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What is your favorite PJ pickup combination?

5

5Bass5

Apr 13, 2011
110
35
NJ
#1
Note the lack of the word "best". I know there isn't one, but I need recommendations to get an idea of which pickups are commonly liked.

Looking to replace pickups on one of my basses. The P pickup is dead, and I thought I might as well replace the J pickup as well since it's a cheap bass. I would like to use this bass for solo bass compositions (usually calmly stuff).

That being said, what is your favorite PJ pickup combination? And which would you recommend for my intended uses?
 
#2
I recently traded out my PJs.

Joe Barden Jazz and later a JB-P I got both for a reasonable price on the bay. The Barden J was picked up a couple years ago after hearing a 76(?) P with a routed in J sound clip here on TB and a youtube vid. (I could swear it was Cameron) The P was just a browsing impulse buy a few months ago. I had intended to make a parts bass but got impatient. A few weeks ago I decided what the hell and put them in my four banger, a Peavey Forum. ( I saved the original pick ups just in case I want to go back ). I like 70's music and for that it's brilliant. I read that a 5% overwound Lindy F. P would brighten up the sound but I rather like what I have currently and don't want to frankenstein too much.


EDIT:

It was Cameron,

Here is the clip to show what I was on about.

http://www.rocketmusic.net/SoundClips/FootPrints.mp3
 
#4
Lotta love out there for the Geezers. But everyone I've talked to has put them in a passive bass. I wonder how they stack up to the new Aggie P/J set in an active bass?
I was very impressed with the Fender noiseless pickups in their active Precision bass.
 
#11
I'm recently a fan of the Dimarzio Area P+J set, DP251.

IMO it is a sweet sounding well matched set with alnico II magnets, a vintage sounding P, a clean hum cancel vintage sounding J.

I've also used the Seymour Duncan Vintage P and Hot Stack J with good results. (SPB-1 and STK-J2, both with Alnico 5 magnets)

The 2 sets sound somewhat different (construction, magnets, etc.)
 
#13
Really happy with the Fralin's in my PJ - a standard P and a 5% overwound humbucking J. Currently wired up VVT.

Quite keen to try out the Bill Lawrence pickups as well, however Im not sure there'd be enough of a difference for me to warrant spending the $ on them.
 
#14
It really depends on the tone you're after. Really, when it comes to asking about pickups, you may as well be asking about a bass in general.

Are you wanting something with low end thump? More growly? Are you a mids kinda guy? Does high end matter to you? Do you like your bass to be more trebley? (if you are, see my signature)

Help us help you with more information.
 
#16
I have tried lots of PJ combo's even the new emg geezers .... sorry jimmy .... did not like.

Currently and my favorite ..... fender original Pbass pups and a fender Noiseless N3 J pup .... linear volume pots orange drop .47 cap.
great fender tone and quiet.
my search is over.
 
#17
JimmyM said:
By far, the best PJ set I've used are EMG Geezer Butler PJ's. Lot of great pickups out there, but I've not heard anything quite like the Geezers.
Click to expand...

I'm really interested in the Geezer pickups. I'm not sure if you've tried Dimarzio Model PJ but how would you compare them to those. I'm looking for a change. I like the Dimarzios but they are too hot and lack warmth.
 

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