The Peavey T-60 and T-40 story, as told by Chip Todd.

[gidbass]

Originally Posted by Flat Eric

As I am a big fan of the T's, I have documented a great
deal about them, over the last 5 or 6 years but this
feature is different, this one has a lot of input from
Chip Todd, who very kindly agreed to help me with
this feature.



Before the T Series, guitars were made in a more
traditional way - it was Peavey who pioneered the
use if duplicating machines, the sort of thing to make
thousands of gun stocks all the same and was also the
first company to make guitars with the new CNC
technology - along with several other firsts, which
Chip goes into a lot of detail about.

This was a guitar that was proudly Made in the USA
and both guitar and bass are truly great instruments
but seem to have been passed over for more
"fashionable" instruments, over the years but are now
finding many fans, who either fancy something a little
different, both in looks and performance or who no
longer wish to follow the herd.

I have found what he has said to be very interesting
and there is plenty more to come.

Being in a Blog format, the story goes backwards,
so click here and then scroll down to October 16th
- read that one, then scroll up to the next, until
you get to the latest entry.

http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.co.uk/

I you have any questions, drop them on here and I
will add them to the list for Chip.

Cheers.

I am not even sure what the difference is between the 40 and 60 but that red with maple board is BEAUTIFUL! I'd rock that in a heartbeat!

[cdef]

Originally Posted by gidbass

I am not even sure what the difference is between the 40 and 60 ...

The T-60 is the guitar version.

[gidbass]

Originally Posted by cdef

The T-60 is the guitar version.

Thanks for the info!

[thedudebrah]

I always have my eyes peeled for a t40 on my local Craigslist. I got a t60 from a neighbor years ago for free and I would love to have a matching set.

[Flat Eric]

Hi to you all - hope you had a great Christmas day lots of turkey and Christmas pud consumed here!!

For those who have not caught up, plenty more from Chip Todd, on the Peavey T Series.
Changes from the Slab to the contoured body, electrics and scratchplates.

http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.co.uk/

If you are catching up, scroll down to where you left - being in a blog format, the latest post is what you see first, so scroll down.

If you have not seen any of it, scroll down to October 16th, where the feature starts, read the first post and then scroll up to the next one and the next one.

Any questions you have, or any input - please let me know.

Cheers.

[knumbskull]

cool

out of interest, do you know what year they switched the pups from toasters to blades?

[dlenaghan]

Loved the sound of my 40. Couldn't deal with the weight or the neck, sadly, so off it went.

[Texsunburst59]

Originally Posted by MTMTEX

How about a picture of the man himself, in his last shop before retiring to Corpus Christi Texas, working on shall we say a slightly lighter T60?

Does he still live in Corpus Christi?

[Roscoe East]

Originally Posted by lug

Another way to tell a very early model is if it has one of these original style cases with the copper colored interior. They weren't around very long...

Interesting. The very first T-40 I bought (new, for $299 I think, from Manny's Music in NYC around 1979 or early 1980) had that case. The second one I bought, exactly one year later -- because some asshat broke into my apartment and stole the first one -- had a more conventional rectangular hsc.

[Roscoe East]

I haven't read through the blog yet, so forgive me if this is mentioned there, but does anyone know anything about the Peavey T-Jr?

I saw a picture in a magazine once back when the T-40 and T-60 were first introduced of Hartley Peavey & some other guy -- for some reason I want to say Seymour Duncan, but I might be confabulating that part -- holding what the caption called a T-Jr. It was a super-short scale 6-string guitar tuned an octave higher than a standard guitar. Same basic body shape as the other T-series instruments, just...really tiny!

But I never heard anything else about that instrument, never saw another pic or heard of anyone playing one. One-off prototype? Personal hallucination?

[Jamboni]

I have a 1980 T-60 which is up for sale on CL South Jersey right now, if anyone's interested. I never played a T-40 but the red one in the OP is very sharp.

[Andy_D]

Originally Posted by MTMTEX

How about a picture of the man himself, in his last shop before retiring to Corpus Christi Texas, working on shall we say a slightly lighter T60?

