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Forty-two dollar Peavey T-20 rescue

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by bluespenny, Dec 17, 2014.

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  1. Dec 17, 2014 #1
    bluespenny

    bluespenny

    Mar 17, 2009
    My first American bass, joining a wall of Japanese/Asian gear.
    Peavey T-20 circa 1983, rescued for $50 Cdn. from a repair pile at a local music store, where it was dropped after being thrashed and abused for 30 years at a local junior high school.
    Pickup was not working, one tuner missing and the three remaining tuners are wrong size (too big for the slim headstock). Quick soldering job fixed the broken wire and the pickup is great. Tuners I can jury-rig until I buy the right set.
    Can't wait to play it. Love the look of these old Peavey basses. Now I need a $50 T-40. t20.JPG
     
    kkaarrll, mech, Wallofbasses and 8 others like this.
  2. Dec 17, 2014 #2
    devinp17

    devinp17

    Jun 26, 2014
    Ontario, Canada
    Nice!
     
  3. Dec 17, 2014 #3
    NicJimBass

    NicJimBass Flossin'? I thought your name was Munson!

    Nov 22, 2004
    Lancaster, OH
    Hipshot
    I know it's not the greatest pic, but why do you say the tuners are too big for the bass? They look like the stock ones to me, and, if they are similar to the ones on my Patriot, they're high quality!
     
  4. Dec 17, 2014 #4
    bluespenny

    bluespenny

    Mar 17, 2009
    The tuner backing plate is meant to be a two screw job. These are four screw, like used on Fenders, and thus the last one (g-string) overhangs the end of the headstock.
     
    NicJimBass likes this.
  5. Dec 17, 2014 #5
    mongo2

    mongo2

    Feb 17, 2008
    Da Shaw
    Like this...

    zscj4ulvgbkurois8arv.jpg
     
  6. Dec 17, 2014 #6
    lavinci

    lavinci

    Apr 13, 2004
    Connecticut
    great score
    enjoy
     
  7. Dec 17, 2014 #7
    A-Step-Towards

    A-Step-Towards

    Nov 16, 2009
    Los Angeles California
    A peavey is probably the only bass that can withstand 30 years of junior high students.
     
    Giffro, mech, mbelue and 11 others like this.
  8. Dec 17, 2014 #8
    bluespenny

    bluespenny

    Mar 17, 2009
    Actually, I have two ex-school rescues - the first one being a Yamaha BB1200s from the same era, that required a pre-amp rebuild and a new nut. I think the real question is why band teachers in the 1980s bought such great basses for a bunch of clumsy kids. Maybe I should be thankful.
     
  9. Dec 17, 2014 #9
    Runnerman

    Runnerman Registered Bass Player

    Mar 14, 2011
    That's very cool.
    You scored big time.
    Congrats!
     
  10. Dec 17, 2014 #10
    kodiakblair

    kodiakblair

    Jun 14, 2007
    Falkirk,Scotland
    That's wonderful.

    Bluespenny I'm stoked for you Man.

    OK that kind of deal ain't never gonna happen for me but that's no reason not to enjoy your find.

    What a great way to join the Peavey Brethren.

    And to make you feel even better somebody over here in the UK has one on ebay for £595 or $960.
    Never gonna get that much but hey don't it make you feel good.

    Congrats Bro
     
    RED J likes this.
  11. Dec 18, 2014 #11
    bluespenny

    bluespenny

    Mar 17, 2009
    It does make me feel good - and now, after a few hours of rigging up a fourth tuner and giving the bass a total clean and set up, I feel great. It plays really well - I had to use the neck tilt adjuster to get it just right, but nice. And that weird looking pickup is crazy good. Sounds just like good bourbon tastes.
     
    kodiakblair and 1bassplayin like this.
  12. Dec 18, 2014 #12
    1bassplayinfool

    1bassplayinfool -Nowhere Man-

    Feb 16, 2003
    Land of fruits and nuts
    Nice score. It's cool when you can find something you can turn into a useful instrument. I've fixed up a few for my students that were in worse shape than that.
    As long as you have a "playable" bass and you are happy with it, is all that matters. :bassist:
     
  13. Dec 18, 2014 #13
    kodiakblair

    kodiakblair

    Jun 14, 2007
    Falkirk,Scotland
    As I'm stuck working in pouring rain here in Scotland that's a bit of good news.

    Would prefer a whisky to bourbon though.

    Have a good day folks.
     
    bholder likes this.
  14. Dec 18, 2014 #14
    JACink

    JACink

    Mar 9, 2011
    Spain
    Wow, thats the asking price for used strings over here!
     
    Haji likes this.
  15. Dec 18, 2014 #15
    bassbully

    bassbully Endorsed by The PHALEX CORN BASS..mmm...corn!

    Sep 7, 2006
    Blimp City USA
    Cool! Old beaten and worn out basses need a home too.
     
    johnpbass likes this.
  16. Dec 18, 2014 #16
    Willy B

    Willy B Supporting Member

    Aug 30, 2013
    Raleigh, NC
    What did you use to adjust the truss rod? I think it's a 5/16 socket but I couldn't find one that would reach far enough.
    Nice find, btw. Someone gave me a beat-up T-20 years ago and it still needs some work but, I've used it as a backup and really dig it- especially that hot super-ferrite pickup and maple neck.
     
  17. Dec 18, 2014 #17
    Runnerman

    Runnerman Registered Bass Player

    Mar 14, 2011
    The slant super ferrite is odd looking to some but it is absolutely killer on this bass. Peavey knew what they were doing.
    Try putting some flats on and you will be in heaven.
     
  18. Dec 18, 2014 #18
    holdfast

    holdfast

    Jan 27, 2014
    Toronto
    What a great buy! $50. I would have jumped on that in a second. Those are the kind of finds I dream about. Good luck fixing her up.
     
  19. Dec 18, 2014 #19
    moonshinegtrs

    moonshinegtrs Inactive Commercial User

    Jan 28, 2009
    White Bluff,Tn.
    Owner: Moonshine Custom Guitars
    Great Score!

    T-20's, like most U.S.A. Early Peaveys, are Killer basses.

    Congrats.

    Moonshine :bassist:
     
  20. Dec 18, 2014 #20
    RED J

    RED J Lol

    Jan 23, 2000
    I do have a proper 5/16 truss rod wrench. However sometimes the nut has been too deep. I have dropped a 1/4" drive socket down there, then engaged it with either a proper 1/4 drive extension or driver, or even carefully with a flat blade screwdriver that fits between two corners of the square hole in the socket, the catch being sometimes you cant do socket and extension at once because it's a wonky angle. Work carefully and slowly, not letting anything slip. At any rate for any socket to work, it must be thin-walled.
     
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