Fender Mustang PJ vs CIJ Bass I Demo & Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ต.ค. 2024
- In which I compare my Fender Mustang short scale 2018 PJ bass and my 2003 CIJ bass. I play both and demo them for you.
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I have a bass that had pretty bad neck-dive until I replaced the tuning machines with Hipshot Ultralight tuners. I weighed then before installing and the four of them together were exactly one half pound lighter than the originals. They made a huge difference - No more neck dive.
I like the PJ bass configuration for more tone variety and the blue is cool. Try using a suede strap to help prevent the neck dive. The suede is more grippy across your back and shoulders and helps to hold the bass in place. I got a Perris suede strap for my neck heavy SG and it works pretty well. The truss rod adjustment is on the other end of the neck, but covered up.
I will try out a suede strap as soon as the music store reopens here!
Have both, love both. I string mine with LaBella flatwounds to get that big bass sound, and to reduce fret wear. LaBella makes a set specifically for the through body stringing of the original Mustangs...think they're the 760FL-MUS set. I really like what they do for the tone.
Good to now about this la bella strings thanks
Good to now about this la bella strings thanks
The CIJ have truss rod access on the heel of the neck, I know it because I have MIJ Precision bass
Well, that makes sense! I am learning so much!
The only thing I don't like about my new Fender Mustang is the neck-dive too!!! Regularly, I am the Bass player for our Praise Team and play a Fender Jazz Bass (34" full scale) with a big, wide strap and I'll try it on the Mustang to see if that helps. I wanted to try a shorter scale and of course--Fender is the only way! I love the size and my color is yellow "Buttercream". Great review!
In your comparison I preferred the sound of the MIJ, & I definitely prefer how it looks. But I do prefer a satin neck.
Each bass has it's own personality for sure!
I’ve totally “shot lasers” into my pastors eyes during a set and didn’t realize I was doing it until he told me after service 😂. Love this comparison vid. I think your sonic blue mustang has a mint pickguard. I think the extra weight from the larger bring on your Japanese mustang keep it in better balance. Just a guess.
I have been wondering if the trust rod in the pj makes the neck heavier than the cij.
realbeal I don’t imagine the trust rod in the Japanese mustang is much different from the PJ. The only difference in the trust rod is the placement for adjusting. The CIJ is adjustable where the neck meets the body vs the pj where the access is up by the tuners.
That was a useful video, thank you bass playing Mum! I have the PJ Mustang bass, I thought maybe I was missing out until I watched this. I fitted a high mass bridge to mine and it helps with the nose dive.
The PJ pickguard I believe is the "mint" color. I once had the same CIJ "Crafted in Japan" Fender Mustang bass years ago. Curious thing-it had two noticeable deadspots on the neck. One was on the D string near the octave. The other I don't recall. I now own a Squier Classic Vibe in Olympic White. NO dead spots! This bass is amazing. I've been playing for over 50 years.
Very helpful! I'm interested in a new Mustang bass and this is a great look at the options
Glad it was helpful!
The cij bass has a trust rod but to adjust it you have to take the neck off the bass.
Let's hope I don't have to! Have you taken the neck off of one?
realbeal I have once and it was a pain! I’d recommend you take it to your local shop and let them set it up so you don’t have to suffer lol
You can buy an angled screwdriver, slap a capo on the first fret, tune down, adjust the truss rod, tune up again and you are done. No need to take the neck off.
T3L3cast3r
You can also notch the pick guard so you don’t have to remove it.
Nice comparison Di! I personally like the shortscale PJ style basses over the P basses because it’s “more” tonal range.
Yes! I would have to agree!
I have a Mustang PJ. I replaced the tuners with USA Hipshot Ultralite 3/8" clover style tuners. These are the lightest clover style tuners that I've seen.
However, they're not drop in replacement tuners. They are triangular in shape with a single mounting hole vs the stock Fender tuners which have 4 mounting holes and are rectangular. This means, there will be four little holes showing on each tuner and the outline depression of the old rectangular tuners will be visible on the wood. You will also have to drill one mounting hole for each tuner. But, nobody looks at the backside of your headstock, right?
