• 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.

What is the best Fender PJ?

#41
I have one but mine's cooler, you know why? Because it's mine...
Had a HS buddy that always used to say that. Couldn't resist. I have had PJs before but do not own one that is technically Fender. I have a med scale Warmoth build that is of the PJ config and sports Fralin pickups. While not technically a Fender, Warmoth's stuff is Fender-Licensed...

I have had a legit lower end Fender PJ from the 90s (bought it new back in the 90s). Gave it away to a good friend that was moving out of state. Neck was a bit wide for me, and it wasn't that expensive of a bass, so it felt like the right move.

I have had both 4 and 5 string Squier Jaguar basses. The 5 had a preamp and fender pickups, the 4 was passive with the 5 looked cool and sounded just fine but was an 11 lbs. chooch. Cool as it looked, it was just too heavy to play for any extended amount of time. The 4 string Jag gets the prize for being the coolest of my lot of built by Fender FSOs. True confession; I did replace the SDs in my 4 string Jag with the same Fralin's that I now have in my medium scale Warmoth.

So, out of all my PJ ownership experiences, I think the Warmoth is probably the best with the 4 string Jag being a close runner up.
 
#44
I had an '88 Fender Jazz Bass Special for 30 years. It took a while to appreciate how good it was.
A couple years ago, I got a 2 Tony Franklins, converted one to fretted, and decided to sell the JBS.
The JBS was a lot of "bang for the buck, but I have no regrets.
I prefer the "classic" styling, and didn't give up anything in quality.
 
#45
The answer is my 72 of course, followed by the Tony Franklin fretless

20171216_185005.jpg



But I still really want one of these. Out of stock til next year at the earliest though
lg_1_1_725998.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dr. Cheese
#46
For me to like a Fender PJ, it'd have to be light, have a pickup switch (none of this silly VVT stuff), and a 5th string. Not much chance of all that happening, so I won't worry about it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bpb
#48
dave84 said:
What do you think is the best Fender with PJ pickups among all those produced by Fender from the 1980s to today?

My vote goes to the Fender Jazz Bass Special (which was also the first ever Fender PJ!)
Click to expand...

N series (90's MIA) PB ( These we're just called a PBs even though there is a JB bridge pickup) the others are not even close. Probably the playing PB I've ever had my hands on, and I been using PBs exclusively since the 70s. Tone for days, blends well in the ensemble, records well, and no shrinking violet onstage when and if needed.

Mine is going to the grave with me. So no, I'm not selling it. LOL!!!
 
#52
Again, the OP and some other posters who have answered Jazz Bass Special got it right. This is a passive bass with very hot pickups and a TBX circuit. It's like the first P with a split and the first Jazz. You can push whatever FSO from other brands, but we are talking something made in Japan here and they did f**k around. They make good basses - "Fender PJ" not Yamaha or Donner or whatever. The OP was not best PJ bass - But even so, I would take this bass over a Yamaha any day. If you have not played one, you do not know what you are missing. And no help from boosting anything with a preamp like a Sadowsky. Also the 3 position switch is preferred over the PU blend of the new Fender PJs.
 
#53
Meh, I have a killer 78 P that sounds great and several Jazz basses that I like at times. I much prefer a classic Spector NS-2 PJ. Now that's a real work of art. In the end it doesn't matter. It matters way more about how well you can play any given bass and how well you can fit in with the band as an ensemble, listen to each other and make music. I know we're all geeks and that's cool. It always seems to me that I'm not a hundred percent happy with my Fenders be it the P or the J. I'm literally never disappointed with my Spector's.
 
#57
I have yet to afford the American Performer P/J, but having the Jazz version I have no doubt it is awesome! I do have this MIM Deluxe P Special and absolutely love the addition of the noiseless Jazz pickup in the 70's position. I'm still relatively new to P/ Js but Yamaha has it going on too! But right now this is my favorite Fender.
IMG_20221014_161556.jpg
IMG_20221014_161556.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: west al and Tad
#58
Gotta go with the Tony Franklin on this one. Without a doubt. Granted…I haven't played ALL of the fender PJ options out there. Most of us haven't.

the selector switch is part of the Magic to me honestly. I know people say it doesn't matter for this reason or that, but having recently changed my own bass over to a selector switch which was previous wired with two volume knobs, it makes a massive difference. Night and day. Not subtle.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back