JPJ

I've been lucky enough to have this happen twice (and both are still in my possession!) The first is my trusty old fretless Ibanez although when I bought it as a fresh young eighteen year old I didn't realise what a peach I had just secured. Moving from a Satellite J bass to this was like moving from a Fiat 500 to an Aston Martin so it felt good at the time but I had neither the skill or the references to know just how good until many years and many basses later. The second is my current main gigging weapon of choice, my Overwater J5. Secured second-hand, it was like the original owner had specified it for me. Tulipwood body, rosewood board, 3 colour sunburst, DiMarzio Ultra's, J-Retro would have been my wish list if I had the funds for a trip to Carlisle, so to find one identical to this and to pay less than half the original purchase price for a year and a half old bass in perfect condition at a time when I had just received a completely unexpected bonus from work was one of those rare moments when all the planets align.

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1355775452' post='1902659'] Not entirely sure what the bunny bass next to it is. But I'm sure it will be very fine [/quote] Is that an early development sketch for the MM Bongo?

I'm pleased the missus has gone to bed......

[quote name='mckendrick' timestamp='1353717002' post='1877887'] If only everybody had your sense of asthetics, JPJ. An excellent idea. [/quote] Why thank you kind Sir!

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1353710438' post='1877842'] why dont you add a JJ (humbucker)? Ive done this to a P and used a62 wiring scheme with .100 cap on the P and a .022 on the J, pure heaven! if i was to do a similar thing again i would definetly do exactly the same thing. sorry for mistakes texting from mobile :-) [/quote] No problem, but this 'project' started off with Fender's Tony Franklin fretless bass. I got to try one of these at our very own WaterofTyne's abode some whiles ago, and fell in love with the feel/balance/sound of a fretless precision with the added J. I was going to just build a clone but I can't help but fiddle about based on my last thirty odd years of low-end endeavours, so with this one its going to be P + J into a passive stack knob jazz style controls to maintain the stock Fender P two knobs and an output jack look.

[quote name='The Bass Doc' timestamp='1353703098' post='1877749'] I've fitted a fair few over the years and have settled on a placement where the J is 60mm back from the 'treble' half of the P pickup - that's pole to pole centres. The precise distance for a 60s Jazz bridge pickup has the effect of it 'bumping' into the scratchplate so spoils the look. And if you go any further back you the response becomes a bit too thin. Others may have different opinions of course [/quote] [quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1353704530' post='1877769'] What he said. Just get it to look right. [/quote] Thank you gentlemen, wish me luck, the router is coming out to play in the morning

Hi all, I'm currently assembling a bitsa fretless 'workhorse' bass and will be adding a J pickup to a stock P shaped bass. Anybody know where the sweet spot position is for maximum J bass style growl i.e. where in the space between the P pickup and the bridge? I'd hate to just attack the thing with my router and find that I was just a few mil away from the optimum spot! Cheers, Kev

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1352325655' post='1861839'] £20 for a brocolli sandwich..? Does it have an OHSC..? What year is it..? Trade for a Mars bar, little used..? [/quote] My thoughts exactly! But the new layout does look good mind

Horses for courses. Behringer gear is pretty good for what it is (a clone of something else) at a very attractive price point. I bought a pair of their PA tops (clones of a Mackie SRM450 from what I can tell) and they performed brilliantly considering that the pair cost less than one of the Mackies. Some of their stuff is a little to 'noisy' to use to record with, but other than that, I'd say they are pretty good value for money.

If I was using IEM's, especially a decent set that feature sound reduction, then I'd want a 'band mix' coming through the earpieces and not just my bass signal.

It's not that difficult a job ONCE you get the old covering off. Maplin used to sell the replacement material and you just need basic tools (screwdriver, straight edge, stanley knife) and a can or two of spray adhesive that you can get from most carpet shops. The hardest part is cleaning off all the old material and glue before you start refinishing.

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1351258406' post='1849364'] I had a fantastic experience with PJB & Synergy (who were the uk distributors iirc) when I had my sixpack, it was a superb amp but too chuffin heavy for me to lug up and down stairs for my back to stay happy! Rather than get the combo I'd get the M500 head and a cab or two! If you love the sound they're amazing amps, seriously bomb proof construction and outstanding quality! [/quote] Cheers for that, but I've got a separate head+cabs setup and I just loved the 'turning up with amp in one hand, bass in the other' approach to last night.

I've owned a PJB Briefcase combo for a couple of years now. She sits under my desk in my home office and serves as my practice amp. In all the time I've owned her she's never ventured out of the house as I've always thought she'd be to little to be of any use elsewhere. However, last night I was going to a 'house practice' for one of my bands. The format was two guitars, drums, plus singer and I was loathed to lug the SM1500 + cab so I took what I considered to be a chance and loaded the PJB instead. Both guitarists were using 1x12 combos, the drummer had full acoustic kit and the singer had a small vocal PA and guess what, the PJB kept up with them all. With the eq flat, and the volume at about one o'clock on the dial she produced a righteous tone at a volume level more than enough to keep up with the drummer. Sure, one or two notes dived under the assembled cacophony but she did admirably well even amplifying the low 'b' with some authority. In fact, she did so well I'm now hankering after one of her bigger sisters for all rehearsals/small gigs. Just goes to show that size isnt everything. Oh and while I'm on, PJB must have one of the best customer service teams of any company.

Hi all, Looking for recommendations for pickups for a fretless passive P bass project I'm starting. The finished article will be in the style of the Fender Tony Franklin bass with an unlined ebony boarded neck (thanks to our very own petergales). The intended use is in a rhythm and blues power trio/quartet so will need to 'cut through' with a healthy dose of mid-range snarl, burp and mwahh. I'm tempted by the Wizard P/J combo as I've heard good things about these pickups but I'm open to all other suggestions for a balanced pair of pickups in the P/J style.

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1350939375' post='1845435'] Big power stages = big tone. Sad but true. [/quote] Amen brother (from an SM1500 user with a chiropractor on speed dial)