• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Mike Lull Club Part 4

#3,021
I posted this in the general bass guitar area, but it's not getting many responses.

I'm torn between a Lull P5 or PJ5 and a Yamaha BBP35. I can't try them out before buying. I want an authentic 1970s P bass sound (soul and funk) in a modern 5 string bass.

Besides the likely superior build quality of the Lull vs. the Yamaha, how do they compare tonally? Which pickups do you prefer in yours?

If anyone wants to discuss trades for your Lull P5 or selling yours outright, let me know!

Thanks!
 
#3,022
JZQuantum said:
I'm torn between a Lull P5 or PJ5
Click to expand...

I have a passive Lull PJ5 with the SD pickups. The P pickup sounds so good on its own that 90% of the time the J pickup is turned off and doesn't really figure in my sound. I can bring it in sometimes when I'm in a loud, rocky band but I find I like the flexibility of 2 pickups even though the J doesn't get used much.

Mine is staying right by my side, but I'd certainly recommend this bass to anyone who asks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JES
#3,023
chris_b said:
I have a passive Lull PJ5 with the SD pickups. The P pickup sounds so good on its own that 90% of the time the J pickup is turned off and doesn't really figure in my sound. I can bring it in sometimes when I'm in a loud, rocky band but I find I like the flexibility of 2 pickups even though the J doesn't get used much.

Mine is staying right by my side, but I'd certainly recommend this bass to anyone who asks.
Click to expand...
That helps, thanks. I was convinced I needed a PJ5 to sometimes get the Jaco sound of the bridge pickup or to blend it with the P pickup for extra bite.

I now realize I never feel like I am missing anything from my 4 string P bass, a Peavey Fury. It never disappoints, even without a bridge pickup.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chris_b
#3,024
Also running a Lull 5 with Pj pickups. I really like it, especially after people on this thread helped me with some DIY setup—because of the mass of the B string, the P pickup should be a bit lower down. I have performed and recorded with it happily.

That said, mine has a 35" scale. In a mix I doubt you could tell but that is technically different from "vintage." The Seymour Duncan pickup sounds right, though, for that vibe.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zoobiedood, chris_b and JZQuantum
#3,025
JZQuantum said:
That helps, thanks. I was convinced I needed a PJ5 to sometimes get the Jaco sound of the bridge pickup or to blend it with the P pickup for extra bite.
I now realize I never feel like I am missing anything from my 4 string P bass, a Peavey Fury. It never disappoints, even without a bridge pickup.
Click to expand...

I'm the wrong person to talk to about Jaco. I know he's good but. . . not really my cup of tea.

My view is that you should play the bass that gets you the sound you want. And my other pearl of wisdom, one probably won't give you the sound of the other. That's why I've got both Precision and Jazz basses.
 
#3,026
chris_b said:
I'm the wrong person to talk to about Jaco. I know he's good but. . . not really my cup of tea.

My view is that you should play the bass that gets you the sound you want. And my other pearl of wisdom, one probably won't give you the sound of the other. That's why I've got both Precision and Jazz basses.
Click to expand...

I would have agreed before I took this little test; now I'm less sure. I actually failed it.

Precision vs. J was easy with both J pickups open. Much more difficult with Jazz on neck pickup only.

Go to 6:15 if you want to skip to the chase.

 
  • Like
Reactions: TonyP- and Fred312b
#3,027
CaptainWally said:
I would have agreed before I took this little test; now I'm less sure. I actually failed it.

Precision vs. J was easy with both J pickups open. Much more difficult with Jazz on neck pickup only.

Go to 6:15 if you want to skip to the chase.

Click to expand...

They are very close...
 
#3,029
I recently bought a set of the beloved TI Jazz flats for my Lull P4. The tone and feel are perfect! I love them. I did have to make a significant adjustment to my neck relief, to accommodate the lower string tension, which is fine. The problem I've ran into, however, is that the first two frets of the A string have some slight fret rattle/buzz. The relief is set at .012", which is where I like it, and the action is to my liking. But I can't get rid of that fret buzz on the A string's first two frets. Any advice on resolving that? The A string on that set is only a .70, which can lend itself to being a tad bit floppy.
 
#3,031
CaptainWally said:
I would have agreed before I took this little test; now I'm less sure. I actually failed it.

Precision vs. J was easy with both J pickups open. Much more difficult with Jazz on neck pickup only.

Go to 6:15 if you want to skip to the chase.

Click to expand...

Both tests were fairly easy...test A was obvious. If one can't tell a Jazz on full vs a P on full then you obviously aren't a bass player!

Test B was easy too. The Jazz neck pup had more highs than the P bass pup. And the tone of the jazz neck pup wasn't as warm as a p bass.
 
#3,033
JZQuantum said:
Both tests were fairly easy...test A was obvious. If one can't tell a Jazz on full vs a P on full then you obviously aren't a bass player!

Test B was easy too. The Jazz neck pup had more highs than the P bass pup. And the tone of the jazz neck pup wasn't as warm as a p bass.
Click to expand...

In fact, I do agree as opposed to the previous response.

The difference in a set set of P pups is glaringly different from a J set of pups both at 100%.

The difference in a set of P pups and a J pup in the neck position is not so obvious, but the difference is there and should be easy enough to determine.

I won't make the claim on who is or isn't a bass player by their ability to distinguish between various pup tones. But the differences are certainly there and definitely obvious in varying degrees.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TonyP-
#3,034
Geri O said:
In fact, I do agree as opposed to the previous response.

The difference in a set set of P pups is glaringly different from a J set of pups both at 100%.

The difference in a set of P pups and a J pup in the neck position is not so obvious, but the difference is there and should be easy enough to determine.

I won't make the claim on who is or isn't a bass player by their ability to distinguish between various pup tones. But the differences are certainly there and definitely obvious in varying degrees.
Click to expand...

Well, I would agree that's it's obvious to varying degrees if the degree of variance drops down to "subtle at best" :)
 
#3,035
It would be rather cool to record a Lull P4 vs. Lull V4 (or M4V in in passive). Both Lindy. Same strings. Same variety of licks. Variance in tone control for various licks. If we can get...say....over 50 people to guess in a poll.....I am guessing fewer than 60% would get it right.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TonyP-
#3,036
CaptainWally said:
It would be rather cool to record a Lull P4 vs. Lull V4 (or M4V in in passive). Both Lindy. Same strings. Same variety of licks. Variance in tone control for various licks. If we can get...say....over 50 people to guess in a poll.....I am guessing fewer than 60% would get it right.
Click to expand...


Put that same bass in a full band situation and the gap will get bigger. Change amps around and even bigger, etc etc.....
 
#3,039
This beauty will be here in a couple days.

6EB3FF86-4BF4-4F07-B022-2D7C49BB6655.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: InnerBass, JES, vates and 6 others
#3,040
@MattB88 , I have a very similar bass and love it.

P vs J: I always say play whatever instrument inspires you.

I play with a heavy touch and always preferred the sound of the P to the Jazz neck pickup soloed (even more, the G&L MFD split coil). I listened to the envelope of the notes and got the test right and it wasn't close for me, but I know better than to make any grand claims based on a single listening test. With a different player, or flats, or the right EQ and processing, I'm not sure too many people could tell, including me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MattB88

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back