I'd suggest trying Ibanez or Yamaha. Both companies make excellent instruments and great value for the money spent.
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Your pick for best PJ under $1000
- Thread starter J Mon
- Start date
Fender Precision Lyte or MIM Zone. For 1k you can snag a good one and upgrade the preamp and pickups to just about anything. I got lucky and found a deluxe at GC for $350, all I did was clean it and change the strings.
This! I love my 94 Forum Plus. Changed the stock actives to Wilde P46/J45L and it's much better sounding.
Also, look into Peavey Foundation S as well as the Forum/Forum Plus. Ibanez RB650, Fender Jazz or Precision Specials, G&L Tribute SB2...
Started with a G&L SB-2 Tribute and loved it. Nice and simple with great sound and feel. Then, wanting to go to 5 string, bought a Yamaha BB435 brand new for $400 in a clearance sale. Much better fit and finish than the G&L, still nice and simple with great sound and feel. If I was looking for another bass I'd start by looking at Yamaha. I've had two Yamaha acoustic guitars and a bass but also instruments by Fender, Epiphone, G&L and Martin and Ovation. My opinion: for the money, no one builds a better guitar or bass than Yamaha.
I pulled the trigger on one of these just this year — the 'natural' version — and I love everything about it. Highly recommended.Invalid Link Removed
Another vote for the Sire P7. I got my first gen 4 string for $489..... best value of any bass I have bought. Lots of bang for the buck.
I love my Sire P7 $440 at Thomann.
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Take a look at Gamma. I have one that Joey made for me and I LOVE that thing. Plays great with punchy pickups. Mine is actually a J neck with a P body. Website is here. They are a little North of a grand, but close enough especially given the quality of the instruments.
Spector Legend 4 Classic 4-String Electric Bass - Walnut Burl
Spector Legend 4 Classic 4-String Electric Bass - Walnut Burl
Spector Legend 4 Classic 4-String Electric Bass - Walnut Burl
I’ve been eyeing these for a few years. I’m curious about some things before pulling the trigger on one.
Does it come with that case?
What is the weight like? They look like they’d be stupid heavy (11+lb) but looks can be deceiving.
Have you had any problems with the electronics such as, scratchy pots or anything like this?
Not Sire or Fender Special which are both excellent choices, but I bought a B-stock Squier Vintage Modified P Bass (PJ) for just over $200 in sunburst. I put a tortoise shell pickguard on it ($20), and installed a Fender 55 split coil jazz pickup at the bridge ($60?) and it looks and sounds amazing. The neck is a little thicker than a J, but slimmer than a P. It's the only 4 string I need for any situation. I mainly play 5 strings and have 4 of those.
I have Ibanez Talman for active PJ tones and Yamaha BB series (425x and BB2025x) for passive PJ tone.
Both are fantastic sounding PJ instruments and I use either on a regular basis depending on what I think might serve the gig best.
Both highly recommended!
Both are fantastic sounding PJ instruments and I use either on a regular basis depending on what I think might serve the gig best.
Both highly recommended!
Ya know... I get it.
People love them some PJ. Heck add a B in there and you really got a tasty treat.
But...
When it comes to what we are actually talking about here, which is a instrument with both P (precision)and J (Jazz) pickups. I personally have found no benefit from actually running this configuration. And yes I have had instruments with this configuration.
If you really need or want this configuration then by all means. One should be happy with what they spend their money on.
But this is a public forum and by posting here you are reaching out for other opinions on this matter.
I left the active bass market about 10 years ago. Never been happier. I went straight to Fender and started buying and selling up until about 6/7 years ago when I acquired my American Standard Jazz Bass. This is strictly a Jazz Bass configuration. Two single coil pickups. But their good ones. CS60s. By blending them to different levels and having a amazing tone dial I can hit low and thumpy or Jaco.
I picked up and American Standard P-bass. Did not like it. Honky sounding. Moved it out.
Just got a new fiver. Again full Jazz configuration. Simply amazing. Granted it sports the new V-mod pickups. But the tones are to die for.
Long story a little longer. You can go and get any bass you want. There's always a lot of love for the other brands out there. But for $1000 or a little less you could find a used American Standard Jazz. That neck pickup can do a p-bass sound and more. And you'll have a bass that will last you a lifetime. I haven't seen a lot of 60 year old Ibanez or Yamahas out there.
If you're a fender guy, the Duff PJ, to me, defines the PJ. Neck might not be thin enough though. The Aerodyne might be a better fit.
If not, then Ibanez. The 90s Ibanez basses built in Korea are insanely underrated. Find one in the PJ configuration and color you like, and even after swapping out the guts to pretty much whatever you like, you'll probably be well under budget.
If not, then Ibanez. The 90s Ibanez basses built in Korea are insanely underrated. Find one in the PJ configuration and color you like, and even after swapping out the guts to pretty much whatever you like, you'll probably be well under budget.
I would consider the Sire P7 and an old Ibanez Roadster (see photo). One of my biggest regrets is selling the one that I used to own.
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Another bass that isn't a 5 string and one that I'm seriously considering, is am Allen Eden Bishop. The one in this video kills! Joe is a SICK bass player!
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Another bass that isn't a 5 string and one that I'm seriously considering, is am Allen Eden Bishop. The one in this video kills! Joe is a SICK bass player!
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