Got a Peavey Foundation for $50 today!

[Johnny Crab]

@Maestro29 The local high school had a used and abused one I worked on for them in similar disrepair. What did I do to get it back to GREAT sounding and playing?

Found a thinwall socket set with a T-handle attachment at local autoparts "bargain bin". One socket it is a perfect fit. Removed strings, confirmed truss function and not broken. Neck was still "bowed".

Took off neck, made 2 padded wood block supports(one at each end of the fret board).
Loosened truss rod.
Used a C-clamp(pads added to it also) to apply pressure to the center of the back of the neck. Did this with gradually tightening over the period of about a week and a half(10-12 days). The above was set at the edge of a table so the other end of the C-clamp was pushing on the bottom of the table. Home made neck vice.
When neck bow was finally gone, tightened truss rod.
Put neck back on bass, put on a lighter set of strings, set bass up. Did not have to adjust the Peavey neck tilt screw.
Played fine, neck is still holding set years later(and more abuse from high schoolers).
Told band directors I'd buy the bass from them if they ever want to sell it or get rid of it.

This experience made my BUY a Foundation of my own.

 

[Hevy T]

Worst case is you could retrofit any fender spec neck

 

[Rabidhamster]

A locally owned guitar shop near me is going out of business. I've purchased a few things from them over the years so I figured I'd go "pay my respects" and grab one final set of strings from them. Hanging on the wall behind the counter is a white Peavey Foundation, completely covered in dust and crud. Must have been in an attic. I asked the guy how much. He said "not sure yet, may have some issues we really haven't looked at it." I told them to give me a call whenever they decide on a price, I'm looking for a project ya know? He said "dude we're closing up shop in a week, how's $50 sound".

Got her home, gave her a nice bath and oiled the fingerboard. NOW, the neck is bowed like crazy and I don't have the proper wrench to adjust the truss rod (if it even works). I'm really hoping this doesn't turn out to be a piece of firewood as I've always liked the way these sounded. Until I get the proper wrench it's all up in the air but hey for $50 I was willing to take a chance. It came strung up with brand new D'addario chrome's which ironically cost almost as much as the bass lol. Fingers crossed I can rehab this thing!

Congrats! It's easily worth more than $50 + shipping in parts already. I'd definitely take the chromes off and leave it sitting unstrung til you find the correct wrench, then put light or even extra light rounds on it. Keep us posted!

 

[DavidEdenAria]

You need to apply back pressure on the neck with strings off or loose.

Now, i had to remove a bit of wood on the trussrod access to get the thin socket to FIT properly...i backed the trussrod nut off 1st to free it....THEN slowly tighten the nut (making sure the socket is on securely) a 1/4 turn at a time.

Hopefully the neck is not twisted....ive been thru this with several 80's USA Peavey basses....be patient, go slow!! Good luck!

 

[MCF]

A locally owned guitar shop near me is going out of business. I've purchased a few things from them over the years so I figured I'd go "pay my respects" and grab one final set of strings from them. Hanging on the wall behind the counter is a white Peavey Foundation, completely covered in dust and crud. Must have been in an attic. I asked the guy how much. He said "not sure yet, may have some issues we really haven't looked at it." I told them to give me a call whenever they decide on a price, I'm looking for a project ya know? He said "dude we're closing up shop in a week, how's $50 sound".

Got her home, gave her a nice bath and oiled the fingerboard. NOW, the neck is bowed like crazy and I don't have the proper wrench to adjust the truss rod (if it even works). I'm really hoping this doesn't turn out to be a piece of firewood as I've always liked the way these sounded. Until I get the proper wrench it's all up in the air but hey for $50 I was willing to take a chance. It came strung up with brand new D'addario chrome's which ironically cost almost as much as the bass lol. Fingers crossed I can rehab this thing!

I'll give you $50 for the three knobs (they are worth more than that alone). Go buy a lottery ticket.

 

[HeadWind]

Worst case is you could retrofit any fender spec neck

I am pretty sure a fender neck wouldn't fit. I have a foundation; craig's list find. It is fretless. Was wondering about finding a fretted neck for it. They are 21 fret necks (well mine is a 0 fret neck, but if it had frets...) with no overhanging fingerboard (like Fender 21 fret necks). I found one link here that said you could retrofit a fender-spec 32" scale neck and that works, but not a 34" scale neck.

 

[Andy R]

You can make your money back on those knobs.

You could more than make your money back on the p'ups, that's for sure.

 

[Engle]

A locally owned guitar shop near me is going out of business. I've purchased a few things from them over the years so I figured I'd go "pay my respects" and grab one final set of strings from them. Hanging on the wall behind the counter is a white Peavey Foundation, completely covered in dust and crud. Must have been in an attic. I asked the guy how much. He said "not sure yet, may have some issues we really haven't looked at it." I told them to give me a call whenever they decide on a price, I'm looking for a project ya know? He said "dude we're closing up shop in a week, how's $50 sound".

Got her home, gave her a nice bath and oiled the fingerboard. NOW, the neck is bowed like crazy and I don't have the proper wrench to adjust the truss rod (if it even works). I'm really hoping this doesn't turn out to be a piece of firewood as I've always liked the way these sounded. Until I get the proper wrench it's all up in the air but hey for $50 I was willing to take a chance. It came strung up with brand new D'addario chrome's which ironically cost almost as much as the bass lol. Fingers crossed I can rehab this thing!

Nice score! If the neck is toast, there are a few Peavey necks on eBay.

