Does a PJ bass sound like a Jazz bass?

Does a bass with a Fender Precision split coil and a bridge Jazz Bass single coil sound exactly like a Jazz bass with two single coils? I was curious about this and wanted to find out, and share my findings with you! For this video I used a set of Seymour Duncan SPB3 and SJB3, a Fender Hi Mass Bridge and a set of D'Addario Prosteels 45-105
Gear to demo is expensive! Buy me a beer! www.buymeacoffee.com/olivertobyn
Follow me on Instagram! @olivertobyn
Seymour Duncan SPB-3: www.thomann.de/it/seymour_dun...
Seymour Duncan SJB-3n: www.thomann.de/it/seymour_dun...
Seymour Duncan SJB-3b: www.thomann.de/it/seymour_dun...
Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound PJ Set: www.thomann.de/it/seymour_dun...
Seymour Duncan SJB-3 Jazz Bass Set:
www.thomann.de/it/seymour_dun...
Fender Hi Mass Bridge: www.thomann.de/it/fender_hi_m...

[@theclansman6663]

The position of pickups and body shape is irreplaceble indeed. PJ sounds fuller and more bassy, jazz sounds more trebly with less bottom end. I like both of them. Nice comparision mate!

[@OliverTobyn]

Thank you for watching! Yeah I like them both, but hopefully it will be helpful for someone who isn't sure which one to get!

[@braddietzmusic2429]

The body shape difference between a P and J (which is minimal in the whole realm of possible bass shapes and construction techniques) makes no difference that a human being could quantify as a listener between those two bass types. The thing that makes those two basses sound different from each other is the pickups. Try a blindfold listening test when someone plays a Mark Hoppus signature (precision pickup in a Jazz body versus a regular Precision. I challenge anyone to “hear” the body shape. Any body shape.

[@KyLesCaster]

@@braddietzmusic2429 Does an SG sound like a Les Paul? By your logic the shape makes no difference in sound, everything else is the same.

[@ShredAimlessly92]

I’ve been considering switching from PJ to Jazz Bass recently, but after hearing this comparison, I don’t think I want to lose any of that low-mid kick the PJ has over the Jazz. Great video! 👍🏼

[@baldbassclef]

I think the maple neck makes that jazz somewhat brighter too.

[@WilDBeestMF]

I had the same argument with myself, man. You do lose that feel, but you gain a lot of mid range grind which works in any rock-metal mix. Plus if you like to slap, you'll just love a straight Jazz.

[@bobt5778]

A PJ bass was not meant to sound the same as a jazz bass. The addition of the bridge pickup on a PJ is just the color of the tone of the split coil pickup, giving you additional tonal options. Nice job with this video!

[@braddietzmusic2429]

To your question: they do not sound EXACTLY alike. But very useful dual-pickup options in both. I still prefer a Jazz bass with both pickups to a P/J. Yes, I have both. Instead of thinking of the P/J as a Jazz bass “exact” replacement, which it isn’t- think of a P/J as a Precision bass with extra tonal flexibility. And a LOT of extra tonal flexibility.

[@luigi.zanini]

FINGER both pickups 2:28 PJ 2:38 J PICK both pickups 2:48 PJ 3:05 J SLAP both pickups 3:57 PJ 4:11 J NECK only finger 1:51 PJ 2:00 J BRIDGE only finger 3:21 PJ 3:29 J They are really very different! and the PJ neck pickup is fatter, with more low end (of course) but the bridge J pickup is fatter too

[@Muzikman127]

legend

[@Muzikman127]

also neck: PJ: 1:03 J: 1:26 both: PJ: 1:09 J: 1:34 bridge: PJ: 1:17 J: 1:44

[@luigi.zanini]

@@TheWoodenPowerhouse of course, it's "Money" by Pink Floyd, why?

[@TheWoodenPowerhouse]

I'm so hard to identify this song while testing his own one of these basses…

[@ItsRyan265]

Wasn't expecting Perfect Strangers. Great test.

[@DannyCruzCreations]

I think I want a PJ bass... because I normally prefer warmer rounder tones (P) but would also like the flexibility of brightening things up occasionally.

[@merbuckify]

The whole point of a PJ bass is so one axe can do "the" 2 sounds we are all accustomed to. To add a layer of nuance, you might try the same test with the P pup halves reversed. I venture they would sound different in a 3rd and different way.