This is a job for a very mechanically inclined person or a skilled Luthier. It's easy to drill through your headstock if you don't know what you're doing. Also, you only get one chance to align your tuners and make them look straight, before you drill your new single mounting holes.
Many people would not like the appearance of 16 small holes, showing on the backside of the headstock on their $600 bass. I went really crazy and I hand made 4 lightweight aluminum plates to cover up the holes. If you look at my headstock from one foot away or farther, it's pretty hard to tell that the cover plates are hand made and are not part of the Hipshot tuner assemblies.
After listening I think the CIJ Mustang bass has the best sound though the original Mustang pickups came from the bass pickup on the 66 Bass XII. My only problem was the lack of sensitivity which led me to buy a 67 Gibson EB-O which had a much more powerful humbucking pickup. Both basses are gone and I play a Fender Classic Acoustic and a Squier Jaguar Bass. But in retrospect I really best liked my first bass, that white with red variegated pick guard, foam mute and G side hand hold for thumb playing
I do wish I had a short scale with good humbucking pick ups.
Truss goes either from top of neck, or base, next to body. If base, it is under pickguard.
I just purchsed my first short scale bass and love it. It's a Fender JMJ Mustang. A better strap will fix the nose dive issue.
Great purchase. What color is it?
@@realbeal It only comes in blue or black. I ended up with the black one which was what the store had at the time, with a white perloid pickguard. I've been meaning to make a video with it but just been a bit busy with other things lately. I need to make it happen :-)
For the MIJ one, you adjust the truss rod by removing the neck. you can see a little flat head screw if you look at the bottom of the neck. It pokes out of the pickuard a bit.
Some say string through construction transfers string vibration into the wood more efficiently and therefore increases sustain. Personally, I don't hear much of a difference but I like string through because it's cozy :)
I am learning so much about bass construction!
Instablaster.
You can also loosen the pickguard and usually be able to access the truss rod with the correct blade truss rod tool. Stew Mac sells a Tele Crank tool that's perfect. Shielding can help with hum and buzz. Neck dive can be minimized by a good quality real leather strap.
Sometimes the truss rod is accessed at the neck where it meets the body. Other times, there’s just a cover on it in the usual place, but the cover is usually more obvious.
The nosedive is terrible but a high mass bridge should fix it.
What is a high mass bridge?
realbeal A high mass bridge is designed to add body weight to a neck heavy guitar. Hipshot makes a good one. They weigh about one pound. I have a short scale bass that hangs horizontal. I LOVE the way it sounds, but I hate the balance, so I’ll probably put one on it. If it hung below horizontal like yours, it wouldn’t be a question for me.
Probably already answered-But, That “rod” is called a truss rod. On the CIJ , you access it from the other end of the neck. You access the rod on the P/J at the top as you noticed. Both are gorgeous. Rock on !
Ok. Now I have to go back and look! Thanks!!
Just acquired a 1978 Mustang with the adjustable mutes on the bridge....that thing is a BEAST
Thanks for the review! I'm not sure but it looks like the newer one has a pau ferro fingerboard whereas the older one has rosewood. I prefer the japanese bass because it's more classic sounding and looking.
Have you checked out the JMJ bass? th-cam.com/video/oYx3QMqfidY/w-d-xo.html
I just saw your video.. i liked a lot your way to explain every detail in more of a "person" view, the things you like and you see different.. i enjoyed this video.. thanks!!
Thanks so much. I feel like we are just talking! What would you like to see in another video?
@@realbeal So, im new in your channel i just recently know you, and ive watched some of your videos, they´re great, entertaining in a "person" point of view.. i like that way more than "expert geeks" haha i´ll take the time to see your past videos, but i noticed something... i´d like you to see you playing and explaining about the music you like and why do you like it. we all have our stories, and i know you have a great point of view =)) thanks a lot! ill be pending on your videos and chatting here also. is really nice to know you =)
By the way i forgot... one thing that could help you to the "Nose" Dive (lol) on your PJ is, try to get a leather strap.. the leather helps to mantain the position of your playing way better than the plastic or fabric straps. and im telling you by experience. i have some of my basses that have also the neck dive and i have dedicated straps for those basses so i dont have to carry them with the left hand...
Try on the music stores, take your bass with you and try some leather straps.. i hope you can find some that can help you with that!
