I never use the J pickup on my American Performer P-Bass. It sounds incredible with the P pickup only. It does help the tone of my Squier P-Bass by dialing in the J pickup about a quarter turn with the P pickup on full. It gives it a growl. Haha.
----------------
how about the option of - I dont know/havent played one - ?
This is key.You ask this question as if theres only one universal PJ sound.
I like the sound of a PJ with pickups that work well together.
I don't like the sound of a PJ whose pickups don't work well together.
I've owned both kinds.
My dream P/MM bass is a Sandberg VM5.
I blame this guy for my Thundergun gas.