[@1thess523]

I have a Squire Classic Vibe Jazz with Quarter Pounders and a Vintage Modified PJ bass and they are a different bass, even with the stock jazz pick ups it was different. I really liked the PJ because it's it has the umfff of the P and the brightness of the jazz when both pick ups are on

[@thomasloveless7503]

I just got a pj style bass, more because it was a beautiful bass I found for a great price on the used market than because I was really looking for one but I love it. I feel like I can dial in a good tone for any style of music with it

[@BlackRootsUNLIMITED]

Brilliant comparison video. I'm definitely digging the P/J 👌🏿 Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

[@jpizzleforizzle]

Ghost on the neck pups! Con Clavi Con Dios. Very nice.

[@ulash12344321]

Hi Oliver, Firstly I wanna say I really like the video. Nice comparison. I have the both 3 combinations. P, Jazz and PJ. Even my pure P sounds slightly different than the P pickup in PJ bass soloed. For me the most vital fact that I'm mostly using my PJ bass is, when you play the Jazz and PJ bass with both pickups yes they sound similar but the minor difference in the PJ means a lot in a band scenario. In some situations you can't create enough definition with a pure P bass and in some situations you can't be powerful enough with a jazzbass.

[@kazmaitalia8796]

I love how you played Perfect Strangers!

[@Only2genders43]

Both equally great sounding but very different basses. I prefer the pj myself but I can see why some would prefer the jazz. I play metal and my squier pj with quarter pounders just sounds amazing with distortion and compression with a little chorus.

[@drested1793]

Very helpful, thanks

[@Max-Mustermann46]

Nice comparison! I want both😆

[@steelcityterps]

Thank you. I’ve only owned FJB and was recently curious about PJ

[@OliverTobyn]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@dronechoons]

PJ definitely, fuller sound, cheers just helped me make up my mind!

[@joschelei262]

PJ bass for me, I like the colour too.

[@dmac7660]

i wanted the classic P sound but also wanted a thinner J neck. The PJ Fender Jaguar fit the bill.

[@MrChopsticktech]

Once you get used to the Jazz neck other basses feel like five-strings lol.

[@jasondorsey7110]

The blue and seafoam finishes with the maple board look really nice. And unlike the mustang pj there's no toggle switch to accidentally flip midsong(not that it's ever happened to me or anything...)

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Excellent i have a Left Field Bass Jazz Bass hot rod with Split Coil P and Jazz pickup 63 and 74

[@Vulkpol]

Aspettavo un confronto del genere da tempo. Grazie :)

[@AloneWithMemories]

Im so happy I actually chose the PJ bass for my first bass. At this point I don't think I need another one because its so similiar to the JB.

[@jesusoliveira2]

First test/demo ever that pushes those stinky slaps to the end. That was smart!

[@BrainChildMutations]

That Aido sticker on the guitar is OG!

[@LarryMar]

I need to get a bass for my guitar/drum mixes. Either PJ or Jazz. I play guitar with a pretty good amount of low end. The Jazz sounds like it has to much of a "deep burp" that I think would muddy up my sound. So, for now, the PJ is posted in my #wishlist.

[@robertkerr9738]

I think they sound very different. Overall I like the Jazz Bass better than the PJ, except, surprisingly, when it comes to slap. I prefer the PJ sound for slap. Interesting.

[@WilDBeestMF]

I feel like that is because you're so used to the Jazz slap sound and the PJ adds this cool layer that you don't hate at all. That's how I feel about it. Lol. Might sway me one of these days.

[@isaac_avila]

Ive never really liked the P Bass until this video. You really showed me how a P bass could be the best choice in the right hands. Keep groovin’!

[@smoothsam7]

I was looking for a video like this one

[@room34]

Seems to me there are two main considerations: first, how much do you want that Precision sound from the split coil neck pickup, and second, how much do you want the sound of the Jazz with both pickups on. I think the PJ is great for those who primarily want a P-Bass sound, but also occasionally want that Jaco snarl of the Jazz bridge pickup. But a PJ can't really sound like a Jazz with both pickups on, and a Jazz with just the neck pickup doesn't *really* sound like a Precision. I'm actually pretty intrigued by what the PJ combination offers, I've just never seen it packaged in a bass I was particularly interested in owning.