Very Cool! My hometown.

[johnson79]

FlatEric,
I stumbled on your blog looking up the Gibson RD Artist. I was Really glad to find it.

My first bass was a T40 (sold it in 95). I had no idea how special it was until much later on. Not that I really miss it, just neat to know it was unique and revered.

Well done on all of this information. I actually linked to your blog in another T40 post. I had no idea you were on TB, but I should have guessed. Keep up the good work!

[iriegnome]

It would be nice to find out this much about the T-40's little brother the T-20.. Been a big fan of them since I bought mine new in 1981.. Another great in the T series.

[swamp2]

Hey FlatEric - thanks for running that blog. I'm enjoying it.

I've had a couple T-40s over the years and in general am a BIG Peavey fan - still have a T20, US Fury and US Forum and 3 US Peavey guitars. T40's are very cool but I have to admit a preference for the simplicity (and somewhat reduced weight...) of the T20...

[Flat Eric]

Originally Posted by knumbskull

cool

out of interest, do you know what year they switched the pups from toasters to blades?

All will be revealed.

Originally Posted by Roscoe East

I haven't read through the blog yet, so forgive me if this is mentioned there, but does anyone know anything about the Peavey T-Jr?

I saw a picture in a magazine once back when the T-40 and T-60 were first introduced of Hartley Peavey & some other guy -- for some reason I want to say Seymour Duncan, but I might be confabulating that part -- holding what the caption called a T-Jr. It was a super-short scale 6-string guitar tuned an octave higher than a standard guitar. Same basic body shape as the other T-series instruments, just...really tiny!

But I never heard anything else about that instrument, never saw another pic or heard of anyone playing one. One-off prototype? Personal hallucination?

I think I know the one you mean - I will come back to you on that one,

Originally Posted by johnson79

FlatEric,
I stumbled on your blog looking up the Gibson RD Artist. I was Really glad to find it.

My first bass was a T40 (sold it in 95). I had no idea how special it was until much later on. Not that I really miss it, just neat to know it was unique and revered.

Well done on all of this information. I actually linked to your blog in another T40 post. I had no idea you were on TB, but I should have guessed. Keep up the good work!

If I had a £/$ for every time I have heard this. . . so many players sold their "T"'s and then regretted it. There are many out there to choose from - Get Another and ease the pain!!

Originally Posted by iriegnome

It would be nice to find out this much about the T-40's little brother the T-20.. Been a big fan of them since I bought mine new in 1981.. Another great in the T series.

Will be coming onto that one, later.


Thanks for all your responses - a lot more to come.

Cheers.

[iriegnome]

I can't wait!

[Johnny Crab]

Greetings from south Texas!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS UP!!!

After seeing both Journey and Louisisana LeRoux(Leon Medica) with T-40's decades ago I always wondered what they were like(sounded great recorded and LIVE up-close). BUT I was in a rock/metal-ish band then. 2 weeks ago I got a T-40 that has been somewhat abused(rewired with only a selector switch, the phase switch removed and 1/4" jack put there, and pickguard warpage). It cleaned up nicely and plays & sound amazing(especially in a live setting). I had one question:

Can you supply a link to a Chip-approved schematic?

I've run across a few on the internet and some say "Chip said this one or that one was not right". I'd like to replace my warped and butchered pickguard, put in NOS switches, and rewire it to original configuration. Wiring's not a problem(EE degree), getting the exact schematic would be best.

Thanks again!

[geoff_in_nc]

Me too, can't wait! I worked in a music store in high school around 1980-1982, and got to play the T40 and T20 a fair amount. I was really a guitarist then, but I loved the T20... it was very simple, but it felt great to play and sounded great too. I wouldn't mind getting one someday. The T40 was great too, but I felt like it was more complex than my simple skills warranted. LOL

[Calaverasgrande]

Lost my T40 in a house fire.
Still looking for a replacement, but the ones I see for sale all have modifications to the pickups and wiring.
I think I can deal with the weight. Most of my current basses are 10lbs or more.