Why are old Peaveys so cheap?

[bigsnaketex]

Originally Posted by baddarryl

OP Here:

Funny you bring that up since HD is an inferior motorcycle in almost every way. Flames a coming! Also, same reason Colt shooters hate Glocks, and on and on.

I met a sound guy yesterday that has replaced all his JBL stuff with Peavey because it works. We agreed that the brand has been tarnished just like Chevy. No matter how good a car they make now, they simply can't overcome the impression left by them with their junk from 70's and 80's. Want a bargain on a car? Go buy a Chevy. Same thing.

I drive a custom Harley and shoot custom Colts for the reason stated above - just because I can. Yes, a Japanese or German bike is much better technologically, but the feeling on a Harley is unique unto itself. With the Colts, when you got to a Cowboy Action Competition and pull out your Colts, everyone ooo's and ahh's all over them - does the Glock shoot better, I don't know because I don't own one but I do know that no one ooo's and ahh's over them!!

And I have had Peavey gear, when I could afford nothing else and it served me well, therefore I will never complain about it plus Peavey is located less than an hour from me.

But the difference between my old Peavey P.A. system and my new JBL system is night and day. And I can't even begin to describe the difference in tone between a pair of JBL PRX 635's/618 sub (Yamaha MG206C mixer) and my old pair of Peavey 215D's/118D (w/PV24 mixer).

I also own 2 Peavey bass guitars and they are fine - Shoot, I only payed $100 for a neck through Peavey bass.......but the tone is not on par with my other "more popularly marketed" basses nor is the action.

So Peavey serves a fine place in the market, but I have never confused it with quality gear - it simply works!! And for the price point, it works pretty darned well.

(I did like it better when they had a full warranty on everything and would replace the speakers when they blew - and they used to blow often!!)

[mystic38]

There are no inferior motorcycles amongst the 10-12 major brands.. its about preference, riding styles and needs.

The best day ride i have ever owned.. UK built Triumph Daytona 900cc triple
the best track back i have owned..Honda CBR900RR
The best overnight fast tourer Honda VFR750F
The best bike I have owned for a trip to Starbucks or ride through a busy town... HD Fatboy
The best touring bike I have owned... 3 day weekend ride to VT, or two week trip to the Carolinas... HD Road king

Thank you for demonstrating your own prejudice and total lack of understanding of motorcycles.

Originally Posted by baddarryl

OP Here:

Funny you bring that up since HD is an inferior motorcycle in almost every way. .

[smcd]

Originally Posted by etoncrow

edit: I was a motorcycle mechanic for seven years and I have been a registered mechanical engineer for over thirty; I am also an NRA certified instructor and an amateur gunsmith (my truck license plate is "M1911" and I own two HD's). I have been playing music in bands since 1963 so I feel qualified to say that there is no inferior motorcycle or firearm or bass among the major players. There are only different tastes; different strokes for different folks.

That's quite a resume!

[smcd]

Originally Posted by bigsnaketex

I also own 2 Peavey bass guitars and they are fine - Shoot, I only payed $100 for a neck through Peavey bass.......but the tone is not on par with my other "more popularly marketed" basses nor is the action.

So Peavey serves a fine place in the market, but I have never confused it with quality gear - it simply works!! And for the price point, it works pretty darned well.

The definition of "quality gear" = "it works". What other criteria is there?

If you have high action and bad tone out of a neck-thru Peavey bass, then I would put down the handgun, get on your Harley, and drive that bass down to the local guitar shop for a quality setup. When you get it back, you may well sell those "more popularly marketed" basses and have some extra money for gas and bullets.

[Misty Mountain]

Originally Posted by gard0300

I must be bipolar. Part of me wants Peavey to get the recognition they deserved for delivering quality US made basses for us to enjoy. But, part of me hopes they never do. I would love to buy up as many as these quality basses as possible.

+1000!

[staindbass]

i was a t-40 guy in the late 80's. its hard to find better low end (30-60hz) in a bass. they are not cheaply made, they are just inexpensive. johnny a. - staind

[sxaxsx]

Originally Posted by winston

My first amplifier was an '85 Peavey TKO65 which was the most depressingly bad-sounding amp I've ever had the displeasure of owning. It was also heavy, unreliable, and rattled like the dickens. That and some lousy-sounding Peavey PAs made me wary of the brand until a roommate sold me the Patriot for cheap.

That really isn't fair, I had the same amp and admittedly it didn't meet my needs either. But please name a 65 watt solid state bass combo with a single 15 inch that was produced between 1982 and 1985 that is any better? The TKO 65 was more suited for keyboard or country applications. If you wanted a rock bass amp the Combo 300 or one of their Mark heads would have been better. And now a days the Firebass, Nitro, and Max heads have quite a following.

The TKO65 is a great practice amp though, and with the eq options and the going out of the effects loop to the board you can play smaller shows with it if you have too. I also didn't think it was very heavy at all, I had casters on it though.

[etoncrow]

Originally Posted by smcd

That's quite a resume!

Nope, just old

[bigsnaketex]

Originally Posted by smcd

The definition of "quality gear" = "it works". What other criteria is there?

The other criteria is tone....and the Peavey rig we used had plenty of volume, but not much tone.

The JBL rig has lots more volume and plenty of tone. It's quite that simple - for me!

Yet, what I was trying to say was the I certainly understand that lots of people don't have the money to buy quality gear so they buy Peavey. And that's fine because it does work!

But any musician certainly knows the difference in good tone and simply volume.

