Recommendations for a passive P/J bass wanted

[alhbass]

Hello. I'm after recommendations for passive basses with P/J pickup configuration.

A while ago I modified a US Fender V by adding a bridge pickup, and was very happy with the result, but ended up selling it as I wanted to revert to a 4 string instrument.

I now own a very nice 2009 US Jazz, which I like a lot - but I still hanker after that mighty "P" bass sound. But I also love the tonal flexibility you get from having the J bridge pickup too (not least because I play a variety of different types of music, and find the pure p sound great for some things, whilst the J "parp" is just great for funk and soloing).

Was on the point of completing a trade for a great looking 2008 US P (which I would then have modified) but the seller has just pulled out. So, whilst I'm still keeping an eye out for a good P at the right price, I'd also like to consider other instruments with the P/J configuration.

I'm aware of the Fender options (including Aerodyne - tho I've still never tried one), but was wondering whether there might be other makes and models I should consider..? Well, I'm sure there are - I just don't know what they are...

I know most good BCers tend to have trouble holding back when asked for their opinions - so it's over to you..!

As a price guide, I'd be looking to sell or trade my Jazz in order to get a new instrument, so up to £600ish perhaps?

Cheers.

[Bigwan]

Why not make a P/J mod to your jazz? Any routing will be hidden if you decide to revert to original layout and it won't effect resale value by a great deal.

[alhbass]

[quote name='Bigwan' post='818474' date='Apr 25 2010, 09:19 PM']Why not make a P/J mod to your jazz? Any routing will be hidden if you decide to revert to original layout and it won't effect resale value by a great deal.[/quote]

It's something I'm definitely considering.

I wonder whether I'd get a "true" Pbass sound from a P pickup on a J body? I think I probably would - most of what I've read suggests as much, as the tone characteristics apparently come more from the pickup than the body - but can't pretend to be any kind of expert on that stuff myself.

But the main point of my post was to ask for suggestions of alternative instruments to consider.

Thanks anyway.

[Prime_BASS]

My fender power jazz special is basically a P bass with a jazz in the bridge it's difinatly got the P bass tone.

Would love some one to generous and trade for a White/buttercream EBMM of any type. Or a white MIJ jazz. P bass isn't my cuppa.

Duff mckagens signature model is based off it, if that helps. It's got quarter pounder P pickup and a Duncan design for the J.

[alanbass1]

The new BB series from Yamaha is worth checking out.

[Grand Wazoo]

Fender does this one

[url="http://www.fender.com/uk/products/search.php?partno=0190086805"]http://www.fender.com/uk/products/search.p...rtno=0190086805[/url]

[OutToPlayJazz]

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='818844' date='Apr 26 2010, 08:17 AM']Fender does this one

[url="http://www.fender.com/uk/products/search.php?partno=0190086805"]http://www.fender.com/uk/products/search.p...rtno=0190086805[/url]

[/quote]

That's a nice Precision - Which one is it? Not seen that one before.

[paul h]

Tony Franklin fretted. WoT had the fretless version for a very brief time I believe.

[Beedster]

I would give this some serious consideration

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=85801"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=85801[/url]

[solo4652]

There's the Fender Precision Lyte.

Also the Fender Frank Bello:

[url="http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0130095306"]http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0130095306[/url]

Edited April 26, 2010 by solo4652

[alhbass]

[quote name='Beedster' post='818855' date='Apr 26 2010, 08:25 AM']I would give this some serious consideration

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=85801"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=85801[/url][/quote]

Serious consideration duly given. That's pretty much my ideal bass. But not at that price.

I think I'd be able to get a very good, recent US P and have a bridge pickup supplied and fitted for considerably less.

[chris_b]

Get a Squire and mod it.

[JTUK]

Personally, I wouldn't mod anything of any value.

The Squire idea sounds ok...or just buy a P-bass and use both.

[solo4652]

A few more to consider here:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Squier-by-Fender-Precision-Bass-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ250621617927QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item3a5a366707"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Squier-by-Fender-Pre...=item3a5a366707[/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Squier-Precision-Bass_W0QQitemZ300421362824QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item45f2823488"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Squier-Precis...=item45f2823488[/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Precision-Bass-Guitar-Lyte_W0QQitemZ170477225218QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item27b13c0502"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Precision-Bas...=item27b13c0502[/url]

[danlea]

[quote name='alhbass' post='819084' date='Apr 26 2010, 11:23 AM']Serious consideration duly given. That's pretty much my ideal bass. But not at that price.

I think I'd be able to get a very good, recent US P and have a bridge pickup supplied and fitted for considerably less. [/quote]

Agreed on all points. £50 to get my MIJ [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=28270"]routed and the pickup installed[/url] by the guys at The Gallery in Camden.

[Fumassa]

Try the new yamies bb424!! Bought one this week and i must say "I'm impressed"

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='paul h' post='818852' date='Apr 26 2010, 08:23 AM']Tony Franklin fretted. WoT had the fretless version for a very brief time I believe.[/quote]
That'll be the one that is now all mine.

[Scowley]

If you're still looking into getting a p/j, i whole heartedly recommend the Tony Franklin. I have the fretted one (<<<<avatar!) and i love it, the sound is awesome and it plays so nicely. The only negative thing i found with mine, is that when you're spending around £1300 on a bass you'd expect Fender to not file the nut too wide for the string gauge they put on. I know it's an easy fix (take it to somebody who knows what they're doing and they'll replace the nut or use some sort of industrial super glue to make the nut less wide), i felt like i shouldn't have had to do that. That aside though, they are amazing, and absolutely beautiful, in both finishes.

[Cat Burrito]

Personally if I were to go for that configuration I'd buy a 70s modded one - seemed to be the fashion at the time & it seriously affects the value so it's a buyers market. I guess it would still be a bit outside your ideal budget.