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Mid 80's USA Peaveys T20 or Foundation?

rnilson

rnilson

Mar 8, 2008
921
8
Kansas City, MO
www.mixedmethodmusic.com
#1
So there are two mid 80's peaveys on my local craigslist right now.
A T20 natural with maple board all original and a Foundation burst with maple that has EMG replacement pickups.They are going for about the same price.

Obviously one is a P and the other is a J. Other than that what are the differences? Are they the same quality build? What did these basses cost new? What is the average current value. (Looks to be around $250?)

Thanks
 
#2
Well, it depends on what you are looking for.

The T-20 is going to be a lot like a P. Fat sound, Fairly large neck if it is like a T-40. The neck on my T-40 is around 1-3/4".

The Foundation has an amazing neck, about 1-3/8" at the nut - slim and fast. It is too bad the pups were changed - the stock ones are quite good. It will be much like a Jazz sound either way.
 
#3
Not sure if it is quite the same, but I have a 91 Foundation V that is an incredible bass at any price. Tone for days with the Super Ferittes. $250 plus or minus is about right for most of them. I might could get $350 for mine because it's a 5, but I probably would never sell! Great for buyers, not so much to sell! Incredible value these things are at todays prices. If you get the Foundation find a set of Super Ferrittes for it and then search on an S1 mod for a jazz bass. Best mod ever!
 
#5
I'd go for the T20.

I have one, and i LOVE it. It's my main gig-bass! The super Ferrite in it is amazing.

That said, i also love the Foundations, but i love them BECAUSE of the Super Ferrites... so... if the one you're looking at has replacement pups, i'd probably be more inclined to go for the T20.

Prising-wise... The 80's US Peaveys are still in weird waters. I've seen them go for $80... and i've seen the same models go for $600.

So, if you check them out, they play well, and are in decent condition... $250 isn't too bad.
 
#11
rnilson said:
What is up with the T20 that makes it so unlikeable?
Isn't it pretty much a P Bass?
Click to expand...

Well... i'm happily in the minority then :D

From an objective viewpoint:
-The T20 is HEAVY. I know a lot of bassists gripe over weight. I don't mind, but even after an hour, my shoulder gets a little sore.
-It's not THAT P like. If you get one expecting a fender P bass... you will be dissapointed. It's a bit more aggressive sounding, but all-in-all a different sound than the Fender P.


Aside from those 2 points, i really can't understand why someone would DIS-like a T-20. I do want to say Mr. MNAirHead has said the early Furys are preffered to the T20 if you want a slanty Super Ferrite, as it's just a lighter bass.

I think it all comes down to expextations...

If you expect a bass that sounds like a tried-and-true P bass, you may very well be dissapointed with a T20. If you expect something 'different', you will probably be happy with it.

FWIW: If you want a P bass sound from Peavey... Look at an 80's Split-P Fury or a T-45.
 
#12
rnilson said:
What is up with the T20 that makes it so unlikeable?
Isn't it pretty much a P Bass?
Click to expand...

I think they are very P-bass like...but I must admit I have never owned a P-bass, well I did for a week... couldn't get rid of it fast enough.
I've got a T-20, four Foundations, two Patriots and a Dyna Bass and I think Din of Win got it right..."it all comes down to expectations"
I don't care for the T-20 as much as I hoped, it does have that very much a fat sound I equate with the P-bass sound and a big hunk of a neck. Not bad things per say, but I dont care for the P-bass sound and the big necks kill the arthritis in my hands. All the rest of my Peaveys have much smaller necks and brighter crisper sounds. I expected the same feel and similar sound from the T-20 as the rest of my Peaveys and was... surprised shall we say. I think of it as my "not so Peavey" Peavey.
There is nothing wrong with the bass, no inherent design flaw, just it wasn't what I EXPECTED from a Peavey. Thats what happens when you buy a bass before you play it, you get surprises.
To the OP, I suggest contacting MNAirHead, man knows his Peaveys.
As for price...in the past 6 weeks I've seen...
21 Foundations sold for an average $223
5 T-20's sold for an average $197
That price includes shipping cost where applicable and majority had HSC's.
 

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