Peavey RSB basses.

synterx · #1 03-02-2013, 07:29 PM

Found an older thread that didn't have much info in it. I have a chance to buy a black/gold RSB that appears to be in decent shape. The headstock is in new condition from the photos, the body is kind of yucked up, as most old gloss black basses seem to be. I love older Peavey's, but I've never had one this old. Many US millenniums.

Anyone know when the RSB's were originally sold? It has the new block peavey logo on it, so it's not super old.

Also, I'm going to replace the knobs with black.

Worth restoring a bit to get it back in shape? I really need a 4 string, and for the money, this seems like a kind of rare bass, usa made, for not a ton of dough.

BowserBass · #2 03-02-2013, 07:35 PM

I think that bass was sold in the early 90's

Joel Graham · #3 03-02-2013, 07:40 PM

I recall a guideline here at TB that you need to be a supporting member for the kind of data you will like and, in the long run, draw much from for such a modest annual fee...

synterx · #4 03-02-2013, 07:44 PM

I've been a member for years - havent gotten around to renewing. I'm aware of how that works. I need to join to ask when something was made? Wow.

precijazz · #5 03-03-2013, 12:39 AM

You need to be a supporting member to sell and to get price quotes. I see nothing of that in the OP.

smcd · #6 03-03-2013, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synterx

Found an older thread that didn't have much info in it. I have a chance to buy a black/gold RSB that appears to be in decent shape. The headstock is in new condition from the photos, the body is kind of yucked up, as most old gloss black basses seem to be. I love older Peavey's, but I've never had one this old. Many US millenniums.

Anyone know when the RSB's were originally sold? It has the new block peavey logo on it, so it's not super old.

Also, I'm going to replace the knobs with black.

Worth restoring a bit to get it back in shape? I really need a 4 string, and for the money, this seems like a kind of rare bass, usa made, for not a ton of dough.

The RSB was sold in the early-mid 90's. It was the budget model of the Rudy Sarzo Bass. It was budget priced, but not cheaply made. The body was solid koa, and the hardware and electronics were excellent. The market prices, however, do not reflect that. These basses usually sell in the $300 range.

The reason the paint on that bass is yucked up is because it's been refinished. All RSB's left the factory with a natural finish. Whether it's restoring a bit depends on how much "a bit" is. With the refin, that's a sub-$200 bass. I wouldn't put a lot of money into it. Although, quality-wise, that's a very nice bass.

**edit - I may be wrong about that being a refin. Looking into it further, Peavey may have made an RSB with a black finish.

Joel Graham · #7 03-03-2013, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synterx

I've been a member for years - havent gotten around to renewing. I'm aware of how that works. I need to join to ask when something was made? Wow.

OOPS!! Sorry, my mistake!!

They do seem to have Koa bodies 100% of the time...

BTW, that last data looks right on... the time frame of manufacture from memory eludes me though...

synterx · #8 03-03-2013, 09:01 AM

I found the original manual, and black was standard. The Koa was an option. The maple neck was the clue that it wasn't a refinished Koa. I hope the one I'm getting can be polished up and refurbed. It was between the RSB and a Foundation. I kind of like the rarity of the RSB, and the hardware seems better too.

The manual has a copyright of 1993, so it is probably a 93 or 94 at latest.

smcd · #9 03-03-2013, 09:17 AM

Strangely, up until now. every RSB bass I've seen, including mine, has been koa. All RSB basses have bolt-on maple necks. The RSB is definitely a higher end bass than a Foundation. Though that doesn't mean it sounds better.

synterx · #10 03-03-2013, 09:26 AM

Maple fretboards are only on black models. Koa all had dark fretboards. I found a post from the UK selling a black one too. I'm curious what the retail was new. $800 or more like $400?
Oh, the bodies on the black are poplar.

smcd · #11 03-03-2013, 09:29 AM

The RSB retail list price back in the 90's was over $1grand.

jjk2007 · #12 03-03-2013, 11:38 AM

I bought a brand new Koa RSB in 94. It was behind the counter at my local music store for a couple of months when I decided to buy it. I think I paid around $700-750 for it when I got it. I remember it was set up well, was very light and had a nice solid tone to it. I remember the neck seemed comfy as well. I think I was getting into 5 strings at that time so I ended up selling it just a few months later but I remember overall it was a nice bass.

abstractart06 · #13 03-04-2013, 12:10 AM

Peavey made the RSB in both a solid Koa version with a Pao Ferro board and a painted version with a maple board. Both had maple necks. I am a proud owner of a Koa model, and it plays every bit as good as my Millennium Plus.

The RSB may not be as desirable as the Sarzo signature, but it's no slouch either. Mine has been modded with an Audere Classic 4 band preamp and black hardware, and I love playing it. It is definitely a well built bass.