[baddarryl]

Originally Posted by etoncrow

Interesting how you show distain for one prejudice while displaying your own; and, yes, prejudice is the "same thing".

edit: I was a motorcycle mechanic for seven years and I have been a registered mechanical engineer for over thirty; I am also an NRA certified instructor and an amateur gunsmith (my truck license plate is "M1911" and I own two HD's). I have been playing music in bands since 1963 so I feel qualified to say that there is no inferior motorcycle or firearm or bass among the major players. There are only different tastes; different strokes for different folks.

Agreed. Kind of my point actually. HD riders snob at Jap riders and Jap riders think their machines are better. My experience as an enthusiast for the last 35 years too. My suggestion is that HD image still suffers from the AMF days. And the Jap bikes image suffer from the cheap 125's of the 70's. Who is right? No one.

I compete in IDPA regularly and can't tell you how many times I hear people bag on Glocks. You are correct. They are as good as anything out there and so is a well tuned 1911. Funny thing about Glocks, they run fine as long as you don't touch them! Sorry everyone, getting off topic here!

[bigsnaketex]

Originally Posted by baddarryl

Agreed. Kind of my point actually. HD riders snob at Jap riders and Jap riders think their machines are better. My experience as an enthusiast for the last 35 years too. My suggestion is that HD image still suffers from the AMF days. And the Jap bikes image suffer from the cheap 125's of the 70's. Who is right? No one.

I compete in IDPA regularly and can't tell you how many times I hear people bag on Glocks. You are correct. They are as good as anything out there and so is a well tuned 1911. Funny thing about Glocks, they run fine as long as you don't touch them! Sorry everyone, getting off topic here!

I will say that I've gone to Daytona, Myrtle Beach and Sturgis for decades and the culture has certainly changed in the last 10 years. There is much more respect all around for riders of any kind. There will always be differences in "opinion" - but that's just life.

And I'll take my 1911's any day!!!! I'll take a position 1 carry with my 1911's over a Glock in my holster and still feel safer.....

[baddarryl]

Originally Posted by bigsnaketex

And I'll take my 1911's any day!!!! I'll take a position 1 carry with my 1911's over a Glock in my holster and still feel safer.....

Trust me, both will do the job! I would love have a nice 1911 too. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[sxaxsx]

Originally Posted by baddarryl

I have a 1991 Foundation 5 with the Super Ferrites and an S1 pickup mod. Had it professionally set up too. I really have not found a better playing bass under $1500. As good as, prettier, sexier, but not better. I get constant compliments on my tone too. I will probably never sell it because it is worth way more than what I could ever get for it. Many times more. What gives with the under valuation of these old basses? Hell, I only paid $200 for the thing.

No one seems to have mentioned this yet.

1. The late 70's through the early 90's Peavey soaked the market, simple supply and demand here, there are so many available. Ibanez (non MIJ) is the same way, great stuff, but so many available they don't hold their value.

2. Like Carvin Peavey has constantly updated their basses, the T-40's look nothing like Peavey's newer more modern basses. In contrast Fender basses have had the same styling since the 60's. Other basses capture a type of music or a time period in music history, but since Peavey has constantly updated and changed their stylings their basses don't have its own distinct look that ensures buyers.

[bigsnaketex]

Originally Posted by baddarryl

Trust me, both will do the job! I would love have a nice 1911 too. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

it's quite amazing that a 100 year old design is still quite prominent in today's world!!

I also hunt deer with a M1 Garand and do my target shooting with a 1873 Winchester.

Some things are truly timeless........like a Fender Precision!!

[smcd]

Originally Posted by bigsnaketex

The other criteria is tone....and the Peavey rig we used had plenty of volume, but not much tone.

The JBL rig has lots more volume and plenty of tone. It's quite that simple - for me!

Yet, what I was trying to say was the I certainly understand that lots of people don't have the money to buy quality gear so they buy Peavey. And that's fine because it does work!

But any musician certainly knows the difference in good tone and simply volume.

See, but... we're not talking about Peavey amps or PA's.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by baddarryl

My suggestion is that HD image still suffers from the AMF days. And the Jap bikes image suffer from the cheap 125's of the 70's. Who is right? No one.

Kinda getting off topic, but HD shook the bad rep they earned in the 70's. By the 90's, HD was considered a quality brand. I'd say the Japanese bikes shook the inexpensive transportation image by the mid-70's.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by bigsnaketex

And I'll take my 1911's any day!!!! I'll take a position 1 carry with my 1911's over a Glock in my holster and still feel safer.....

Going way off topic again, but it's interesting that tens of thousands of the fuzz carry Glocks, yet I've never seen one with a 1911.

[baddarryl]

Originally Posted by smcd

See, but... we're not talking about Peavey amps or PA's.

Its still ties in though, because we are talking about brand image.

[nukes_da_bass]

Basses, bikes and guns.

This is a great thread!

[bigsnaketex]

Originally Posted by smcd

See, but... we're not talking about Peavey amps or PA's.

But off-topic is where the good stuff is!!

Back on topic then......my two Peavey basses are fine for what they are. They are used weekly at an open mic (where I would never lend one of my good basses to a stranger) and they are used in my living room for practice on the couch.

I do not play live with them because they are at the bottom of the pecking order - and that has nothing to do with brand image or anything other than they are just not well made in comparison to my Ric, etc.

They are cheap for two reasons - brand image may be #1 on that list but #2 is that they are not the best made instruments.

My neck-thru Peavey with a 35" scale will wave in the wind and the sound of the pickups is a bit quacky and lacks midrange.

I currently have it strung B-E-A-D and it works great on my couch!