Why does a "PJ" configuration sound so refined and elegant?

[Russell L]

No one mentioned an '80s model Jazz Bass Special yet? I love my '87, even more than my '01 American Jazz. If I thought I could play it in the afterlife I'd take it with me. Plus it has low frets and a 7-1/4" radius, which is what I prefer. I know the OEM pickups could be better, but I still love the P/J sound it gets.

I have also come to like my Jazz Bass with the neck pickup on full and the bridge pickup on about 8. Why, I even like the neck pickup by itself.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I thought this would be a good place to drop in with this video I found the other day, and have been obsessed with. I am in love with his tone. He has other videos of the same song on different basses, and they're all just missing that special something the PJ has to offer

Funny you should mention this song, as I just started learning it today with my PJ.

 

[Zootsuitbass]

In response to the audio clips I broke out my Road worn P bass/j neck modified P/J.

I agree with what your saying about the clips,,,the second half isn't as cool.

My bass doesn't do that though.. I have a Fralin set, I forget the exact specs I think it's P over wound by 3%, bridge is a split coil "J" over wound By 8%. That was Lindy's suggestion when pressed for recommendations. Maybe that has something to do with it. Oh,,, Bridge is in the 60 position.

here's some quick clips to show what i'm talking about regarding the phasing of a P J pickup locations.
i used two different P J's for the clips. one has Fralins old with roundwounds, and the other has a Lollar P with a fender custom shop J in the bridge with TI Flats. both recorded on a zoom H4n, playing thru my SVT7 pro/215 3015 cab.

PJ#1-Fralins/roundwounds (the first and third 8 notes played across the fingerboard are just the P, and i switched to the PJ for the second and fourth 8 notes to compare them back and forth)

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PJ#2-Lollar/TiFlats- same test with a couple of extra notes(first the P, then the PJ)

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[bigboy99]

I think PJ's are cool when they're active. Not so cool passive IMO/IME. For passive gimme a straight P or J.

You would likely reconsider if you played a Mike Lull PJ (passive). I used to favor the P pup, but now have come to love the even blend. Best of all worlds.

 

[kai_ski]

You would likely reconsider if you played a Mike Lull PJ (passive). I used to favor the P pup, but now have come to love the even blend. Best of all worlds.

I recently compared my passive Lull PJ5 directly to a NYC Sadowsky loaded with the nordy PJ5 pup set, and you couldn't pay me to swap (okay maybe because I could buy two new Lulls after I offed the Sad.) Mike puts some serious magic in these basses.