Why are old Peaveys so cheap?

[DiabolusInMusic]

Originally Posted by smcd

Most people, including yourself, have no idea what they're talking about. This suits people who collet Peavey basses just fine, because it's been keeping prices low. But the fact is that Peavey is a much more innovative company than any other major US manufacturer. Unlike Fender, Gibson, and Rickenbacker, Peavey's image isn't stuck in the 1960's. Peavey can and has released models that go well beyond Fender clones and into entirely unique, technologically ground breaking, boutique-level basses.

Far from being "garbage", I will state as fact that most - perhaps ALL - Peavey basses are superior to their comptetion at their price level. The reason a large segment looks down on Peavey is because it was always Peavey's aim to offer the highest possible quality at an affordable price point. As such, ignorant people associated affordability with low quality, and that point of view stuck. People used to look down their nose at Volkswagen for the same reason.










Ridiculous. I expect you don't have much experience with Peavey, period. The US-Millenniums and TL-5's have outstanding B-strings. Throw in the Cirrus line, and that doesn't leave much. What Peavey 5-strings have you played??

I had a Fury VI for at least a year and played it a ton, I have played a BUNCH of their stuff in store for lengthy periods of time. I have lots of experience with the Peavey B, the last one I checked out was embarrassing. I didn't take note of the model but it was under $600. Pretty well every Peavey B I have played has been extremely loose and sloppy to the point I would avoid it. The Cirrus stuff wasn't really stocked so I don't get a chance to play it that much. I would expect it to perform better. I cannot speak for US Peavey's since I haven't seen too much high end Peavey gear like I said. My town has been without a Peavey dealer for years. Not much of a demand I suppose. L&M also shills their own budget stuff (Yorkville and Traynor) so Peavey is a direct competitor.

[Im_telling_tim]

I had a T-40 but I got rid of it because it was probably the worst one that came off the line and I've heard what a good T-40 sounds like and mine didn't come close. Been looking to replace it.

[NicJimBass]

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

I had a Fury VI for at least a year and played it a ton, I have played a BUNCH of their stuff in store for lengthy periods of time. I have lots of experience with the Peavey B, the last one I checked out was embarrassing. I didn't take note of the model but it was under $600. Pretty well every Peavey B I have played has been extremely loose and sloppy to the point I would avoid it. The Cirrus stuff wasn't really stocked so I don't get a chance to play it that much. I would expect it to perform better. I cannot speak for US Peavey's since I haven't seen too much high end Peavey gear like I said. My town has been without a Peavey dealer for years. Not much of a demand I suppose. L&M also shills their own budget stuff (Yorkville and Traynor) so Peavey is a direct competitor.

I think you'll find that the majority of people here who are passionate about Peavey's (myself included) have the most experience with US-made stuff. The B-strings on every US Peavey 5 I've played has been great. Not the best ever, as I also own a StingRay 5, which wins, hands-down, in my book, but close. I've only played one import Peavey, a Millennium, and it was several years ago, when I knew nothing about the brand. Couldn't complain about it though.

[Misty Mountain]

Just won an auction for a Patriot, can't wait for it to arrive! Back in the 80's/90's, whenever I would try out basses in a store, I'd always look for Ibanez, Yamaha or Peavey as I always thought they played the best for reasonable money. I don't think anything comes close to a US made Peavey for anywhere near the money these days.

[Root 5]

Originally Posted by Bassamatic

Shhh! We don't want to spread the word! Really - this is too bad. These older and many new Peaveys are great instruments - they just don't get the appreciation they deserve.

Very true. The USA Peavey basses are excellent instruments. I have a G-Bass and it's the best playing bass I've ever played! Great sounds, too.

Guitarists/bassists are far too hung up on brand names.

An article in the newspaper today showed that the public perception of Mercedes car quality was very high - #6, I think, while the REAL overall quality is not nearly that high.

I read last year that the MB S550 was one of the worst cars you can buy! It costs six figures! Their quality has nose-dived right across their lineup.

[WarrenD]

I have have a Peavey Milestone I Jazz bass from 1994. It was my first so I hadn't any basis for comparison at the time. 6 Basses later and I say it's tone is amazing. It's the only electric bass I've had with the original nut intact and it's very well built.

My parents bought it for me, a 'good bass for beginners' they were told. I would say it's a great bass for anyone. I'm equally baffled by how cheap they are, I feel as if I'm missing something.... As others have mentioned: appearance. I think it's the least attractive of my basses, but it's the one I'm playing mostly at the moment as, in most areas, it's unbeatable.

[Root 5]

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

L&M also shills their own budget stuff (Yorkville and Traynor) so Peavey is a direct competitor.

I wouldn't exactly call Traynor/Yorkville "Budget stuff."

They make products in every price range.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by maturanesa

... plus the electronics are not high end ...

What makes you say that? Peavey in an electronics company, and the amount of R&D brainpower available in-house is something the other manufacturers can only dream of. Peavey's electronics are superior to any domestic manufacturer that I know of.

