What is Your Favorite P+J Pickup Set?

Geezers. I also like DiMarzio Model PJs for certain types of music, and EMG active PJs, but Geezers have been tops for me ever since I got them. Thing is, though , there are a lot of excellent pickups out there, and it's a very personal decision and not one size fits all, so you're best to say what you're looking for tonally, and then people can suggest stuff more targeted to your wants.

 

I don’t care for the way passive PJ sets interact. However, I had a set of (regular) EMGs that I really liked, and quite a few years ago, I had a set of Seymour Duncan Lightenin’ Rods that I liked as well.

 

Alembic. They were in a '87 Persuader.

 

I love pjs but don’t usually care for the output balance between passive sets. My go to has been EMG (2 Original and 1 Alnico X set) but my most recent set is the Wildes in a Warmoth Unlined Fretless build and they sound fantastic with GHS Tapewounds.

The basses in my avatar are the EMG equipped. The black one has a Fender ‘62 p pickup and Duncan vintage jazz in the bridge. Works well but prefer the passive Wilde’s honestly.

 

Without a doubt, my favorite passive set is Michael Anthony 78 Signature : Michael Anthony Signature '78

In a Schecter Model T

 

I have a set of Geezers in an older 80’s MIJ Fender and a set of PJAX in a 2000’s MIM Fender. Love to play them both, I use them roughly equally.

I think everything Jimmy’s described about the Geezers is accurate, they are awesome. I’m not sure why so many sets of them have shown up used for sale, they are a well-balanced do it all pickup.

The PJAX are great in their own way—I get a sort of “rich, clean, balanced” sound out of them with an older EMG EQ, very even, maybe I’d point out good natural fundamental with substantial mids (growls easily with just a little bit of drive), pretty clean bottom end, clear on top (but not sparkly or glassy), definitely PJ’s. As a set, I’d tell you that they are well matched, and the balance knob seems to adjust on a smooth continuum between phat P through a good 50/50 PJ blend (which I like, a little bit of clean scoop with some definition from the bridge) and on to “more definition” with more bridge in there—for me, all-bridge is probably not a go to setting, so I can’t help with that part.

 

Between EMG P/J and Wilde P46/J45, all is good.

 

I've got a set of EMG PJA's in my Ibanez SR800A...very happy with them...standard EMG PJ in my SR880...

Leslie

 

If I were to redo my EMG, it would be PA/JA.