Can I install Roscoe Beck Pickups in a Peavey Foundation?

indiefan4000 · #1 10-12-2011, 03:21 PM

I recently received a 1982 Made in USA Peavey Foundation as a gift. I really love its playability and tone. But I want more...

I've always wanted a Fender Roscoe Beck Bass but have never been able to fork over that much cash. I found a website where I can buy the pickups (Fender Roscoe Beck IV bass Neck pickup 0063513000) for what seems like a decent price.

My two questions:

- Can I drop those into my Peavey Foundation? (will they fit, sound ok, etc.)

- What all would I need to purchase to get the same basic controls of the Roscoe Beck Bass installed on my Peavey Foundation? (including 3-way pickup selector, series/parallel/single coil)

Thanks!

indiefan4000 · #2 10-12-2011, 03:23 PM

Ok so I just realized in the link I posted, the pickups are out-of-stock.

So with responses, just assume I was able to get ahold of these pickups from somewhere.

walterw · #3 10-12-2011, 06:29 PM

good luck with that, they haven't made that bass, or those pickups, in quite a while.

tbassist4 · #4 10-13-2011, 12:41 AM

The pickups definitely won't fit - they seem longer and thinner than the Super Ferrites. You could route out the sides, but it will most likely have a large gap on the neck side and bridge side of each pickup. Putting all of that switching in would require a few more holes and a slot to be drilled - this isn't an easy operation. Do you have experience with electronics and soldering?

Bottom line is I would recommend keeping the Foundation as it is and finding a Roscoe Beck used, or if you're an experienced DIY kind of guy, maybe taking a Fender Jazz and routing on that since it would be a lot closer to begin with. If you went with a Fender Jazz, the pickups would fit snugly after routing space for them using the already existing Jazz routes as a starting point, and you could cut yourself a new pickguard to cover the extended control cavity (which you would also have to route). Wiring everything up is easy (if you know what you're doing), and would just require a few more switches.

Basically, turning anything into a Roscoe Beck that wasn't one to begin with will be a lot of precision work and also lower the value of the instrument to the cost of parts. If you've got the experience and want more specific instructions, let me know.

indiefan4000 · #5 10-15-2011, 12:10 PM

Thanks that really helps! I think I'm just gonna add a series/parallel switch to the Foundation and be happy with that. Someday the Roscoe Beck will come...

tbassist4 · #6 10-15-2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indiefan4000

Thanks that really helps! I think I'm just gonna add a series/parallel switch to the Foundation and be happy with that. Someday the Roscoe Beck will come...

Glad I could help! The Foundation is a really nice bass - it really can't do you wrong in the meantime, even if it's not totally your thing. Let me know how that series/parallel switch works out, I've been thinking of doing that to mine for a while.

The Roscoe Beck looks really sweet! Hope you end up finding a deal on one. Otherwise, start building up your DIY kills by practicing routing and wiring on a couple of $50 craiglist basses and eventually go for a Jazz Bass conversion - it'd be a really cool project.

walterw · #7 10-15-2011, 05:21 PM

there are nice exposed alnico-pole soapbar humbuckers available, from makers like duncan and nordstrand.

a set of those, along with a passive option wired into the bass and some clever switching, and you could get some of the R.B. vibe out of the bass.