[@dmac7660]

I got a Fender Jaguar. Modern neck but great P bass sound.

[@ashplaysbass]

I find it odd that I like the jazz neck pickup by itself but I prefer the pj together

[@janovillodas7271]

nice video , gracias amigo

[@joshuapitz4906]

I totally dig both tones... but im going with the jazz bass.. over all I think it sounds better...

[@NickTeri]

Id like to learn how to play bass, my options are a Cort Action PJ or squirer j bass, idk which to get.

[@nikoniko3058]

To my liking, the PJ sounds better, i.e. more bassy. Excellent video.

[@emmanuelleroy4335]

Wow, I didn't expect any difference in bridge PU, and there is, subtle, but it's there! Thanx for the useful video, I was going to buy a PJ to have the typical J bass sound at bridge, but now I changed my mind!

[@Mirkomrmot]

Hi, great comparison! I opted for the PJ. But im new to bass, is is "usual" for bass guitars to have fret buzz on higher frets? Mine has it and i think i hear the same on your video :)

[@bobt5778]

A little buzz is okay so long as you don't hear it through the amp. Otherwise check videos on KZbin for adjusting neck relief then string heights (also referred to as action). It's very simple just make small adjustments and you'll be fine.

[@VeitLehmann]

I preferred the Jazz Bass for the most part, especially with the pickups combined, but also on the bridge pickup. For the neck pickup soloed, the P bass is just awesome, but the J can come close. The differences get bigger once you use the tone blend, then the J will just smash the PJ on the bridge pickup. For the neck pickup, it's a matter of taste/musical setting. Same with both pickups combined. All in all, I love both, but I'm more of a Jazz Bass guy, that's what I use most of the time (but a modern 5-string version with active/passive electronics and a splittable humbucker in the bridge, still built in a way that it can deliver vintage Jazz Bass sounds, with Delano TheHybrid pickups/electronics)

[@iamgribs]

Jazz more scoopy but otherwise pretty close. The position really does change things.

[@shoominati23]

I like a PJ setup, but with a musicman humbucker instead of the jazz pickup

[@trevormacdonald5110]

Wraithchild hell yea

[@peppe.dr.sound85]

Finalmente un video serio dove mi viene tolto ogni dubbio che avevo . . . Ho sempre posseduto un jazz bass e un P bass separati e l'idea di avere il PJ non mi ha mai convinto del tutto, in quanto il suono con entrambi i pickup non mi ha mai fatto impazzire confrontandolo con quello del jazz bass classico, al massimo il PJ lo posso vedere come un qualcosa di più, anche se non sono disposto a spendere cifre considerevoli per portarmelo a casa...mmm... vedremo

[@ericholmbergsvilda]

Nice video! But the rosewood vs the maple fretboard makes a really big difference to the sound as well.

[@theFPVgeek]

I want to convert my Active/Passive Fender Deluxe Active Precision Bass to Passive only using the same Seymour Duncan pickups and want to be wired the same as a typical J bass. Do I need to just use J Bass wiring?

[@OliverTobyn]

Yeah, if you want a Volume/Volume/Tone wiring it is exactly the same as a Jazz bass

[@justinkline1294]

Jazz a bit thinner slicing throw. But very ice bass. You got a newer another color toos?

[@farmerlister3863]

The JB sounds better. Because it does sound like a PJ. But the squire sounds nothing like any PJ I've heard before - it sounds thin/choked. Almost like different gain levels. Ive never before heard a PJ losing to JB in terms of "fullness" which to my ears (with headphones) is the case here. That all said, your approach is fantastic and very diligent. Really appreciate your work. Thanks

[@iliasliakos6692]

for some reason I think when you play with a pick the differences are smaller between the comparisons

[@robertkerr9738]

I would agree with that.

[@OliverTobyn]

I'm assuming because everything is overall more consistent, and the pick does influence the sound a little bit.

[@godzilla964]

The PJ sounded more scooped than the Jazz bass. I preferred the PJ over the Jazz, although I may be biased because I own a PJ bass.

[@arjunareidpeirson6075]

damn the amount of effort

[@Joetime90]

Jazz Bass for me is my favorite. I'm biased. But the PJ doesn't sound bad, not gonna give it any hate for sure. And that was a Squier too.

