Peavey T series bridge replacement/mod

narwhale · #1 02-07-2011, 01:05 PM

I'm looking for a new bass and have my eye on a few of the T series basses in the classifieds. However, the T-45 and 40 both have string-through bridges and I only use flats. I've read warnings not to use flats on string-through bridges so I'm thinking about alternatives. Does anyone have experience with replacing a bridge on a Peavey, or would it be possible to mod the original bridge by drilling holes for the strings next to the saddle screws?

MKoby · #2 02-07-2011, 06:24 PM

Strings through seems OK.
Have a T-40 with Roto sound flats - has been fine.

Not sure that the LaBella 0760M would work well.
Using an Am Series P bass with LaBella 0760M--which is strung string through . No problems.

BoRadBass · #3 02-07-2011, 06:32 PM

My friend has a T-40 with Roto flats through the body, no problem.
I used to have a MA p bass with chromes strung through the body, no problem there either.
Besides you can't change the bridge on T series that is like making your girlfriend get a sex change.

narwhale · #4 02-07-2011, 09:09 PM

Haha, nice analogy. Thanks for the input; I know La Bella warns against it in general on their website but the Peavey bridge might not have such a drastic break angle that would cause strings to break.

MNAirHead · #5 02-08-2011, 07:03 AM

My electric upright is string through.. the strings on it are $250 per set... the bridges are a tighter turn than a T-40 would be.

The logic is kind of off when a set of used flats are about $15... dorking up the bass would take time and reduce the value 10x this amount.

ZachM · #6 02-10-2011, 09:32 PM

I answered this question in another thread, but I had a set of La Bella flats on my T-40 for several months and never had a problem. The string through the bridge on a T-40 is shallow enough that I was never worried about it. On an instrument with a sharper angle of pull it's definitely a concern, but IME on a T-40, it's not really an issue.