Leaderboard

PJ vs P

D

dNA

Hero Member
Messages
1,281
So I picked up a weekend bartending job at the busiest bar/restaurant in the county. It's kind of a stiff work environment for me (first job ever where I didn't like the owners/boss) but what this equates to is this: I'm building a bass before the summer is out. Just figuring out which one is which.

From all the homework I've done on basses, I know I want a fairly traditional P. Alder body, maple/rosewood neck, standard string spacing, etc. What I don't know is if I should invest in the extra for PJ electronics (probably going Nordstrand from all the research I've done). I, being a relatively unexperienced bass player, may or may not really feel like I get anything out of that extra pickup.
Is there anything I stand to lose? Does having the extra components/electronics keep me from getting the straight P-bass sound, or is it really just like having a P-bass with more options? Also, is there any way I can do a side jack? I would like to have volume/volume/tone and not use concentric pots (for no apparent reason, other than instinctiively not liking them.)
I know most people who have gone PJ would probably only do so because they really like it, but I know i'd be happy with a p-bass. The question is more like "Will I find myself enjoying and exploring that extra option as I play bass more over the years?"

Let me know your thoughts!
 
i called warmoth about getting a P body routed for a J pickup and then getting a side jack as well. all possible. you'll have to put "side jack" in the notes section along with the size, but definitely doable.

as far as i can tell you still get the same classic P sound out of a PJ bass. especially with independent volumes. here's a really cool tool i used. obviously you aren't building a lakland, but it gives you a great idea of what each set of pickups would sound like in certain basses. even with a ton of playing styles and different strings (flats and rounds).

http://www.lakland.com/audio.htm
 
JaySwear said:
i called warmoth about getting a P body routed for a J pickup and then getting a side jack as well. all possible. you'll have to put "side jack" in the notes section along with the size, but definitely doable.

as far as i can tell you still get the same classic P sound out of a PJ bass. especially with independent volumes. here's a really cool tool i used. obviously you aren't building a lakland, but it gives you a great idea of what each set of pickups would sound like in certain basses. even with a ton of playing styles and different strings (flats and rounds).

http://www.lakland.com/audio.htm
Click to expand...

wow. this is extremely useful. I wish every guitar manufacturer and pickup company has such extensive sound clips on their sites
 
It's 99% a P-bass with more options, but they are very, very good options IMHO. The only real downside is the additional cost of the PU.

OTOH, your right hand technique is probably much more important in getting different sounds than the PU's, and a single split-P PU can go a long, long way...

If you want a side jack, just ask and you shall receive.
 
drewfx said:
OTOH, your right hand technique is probably much more important in getting different sounds than the PU's, and a single split-P PU can go a long, long way...
Click to expand...

I found this to be very true with my last bass. Although it didn't sound very good to me, it did force me to experiment a lot with technique and find how that shapes the sound. Still, I prefer not having to play up at the 15th fret to get a warm sound. blech


So I think that probably solves my problem. I'll be going the PJ route w/ vol/vol/tone and a side jack. It is a bummer that all the most highly reviewed pickups are in the area  of 200+ a set.
 
dNA said:
It is a bummer that all the most highly reviewed pickups are in the area  of 200+ a set.
Click to expand...

holy crap! thats ridiculous. i was pretty interested in the quarter pounds from SD. i figured i'd get both the QP P-bass and J-bass pickups. read a ton of reviews for them and there are a bunch of youtube videos out there for them
 
While it's true that the SD's get great reviews, they're supposed to be "modern" sounding pickups, and I'm aiming for a warm, open kind of sound that seems more to be associated with "vintage" style pickups- ala Fralin, Nordstrand, and... i forget but I believe there was a 3rd boutique one I had read about that was like 220-240 for the set. maybe i imagined it.
 
Speaking as a bassist who's owned and played several P, J and PJ basses, I would route for both if you're unsure.  You can absolutely get an authentic P-bass sound if that's what you're after at the moment, and the utility of the J coil is great.

-Mark
 
word. The choice is clear. I just ordered this Nordstrand set:
http://www.macdaddymusicstore.com/servlet/the-813/Nordstrand-PJ4-Bass-NPJ4SE/Detail

If the ibby copy we're making sounds alright, I'll try them out in there. Though I'm being cynical and assuming that the new body won't improve the sound much - it certainly won't make it sound like a Fender. I'm pretty sure i'll end up getting a showcase P and add the J bridge pup route and a maple/rosewood neck.

so the question is:
Black?
BP901a.jpg

Or blue?
bp673a.jpg
 
I'm always partial to the blue, but then again, both my Ps right now are black... it gives you so many pickguard options.

-Mark
 
AprioriMark said:
I'm always partial to the blue, but then again, both my Ps right now are black... it gives you so many pickguard options.

-Mark
Click to expand...

Blue P's rock. But, I'm biased.
 
I really do want blue, but I'm afraid that Daphne blue veers just a TAD close to being kinda greenish - like aquamarine or something. But none of the other shades of blue that they have on showcase instruments look quite right. I really wanted a blue one ,but black is so safe and easy.
 
dNA said:
kboman said:
:o

I needs lots of money, right now.
Click to expand...

Don't make me hurt you. That baby is staying in the showcase til I buy her, you hear? *shakes fist*
Click to expand...

that settles it then! sounds like you really do want that blue :icon_biggrin: i think black pickguards, white pickguards, pearloid pickguards, and a nice paisley pickguard (i think wdmusic has them...) would ALL go with that blue really well. so i'd say you could go with the blue and still have a ton of great dress-up options.plus it would look cool with a maple and very classy with a rosewood fingerboard
 
JaySwear said:
that settles it then! sounds like you really do want that blue :icon_biggrin: i think black pickguards, white pickguards, pearloid pickguards, and a nice paisley pickguard (i think wdmusic has them...) would ALL go with that blue really well. so i'd say you could go with the blue and still have a ton of great dress-up options.plus it would look cool with a maple and very classy with a rosewood fingerboard
Click to expand...
hahah. i guess that kinda worked itself out, right? Funny thing is i'm not usually the jealous type. It's just that I agonize so much about these decisions... even if I decided not to buy it, i don't want to be robbed of the choice. haha

are there pictures of a paisley pickguard? I can't decide if i want to keep it simple. I feel like black would work, but i don't really know. I'd wnat to see it w/ the neck on there before I decide on a color
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Seeking step by step instructions. More inside
Replies
6
Views
180
CCCorlew
C
R
Unique Jazz Bass Build
Replies
2
Views
434
anthonyfury
anthonyfury
anthonyfury
Larry Graham Signature? Well, Tribute (CAR Content)
Replies
5
Views
202
anthonyfury
anthonyfury
rauchman
Considering building a bass
Replies
14
Views
512
stratamania
stratamania
Michaelga
Opinions on alternate finish options
Replies
15
Views
637
ghostrider25
ghostrider25
Back
Top