[@christopherstorrier5560]

I took my Fender MIM FSR Jaguar PJ bass & changed everything, a brass nut, new CTS 8% Linear pots,custom wound pickups with 1/4" alnico magnets...pretty hot, 10k for the P pickup with now the D & G half of the P pickup routed out on the neck side so as to get more bass out of the D & G strings but keep the original E & A Precision tone... Greasebucket tone circuit with 5% hi-fi grade polypropylene caps with a 1% 4k7 resistor...now after sheilding properly, new wiring ,a double mono output jack..keeps your input jack solid & straight with 200% more contact surface, from Tiny Tone, brass 3 grooved Fender style saddles by Guyker...flattened on the bottom to get lower action...sounds great with brass nut...i don't know if it sounds like a Jazz as better pickups...everything is better ,it has an Ebony fretboard which makes it very clear with a bit more gain,could be the pickups, pots, jack socket & nut combination but i really like it...powerful, bassy with a cutting deep tone, cuts through live better now & much quieter now as custom Jazz pickup is reverse wound & polarity so gives a big powerful quiet sound on it's own or even bigger more powerful PJ tone with more bass on the D & G strings now..thanks to Tim for making the great new pickguard,better than Fenders, spot on to the mm..i like & have Jazz's & Precisions but prefer my Jaguar half reversed P&J bass...my 75th Anniversary Fender Jazz with maple fretboard, Champagne coloured with matching headstock fitted with Seymour Duncan Apollo split coil noiseless Jazz pickups is pretty good sounding to now after being overhauled...i luv Fender bass's...

[@MrChopsticktech]

Do you have any videos of you playing after all those modifications?

[@christopherstorrier5560]

@@MrChopsticktech .....i'm gonna buy a new PC....iCore 9 or Ryzen 9 in January & going to set up a new YT channel,....so hopefuly by the end of January...all my bass's are overhauled when i buy a new one....Luv Fender bass's but rotten sheilding, if any at all, & badly wired, poor quality components...i cannot afford the American Elite or American Pro.. i do have 2 , 1 a 2011 American special & the other a 75th Anniversary MIM Fender Jazz & my Fender Jaguar PJ....so hoefully soon bud.....👍...& i have a couple of Ibanez bass's, an SR600E & SRX 360.....

[@smoothsam7]

Man I really liked the jazz bass

[@rodriprat]

I suggest you to add the s1 mod in the jazz bass

[@ricardojmestre]

Agreed

[@vinisasso]

I am clearly biased in favor of the PJ setup. It has a fuller range and can fit any music style you play. However, when it comes to slap style, the Jazz Bass still is the king of slap, even though the slap sound from the PJ is not bad either.

[@arthurverlaine6434]

I think that on the slap the clear winner is the jazz, just an opinion PJ much more versatile in bottom end

[@NateOclock]

2:08 Hell yeah!! Con Clavi Con Dio - Ghost!!!

[@skinnybricks]

2:08 AHHHHH Con Clavi Con Dio

[@EmanCarbone]

4:42 - it might be KZbin or a different listening environment, but even when comparing the two soloed bridge pickups at 3:21 (the only "apple to apple" possible comparison) to my ears the Geddy Lee still sounded a bit fuller and extending further in the spectrum, while the Squier probably sounded a bit more nasal. Being them the exact same pickup, I guess it can be down to the different basses, which is within the norm. The right hand position and playing dynamics (two major factors) seemed quite consistent, at least from the video.

[@OliverTobyn]

Yeah, listening now with fresh ears (I might have overdone it yesterday, hah) it does sound slightly different, but it's about 90% the same I'd say

[@losely451]

The actual tones seem pretty much the same but the power and volume of the split coil P bass pickup is pretty noticeable. My question is do the PJ basses still have the hum like the Jazz bass does when the pickups are soloed.

[@darklink2000]

If the Jazz pickup is not noise canceling it’ll have buzz. So look for a PJ that has a hum canceling J pup or add one yourself.

[@losely451]

@@darklink2000 Gotcha, yeah I'll just stick with a Jazz bass then.

[@MrChopsticktech]

Why doesn't my Jazz bass hum?

[@rihamission487]

In this comparison, I actually like the pj bass sound. But my pj bass doesn’t sound like that. How do you get that buzzy ‘Flea’ sound?

