Why do PJ basses always have J necks?

[cataract]

Not always

 

[jdjk7]

Pure P tones when I need it, and then blend in some of that honky bridge pickup when I'm feeling crazy.

This is an unscientific opinion, but for some reason when I pick up a PJ bass, it doesn't quite have the same magic as either of its parts. I don't know if there's an effect of a second pickup being in the circuit even if its volume is down, or if perhaps the pickups are wound differently from stock to work better together (but, in my opinion, less well alone). I'd rather have a P or J. Or both. Both is good.

 

[2112]

This is an unscientific opinion, but for some reason when I pick up a PJ bass, it doesn't quite have the same magic as either of its parts. I don't know if there's an effect of a second pickup being in the circuit even if its volume is down, or if perhaps the pickups are wound differently from stock to work better together (but, in my opinion, less well alone). I'd rather have a P or J. Or both. Both is good.

The presence of other electronics in the circuit and in the magnetic field certainly influences the overall sound. Now, whether or not it does so noticeably varies by setup and by audience. My experience has been the same: a PJ with the J rolled off typically doesn't sound like the same P pup alone in another bass, and a PJ with the P rolled off typically doesn't sound like the same J pup alone (or with a neck J) in another bass. But, of course, my ear has been trained over years of playing to pick up obsessively subtle differences in tone.

 

[musicman556]

I also got an American Performer PJ and yes it has a modern P neck, 1.5" nut I believe. Super comfy and I love the thing.

The ONLY thing I will knock it on is that I don't really think the stock pickups are the best PJ pairing. Rolling in the J progressively rolls off the low end response. Like a lot. The J by itself is OK, and the P by itself is GREAT. But almost any blending of the two is just about unusable to me. I am still weighing options for pickup upgrades here and may go down the TB tried-and-true Geezer route, but am fancying a chat with Lindy Fralin to hear his thoughts first.

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Additionally, and not quite on-topic, the Mark Hoppus Jazz bass from the early 2000s was a J body with a P pickup and P neck. Quite the reverse of the standard "P Bass Special"! I just finished my own custom-built (by a few of my favorite vendors) Miami Vice themed, Hoppus inspired J. I used a Fender roasted maple P neck on this maple J body, and it is absolutely fantastic. Gunna take it back to my dude Brian at The Low End for one more neck pitch tweak to get the action rrriiiggghhhhhttttt where I want it, but dangit this thing is an absolute beast!

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Just wanted to clarify that I quoted the wrong American Performer nut width originally, and it's too late to edit my comment. It's the 1.625" nut, not 1.5". Apologies!

 

[Chrisk-K]

My Fender American Performer PJ has a lovely P neck.

 

[Andy Marshman]

New Mustang PJ has a C profile neck that's a Precision-ish neck. I'm open to corrections on that.

 

[J-Mags]

My P-J bass has a P-J neck. I'd say that a lean 1.625 (mine is metric so it might be a hair less) is halfway between P and J. I think of P as 1.75, and even when it is slightly narrower, it's still pretty beefy.

 

[cholyoke]

The american ultra series also has a 1.625" wide nut and P-J pickups.

Edit: also the Duff McKagen and Player Series Plus basses, in addition to the others mentioned above.

 

[Dave Hill]

P Neck Jazz Bass

 

[moreblues]

Here is a Fender PJ with a P Neck...1.625 or 1 5/8...and this is one sale that I regret, an absolute killer bass!!

SOLD - 2013 Fender American Vintage Hotrod 60’s Precision PJ

 

[Jscriv]

Reverend decisions have a big Ole 42mm baseball bat of a neck you might like.

 

[rashrader]

I challenge your over generalization.

 

[jimmydean]

Any other way is against international law........your not a law breaker , are you ?

 

[Larry Mal]

Maybe consider a G&L SB-2.

 

[Lava]

Most P basses have a J neck at this point.

 

[P. Aaron]

I have a fretless JB that had a typical JB neck on it. Too narrow for my big, clumsy fingers. Swapped it out for a replacement Precision neck. Much more enjoyable to play over long periods.

 

[Lownote38]

Definitely not always. I specifically put a Precision neck on this one.

 

[Killing Floor]

The only actual Pj I own is custom and it has a P neck. Matter of fact, so does my Jazz. I like P shape better for my oven mitts.

 

[erratick]

I have a MIA 90’s Fender N series PB with the Jazz bridge pickup. It has a PB neck, although it’s the best PB neck I’ve had my hands around, and there has been more than a few.

Yup. Avatar bass. Same. Precision Plus has a Precision width (but modern slim)...

I prefer jazz necks, but I ain't giving this one up.

 

[erratick]

I think there’s a bit of a breakdown in communication happening here.
When i think “Pbass neck”, i’m thinking about a nut width that’s greater than or equal to 1.625”.
And a Jazz neck has a nut width in the ballpark of 1.5”, give or take.
So the Yamaha BB basses do have a J style neck (1.57” nut), and an American Performer PJ with a 1.5” nut is a J style neck, even if the decal says “Precision”.

To that end, i do agree with the OP that a lot of PJ’s do have Jstyle necks (those with nut widths smaller than 1.625”), but after scrolling through Sweetwater, it looks like that trend is coming to an end, so it shouldn’t be an issue any more.

I hope i understood OPs question, and i hope this helps.

This is how I think of it as well. Nutwidth wise. But there were plenty of P-J precisions that were not jazz width. That was a more recent trend.