What is the best P J combo pickups?

[SGD Lutherie]

I honestly advocate for having a custom set wound for a P-J by somebody reputable, like Fralin. Try 9k P bass and 9K J, in single coil.

That's a good suggestion. The only way to get a PJ set to mix well is to have a custom wound P pickup, or use an active mixing setup.

I was just thinking the other day that a P/J set that's specially wound to work well together would be a good thing to make.

 

[giacomini]

Bang for the buck, like said before, the Dimarzio Model P/J (DP126 set I guess).

Have those in my P Plus, but the main reason I had to switch to those pickups are the adjustable pole pieces.

Not very balanced, I have the J up close to the strings and the P screwed down to the pickguard (almost) to get a balanced tone when both are selected (my bass have a 3-way switch)

Before those, I had a P/J Lace Sensor set (Fender branded, stock pickups in the "Plus" series of the 80's/90's). The Laces are fairly darker than DiMarzios or Fender P and J pickups and have a considerably lower output.

Those Laces are going in my new fretless bass.

 

[andk5591]

Dimarzio Model P and J does it for me - Getting the heights set correctly is really important IMHO for brightness and balance. I also do the dual sound (series/parallel) on each with center off switches. I am in a cover band and have to quickly get to different sounds for different tunes. Just hit a switch and tweak the tone and I can be pretty much anywhere I need to be. Used to be active, but making reproducible changes was a hassle. Still have a balance control on one of mine that is never used for the same reason.

 

[NKBassman]

Fact is, everyone here is going to tell you something different, which just boils down to what they like the most, which doesn't necessarily mean anything.

And now, on to my opinion:
On a budget, I'd do a Dimarzio PJ set, or possibly a Bill Lawrence set, but I've never tried the BLs. I'd also like to hear a Fender '62 P pickup with a Dimarzio Model J. I definitely like the hum-cancelling of the Dimarzios, and the Model J is a little beefier than average J pickup.

If money was no object, I'd probably check out some Fralins, but again, I've never tried them before, and at that price I won't be for a while.

 

[walterw]

a fender 62 "original" or duncan spb-1 "vintage" with a dimarzio ultra jazz or area J is a really good combo, and for well under $200.

they blend well, each pickup sounds like the classic it's modeled after, they look "stock", and there's no hum.

"balance" is an overrated concept here, i think; P-J sets are all about the P pickup, with the J just being there to modify the tone of the P by scooping out mids and adding treble as it's brought into the equation.

 

[walterw]

something to be sure about is to try to avoid split coild jazz pickups if not in premade PJ pickup sets, I've had a split coil Jazz pickup lying around which I cannot find a Pbass ppickup out there that it doesn't have phase problems with so if I were you I'd stick with stacked Jazz pickups or PJ sets... Just a little caution to save you going through all the trial and error after error that I did... Enjoy the PJ thought, it's a great combo for versatility

what kind of split coil is it?

most splits (like the dimarzios) work just fine with other pickups;

a few, like the '90s fenders with the big single polepieces, actually do have a thing where the two coils produce out-of-polarity signal; they sound fine by themselves or in pairs, because each string only gets read by one coil, but mixed with a different kind of pickup you will indeed get the thing where two strings sound good while two sound "out-of-phase".

stacks are OK, but have lower output, even when way overwound.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

something to be sure about is to try to avoid split coild jazz pickups if not in premade PJ pickup sets, I've had a split coil Jazz pickup lying around which I cannot find a Pbass ppickup out there that it doesn't have phase problems with so if I were you I'd stick with stacked Jazz pickups or PJ sets... Just a little caution to save you going through all the trial and error after error that I did... Enjoy the PJ thought, it's a great combo for versatility

Just reverse the phase of the J. If that doesn't help, swap the two P sections.

There are a lot of split Js in P/J sets out there. I had a bass with a DiMarzio Model P and a Schaller JBX (which is a Model J clone) and that worked fine.

 

[ExaltBass]

I have 3 different P-J sets that I'm quite happy with

Fralin standard P, 10% overwound J
Lollar standard P, 10% overwound J
Sadowsky P-J

 

[fjadams]

I'm having Lace Alumatones put in my Squier Jag SS during the full mod of that. They run about $200 for the J/P pair.