[@OliverTobyn]

A number of factors. Are your pickups balanced? Meaning: when you switch from one to the other do you hear a difference in tone ONLY and NOT in volume? If you do hear a difference in volume you need to lower or raise one of the two. Also, new stainless steel strings definitely help.

[@rihamission487]

@@OliverTobyn I think another determining factor is potentiometer. Do you think upgrading to 500k pots and parallel-series modding the precision pickup help me get the tone I am looking for? One more thing, when both pickups are on and tone is turned up, the bass makes a lot of noise. In case of a jazz bass, when 2 single-coil pickups are both turned on, they cancel each other’s noise. But in the pj bass there is nothing to cancel the noise of the single-coil pickup. I am having a big issue with the noise. Did you face the same problem too? What do you recommend to fix that? By the way, thanks a lot for your thoughtful insights.

[@theturtlerguy1236]

I just want to get a tone similar to Geezer Butler's

[@xMTLKx]

When you play the bridge pickup, you're supposed to pluck just over this pickup ahah

[@creepymcpeepers]

I sometimes get frustrated playing along with songs that don’t have a p Bass…. I am paying off on a pj bass but I’m Wondering if I should just go and get the jazz instead

[@roeldeleon8598]

PJ. for my side ..it's crunchy..like thicker sound more boost...got more power sound ..and the Jazz got thinner sound ...

[@Klaus80804]

I like PJ best when the P pickup is installed reverse. Then the sound is the most balanced. It's a mystery to me why Fender hasn't made this correction to the original design during all these years they make P basses.

[@DrKeremKoseoglu]

Neck sound: P wins Blend sound: J wins Bridge sound: Tie

[@harryfromaustralia657]

So most of the video you compare the P pickup with the J neck pickup then once getting to the J pickup on the pj ya played a classic P pickup riff hahah nice work anyways

[@Mrmemphisbones]

Will a PJ sound like a proper P if you solo the P pickup ? Some say its absolutely the same. Some say its different...can you make a video busting the myth ? Thank you very much, i love your content. Squiers are great.

[@OliverTobyn]

I will try to incorporate this information in a future video if possible, for now just take my word for it. Yes it does! It sounds exactly the same. The only VERY subtle difference, and I was able to detect this by boosting all the high end, is that on a PJ bass you have an extra pot, which drains a little more higher end. But it is totally negligible, and I was only able to hear it using a three way switch (which excluded the J pickup and its volume) and by boosting the high end by A LOT. Thank you so much for watching!

[@MusicStudija]

Very good question. I put push/pull as a kill switch for bridge pup, and yes, there is difference. I can hear that without J pup, P has more high end, sounds more open, more growl. Its very subtile, negligible, but for me as player, its makes a huge mental difference, because I always wanted a "TRUE P" beside J in the bridge. So, if you need option to sound like "TRUE P", push/pull or kill switch will help you a lot.

[@musenw8834]

@@OliverTobyn by three way switch you mean the pickup balancer knob? I play a passive PJ btw

[@OliverTobyn]

@@musenw8834 no, a switch like the one on a Fender Jazz Special. No in-betweens, just 100% of every pickup

[@aarongipson4503]

PJ pickups sure look cool. 😬

[@paoloalcantara2465]

PJ for me

[@zibbezabba2491]

You can't get the same mid scoop on the PJ with both pickups full on as you do on the Jazz. The PJ has more of a mid punch instead of scoop with both pickups fully open. If you want your bass to sound like a jazz bass then it needs jazz pickups in both positions (unless you just want to sound like jacko with just the bridge pickup)

[@fabiogolvah6867]

Só queria ganhar qualquer dos dois de brinde.

[@ScarredPredator]

Which riffs did you play? Great comparison!

[@geistkrieger869]

Sounds like a bunch of Iron Maiden and some Pink Floyd. Some others I couldn't quite identify.

