Simple Poll - Do you like the sound of a PJ ?

[TonyP-]

Inspired by the polarization of the last PJ thread.

Curious to see actual metrics.

 

[JimmyM]

Inspired by the polarization of the last PJ thread.

Curious to see actual metrics.

So far it's unanimous. Not that I needed anyone's approval for my basses but still...

 

[luciens]

What's not to like? I Love the P/J tone on my tony franklin. I use it about 50/50 with the other half of the time just the split-P soloed. It gives the tone a little more "thickness", especially through my Cali76 compressor, because it adds that "pinch" to the mid/upper mids. A useful tone if you want less of the normal gruntiness of the split-P by itself but you still do want to leave some cardboard and chocolate on the tone too.

L

 

[TonyP-]

Hi Guys,
Just a heads ups...This is not a thread defending the PJ configuration.

I was surprised how many response were anti PJ...I’m curious on actual numbers and left the poll open for a year.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

No carrots option?

 

[TonyP-]

No carrots option?

Lol no, not a traditional TalkBass poll.

 

[JRA]

i'm used to the sound, i like the sound, and i depend on the sound (actually: the different sounds available). the blend control is my friend.

i voted "yes."

TBH: i think i'd like most two-pickup, fretless instruments. but a P + J = 'reliability' for me...i know what to expect and i can dial in something good, quickly.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Lol no, not a traditional TalkBass poll.

I have to say this whole PJ debate is sounding like all the nitro/poly or maple/rosewood or ash/alder debates that keep TDPRI running....

 

[Dubious Aa]

Yes!!
I like the sound of other pickup configurations too but the pj is cool. Of course, the manufacturer has a lot to do with it too.
I’m partial to both active EMG And their passive Geezer set.
Don’t care for the Ibanez Dx active ones. I don’t have a lot of experience with others.

 

[TonyP-]

Do you folks know that international PJ day is November 14th ?

 

[arbiterusa]

Ash. No question.

 

[roller]

PJ is okay... but a P/Hum is scads better.

Jazz pickups usually don't have enough oomph to keep up with the P. In a PJ, the Jazz ends up being more of a spice to the P -- it's present but it's not the main thing you're tasting.

Humbuckers, however, are better suited to keep up with the P. They can even be soloed and don't sound thin and nasally. Nordstrand's Big Split, Big Single, Fat Stack and sooooooo many more compliment a P brilliantly.

But I get it... PJs have been around for decades... many companies make 'em... lotta folks are set in their ways.

Yooooouuuuu're missiiiinnnng oooooooout.

 

[Vinny_G]

The way you set the pickups height can make a huge difference in my experience.

 

[Tubehed]

I like the sound of a P/J and the sound of a P by itself. Oh, that's right, you can have both with one bass .

 

[Holdsg]

I like the sound of mine. That’s pretty much the only reason I need.

 

[kmon]

I have an SB-2 I like a whole lot.

 

[Inara]

I voted yes, but the both-on-full tone is my least favorite (same for Jazz Bass) ... I wasn't quite sure what was being asked, as there isn't just one "PJ sound." I like being able to have a good P sound and a good J bridge sound. And I use a DiMarzio Model PJ set, which definitely deals with any concern about the J keeping up with the P pickup when I do use both.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I think PJ’s are awesome finger style and picked. The punch of the split pickup gives the tone thickness in combination of the treble provided by the Jazz pickup at the bridge. The slap is often not my favorite on a PJ since I take the scoop of a Jazz, the concentrated mids of a forward spaced soap bar bass or the scoop and high mids of a Stingray over a generic PJ. That said, the right PJ, like the classic Yamaha BB2000 or the Spector NS-2 can deliver a great slap tone. Others, like the old Fender Reggie Hamilton Jazz or the current Yamaha BBP34/35, are superlative slap basses too.

 

[CatchaCuda]

I do. Do you, Tony?

 

[jd56hawk]

PJ is okay... but a P/Hum is scads better.

Exactly!