 

[acebase62]

The Duncan SPB-1 pairs very well with the STK-J2. Sounds great, and the volumes are well matched. I set mine up with a 3-way VVT and it kills.

X2. My Warmoth PJ has SPB-1, STK-J2, Fender TBX tone control, and 500k volume pots.

The J sounds good solo, the P sounds good solo, and various mixes work very well.

The Warmoth J pickup is routed fairly close to the P pickup and this may play a role in the combo.

I bet the Dimarzio Area J would work great as well (maybe better for some...)

 

[Domespeed]

That's a good suggestion. The only way to get a PJ set to mix well is to have a custom wound P pickup, or use an active mixing setup.

I was just thinking the other day that a P/J set that's specially wound to work well together would be a good thing to make.

in fact, there is a P-PU wound to 8,5k with alnico magnets:

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I have used this one in various PJ combos and got especially nice results in combination with the Model J.

It does sound pretty good by itself, too.

The only issue with this PU is the cover which is a little bigger than average. So, in order to fit the PU into a regular pickguard you will have to replace the cover with a "regular" one...

 

[Aussie Player]

I have passive SD Qtr Pnd P pup in combo with a SD Stcked Humbucher Jazz pup.
Hooked them up as vintage Jazz with 2 x VT pots so the P pickguard didn't have to be drilled further and it keep the P styling. The sound is better than I imagined.

 

[Basso54]

I'm completely in love with my P/J setup. So much so I'm thinking of selling my Franken P. It's a Duncan QP P and a Fender Jaguar J with 500k pots and a Sprague Orange Drop. I don't know if the last two things make a huge difference, but I know that I haven't played my old Ibanez this much since I first bought the thing when I was 16. It just works. Best part was that I only spent about $75 on the whole setup, pickups/pots/wire/cap/jack. Who knows, maybe lightning just struck or I'm just sentimental about my first bass, but the tone is epic to me.

 

[Problemchild]

Just finished the Jazz bridge rout on My "P"- I installed a Nordstand Nj4 to match the existing Np4- could not be happier

It is a noisy combo but-- Gets it Done, then some !



PC

 

[Treaks]

In a Fender, I'm running an SPB-3 (quarter pounder) for the P, and an STK-J1 (classic stack) for the J. They're going though a single 500K volume, and a Gibson style 3 way toggle. No tone, no blend. The pickup heights are adjusted to be about equal output. It's punchy, ballsy, clear, and not crazy bright. It's hum canceling because there are four coils.

 

[Syco_bass]

I would have a set made to match. I would call either Carey Nordstrand or ask Dave (SDG) to wind you a custom set. I've used both manufactureres with excelent results.

Good luck.

 

[Doragon]

I'm having Lace Alumatones put in my Squier Jag SS during the full mod of that. They run about $200 for the J/P pair.

I have the Lace pickups in my Jag. I love the way it sounds now.
And they look great as a bonus ! I have a pretty good hookup for these if anyone is interested. Just drop me a pm for the info. I do not sell them myself, Just want to pass on a good source for bass parts I found.

 

[39-Bassist]

I have tried a lot of combo PJ's and have come to a liking of a PB-1 and a STK-J2B. The PB-1 is nice and clear with punch and the STK gives the tone a nice upper mid with clarity. Just a thought. Good luck with decision.
BUT biggest thing is finding the right combo no matter what pickup brand (they all make some good one's) , for the wood tone and neck tones. Plus what SOUND do YOU like?

 

[5StringPocket]

Not the best picture but I've been quite pleased with the Nordstrand pickups and Aguilar OBP-2 preamp in my Valenti PJ5. At first I used to play it in active mode with nickel roundwounds but passive mode with chrome flats has a special kind of mojo. The reverse P adds a little more focus to the B-string. Love it.

 

[Highpost]

Do any of you think that a joe barden pickup will eliminate the phase canceling issues? I love my stock p pickup. I get this great low mid sound that's great for Latin music but I can't stand the noise I get from the pickup in my fender p lyte...