[@alexton9873]

'Fly Away' from Lenny Kravitz on the slap test

[@OIOoloOIO]

the PJ deliveres more bass and more midrange on E and A String than the J Bass. Good for Rock. And the other split coil is closer to the bridge so that D and G String sound brighter than the J. More like the crispy Stingray Pop String Sound. But if you want to do some Slapping on G or D String you have the same issue as on Stingray. It misses mid and bass and so is too quiet compared to the massive E and A String. Also if you play a lot of melodie and scales over 4 Strings then it aounds a bit too fat on E String compared to thin sounding G String. So- In my opinion the PJ is less versatile than all people always say. It is the opposite. There are some limitations that don´t show up with the P or the J Bass. If somebody needs fat sound than go for the P Bass with it´s Serial wiring. The PJ has a parallel wiring for the P and the J Bridge and so it gets a more open sound. The density of the P is lost and missed on the D and G String to deliver enough bass. That´s why the reverse PJ was born. -> See Sandberg VT or Sadowsky PJ, Jackson PJ, Warwick Streamer Stage I.

[@DylanWOWilliams]

I prefer the Jazz bass, but I can see how the PJ Bass works better in a mix.

[@405Lenny]

Not really a fair comparison because a maple fretboard will always sound brighter, regardless of the pickups.

[@firemarshal2629]

In a mix you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference so just play the one you enjoy the most.

[@smoothsam7]

Pj for me

[@CharlesNotBronson]

A reversed P with a jazz pickup is better than the two I think.

[@digeratadesign]

good comparison. i think the pj combo is not the best of both worlds and something has to give. each of those basses are very unique and certainly the geddy lee is hotter and more punch than the pj combo even tho same pickups. i own a jazz

[@tagadabrothersband]

I think the PJ isn't meant to sound like a JB (in that case, just buy a JB). For me it's more for players who like the PB sound first of all, but who want a greater tone versatility thanks to the bridge pickup. With a P/J you have your basic PB sound, you basically have a JB sound on the bridge, and you can blend them. It's in fact a "super" P Bass, i.e. a P bass with versatility like on a J bass. But it's not a J Bass, it's not meant to be one.

[@nameless9917]

Con clavi Con Dio haha

[@diabolik182]

Hi friends, can you help a poor 39-year-old guy make the right choice? I would like to buy a bass guitar to have fun with my computer or play with headphones. I don't have many demands, but playing the bass is a desire I've always had. I am planning to buy a Squier Affinity PJ Bass, but every time someone reviews it, they seem to find a flaw. Can I go ahead and buy it, or do you have any other suggestions for me? Also, I don't have large hands... :) (Sorry for my bad English)

[@MrYatesj1]

Seem very doable to get a jazz bass, buy a P pickup, get a new pick guard and wire yourself up with a P/J bass

[@jerrymcg3199]

What I want is a J bass for its looks with a P bass sound.

[@OliverTobyn]

Then you get a Mark Hoppus Jazz Bass haha. Or get a custom body made with J bass shape but with a split P

[@jerrymcg3199]

@@OliverTobyn I forgot to mention - I'm not a millionaire😥

[@lawrencebyrdsong7570]

PJ is definitely the best

[@SpectorEuro4]

I feel that a PJ configuration just has a much, MUCH wider range of tones than single coil. You can dial in a lot of different tones as opposed to a single coil. I've got a Spector Legend 4, and I'm hoping to one day switch the spector pj pickups with some EMGs or perhaps Aguilar (I fucking love Aguilar stuff man).

[@rrdream2400]

PJ is worst of both worlds I think. I put J in the bridge position of an old P bass and regretted it. Less wood in the body but way more of a factor was the added magnetic pull on the strings. Only upside is I got that Jaco type bridge pickup tone which I don't need much. Downside is the P sound is slightly not as pure and the both pickups on doesn't sound like a Jazz bass or as good, the P pickup is way more dominant and the pickups aren't parallel. 2 P pickups would be better maybe. I ended up getting both a P bass and J bass. It's just my experience, some players love them.

[@DarrenSaw]

1000% agree on all of this!

[@tremor1001]

What the fuck kind of assessment is this lol. First off, unless you have your pickups adjusted WAYYYY too close to the strings, there is no way the magnetic field will pull / affect string vibrations. There have been like TONS of videos proving that not only does wood have little (or no affect) on electric instruments, more specifically a significant amount of body wood can be shaved off with garenteed 0 tonal changes when plugged in. There are videos where people build a guitar, then cut slabs of the body off until its pretty much just a plant with pickup attached to a neck and it sounds identical through the amplifier. You can't tell me that a small pickup route is going to affect the tone. If you want to argue that you don't like the PJ sound thats completely fine, but literally you can just turn off the bridge pickup and get the same effect, or blend it for more versatility there are no cons.