[CBNJ]

Where can you find good Peavey models?

[smcd]

Originally Posted by bootsox

they were a budget amp brand that tried their hand at instruments with the T series. They knew what they were doing there, but it's the same sort of deal as if Behringer or something started making seriously competitive instruments. it just can't work.

What the.... Peavey has been making top quality musical instruments for 35 years. What do you mean "it just can't work"?? It has been working for half a lifetime!

[Megas3300]

I wouldn't trade my 1980 T-40 for a 1980 Rickenbacker. And to go with the above, I wouldn't trade a CS800 for anything If I had the pleasure of owning one personally.

[Scott in Dallas]

Originally Posted by Worldeeeter

They're cheap to allow you to start saving for shoulder surgery that you will certainly need after a couple years of having a Peavey bass strapped there. Those things weigh about 15 lbs.

My 1987 Foundation S weighs 8.4 lbs. Not sure what the hell you're talking about. Even the T-40, wich was really really heavy compared to a normal bass, was about 11 lbs, and they stopped making it in like 1983.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by Worldeeeter

They're cheap to allow you to start saving for shoulder surgery that you will certainly need after a couple years of having a Peavey bass strapped there. Those things weigh about 15 lbs.

I have a Fender Jazz that's significantly heavier than any Peavey bass I've ever picked up. And I feel comfortable saying that no Peavey bass ever made weighed in a 15lbs.

The T-40's were heavy basses. But by the mid-80's, after the T-40's were phased out, no Peavey bass I know of was particularly heavy. In fact, most Peavey basses made in the 90's were on the light side.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

I had a Fury VI for at least a year and played it a ton, I have played a BUNCH of their stuff in store for lengthy periods of time. I have lots of experience with the Peavey B, the last one I checked out was embarrassing. I didn't take note of the model but it was under $600. Pretty well every Peavey B I have played has been extremely loose and sloppy to the point I would avoid it. The Cirrus stuff wasn't really stocked so I don't get a chance to play it that much. I would expect it to perform better. I cannot speak for US Peavey's since I haven't seen too much high end Peavey gear like I said. My town has been without a Peavey dealer for years. Not much of a demand I suppose. L&M also shills their own budget stuff (Yorkville and Traynor) so Peavey is a direct competitor.

All your experience has been with inexpensive Asian-made imports. You need to play a US Peavey.

[dangnewt]

Originally Posted by CBNJ

Where can you find good Peavey models?

TB classifieds often have the basses that are being discussed here. The US-made Millennia are may personal favorites. Tone, playability, and sex appeal in basic black and maple or transgreen tiger and maple!

[Scott in Dallas]

Originally Posted by hsech

Peavey basses were cheap to begin with compared to Fender and Gibson. I always thought the old Peaveys were great basses. I had a Patriot and two Foundations over the years. I always thought the old molded cases were funky, but the basses were good.

Peavey used CNC machines to build their instruments while Fender was still having to pay people to dig through the pile of necks and bodies and find ones that fit together. The roto-molded cases were very durable and cheap to make. What Peavey was able to save on unnecessary labor is why you got a bass with better electronics, better hardware, and better fit and finish than a Fender at half the price.

It's good for the rest of us that so many people make ignorant statements about their stuff; makes for great pawn-shop finds.

[NicJimBass]

Originally Posted by CBNJ

Where can you find good Peavey models?

The used market has tons of great deals... eBay, craigslist, Guitar Center's used site, here in the TB classifieds. It helps to know specific model names when searching. My personal favorite basses that they made are the GV (5-string graphite-necked monster), Millennium Plus (the US version, not the current import version. PM me if you want to know how to tell the difference), Foundation, TL-5 and TL-6, and the uber-rare B-Quad 4 and 5.

[CBNJ]

Originally Posted by NicJimBass

The used market has tons of great deals... eBay, craigslist, Guitar Center's used site, here in the TB classifieds. It helps to know specific model names when searching. My personal favorite basses that they made are the GV (5-string graphite-necked monster), Millennium Plus (the US version, not the current import version. PM me if you want to know how to tell the difference), Foundation, TL-5 and TL-6, and the uber-rare B-Quad 4 and 5.

Originally Posted by dangnewt

TB classifieds often have the basses that are being discussed here. The US-made Millennia are may personal favorites. Tone, playability, and sex appeal in basic black and maple or transgreen tiger and maple!


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Thanks! What models do I want to avoid?

[smcd]

Originally Posted by CBNJ

Thanks! What models do I want to avoid?

The only models to avoid would be some of the import basses (the BXP line). Specifically, those made in China and Vietnam. There's no need to pick up a BXP model when, for a few bucks more, you can get a nice US-made bass.

[NicJimBass]

Originally Posted by smcd

The only models to avoid would be some of the import basses (the BXP line). Specifically, those made in China and Vietnam. There's no need to pick up a BXP model when, for a few bucks more, you can get a nice US-made bass.

Sometimes the US-made basses go for cheaper than the BXP line. I always get a good chuckle when that happens.