well - with two passive Jazzes and a Sadowsky 5-string Jazz.

So I think about ordering a Sadowsky P/J. I play blues, rock, and I'm already starting to learn some jazz tunes.

Will the P/J be a completely different beast? Will it add just the right amount of variety?
How much of a difference will there really be between the sound of the J and P neck pickups soloed? How about the difference using both pickups?

So, what would you do, and why? Would you get a Sadowsky 4-string J/J or a P/J???
It *will* be a 4-string, and it *will* be a Sadowsky... but I simply have a hard time decinding on the pickup configuration.

Ah: And for reasons I don't understand myself, I seem to not like the idea of universal routes...

I appreciate your help and suggestions!!!
Click to expand...

Ya know, if I was in your situation, I'd probably for for the P/J and I'll tell ya why.

A few years ago, I finally invested in a fender Jazz bass and absolutly feel in love with it. I had my standard jazz tone covered.

So at that time I owned the Warwick, a very modern sounding instrument and the jazz bass. Looking into a new bass, I wanted the most versitile instrument I could get, so I decided on a Mike Lull PJ-5 with the J in the 70's position. I love it, totally covers the P tone which I did not have, but can have that jazz tone I so love.

So since I was in a similar situation, I'd go with the PJ. :)
 
#4
TrooperFarva said:
Get a Sadowsky P/J, and then get it routed for reverse P and J in the neck position. You can only get a P/J routed this way, not a J/J. Then, with 3 pickguards, and 2 neck pickups, you can choose whatever configuration you want.
Click to expand...

+1. Similar situation here.

I have an NYC PJ with a dual rout:

IMG_0391.jpg


Here it is as a J/J. Note that the pickguard is bigger than one on a regular J, as to cover the rout for the P:

IMG_0387.jpg


That's the only pic I have of it as a J/J, because I pretty much keep it in the P/J position:

IMG_0780.jpg



Best of both worlds as a PJ, IMO. I can cover a LOT of sonic ground with the P/J configuration. The band I'm in plays a wildly diverse set of music so that comes in mighty handy.

It only takes about 10 minutes to make the change. Most of that time is taking off a couple strings and unscrewing/screwing in the pickguard. There is an extra PG in my case and the J pickup with a quick connect.

I'll probably convert it back to a J/J someday out of curiosity, but I'll probably swap it right back to the P/J.
 
#7
This is my PJ, also routed for JJ config:

A fantastic instrument. The dual pickup route has an upcharge, but if you want to have a very versatile instrument it's worth the cost.

I don't have access to my computer now, but I'll post back on monday with some audio samplers of this bass and also a JJ with single coils.

Invalid Link Removed

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#9
Santraginus said:
My dilemma is: I think that I covered the variety of Jazz sounds pretty well - with two passive Jazzes and a Sadowsky 5-string Jazz.

1. Will the P/J be a completely different beast? Will it add just the right amount of variety?

2. How much of a difference will there really be between the sound of the J and P neck pickups soloed? How about the difference using both pickups?

3.So, what would you do, and why? Would you get a Sadowsky 4-string J/J or a P/J???
Click to expand...

1. YES.

2. Alot. Alot.

3. I did. I have four Sadowsky 4 string basses. The PJ is the shiznet and sounds very (not subtly) different from my two Sadowsky J basses and Modern 4.


P1000595.jpg


P1000596.jpg
 
#10
HI

You already have the jj thing covered. No sense in doing a Sadowsky with the conversion. Get yourself a metro PJ hybrid. Mine is completely killer!! In fact, the twin of my bass is for sale in the classified right now. Too cool!!

Rob
 
#12
Metro PJ basses are the best sounding and most versitile basses on the market IMO. I have 3 JJ Sadowskys and wish I had a PJ.

Anyways, dual route? You learn something every day! I have NEVER seen that! I bet a lot of people will be ripping apart their 2nd hand Sadowskys to check! My NYC doesn't have a pickguard, so I think it is safe to say it isn't a dual route!
 

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