NBD: $100 Peavey Foundation

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Bought this 1989 Peavey Foundation yesterday for $100. I didn't need another bass; I've already got quite a few and play my favorites 9 times out of 10. In fact, I just bought an '88 StingRay a couple of weeks ago that I'm still getting to know. But then I remembered that several esteemed TalkBass regulars rave about USA-made Peaveys, and how undervalued they are. If I remember correctly it was @Dr.Cheese who wrote something to the effect of "if you can find a serviceable 80's Foundation, grab it."

So, I checked it out. It was rusty, filthy, and has nicks and knocks all over, plus a little buckle rash. It had two different brands of strings, both corroded, and has a little split at the bottom of the neck. Truss rod cover long gone. Jack is loose and pulls away from the body. In other words, not too promising. Then I plugged it in. MAN, those super ferrite pickups are something! Now I know why people love these instruments--the sound is incredible!

Being a rational guy I rationalized that I spent $900 for the StingRay and $100 for the Foundation, which averages out to $500 each for two American-made vintage basses. How could I pass up bargains like that?

Check it out:
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View attachment 3431140 View attachment 3431139 PS -- Anyone know where to get a replacement truss rod cover?

**addendum re year and parts: in the last picture you can see the serial number starts 0360. According to this link, that dates it to 1989. It appears to be all original. All three knobs are the same, but the rubber grip ring has worn off the bottom one.

Oooh that cleaned up real nice.

 

[ATLbassist]

Truss Rod covers:
Frets On The Net Page 3.

I'll second that. Dave made me a spare truss rod cover and a control plate for the back for one of my projects. Excellent fit and finish.

And yes, excellent score! I have an '86 fretless that looks similar, as well as an '83 (or maybe '84) in Frost Blue that I'm restoring. I also picked up a white '84 that I fixed up and sold to my old drummer, and he loves it as well. (The video in Shawn Luckman's post was a deciding factor.)

 

[winston]

You can fight your way out of a bar with that thing.

...unless the bassist in another band has a Peavey T-40! Great find!

 

[Shawn Luckman]

Seriously thinking about putting flatwounds on my Foundation.

 

[ATLbassist]

Seriously thinking about putting flatwounds on my Foundation.

Tapes would be fun, too.

 

[bigtone23]

Seriously thinking about putting flatwounds on my Foundation.

Do it!
I put Colbalt flats on mine*. Sounds great!

*The whole reason I ended up with a Foundation was to dedicate a "Jazz Bass" for flats. I have a Partscision with flats already, but had to have the J, too. GAS.
After a very short search for an acceptable J, I was re-reminded that the coolest/best value "J bass" is the Foundation. I got one for a song, put on the flats and never looked back! That started the whole Peavey GAS. Now there is a Dyna Bass strung BEAD, a Patriot with rounds (and added neck PU as my "Ric") and Forum Plus (with Wilde PUs for my passive, round wound P type) in the family.

 

[H2okie]

I've owned quite a few Foundations and the early one are the best. I have 2 like that, one CAR and one Silver.

I try to keep 1 or 2 extra well set up / reliable basses for loaning to others / donation to church or young one trying to get started. I went through about 8 or 9 T-40's back when they were all less than $200. Low Class got me started on Foundations when T-40's got too pricey. I've become a huge fan ... I now have a few "keepers" ... and they've made it to my goto 4. I also prefer the older 4's ... but I have some passive 5ers which are of the newer generation foundations ... still great players and bullet proof reliable ... but those 80's pups are awesome! ... I don't know if they ever put them in a 5er.

 

[Runnerman]

I've got Chromes on mine. Like it a lot!

 

[bigtone23]

I also prefer the older 4's ... but I have some passive 5ers which are of the newer generation foundations ... still great players and bullet proof reliable ... but those 80's pups are awesome! ... I don't know if they ever put them in a 5er.

The late 80s Dyna Bass 5er has the killer Super Ferrites. I toy with the idea of getting rid of my 85 Dyna (strung BEAD) and getting a 5 string version. The 5 has really narrow string spacing, which is a bit of a problem for my tastes.

 

[H2okie]

Thanks. Now I gotta find one of those. GAS sucks.