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Underwhelmed by my Mustang PJ

#21
Low Spark said:
I'm pretty new to bass, and female, and shortish, so last October I put my '83 G&L SB-2 in the case and bought a Mustang PJ. While the 30 inch scale made things instantly easier, I am less-than-impressed with the sound. In a word, it's wimpy. My son's Jaguar Short Scale sounds better to me.

So. Will changing strings help? How about getting the bass set up? What can I do to make this bass sound like a BASS? I find myself playing the old G&L (HOT pickups on that one) more often than the Mustang.
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You're problem might be because you came from a SB-2. That's one bright and high output bass.

The Mustang PJ is a Fender instrument. So warmer and lower-output AlNiCo pickups. Much more "vintage" sounding.

There also have been some reports of a bad setup from the factory at times, so you might try changing the pickup heights. I have my bridge pickup pretty close to the strings and it's my favorite sounding J bridge pickup I've ever heard probably in part due to the short scale. however it's definitely more mid-rangey than bright.

The Jaguar I'm not sure about. It looks like it might use ceramic pickups (which the SB also uses) and the bridge pickup is closer to the bridge. My guess is you're hearing more brightness out of it and that might be what you're looking for.

Don't get me wrong either, G&L SBs are my favorite bass from them (SB-1 is my choice but SB-2s are awesome too, I have one of each right now). Those MFDs are amazing pickups and they wouldn't sound the way they do without ceramic magnets. In fact they are integral to that design.
 
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#22
A Pup and Pre upgrade along with the right strings would put a smile on your face. If you like ceramic look into an EMG upgrade.
 
#23
I would be genuinely surprised if the stock pickups in the Mustang PJ and Squier SS Jaguar are very different. And the bridge J in the Jaguars has a reputation for being pretty weak; I know mine is, which is why there's an EMG GZR pickup set in the mail right now.
 
#24
First thing is try adjusting pickup height as that costs you nothing and can have a huge effect on sound and output. You will know if the pickup is too high when the magnetic pull affects the string vibration and you get a warbly sound especially in the higher registers. Different sets of strings are nice to have too and you can switch between sets and keep the old ones. Soak them in isopropyl alcohol before putting them back on. Some things to try before swapping pickups. I have a set of dimarzio DP126 and like them a lot. They definitely have balls! Or steal your son's bass, sell the Mustang and get him somehow new hahaha
 
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#25
NortyFiner said:
I would be genuinely surprised if the stock pickups in the Mustang PJ and Squier SS Jaguar are very different. And the bridge J in the Jaguars has a reputation for being pretty weak; I know mine is, which is why there's an EMG GZR pickup set in the mail right now.
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The pole pieces look off on the SS Jag. They look like steel which means there is a ceramic magnet underneath somewhere. It's also a 180 dollar bass if I am not mistaken so they have to cut costs somewhere.

The Mustang PJ retails at 550 so there is more room for upgrades here or there, the obvious ones being the neck wood (nice grain on rosewood) and finish (gloss headstock, satin otherwise) as well as the pickups to my eye.

The Mustang PJ definitely is an AlNiCo setup but the mexican pickups, which are like USA Made ones from the 90s. Fender Mexico basically gets all the hand-me-downs from the USA plant including pickup designs.
 
#27
Welcome to TB!

I was never overly impressed by the presence and sonic footprint of any Fender/Squire bass. And that's despite me owning a Fender PB and three different Squier basses. The Fender sound is what it is. Even the later iterations and clones like G&L and Lakeland have more whump than most Fenders I've played.

If you're looking for an all around short-scale that's very reasonably priced and will hold it's own against (IMO) anything else that's out there, I'd suggest you give a Gretsch Junior Jet a try. Plenty of power and tone, with a really good sound all it's own that goes with almost any style of music I can think of. New they go for $299 most places. But you can find a used one in mint condition for at least $100 less if you shop.

If you do try a Junior Jet and don't mind used, look for the first model they made. It has a single mini-humbucker in the sweet spot. That pickup was designed for Gretsch by TV Jones and it's magical. The newer ones (now called the Junior Jet II) have two Gretsch pickups, which also sound really good - and you may prefer them. But I think the original pickup and it's placement was a marriage made in heaven. And definitely the model to look for.

Old style:

jj1.jpg

New style:

jj2.jpg
 
#28
Not sure about the pj's, but my mw squier sounds awesome with a new pup in it. At first I had a 35hz and then I switched to an active pickup (emg as well). I think the Mikey way is a great little bass. I love mine. It was my main bass for a while.
 
#31
I didn't read anything on this except the OP listed below. But, based on that, I would definitely start with cheaper solutions and move forward from there. Look at what people have to say about strings and then pick out something you think you will like. That alone may do it.
Next thing you might give a look is maybe pickups. I knew the tone I was wanting on my Jag, so pre-decided that the stock Duncan designs were going and ordered Fralin PJ set at the same time I ordered the bass. - Also strung it up with flats right away too!

Low Spark said:
I'm pretty new to bass, and female, and shortish, so last October I put my '83 G&L SB-2 in the case and bought a Mustang PJ. While the 30 inch scale made things instantly easier, I am less-than-impressed with the sound. In a word, it's wimpy. My son's Jaguar Short Scale sounds better to me.

So. Will changing strings help? How about getting the bass set up? What can I do to make this bass sound like a BASS? I find myself playing the old G&L (HOT pickups on that one) more often than the Mustang.
Click to expand...
 
#32
Low Spark said:
Has anyone changed out the pickups on their Mustang PJ? What did you use?
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I assume they are standard P/J dimensions. I hear lots of good about the EMG Geezers. Not only do the sound good (they say) but they look like an easier no-solder swap.

