Delving into the archives, we revisit the Fret-King Perception 60 JJ & PJ models, a duo that once stirred the waters in the bass guitar realm. Crafted in the UK under the watchful eye of Trevor Wilkinson, these basses entered a market teeming with familiar designs. Yet, they promised something more, blending traditional aesthetics with custom craftsmanship. But how do they truly measure up?
Both the Perception 60 JJ and PJ models share a lineage, yet each tells its own story. The PJ, part of the Green Label Series, and the JJ, a gem from the Atelier Series, offer players a choice between standard excellence and bespoke luxury. Hand-built in the UK, their price tags reflect their pedigree, but the question remains: do they deliver on quality and value?
Each bass, encased in its hard shell, feels instantly familiar in the hands, a testament to the enduring appeal of the Jazz Bass design. With their two-piece swamp ash bodies and carefully contoured shapes, they’re a nod to tradition yet light enough for modern play. The PJ’s classic burst finish contrasts with the JJ’s bold California green, each complemented by a tortoiseshell scratchplate, adding a unique touch to the familiar.
The maple necks, solid and well-grained, offer a comfortable 42mm width at the nut, striking a balance between playability and substance. The craftsmanship extends to the precise neck pockets and smooth fret edges, though the deeper-than-necessary fret slots on both instruments catch the eye as a minor oversight.
Despite their similar weights, the JJ feels more body-heavy, affecting its balance compared to the PJ, which tends towards neck dive. This distinction becomes more apparent when played seated or strapped, with the JJ assuming a more natural playing angle.
In terms of hardware, Wilkinson’s design prowess shines through in the machine heads and bridge saddles, ensuring smooth operation and stability. However, the two-saddle bridge design might limit setup customization, a departure from the more versatile four-saddle configurations.
The true divergence between the JJ and PJ lies in their pickup configurations, with each catering to a different tonal palette. Yet, both are designed with vintage sounds in mind, promising a passive purity in their output.
Acoustically, these basses sing with vibrancy, their unplugged tones rich and resonant. Plugged in, the PJ’s Precision pickup delivers a robust punch, though switching to its Jazz pickup reveals a noticeable drop in output. The JJ, by contrast, maintains a consistent output across both pickups, with the bridge pickup offering a crisp counterpoint to the neck’s warmth.
Vintage tones come alive with the roll-off of the tone control, evoking a bygone era of bass sound that active electronics can’t quite replicate. The JJ, with its slightly edgier tone, might cut through a mix more effectively, but the PJ’s sheer power is undeniable.
In the slap department, both basses hold their own, with the Jazz-leaning JJ perhaps offering a tad more twang and attack.
Reflecting on these Fret-King offerings, one can’t help but consider their place in a market saturated with similar designs. Despite the competition, the vintage charm and playability of the Perception 60 models stand out. The main hurdle remains their price point, which might steer players towards more established names, especially when exploring the passive bass segment.