 

[Hevy T]

I am pretty sure a fender neck wouldn't fit. I have a foundation; craig's list find. It is fretless. Was wondering about finding a fretted neck for it. They are 21 fret necks (well mine is a 0 fret neck, but if it had frets...) with no overhanging fingerboard (like Fender 21 fret necks). I found one link here that said you could retrofit a fender-spec 32" scale neck and that works, but not a 34" scale neck.

Didn't think about that! But I found this on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.ca/Electric-Rose...d=1699215133&sprefix=bass+neck,aps,285&sr=8-1

 

[Chuck M]

The Peavey necks that are most prone to problems are the ones with a Maple fingerboard. The Rosewood apparently adds enough stiffness that the necks usually will adjust to straight. Another problem is the Peavey Micro Tilt neck adjustment that, if used, will frequently result in the neck developing what is called a ski jump. This is an area near the body that is higher than the rest of the neck. Again, the necks with Rosewood fingerboards seem to be less prone to this.

Warpedneck.com is a company that can usually save a warped neck. They have an excellent reputation and that is something to keep in mind.

I agree with previous comments that Chromes are quite high tension. I would certainly detune or even remove them to reduce additional forward bow. The neck may work okay with chromes but I recommend not leaving them on at tension when the truss rod needs to be adjusted.

One other suggestion is that when you get a proper wrench you remove the truss rod nut and apply a little lube like Vasoline on the threads and the abutment face of the nut. This will make it much easier to adjust. If you are used to and knowledgeable about adjusting truss rods, fine. If not, you will likely be $$ ahead by enlisting the aid of a skilled luthier.

 

[HeadWind]

Didn't think about that! But I found this on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.ca/Electric-Rosewood-Fretboard-Fingerboard-Accessary/dp/B08285QFH3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=E53JFWKUWR40&keywords=Bass+neck&qid=1699215133&sprefix=bass+neck,aps,285&sr=8-1

That's a Fender-spec neck. You can see in the images how it is a 20-fret neck, with the fingerboard extending as an overhang for the extra fret. The Peavey necks have the heal go all the way to the 21st fret. Take a look at Peavey Foundation Bass Neck For Repair | Reverb or 1992 Peavey Foundation Bass Guitar Original Neck Made in USA | eBay

 

[Iridescentone]

A locally owned guitar shop near me is going out of business. I've purchased a few things from them over the years so I figured I'd go "pay my respects" and grab one final set of strings from them. Hanging on the wall behind the counter is a white Peavey Foundation, completely covered in dust and crud. Must have been in an attic. I asked the guy how much. He said "not sure yet, may have some issues we really haven't looked at it." I told them to give me a call whenever they decide on a price, I'm looking for a project ya know? He said "dude we're closing up shop in a week, how's $50 sound".

Got her home, gave her a nice bath and oiled the fingerboard. NOW, the neck is bowed like crazy and I don't have the proper wrench to adjust the truss rod (if it even works). I'm really hoping this doesn't turn out to be a piece of firewood as I've always liked the way these sounded. Until I get the proper wrench it's all up in the air but hey for $50 I was willing to take a chance. It came strung up with brand new D'addario chrome's which ironically cost almost as much as the bass lol. Fingers crossed I can rehab this thing!

Hey great score there. The good news is that it's the upgrade early model (83-84) with matching headstock, the good tuners (IMO) and all the parts look to be there. Post a pic of the control cavity, I bet the innards are still orig, too.

The (maybe) bad news...if the neck is actually how it looks the pic, that's a pretty nasty kink that may not ever straighten out with a truss adjustment. But certainly worth a try. The headstock pic looks like someone's alrerady been at it, unsuccessfully.

The right truss tool for those Peaveys doesn't exist anymore, and the 5/16" ones for Gibsons usually won't work, as the hex barrell is not long enough. You can thin down a 1/4" drive, 5/16" socket on a bench grinder that might work, helps if you use a long T-handle, or long 1/4" drive extension after removing one of the tuners to get a straight-in access. Careful not to crack the end of the fretboard, though (don't ask how I know).

As an alternative, warped necks.com in Tejas may be able to fix the neck. Call them to discuss, but be aware that they have an upcharge for working on "vintage" necks, which may apply to your '83 Foundation. Something to do with the process taking longer with older finishes, etc. They're doing an '81 G&L neck for me right now ($125 for the extended-time heat treatment, and a whopping additional $175 to R&R the frets on the ebony board, which they're saying is necessary, plus two-way insured shipping). I'll be into the neck repair for at least $350.

The best news....if your neck is toast you can easily part the rest out for a whole lot more! The knobs alone are worth close to what you have into it. Add $40-60 for the bridge...$75-100 more for those virtually unobtainable tuners...$100-200 for the pickups & elecs. Add some more for the empty body or sell the loaded body for....$$??

Good luck with your cool find.

 

[MrAB4003]

Congrats on your new Peavey OP! I agree with the others who said replace the strings with a much lighter set. Try the Rotosound 66 Funkmasters. They worked for Cliff Burton and Geddy Lee.

https://www.rotosound.com/product/fm66/

 

[lowplaces]

I'm running to Home Depot in the morning to grab a socket to see if this neck can be saved.

How did it go ?

Not sure if anyone mentioned it yet but it may be best to try loosening the truss rod before you tighten it. That way if it's already maxed out you won't snap it.

 

[MNAirHead]

score... had one of those like that in college