Turning a P Bass into a P-J

[Markee]

Is it worth the cost and trouble?

[bassman1956]

Not to be flippant, but, only if you like that J pickup.

[i_wanna_les_paul]

It's probably best to get something like an SX P/J to see if you like it or not, depending on what instrument you're wanting to carve up.

 

Me, personally, I love a P/J bass. You can thump or growl or a nice smooth tone when mixed. I quite like them, myself.

 

Dustin

[bassman1956]

Right!

 

First, what do you have? What would you modify? It's a pickup routing, plus additional electronics. And there's no going back.

 

I have an Iby active PJ 4, and an Aria passive PJ 5. Personnaly, I LOVE the PJ format.

 

IF

you like the bridge tone of a jazz bass

AND

you can see using that blended with your P, somewheres between 0 and 100%

THEN

it's worth considering.

 

If you don't like the sound of a bridge J pup, end of discussion.

[Apendecto]

I did and liked it.

 

I had a P with a SD Quarter Pounder. Sounded good but I bought a router bit and a J template from Stewart Mac. I was a little weary, digging a hole into my bass. But it turned out professional. I put a Jazz hot stack in the J and moved the input jack to the side of the bass, so I could use the existing hole as the third pot. I'd say go for it.

 

Yo.

[bnyswonger]

 

Originally posted by Apendecto I did and liked it. I had a P with a SD Quarter Pounder. Sounded good but I bought a router bit and a J template from Stewart Mac. I was a little weary, digging a hole into my bass. But it turned out professional. I put a Jazz hot stack in the J and moved the input jack to the side of the bass, so I could use the existing hole as the third pot. I'd say go for it. Yo.

 

 

I've done the same thing, but went to strat-style angled jack on the front. You might consider using a straight '53 P reissue instead of a jazz in the bridge position - it's got a little more fatness and aggressive sound but still gives you the extra bite & presence. My favorite bass I ever had was modded this way.

[mrcrow]

Originally posted by bnyswonger I've done the same thing, but went to strat-style angled jack on the front. You might consider using a straight '53 P reissue instead of a jazz in the bridge position - it's got a little more fatness and aggressive sound but still gives you the extra bite & presence. My favorite bass I ever had was modded this way.

 

ever think of a strat style jack on the back..

[bnyswonger]

Originally posted by mrcrow ever think of a strat style jack on the back..

 

Naw - I need the back of my bass smooth like a baby's bum. I'd be knocking the thing constantly...

[Apendecto]

Hahah.

 

Yo.

[Ole Man Blues]

Just buy a Jazz Bass.............

 

OMB

[Markee]

Thanks for the replies. The bass in question is an Ibanez Roadstar P-bass. They came in both P and PJ forms in 1984. I honestly don't know why I need to add a J to it other than tonal blending. I have a Geddy Jazz and really don't care for the bridge PU's tone on it's own. Pardon my gas......I'll light a match.

[bassman1956]

Originally posted by Markee Pardon my gas......I'll light a match.

 

 

Sig-worthy!

[Apendecto]

I'm not a huge fan of the bridge alone either but the blend is cool with the P.

 

Yo.