I prefer leather straps that do not slide which helps with the nosedive. I like my instrument to stay put. As far as the truss rod question, the adjustment on the one you can't see is at the other end, most likely under the pickguard. Thank you for the comparison.
Thanks so much. Now I know where to look for the truss rod.
Sound: little more echo with the CIJ, more punch with the PJ. I play a mustang PJ as well and love it (my Fender P is a telephone pole...and heavy). You're correct about the neck dive, but I deal with it. My mustang PJ has a lot of noise when the switch is on the jazz pickup only (down). As a result I never have the switch on the jazz, either middle or P. I oughta look into shielding it or switching the switch. Or something. I like your videos!
that wood strip and hole in the head stock is the indication there is a trust rod...that's gonna add weight...
For sure!
You're experience 'neck dive' on your PJ because of the difference in tailpieces. Your PJ has a standard fender Jazz/Precision tailpiece which is considerably lighter than the CIJ with the through-body tailpiece. Essentially, your CIJ has a lot more weight on the body, which keeps the fulcrum further back and prevents the headstock from 'diving'.
You can mitigate this by putting lighter aluminum tuners and/or a high-mass bridge on your PJ.
...I prefer the CIJ because tonally it is more focused, as where the PJ just sounds like a weaker precision bass to me.
Thank you for giving me so much to think on! I like the fuller sound on the PJ but that is just my preference.
Bassists, and musicians in general, have an issue with selling and acquiring gear. I’m glad you held onto that CIJ….that’s a keeper, and virtually irreplaceable if you let it go.
Personally, I like the sound of the CIJ…way more mojo.
They look alike but they sound different. The PJ has no hum though!
the neck dive's a lot worse on the mim , because the body is probobly a lot lighter than the Japan made one, I had a 1977 usa mustang, that had no neck dive as the body was so heavy, in fact it was my heavyest bass , You can put in a highmass bridge in the mim and instal alloy tuners , that should help you out a lot. Someone on u-tube put in a super long nut for the front strap button, and that seemed to cure all the neck dive, bu moving the button ahead or on the 12th fret.
I like the PJ bass better I just brought mine this past week and I absolutely love it, LOVE it the tone everything, my previous bass was my first bass a rouge 100b I plan to never let it go we have history, I adopted her from the trash in perfect condition like some kind of stray cat. I am pretty much self taught. Do you still own your first bass, any who the mustang is awesome.
Yes. I have my first bass. It is a Musicmaster. Probably time to make another video on it!
Thank u that would be 🆒
I move among three basses. Fender elite jazz 5, Ibanez 6 string, both active, and a jazz 5 kit bass from fretwire that is fretless. They all have a different personality, and depends on the set for Sunday as to which one I play.
Well, that makes sense. The PJ is the only one with no hum, so I depend on it now.
My 67 California built Mustang Bass was a great bass except the somewhat less sensitive split pickups
The CIJ bass has truss rod. You just have to take off the neck to get at it and it at the other end where the neck meets the body. It takes a large Phillips
CIJ is the one for me. Have you ever tried flatwound strings? You should put some on that CIJ and see the difference. Different tone and not rough on your fingers at all.
I have put flatwounds on and will make that video very soon.
hi, what are the strings you use one the cij bass?
Very Nice Fender Basses, Di
Thanks!
I have been a fan of the Mustang bass for a long time. It has a very specific tone due to the size and the small split coil pickups and the scale length. It has a very unique tone that is charming. The newer models with the P-J pickups just don’t sound right. It gives the bass an indistinct tone. The best way I can describe the that indistinct tone is what you would hear from a budget, no name pawn shop bass. Yes it sounds bassy, but it is not really defined.
It is a different sound. I have gotten a lot of compliments of my tone on the PJ bass. But I have a compression pedal and I think it helps the tone.
@@realbeal That could be that your PJ is heard in a mix of a band situation, which is very much different that solo. I’ve never played a PJ Mustang other than solo, so I don’t know it’s true character.
