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NBD Peavey T-20
- Thread starter Swingin
- Start date
I would either D'Addario Chromes or RotoSound 66s. Leaning more to the 66s.
The flats sound deep and rich. To me it’s a pleasing sound soloed, but I haven’t heard how it’ll sound with a band yet. I can also get some nice trebly clank out of it with the tone on and a pick. It’s nice how much tonal variance the pickup has even with flats.
I have a minty T-20 that also has very low frets as compared to the T-40s I own. I was originally concerned some previous owner dressed them down. But it plays amazing and you can set the action very low. It would seem this may be a design intent. I wonder why they are apparently lower in production than the T-40s based on this sampling?
String update.
I had initially put some Fender flats on it and liked the sound, but never really loved it, especially once I got to use the bass with a band. It seemed to be lacking clarity and character.
I eventually changed them out for my go to round wounds, GHS boomers. I gave them about a month, enjoying the increased clarity with my band. However I felt that were a little too brittle and clanky on this bass, even after a month and trying the tone rolled off and different EQ settings from my amps. I typically haven’t had this problem using them on other basses, so I think it’s just a poor matchup.
Today I put on a spare set of EB cobalt flats, and I think we have a winner. I’m getting the bottom end and warmth I want, but still have plenty of clarity. I can get a lot of tonal variance based on how I attack the strong too. It’s really a joy to play on these! IMO they’re a fantastic fit for the T-20.
I had initially put some Fender flats on it and liked the sound, but never really loved it, especially once I got to use the bass with a band. It seemed to be lacking clarity and character.
I eventually changed them out for my go to round wounds, GHS boomers. I gave them about a month, enjoying the increased clarity with my band. However I felt that were a little too brittle and clanky on this bass, even after a month and trying the tone rolled off and different EQ settings from my amps. I typically haven’t had this problem using them on other basses, so I think it’s just a poor matchup.
Today I put on a spare set of EB cobalt flats, and I think we have a winner. I’m getting the bottom end and warmth I want, but still have plenty of clarity. I can get a lot of tonal variance based on how I attack the strong too. It’s really a joy to play on these! IMO they’re a fantastic fit for the T-20.
Welcome! My natural T-20 has been my main axe since '86 - love the pickup, tone and ease of play. I've mostly used DR Hi Beams but occasionally venture into other zones - anybody want to start T-20 club?
Interesting story. A friend of mine whom I've known since high school recently gifted me his father's old T-20. Just gave it to me. I was completely blown away by his generosity.
Back story - his father played in a (I'm told) a pretty popular classic country band in Arizona in the 80's and early 90's. Dad passed away over 5 years ago and my friend ended up with the bass and some other stuff, an amp, small PA setup etc but he doesn't play and really doesn't have a practical use for any of it. The bass has been sitting in it's Peavey moulded plastic case in his basement for those years unused, pretty much unopened, collecting dust. I'd looked at it and plunked on it a couple of times over those years but never wanted to broach the subject of him selling it, he seemed to have a pretty emotional connection to his dad's old stuff and I just didn't want to go there, plus I really didn't need another bass (had 9 already...).
He finally decided recently that he needed to get rid of some of the stuff and figuring that since I play asked if I'd help him figure out what the stuff was worth in resale. In the course of our conversation I finally asked him if he intended to sell the bass and what he might want for it (I know they don't go for a whole lot on the used market). He thought about it for a minute, kind of teared up a bit, and said no I don't think I should sell it. He then just picked it up and handed it to me and said here, I want you to have it, I think Dad would be happy that someone who'll play it and show it some love has it and will play it. Left me completely speechless.
It was pretty grungy, don't think Dad washed his hands much before playing it, plus it had been sitting for quite a long time. The tuners and bridge were corroded and grimy, same with the bridge, fretboard was pretty funky etc. Definitely needed a setup and new strings (had old tapewounds on it, probably been on it since he bought it new). Had to put quite a bit of work into it to get it playable but surprisingly the chrome all shined up nicely (completely disassembled the tuners and bridge to get everything de-grunged), got all of the grunge off the fretboard and body, cleaned up pretty nicely.
I'm kind of amazed/surprised how nice a player this bass is and how good it sounds. Slapped a neck adjustment, setup, and new Dunlop roundwounds on it and man this thing plays and sounds really nice. Definitely going into the rotation on a regular basis. I've attached a couple of pics to illustrate. What a surprisingly good instrument especially considering they don't resell for a lot of $$$ and don't get much love from the general bass player population. It'll get some love here.
Back story - his father played in a (I'm told) a pretty popular classic country band in Arizona in the 80's and early 90's. Dad passed away over 5 years ago and my friend ended up with the bass and some other stuff, an amp, small PA setup etc but he doesn't play and really doesn't have a practical use for any of it. The bass has been sitting in it's Peavey moulded plastic case in his basement for those years unused, pretty much unopened, collecting dust. I'd looked at it and plunked on it a couple of times over those years but never wanted to broach the subject of him selling it, he seemed to have a pretty emotional connection to his dad's old stuff and I just didn't want to go there, plus I really didn't need another bass (had 9 already...).
He finally decided recently that he needed to get rid of some of the stuff and figuring that since I play asked if I'd help him figure out what the stuff was worth in resale. In the course of our conversation I finally asked him if he intended to sell the bass and what he might want for it (I know they don't go for a whole lot on the used market). He thought about it for a minute, kind of teared up a bit, and said no I don't think I should sell it. He then just picked it up and handed it to me and said here, I want you to have it, I think Dad would be happy that someone who'll play it and show it some love has it and will play it. Left me completely speechless.
It was pretty grungy, don't think Dad washed his hands much before playing it, plus it had been sitting for quite a long time. The tuners and bridge were corroded and grimy, same with the bridge, fretboard was pretty funky etc. Definitely needed a setup and new strings (had old tapewounds on it, probably been on it since he bought it new). Had to put quite a bit of work into it to get it playable but surprisingly the chrome all shined up nicely (completely disassembled the tuners and bridge to get everything de-grunged), got all of the grunge off the fretboard and body, cleaned up pretty nicely.
I'm kind of amazed/surprised how nice a player this bass is and how good it sounds. Slapped a neck adjustment, setup, and new Dunlop roundwounds on it and man this thing plays and sounds really nice. Definitely going into the rotation on a regular basis. I've attached a couple of pics to illustrate. What a surprisingly good instrument especially considering they don't resell for a lot of $$$ and don't get much love from the general bass player population. It'll get some love here.