[@mattfoley6082]

You didn't play all 4 strings so neck pickup comparison is impossible.

[@williampeckham9838]

Its a very hard question. I think you are missing out on more with a J than a PJ. You get all the p and most of the j with a pj. With a j you get most of the j and no p. If I was rich I'd get a P and a J which would be the best option.

[@maxbass72]

Different neck, different sound.

[@OliverTobyn]

Heh, relatively. In my experience different necks influence the tone, the overall sound depends mainly on the pickups

[@Machobass1]

JB is brighter than PJ. But it may be caused by other fingerboard. To do the test properly, you should use basses with maple or rosewood fingerboard on both. But I suppose they would sound not the same, these are other construction of basses and it won’t sound the same ;)

[@riki_tiki_ti]

Don't mislead people, the wood does not affect the guitar tone. The only thing that matters is the pickups.

[@ArtLogins]

Jazz, both pickups on, with a pick.... or jazz neck pickup, thumb and palm muting....

[@phillyhank8726]

Hello there. I really enjoyed this video but I’m still a bit in the fence. Please, please, PLEASE in your honest opinion…if you ONLY have one Bass and it’s a PJ Bass. Do you REALLY still need an actual P bass? Or REALLY need a j bass. If I’m honest. I’m finding myself thinking that I still need an actual one of each. J Bass, P Bass, n PJ Bass

[@OliverTobyn]

In my honest opinion, if you have a PJ you don't need a P bass. You might need a Jazz bass if you're looking for that snappier sound.

[@effeemme6400]

Ciao Oliver! Preferisco di gran lunga la configurazione pj. Non sono un fan dei single coil. Anche al ponte sono per i doppia bobina per avere un suono più corposo. Anche la combinazione a due Pu aperti sul jazz da un suono troppo "acido" mentre apprezzo molto il suono pj pieno, un po' spigoloso, ma più secco.

[@OliverTobyn]

Ciao! Si in genere anche io, infatti gli EMG GZR sono perfetti per me: un gran bello split, e J a doppia bobina al ponte. E generalmente apprezzo la stessa tipologia di pickup sul Jazz, se vedi qualche video fa ho fatto un demo coi Seymour Duncan Apollo che sono anch'essi a doppia bobina

[@barrygoodson4952]

Nope two distinct sounds from those bass guitars. Could be some of the difference is the Fender GL model vs the Squire PJ bass !

[@StagnantExistance]

1. Neck pickup. Jazz bass sounds rounder, more low mids, but less bass and treble. PJ has a somewhat scooped soumd. 2. Both pickups. Jazz bass has a very full and rounded sound. A bit more scooped sounding compared to the soloed neck pickup. PJ has a somewhat brighter tone, yet less bass and perhaps a tiny bit less mid-rangy. 3. Bridge pickup. Jazz bass has a thicker tone than P-bass. Very usable on its own. P-bass sounds very thin and I would not consider using this kind of tone. [Edit[ Is this even the same pickup and is the position the same ? The basses sound very different. Especially when it comes to bridge pickups and both pickups. I used AKG K-240 headphones.

[@OliverTobyn]

Yeah, the bridge pickup is the same one on both. The cavity is in the exact same position on both measuring from the bridge. I'd like to redo this video again in the future, but using the same neck, and maybe a body with the same wood, possibly different pickups as well as the QP set tends to have quite a lot of colour

[@StagnantExistance]

@@OliverTobyn So, would you say, that wood had such a big effect on the sound of the bridge pickup ? It sounds completely different on two basses.

[@OliverTobyn]

@@StagnantExistance in my experience wood does have a slight impact, (I also made a video comparing a rosewood and maple fretboard, check it out!) but it is generally slight nuances, like changing a bit the higher end on your EQ. Same pickups with different bodies may be 90% the same, but produce a slightly different upper midrange and higher end.

[@RomainMadar]

@@StagnantExistance I was wondering exactly the same as well ... How the same pickup can lead to a so different sound thickness. I got a PJ bass recently and I love it, but I would love to have thicker sound with bridge pickup only (that's why I'd like to understand the difference!).

[@lawrencetagliareni4893]

Jazz

[@arielsumampong9764]

I love pj bass Because pj bass Is bigger sound tone than j bass