NBD! Peavey Patriot USA

[selowitch]

USA Peavey basses are undervalued, underappreciated gems. They play and sound so nice. Great instruments. You folks are lucky to own them!

 

[HiEnd Basses]

Obligatory congratulations on your NBD!

 

[bigtone23]

I really dig the USA Peavey basses. Played a Foundation S the other day. Great bass, amazing neck. It was $179. A steal, but I don't need another bass right now.

 

[mech]

.......What is the nut width on those Patriots?

Mine measures a pencil slim 1.532".

1988 Patriot and 1983 Foundation. These are the same necks with different graphics. I'm pretty sure the Foundations preceded the Patriots but in 1979 Peavey only made T-40s.

 

[HiEnd Basses]

I really dig the USA Peavey basses. Played a Foundation S the other day. Great bass, amazing neck. It was $179. A steal, but I don't need another bass right now.

No one really "needs" a new Bass. We love acquiring a new Bass.

 

[Fluid Power]

God that is clean! Nice Bass!

 

[mimsy89]

I am convinced Peavey is one of the most important music companies in history they created great gear at a reasonable cost for working musicians. Congrats on your new bass now you have to decide who you're going to leave it to because it will be here long after we're gone

I've been thinking the same. Their gear is always reliable and at fair prices (some at almost a steal). I have a peavey tour 700 as a backup head and that will survive the end of the world. Now to get the Mark IV of my dreams....

 

[mimsy89]

I didn't think patriot basses where manufactured as early as 1979.

Found on a Peavey forum they were made from 78-90's. Could be wrong though

 

[nuhckes8]

Found on a Peavey forum they were made from 78-90's. Could be wrong though

I guess the year really doesn't matter much, I have a patriot body in storage, just haven't had a chance to piece it together, congrats.

 

[Runnerman]

One of the big differences between early and late 80's basses is the bridge design. Earlier had the trapezoidal bridge like the Foundation above and then they switched at some point to the "Fenderish" shaped low mass bridge and kept that through the end of production.

 

[godofthunder59]

I don't think that's a 79. I thought they didn't come out until the mid 80s?

I could be wrong though, looks great! Just like mine. Got it for $180 last year. Enjoy! I have flats on mine right now, that pickup is gnarly!

View attachment 963767

Agreed mid 80's.

 

[Ortsom]

Here some pics of my non-standard Patriot:

The serial number says it's '87, and I bought it in '97 in a Chinese shop on Borneo, allegedly new. It looked like it had been in his stock for many years; in the hot humid climate the instrument had completely stuck to the lining of the original moulded hardshell case. The lining and the body's varnish had sort of fused together, and when I pulled the instrument out both were damaged. And the E-string support in the bridge had been scavenged too. But indeed no string/fret wear was seen, or any other signs of use, and there was also an original booklet & Allen key in a plastic bag, so it looked like it was indeed unused. Anyway, I wanted an EBG and the shopkeeper smelled blood, so after a while we agreed and the thing came with me.

While the neck was fine, with many hairs of the lining thoroughly stuck in the varnish of the body, it looked like the half-bearded bass, so the body was sanded & re-finished. As I also want a thumb support, and for one reason or another don't like these plastic bash plates, the bash plate was replaced by some wood. After rigging a brass E-string support, and re-lining the case, the Patriot served me well: I did many gigs with it (with D'Addario half-rounds at the time), and it never let me down. Very dependable instrument.
So I hope you'll enjoy yours too!