There’s a new article up.
I think it’s a fun read, it’s got some interesting info in there, tons of great references for folks who are at the beginning of their Pbass vs Jbass journey… but best of all? For everyone of all levels?
It has an interactive P or J flow chart.
I mean, clicking through the flow chart is fun for me, and I wrote it.
I highly encourage you to waste up to 10 minutes of your bass practice time clicking through a series of questions to figure out what bass is right for you.
Also, cool pictures, clever jokes (OK, clever might be strong, but I love a good well-placed almost-chuckle while I’m reading), all the things you’ve come to expect from a really long, massive Gio article.
Happy reading, I say unto thee.
And, of course, if long articles aren’t your thing (but seriously, THE FLOW CHART!!), this is a delightful companion piece to Josh’s very excellent video on the same general subject:
Holler with thoughts, ideas… compliments about the P J Restaurant menu… whatever. You choose.
Hope you like it!
Ian Hill, the man who got me into bass, used a Jazz on British Steel, and switched when he got sponsored by Spector, which he still plays. With a split coil pickup. Good to see him mentioned. Thanks Gio!
The only comment I could make is about a Stingray. Whether it is Deak on Another One Bites the Dust, Commerford on In The Name Of, or Mike Hogan on Zombie there’s a case for Stingrays on rock, not to mention all the other stuff they do
Excellent article. I play a Yamaha TRBX304 and was convinced that my next bass would be a P bass. I play a lot of Country and I was sure that the P Bass would be the natural fit. Went to Guitar Center, picked up a Fender American Ultra II P Bass from the wall, played it for a bit and something didn’t feel right. Hung the P Bass back up. Then, picked up the American Ultra II Jazz bass and played it. The J Bass immediately felt way more comfortable for me with the fretting hand. Haven’t pulled the trigger yet, but my second bass is going to be a Jazz bass.
I hadn’t played my jbass in about a year, i played it last week for a bit and it always surprises me how much i like the sound and how easy it is to play. It’s not “better” but it’s different than my pbass with jamerson flats
Love to hear this.
Absolutely - you NEED to have hands on these things. I think the feel of the neck and the balance are the most important things to me, and I feel them before I even hear the instrument.
Absolutely. I’m here for justifying everyone’s one-more-bass-buying quests.
I’ve learned I favor a P or Ray sound, but really like the 2-pup versatility. I really like what I can do with a PJ.
I find I’ve got 4 blend configurations I like and it annoys me that no one makes a simple switch selector that does what I want. Obviously want the sound of each pickup full and the other off.
But the other sounds I like are one pickup full, and the other just rolled off. So that the main vibe I want shines, and the other pickup supports it. But I basically never like a fully equal blend of both pickups.
Yes, the pure sound of each pickup isolated. I was very lucky to find a one-off Wilkins P/J that has a 3-way selector switch. P only. Both on. J only. Some may say that it is less flexible than a blend but I the trade off (if there is one) well worth it. In addition, Pat Wilkins positions the J a touch closer toward the neck. Gives the J a fuller tone. Very useful solo’d. The middle position is really great. Very rich, full and crunchy.
Mine was a custom order with the 3 way. His basses normally have a blend pot.
