Your pick for best PJ under $1000

[skycruiser]

Play it before you buy. I tried one with expectations. Disappointed was my experience.

Thanks. Playing one isn't an option, but I can return it with no penalty. Also considering the Ibanez Mezzo or TMB (lower cost PJs). Trying to stay below $500USD. Not meaning to derail this thread. I started another thread somewhere on my search for a low cost PJ bass.

 

[minimalist freedom]

Thanks. Playing one isn't an option, but I can return it with no penalty. Also considering the Ibanez Mezzo or TMB (lower cost PJs). Trying to stay below $500USD. Not meaning to derail this thread. I started another thread somewhere on my search for a low cost PJ bass.

almost bought a TMB sounded good didn’t feel good kept going back to the SX

 

[BOOG]

I”m looking for recommendations on a good all around PJ but don’t want to go over 1000 dollars. I really like the sounds I can get from a PJ pickup configuration. I also would like a thinner, Jazz-like neck profile and 4 strings. which one is the best in this price range?

Aerodyne but, you might want to budget for aftermarket pups. Has a great neck. Almost like cheating
Fender Aerodyne 4-String Jazz Electric Bass Guitar SS Rosewood Fingerboard Black

2008 Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass Candy Apple Red PJ Bass Japan CIJ, EMG Pickups

Or...

G&L Guitars Tribute SB-2 Bass Guitar, Maple Fingerboard, Sonic Blue

G&L SB-2 2009 Lake Placid Blue | Russell's Shop

G&L SB-2 1994 Yukon Gold Metallic - Maple Neck - nearly mint

 

[Malak the Mad]

I forgot to mention it earlier, but the Fender Reggie Hamilton-sig Jazz has one of the best P/J pickup placements I’ve ever sampled. I used it’s configuration as a template to turn a Jazz bass into a P/J and have never regretted it. Huge sound and all that!

 

[Funky Ghost]

My 90's Peavey Forum PJ is the best sounding Bass I own imo. I play 5's 95% of the time. The other 5% is that bass. I think I gave $150 for it years ago when I first got back into bass. I've since moved other basses on but this one has stayed.

 

[TonyP-]

ESP LTD AP-5

 

[Rib 13]

Had a red ‘83 made in Japan Destroyer, Great sound , white original Di marzio,s . Sold it after a couple of years and made a profit just did not use it. A little uncomfortable to balance ...but I can still hear it. Brings out the beast in ya. Then sold my Aria P bass and bought a VM jazz but didn’t have enough of what I wanted to hear .so I bought a SX P/J about 3 months ago $ 300 AUD, it’s now one of two main gig basses. (The other a Charvel Surfcaster my avatar ). Now I’m happy again.

mine is a 2014 and, considering its body shape, is actually one of the lightest basses I own....one of the biggest differences on the 2014 is that the pickups are in optimal sweetspots where the '83 has the P-pickup out of that zone toward the neck...the '83 sounds different, but still sounds awesome, and that configuration spacing sounds especially great with a pick in particular......the 2014 has more of a 'modern' voicing structure, and works well for things not associated with Destroyers, like slap bass (great slap tone)

 

[bass40hz]

Get a Spector Legend.
(this link is only for showing you an example of the bass, not suggesting you go to sweetwater)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LG4CLSABKS--spector-legend-4-classic-trans-black-stain-matte

 

[jazzyvee]

I reckon this will work fine and will only cost a few £'s
Invalid Link Removed
I'll get my coat.

 

[J Mon]

I forgot to mention it earlier, but the Fender Reggie Hamilton-sig Jazz has one of the best P/J pickup placements I’ve ever sampled. I used it’s configuration as a template to turn a Jazz bass into a P/J and have never regretted it. Huge sound and all that!

Very nice paint job on this. Really like the whole look on this one

 

[Levitamin]

The Fender Players Series Jaguar with EMG Geezer Butler P/J pickups (less than $1000 new) rivals any bass I've owned, including a 1978 Precision Bass.

 

[sikamikanico]

So Yamaha BB, and the Lakeland getting a lot of votes as well as various Fenders. I’ve never played a Lakeland at all. How are the necks on those? I should be able to try out a Yamaha and see how the neck feels on those.

Lakland has GREAT necks, and what ultimately sold me on them. I've had several Skylines (and played many more), and still have a Glaub. Even though it has a full P width, it has a very comfortable profile. Their other necks (Jazz, and those inbetween) are just as nice. I actually prefer wider necks, but played a DJ4 for years (and don't have it only because it was stolen).

Second that one. They have "B" series demo's for less than $1000. You can't beat these basses. www.lakland.com. Go get you some.

My Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom is a fanatastic bass and can be had for under $1k. If you subscribe to their newsletter, they usually have B Stock basses (basses have one or two minor cosmetic defects), for under $1k and still have the full warranty. I've bought a few B stock Laklands and have yet to see the blemishes.

Thanks guys, I did not need to know about these "B" Laklands! Tempting...

I really like how these Lakland basses.. except for the bridge. I HATE the bridge. It's honestly the only reason I've never owned a Lakland. I wonder, is there an aftermarket replacement that fits?

I was in the same place, but got used to it. I mostly hated the bridge on classic bass designs (like the P), where I had a very firm reference point in Fender. But I was quite fine with the bridge on Lakland designs (like DJ4, Scheff). I got used to them and now have a P (Glaub), so maybe you need to transition in?

But yeah, I have seen them with aftermarket bridges. I think Hipshot. But I'm not sure if holes lined up or if they re-drilled them...

 

[Malak the Mad]

Very nice paint job on this. Really like the whole look on this one

Thanks, but I can only take so much credit. The body was produced by Mighty Mite, but sadly, they no longer have a license to make Fender bodies.

As for the rest, I’ll gladly take credit for curating and assembling it!

 

[minimalist freedom]

mine is a 2014 and, considering its body shape, is actually one of the lightest basses I own....one of the biggest differences on the 2014 is that the pickups are in optimal sweetspots where the '83 has the P-pickup out of that zone toward the neck...the '83 sounds different, but still sounds awesome, and that configuration spacing sounds especially great with a pick in particular......the 2014 has more of a 'modern' voicing structure, and works well for things not associated with Destroyers, like slap bass (great slap tone)

Mine had a good slap tone , a little thick but okay probably due to pickup as you say

 

[Solude]

What strings do you like on it ?

I run a balanced set for dadario exl strings. Nothing fancy.

 

[theduke1]

Here is what I chose

 

[neptune]

If it hasn't been mentioned yet, Fender's California Series P Bass. P/J config. with a Jazz neck. Surprisingly nice basses they only made for a couple of years in the early '90s. Very affordable.

 

[TravStaff]

years back I picked up a Fender Japan Power Jazz made in the mid 80s, put some SD pu’s in her and it plays great to this day

 

[MAD DOG]

Hi, If you're handy with a screw driver and soldering iron put one together. Go to the WARMOTH web site and pick out the neck and body you want, then scour the net for the pickups and hardware you want at the best prices. When you're done you'll have a better PJ bass than Fender could ever hoped to have made for around $1000 dollars more or less depending on how exotic you want to get, and probably pretty close to those boutique PJ basses costing $4000. WARMOTH necks are Incredible!!! Once the neck is adjusted it will not change through the seasons. The stabilizing rods and the type of truss rod they use makes the difference. I have made a couple and they sound amszing!!! Pics attached.

 

[Brewsbrother]

build your own.

My most expensive components were the Seymour Duncan PJ pickups, at $240. Another $65 for a neck that I refurbished, and some mahogany and purple heart that I've had lying around for another project.