I used to own the MIJ, and now I have the PJ. Paid roughly the same amount for both, though 13 years apart. For me, there's no comparison between the two, in sound, playability, or craftsmanship. The MIJ was one of the nicest basses I've ever owned. The PJ, on the other hand, would be comparable to something from the Squier Vintage Modified line, which is perfectly fine, but just doesn't feel great in my hands. I'm curious how it measures up to the new Classic Vibe Mustang. To me, I'd say about $400 is what the PJ ought to sell for brand new, not what they're currently asking! I still enjoy playing it, but they took away a LOT of quality when they gave us the pickup configuration everyone asked for.
What quality items did they take away?
@@realbeal Hey Di, I meant sort of the overall level of quality. Specifically? I felt the MIJ neck was a joy to play, where the PJ is pretty average and the quality control was not there. The string saddles on the MIJ were well made, while my PJ saddles tend to slip after every few gigs until they have to be reset for height. And lastly, the bridge and the string-through body on the MIJ did have a noticeably different sound. Those would be the 3 things that come to mind where I feel there was a quality downgrade from the MIJ to the Mexican PJ.
The MIJ of course didn't have a toggle switch, but I suspect if it had, it wouldn't have kept shorting out on me! I don't know, maybe I just got a lemon from Guitar Center with my PJ! But hey, I still like it and use it all the time! I just have to work a little harder at it. Cheers!
About the nosedive, get a strap that is lined with suede or some coarse material that will grab your clothes better. I have that problem with my Squier Jaguar short scale. It's a cheap fix.
The neck dive and different tone is probably due to the type of wood used for the body, if it's a lighter/less dense wood the balance will be different between the bridge end and the neck. Also wood density will affect the tone. The tone will also be affected by the different pickups, I'm guessing the PJ configuration will be more powerful and have different tone. As others have said, try a strap with suede on the side that rests against your clothing as it grips much better. I don't suffer from neck dive on my basses but all my straps have suede on the inside and they stay put very nicely. What you wear will affect the grippiness of the suede of course bu I'm usually wearing a cotton t-shirt when I play, other fabrics may have different results ;)
Yes. I think a good strap would make a difference!
About the neck dive: it really helps if you have a leather strap: it won't slide of your neck so quickly as the smoother material. The actual reason why I don't like a lot of mustangs is exactly because of their neck dive. The squier mustangs are even worse. I guess that if you want to have a balanced bass, you'll gonna have to pay. Besides the high mass bridge, you could also buy lighter tuners (the american mustangs standards have those I guess).
Great ideas! What do you play?
I don't know when you bought your CIJ Mustang,b ut they have really gone up in value recently! 1,300 USD on Reverb is standard right now.
What? I will have to check that out!
Ii WOULD TRY EITHER A GIBSON OR EPIPHONE EB-O with 30.5" neck and the large Gibson-designed humbucker to get short SCALE AND A HUMBUCKER.Unfortunately the Gibson/Epiphone have a thick neck.
Probably the best combination was Gibson's second line Kalamazoo Bass with pressed wood body but a
Fender Mustang like neck and a Gibson Humbucker. I think these basses were built in 1967 and 1968
I have a '70 gibson melody maker bass, it looks like the kalamazoo kb-1 but with a mahogany body and set mahogany neck like a proper gibson...it is a beast with that 28k humbucker and no neck dive like you hear people complain about so much, but they're kinda rare these days...it was gibson's response to the fender mustang but it never caught on
Sorry, in the first sentence I meant to write head stock.
Have you ever tried newer Squier CV Mustang?
I tried out three squier basses. The frets were too rough on the new ones. Have you found that?
@@realbeal I'm not try any Squier yet. Are you trying the newer Classic Vibes?
@@BudiPrasetyoHarsono I have a Squier VM Jaguar SS that I love. So, I got the recent CV Mustang that is similar to Di's CIJ hoping it would feel/sound similar. The fit & finish was disappointing, and the sound was a bit punchier (more mid-range forward) than I expected. Between the longer scale due to the classic bridge, the poor quality craftsmanship, and the punchier sound, I returned it and decided I would wait to get a PJ Mustang similar to Di's 2018. I expect it to sound and feel more like my VM Jaguar SS.
Di, do you prefer one neck to the other? I think the CIJ has a 7-1/4 radius. The PJ would be flatter. Also, is one thicker than the other? Taller frets on the PJ too, I think.
Oh my gosh. I never really looked into it. What a good topic for a video!!
