Why are P-basses more expensive than PJ basses?

[Felix Lopez]

 

[micguy]

Many years ago, there were a bunch of cheap Asian guitars with 4 pickups - the theory being the more pickups, the better it would be perceived by folks that didn't know better - that beginners would bite on that. Because of this, when Stratocasters first came out, there was a bunch of folks that thought "3 pickups = beginner guitar". The Telecaster was, for a lot of folks, the "adult guitar", because it had only 2 pickups.

Some of that thinking is still around. You're getting your first bass - you have no idea if a P or J is better. Here's one with both kinds of pickups, and it's cheap. A lot of kids will buy that. A P is for a customer with a more refined taste - someone with some experience. Squier is oriented around beginners - hence PJ's

 

[Lowbrow]

Gosh, I wish P'J pickup sets were cheaper that P alone ... but they're not ya see.

 

[A9X]

Dear Victor,
I read on TalkBass today that PJ basses are for beginners. Please sell your Fodera and buy something more appropriate.
Regards,
TB

 

[Felix Lopez]

What about just listening?

 

[Flamingo21]

But, but, but the J pickup is weak, it simply can't match the volume of the P pickup...not even if you keep the P pickup at 3/4 and have the J pickup set on full!

That's certainly untrue for my PJ. On my PJ the two pickups are well balanced.

 

[JimmyM]

Not if you're using the Geezers Jimmy mentioned, that set has a balanced split coil J to match the P. Certainly if you have a vintage output J (around 7k) it will sound weak with a P (usually around 10k) and that's how many PJ's come. Well matched sets, in regard to output, do exist, or swap out a single coil J for a higher output split coil, it won't sound exactly like a single coil, but it will ballance the outputs better.

Ya, that was the thing about the SX PJ I didn't like...its J pickup. It was single coil and I have no idea what either measured, but they didn't sound as good together as other combinations. The P pickup was quite good, though...had polepieces way too high but it was good. Fortunately, I needed the J pickup so rarely when I had it so it was never an issue.

BTW, jd56hawk was kidding around.

 

[Flamingo21]

I've sat for hours recording AB's of PJ with P soloed vs P alone using my Geezers, and it makes no difference whatsoever.

Man, I can't believe you spent the time and energy to prove such an obvious thing.

 

[JimmyM]

Man, I can't believe you spent the time and energy to prove such an obvious thing.

I was in one of those moods that night Plus I exaggerated, probably only two hours. But it IS hours!!!