Why so many P vs. J threads? - the Answer

[SolarMan]

The debate about P vs. J is a popular topic - and always will be because they are the two most popular basses on this planet.

The major reason for this confliction and questioning was started by Mr. Fender himself.

The J bass was supposed to be the "High-End" Fender bass - the one you would graduate to "when you're ready"

The J had 2 pickups instead of 1, the J had a "faster" neck than the P, and the J had the "offset contour body",

The J started out with a "more sophisticated" setup like stacked concentric knobs and a fancier string mute system.

Then, the J started "improving" with stuff like a Blocked and Bound neck - and other cosmetic enhancements.

But, the workhorse P never really blinked when the J came around and continued to be more popular than the J.

~~~~~

I guess a good analogy would be: You find a good "partner" who is reliable, pays the bills, not fussy, simple to figure out, and lets you stay in the spotlight. That is the P.

Then comes along a "better" option, but this partner has more buttons to fiddle with, costs more, isn't so simple to understand, gets cosmetic enhancement, and likes to hum along while you play. All the while saying "look at me!"

~~~~~

Now the J is amazing because if you spend the time it can make sounds that the old goat P can't make. And a delicate touch might prefer the thin neck of the pretty one. And masters of the J can make it ROAR like a lioness in the throes of ecstasy.

~~~~~

And so, the answer is:

Long live the P vs. J debate!

 

[Pilgrim]

Chocolate vs. vanilla. Both are great, and the debate will never end.

 

[Jim Carr]

For me, there is no debate, the answer is "Both!"

 

[Mastermold]

For me, there is no debate, the answer is "Both!"

Yeah I don't see what the fuss is about, both are great instruments. Get both. Then go buy some other non-Fender stuff.

BTW Jim I nominate you to start the "Both P&J Club."

 

[kb9wyz]

For me, there is no debate, the answer is "Both!"

+1

I have a J and P. Granted the P has a DiMarzio Split P in it and it sounds less like a P than, oh...something else. But at the end of the day, it has the punch and articulation of a P.

Point is, I love both, play them interchangeably, depending on my mood.

 

[ksandvik]

J players have a nagging feeling a P is better. And the same is true of P players. This will continue until the universe is merged into an alternate universe where there are no P nor J bass guitars.

 

[Pilgrim]

J players have a nagging feeling a P is better. And the same is true of P players. This will continue until the universe is merged into an alternate universe where there are no P nor J bass guitars.

And they'll all get Squier Broncos just to confuse the issue.

 

[darkstorm]

I largely put it down to the odd phenomenon of so many people who cant see beyond fender or recognize that theres orther just as popular type of pups. Soapbar and humbucker. Then of course youve also got the fender is god crowd who cant see anything but fender, including their low end, being concidered seriously. I see far more soapbar pup basses then I ever do P or J basses being used in bands I like. With nonfender P pup basses as 2nd most common. or in some cases the more common. With fender for most of its history you also had big diff between the necks of their P pup and J pup basses. So pup comfiguration becomes allmost 2ndary to neck playability pref.

 

[P. Aaron]

J players have a nagging feeling a P is better. And the same is true of P players. This will continue until the universe is merged into an alternate universe where there are no P nor J bass guitars.

I have no illusions about liking the sound & feel of the Precision better. Have tried both many times and that's where my ears are.

It's still a chicken-egg conversation(ARGUMENT), for most TB'ers.

 

[nataku333]

yeah, both are great, and both are not as good as a Ray. jkjk.

 

[Geroi Asfalta]

I like the sound of the P, but also the sound of the J. The offset body is a bit of a mood killer, but not so much that I'll never buy one....with the right finish, a J is a damn sexy bass.

But, since I can't decide between J or P, my favorite bass at the moment, and my only fender, is a JP. I just wish the damn Jazz pickup was a tad closer to the bridge....

 

[Mike M.]

I have 3 J's (4 string, 5 string and fretless) and there's no replacing them. They're my main loves.

But I do get a smile on my face playing my Squire Affinty P with old, Fender flatwounds on it!

 

[Chrisk-K]

Now the J is amazing because if you spend the time it can make sounds that the old goat P can't make.

And the P is amazing because even if you don't spend time, it can make sounds that the sexy J can't make.

 

[One Drop]

The debate about P vs. J is a popular topic - and always will be because they are the two most popular basses on this planet.

The major reason for this confliction and questioning was started by Mr. Fender himself.

The J bass was supposed to be the "High-End" Fender bass - the one you would graduate to "when you're ready"

The J had 2 pickups instead of 1, the J had a "faster" neck than the P, and the J had the "offset contour body",

The J started out with a "more sophisticated" setup like stacked concentric knobs and a fancier string mute system.

Then, the J started "improving" with stuff like a Blocked and Bound neck - and other cosmetic enhancements.

But, the workhorse P never really blinked when the J came around and continued to be more popular than the J.

~~~~~

I guess a good analogy would be: You find a good "partner" who is reliable, pays the bills, not fussy, simple to figure out, and lets you stay in the spotlight. That is the P.

Then comes along a "better" option, but this partner has more buttons to fiddle with, costs more, isn't so simple to understand, gets cosmetic enhancement, and likes to hum along while you play. All the while saying "look at me!"

~~~~~

Now the J is amazing because if you spend the time it can make sounds that the old goat P can't make. And a delicate touch might prefer the thin neck of the pretty one. And masters of the J can make it ROAR like a lioness in the throes of ecstasy.

~~~~~

And so, the answer is:

Long live the P vs. J debate!

So you are saying the P is the wife and the J is the mistress (or husband and lover if you are so inclined)?

Sounds like good analogy to me.

Or the P is the pickup truck and the J the sports car.

The P is a Pilsner and the J a Champagne coupe.

The P is apple pie and the J is a soufflé.

The P is a week at the cottage and the J a weekend in Vegas.

The P is a roundhouse to the head and the J is a Bruce Lee one-inch punch.

The P is a Gorilla and the J an Orangutan.

The P is an El Greco and the J a Goya.

I could probably go on but I won't.

 

[fish slapper]

I'm a J guy. But I've bought several P's thinking that they "should" be the be-all, end-all. For me: No. Those P's have all been sold. As for flexibility, I always play both Pups on full, tone at 50%, that's just the tone I crave (adjust for the room at the amp). And my little girl hands love the thinner necks.

 

[millsbass5]

"a lioness in the throes of ecstasy."-quote


Your job wouldn't happen to entail descriptions of porn DVD's would it?

 

[CrewsControl]

I don't like either. Headstock and tuners are too heavy. And they just look dorky, old-fashioned - like plaid bermuda shorts and black socks. I'll take a modern bass like an Ibanez, Schecter or Peavey over a J or P any day.

 

[BWileyTally]

I largely put it down to the odd phenomenon of so many people who cant see beyond fender or recognize that theres orther just as popular type of pups. Soapbar and humbucker. Then of course youve also got the fender is god crowd who cant see anything but fender, including their low end, being concidered seriously. I see far more soapbar pup basses then I ever do P or J basses being used in bands I like. With nonfender P pup basses as 2nd most common. or in some cases the more common. With fender for most of its history you also had big diff between the necks of their P pup and J pup basses. So pup comfiguration becomes allmost 2ndary to neck playability pref.

I have no idea what you just said here.....

 

[Baird6869]

Both for me. Couldn't chose one. I flip flop back and forth depending on the gig I am playing....

 

[king_biscuit]

For me, there is no debate, the answer is "Both!"

Yes! Plus a Stingray.