You still have that pj mustang bass
I sure do!
The CIJ bass is more of a vintage style with the small pickup . I think I like the modern PJ model better probably has higher output pickups . I have mostly long scale basses I don't want to buy a mustang bass ( I might like it too much 😊)
oh a way you can balance a neck heavy bass, you can replace that bridge with a high mass bridge. You could add 608 oz of weight to the body that way.
I will look into it! Would make a great video!!!
@@realbeal 6-8*
My former 67 Mustang Bass looked like yours but mine had the third fret DG divot from the Fender case's neck restraint strap . Sadly I foolishly sold it. It was a really great bass
I just bought a 67 last year. It's now my second favorite bass.
What is your favorite?
I have a short scale mustang and it has those split pickups. Are really the precision ones are better? Do you think I should have them changed?
I think they are the right pick ups for that bass. Just be aware of any hum.
I love the "nose dive" thing. I've always heard it called "neck dive." Did you make up "nose dive?"
Probably. That is kind of funny. I would swear I said neck dive, but I guess there is evidence!
@@realbeal I like it, actually. On a more serious note, I have been thinking about buying one of the new P/J Mustangs but when I saw how it dives in your video, that pretty much eliminates it for me. I've had basses that dive like that, and I find it really annoying. Thanks for posting the video and showing how it balances when you're standing up. Lots of bass review videos don't show that. Very helpful.
It isn’t a deal breaker for me. What bass would you get instead?
@@realbeal I've also been looking at a "Sterling by MusicMan" short scale bass: www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/sterling-by-music-man-stingray-short-scale-electric-bass/l72807
I've corresponded with a couple of people who have them and say they're well balanced, with little or no neck dive. They're pretty new.
I’m not sure, but the neck dive might be caused by those gigantic tuners and large head start. I just made an eight string short scale tapping bass, and I have no neck dive whatsoever. But it might be because it’s headless... The background noise may be caused by poor insulation of the electric circuits inside the pick guard. By the way, when you make a demo, could you possibly use a DI and record into your audio source directly? It would be easier to hear the difference between the basses in that way.
Yes. I have the tools now to do that type of audio! I will work on it for next time.
@@realbeal I look forward to hearing it. I have just started making a few videos, and I usually use DIY for my basses. there are so many small details that can change the sound of your instrument, it's almost impossible to know exactly what to expect. But that is why I continue building them.
So many Mustang basses out there now. The current PJ is now called the Player Mustang Bass. Before they called it the Mustang Offset Bass. Are there any diff between the 2 or did they just change the name and raise the price?
I don't know. Is it somehow to differentiate the PJs from the JMJs?
@@realbeal No, Fender had the "Offset" PJ Mustang, and now the PJ Stang is called the "Player Mustang", with an increase in price (and better and more color choices). I see they are both still offered for sale, w the Offset (first) at a lower price. These are what to compare...are they exactly the same bass, or are there differences? It has nothing to do w the JMJ, which I think sounds better than either, but is pricier, and is "road worn".
Do you still have the CIJ bass
Yes. I hang on to my basses!
The gloss neck that gets sticky can be fixed with a scotch Brite pad or sponge
It feels aggressive to me. I would be afraid of screwing it up.
@@realbeal it's almost impossible to screw up.
PJ may be heavier because of the trust rod weight.
Probably! I wish it was balanced better.
Be my MOM! Enjoy your post, thank you.
Of course!
CIJ - Crafted in Japan?
Maybe! I had no idea. Ha ha! What do you play?
@@realbeal my main is actually a squier vi.
Anything with 5 strings
I only play short scales. I don't know if they make them in five strings.
Fender japan is essentially a completely different company.
Ooh ok, how so Wally?
CIJ sounds way better, and looks better as well.
It does have the better bridge.
I own a mid-70’s vintage Mustang Bass, and the CIJ Mustang is closer in spec. If you like that vintage tone, CIJ (or the new Squier version) will get you closer to vintage.
As far balance on the MIM, it’s likely because the weight of the body is lighter, in conjunction with the strap used. MIM basses use notoriously lightweight woods, but the hardware is the same weight, so without lighter hardware to counter balance, it neck dives. Get a 3” wide suede-backed strap and that’ll help you tremendously.