Reverse P pickup configuration

[SteveXFR]

What does a reverse P configuration achieve compared to the standard Fender configuration?

Ive got a bass with each type of P pickup but they're so different in terms of preamp and pickup position and bridge setup that I can't tell what reversing them has done.

[Lozz196]

The main thing for me is thinner strings further from bridge/thicker nearer the bridge must make for a better balance. I often find that the D (and G should I ever use it) lack depth in comparison to the E & A.

[neepheid]

It subtly changes the sound, and gives people yet another thing to endlessly debate the virtues of on an electric bass

 

[ghostwheel]

I love it on my HB MP-4 (EMGs and LHZ-04), but am note quite resolved about it on a Squier Contemporary Precision (rerouted for reversed P) with Bartolinis Classic and flats.

[SteveXFR]

1 hour ago, neepheid said:

It subtly changes the sound, and gives people yet another thing to endlessly debate the virtues of on an electric bass

 

 

Is it up there with the nitro vs poly paint tone debate?

[Beedster]

Yamaha use it and they know their stuff 👍

[Steve Browning]

It's filed in the same drawer as rack straying over the sides of the cab underneath. A drawer that must not be opened!!

[Hellzero]

Ask Lee Sklar...

[Stofferson]

Prefer it personally, better balance across the strings. Got this one, and another on the way

 

 

[SteveXFR]

4 hours ago, Beedster said:

Yamaha use it and they know their stuff 👍

 

My BB1100S has conventional, Fender style P pickup. My Spector has reverse P

Edited Tuesday at 21:36 by SteveXFR

[leschirons]

Maybe it's good for metal😉

[Bassassin]

Logic suggests there should be a better tonal balance, experience (which in my case is a Yammy BB400 fretless & a Washburn SB40 P/J) doesn't really demonstrate much appreciable difference. I sold the Yam because I couldn't get the fretless tone I wanted with a P pickup.

 

There's probably an argument for it on a 2x P, or any bass with the pickup closer to the bridge than normal, but I dunno. I quite like the look.

[PaulThePlug]

All this better tonal balance across the stringz, but maybe in the design time the halves were that way to reduce the bass boom of the E and Increase the treble bell of the G for a wider range of tones across the strings. Amps and Cabs in those days etc.

[Nail Soup]

For anyone who doesn't know, could someone explain what a reverse P configuration is?

[PaulThePlug]

For Info, the Mk1 Barts often fitted in Ibanez and Cort are Reverse P in a Soap Bar... not my pickup

Which might explain why they often score less favourable when compared to a Bart Full Humbucker Soapbar.

Edited 23 hours ago by PaulThePlug

[neepheid]

6 minutes ago, Nail Soup said:

For anyone who doesn't know, could someone explain what a reverse P configuration is?

 

It's when the E and A half of a split pickup is closer to the bridge than the D and G half. Regular way is the other way round.

[SteveXFR]

31 minutes ago, Nail Soup said:

For anyone who doesn't know, could someone explain what a reverse P configuration is?

 

@neepheid beat me to it and explain it better

Edited 23 hours ago by SteveXFR

[Nail Soup]

1 hour ago, neepheid said:

 

It's when the E and A half of a split pickup is closer to the bridge than the D and G half. Regular way is the other way round.

 

53 minutes ago, SteveXFR said:

 

@neepheid beat me to it and explain it better

 

Thanks for the explanation understood!
But as I lean a little towards the "it sounds like a bass" camp, I won't be contributing much to the discussion 😆.

 

[Dood]

There's a great example video on YouTube I saw a while ago. Its very subtle but the timbre does change from one position to the other. Three of my basses are reverse P (notably the Fender Power Jazz Bass Special model) and I have reviewed a good pile Spector basses over the years with reverse P pickups in them too. 

 

Tonally I prefer the sound of my 76 precision with the standard layout but one thing that certainly does sound WAY better is a PJ set in the reverse configuration. The D&G strinsg need that distance between the coils of the P and J to sound less thin together. 

[Dood]

I don't think it was this one, but still, I can hear the difference:-

 

 

 

 

 

[80Hz]

15 hours ago, Dood said:

one thing that certainly does sound WAY better is a PJ set in the reverse configuration

 

Interesting, in this video I preferred standard PJ configuration! Of course he's playing with a pick which will highlight the overtones.

 

He also doesn't get into 60s versus 70s J spacing which will add another minor variable. Cool idea for a testbed bass.

 

...and down the rabbit hole I go 😆

 

[Dood]

10 minutes ago, 80Hz said:

 

Interesting, in this video I preferred standard PJ configuration! Of course he's playing with a pick which will highlight the overtones.

 

He also doesn't get into 60s versus 70s J spacing which will add another minor variable. Cool idea for a testbed bass.

 

...and down the rabbit hole I go 😆

 

 

 

Absolutely, we all have our preferences! I just found the 'pop' and pick sounds on the D & G strings to lack the body that the reverse config (and jazz basses in general) produces. Which aligns with why many favour the reverse P. I think the examples would have been better presented with a improved "amp" tone, but I suppose he was just trying to demonstrate quickly.

 

I think I did spot a video on his page about jazz bass 60's and 70's spacing, so that definitely makes a difference too. - but I suppose ultimately, like anything on a bass, is whether or not its something that is important to the player - lightweight tuning keys, gold encrusted knobs.. or just a buzz free fretboard! ... see you in the rabbit hole, i'll bring biscuits!!! 😃

[Minininjarob]

On 20/01/2026 at 15:15, Lozz196 said:

The main thing for me is thinner strings further from bridge/thicker nearer the bridge must make for a better balance. I often find that the D (and G should I ever use it) lack depth in comparison to the E & A.

I found this was pretty much eliminated when I got my BassRig SV pedal. An expensive fix but I am loving it. 

[Lozz196]

20 minutes ago, Minininjarob said:

I found this was pretty much eliminated when I got my BassRig SV pedal. An expensive fix but I am loving it. 

Which one is this Rob?