My main axe is tenor sax, and I know from playing that that it takes a while (a lifetime, maybe?) to nail down your "sound."
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Well, count your blessings! New pickups are cheap compared to the price of a new mouthpiece / ligature.
 
#33
Blaargh said:
I've wanted a shortscale Fender with some really lairy pickups in it for a while- Maybe a set of Lace Man O' Wars would make it? They'll fix any wimpiness, for sure.
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Dimarzios would as well I think. They're cheaper.

The pickup height has a huge effect on tone as well. The closer to the strings the more brightness and output you'll get. The further away you move it and it loses some low-end energy as well as sort of muddy's up.

I actually am tempted to lower the P pickup a little on mine, and then raise the bridge up a hair more. It should give a better balance in tone between the two, and also sound more distinct when I solo them.

The bridge pickup on this Mustang is one of the only J bridge pickups in a PJ I've found I can solo with. Most other PJs have the tinniest sounding bridge pickups and they wind up only being useful for blending. I like the solo sound of this Mustang's bridge pup.
 
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#34
I once had n issue with a bass not getting any warmth, and it turned out it was due to a few loose connections in the electrical wiring and cold solder joints. Going through the electrical, inspecting and re-soldering anything that isn't tight and shiny is another thing you can try, without buying any components.
 
#35
Low Spark said:
I'm pretty new to bass, and female, and shortish, so last October I put my '83 G&L SB-2 in the case and bought a Mustang PJ. While the 30 inch scale made things instantly easier, I am less-than-impressed with the sound. In a word, it's wimpy. My son's Jaguar Short Scale sounds better to me.

So. Will changing strings help? How about getting the bass set up? What can I do to make this bass sound like a BASS? I find myself playing the old G&L (HOT pickups on that one) more often than the Mustang.
Click to expand...

I agree. I only play short scales and couldn't wait for the new Mustang but I dont like it all, and I played two different ones just to be sure. The P pickup has no balls and the J is useless. A good set of flats would help Im sure and so would some new pickups but thats getting expensive. Check out the SX Ursa JR basses which are 30" scales. The Ursa 1 is a P bass and it sounds just as good as any MIM Fender P I have owned and they are 1/4 the price. I actually got mine B stock for $70! Cant beat that with a stick. Certainly better sound then the P pickup on the Mustang. If you want a P+J setup, they have the Ursa 3 JR as well and its only $149.
 
#37
Low Spark said:
mbell75, your description of the Mustang pickups fits my bass to a T. I'm not sure whether I should try to upgrade this bass or just work harder on getting my fingers to fret a full scale.
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I wouldn't worry about trying work at longer scale basses if they are uncomfortable, unless you're specifically keen on the tone of your G&L and want to make an effort to use it. Both of the reduced scale basses I have owned (a 30" Gibson Flying V, and my current 32" Zon VB-4) were also the two biggest sounding basses I've owned, so I believe you can be confident that either modding the Mustang or experimenting with other short scale basses will get you where you need to be tone-wise.
 
#38
Low Spark said:
I'm pretty new to bass, and female, and shortish, so last October I put my '83 G&L SB-2 in the case and bought a Mustang PJ. While the 30 inch scale made things instantly easier, I am less-than-impressed with the sound. In a word, it's wimpy. My son's Jaguar Short Scale sounds better to me.

So. Will changing strings help? How about getting the bass set up? What can I do to make this bass sound like a BASS? I find myself playing the old G&L (HOT pickups on that one) more often than the Mustang.
Click to expand...

Actually you might like Dimarzios, some PJ set. The Geezers people seem to recommend are not that bright. The Geezer P is like slightly overwound and has a mid snarl to it.

I'd suggest starting with the pickup heights though. Raise the bridge pickup up some and try again.
 
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#39
This may seem like a captain obvious question, but have you tried messing with your preamp/amp settings? When switching to an instrument I haven't played in a while, it's often necessary to twiddle with the gain and/or EQ to get it to sound right. Especially when going from a bass with hot pickups to one with lower output.

Also, just to help narrow down the issue, the wimpyness has most likely nothing to do with the 30" scale. I have a bunch of short scales, and they tend to sound fatter, with more low end than the full scales I own. If they have an inherent tonal challenge, it's generally that they can lack a little definition, and have a bit of a mid-scooped sound. It's subjective whether or not that's bad or good, but wouldn't be described as wimpy.
 
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#40
I'm a short 5'5 female with small hands. I actually prefer the tone and feel of 34 scale. I tried 35 but it is too far of a stretch.

A good set up and the right neck profile and nut width as well as string gauge go a long way. My ideal is a jazz size neck, c profile , 7.5 radius with low tension TI flats or light gauge rounds.
I happen to favor Precision and Jazz basses in tone and looks. Thank goodness for my Squier Eva Gardner CV Precision and my Sire V7 Vintage . Precisions with Jazz necks and Jazz basses with smaller than Fender bodies and 70's styling don't come along very often.

If you like that G&L stick with it. Maybe you need a different neck size and shape.if your G&L has a Precision style neck it might be contributing to playability for you. Maybe you need one with a Jazz size neck.
Try to adjust your strap or which leg you rest the bass on when playing seated.
Different tension strings. Make sure the set up is to your liking.

It takes time to learn exactly what works best for us individually. The good thing is you have discovered that you prefer more aggressive, less Fender type warm tones.

Return the mustang of sell/trade it off.
Only keep a bass if all the ingredients are there. Tone, feel, playability , and looks.
 
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