When they came out , Hartley Peavey must have given(freebie) one to every bassist playing country . I used one on a session once and it sounded great and was really heavy , I wouldn't want one because I did not like the looks (headstock/knobs ) of them .
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
NBD Peavey T-40
- Thread starter CletusMarley
- Start date
I change knobs on a lot of my instruments. These guys have a good selection.
Knobs - Love My Switches
Knobs - Love My Switches
The only bass that you need to read the manual for.
Turn the tone knob to approximately the 7 position to make the pickups hum buckers...
Turn the tone knob to approximately the 7 position to make the pickups hum buckers...
You always seem to be among the first to congratulate others on their NBDs, so it is nice to see that generosity returned to you here--especially for such a splendid beast of a bass! Has there ever been a more versatile passive bass than a T-40?
My first was this bass exactly! I thoroughly enjoyed playing it. The picture is from a high school concert.
Sold it for a >13lb 70s Fender Precision fretless. I guess I didn't know there were lighter basses. I still have the fender but its been awhile since I pulled a 4-hour gig on it.
I'm no T-40 expert, but I think you're right. I've seen more maple boards on them than rosewood. Maybe @Eilif will weigh in on the subject. If my memory serves me correctly, he's our resident expert on all things T-40...
I'm no T-40 expert, but I think you're right. I've seen more maple boards on them than rosewood. Maybe @Eilif will weigh in on the subject. If my memory serves me correctly, he's our resident expert on all things T-40...
No expert either, but I think the rosewood fingerboard was a $50-$100 upcharge. Good money back in the day.
I put some new strings on it this afternoon and tweaked the setup some more. It's pretty sweet. The neck is dead strait and the truss rod has plenty of play either way. This bass has probably played Detroit Rock City a million times. Lol
]
The latest version of the T40 Info sheet is here:
T-40 infosheet
It includes rough dating info though this is pretty easy to date. Yours has blade pickups which were introduced someone in 1981 but also the metal nut and pick guard half-drilled indicator dots (both likely dropped in '82), so it likely dates to 1981-82.
Play it in good health!
That's my understanding as well. I'm not sure it has much impact on price today, but it's a nice option that sets some apart from the pack. I believe all T40 FL (fretless) models had the rosewood board.
Nice! Sounds like you've got a very nice one.
The latest version of the T40 Info sheet is here:
T-40 infosheet
It includes rough dating info though this is pretty easy to date. Yours has blade pickups which were introduced someone in 1981 but also the metal nut and pick guard half-drilled indicator dots (both likely dropped in '82), so it likely dates to 1981-82.
Play it in good health!
Yep. 81 according to the serial number. Thanks to those that linked the Info Sheet!! It's been cool researching. Thanks for the info!
You're very welcome. Glad you found it useful and enjoyable.
I played one of my jazz basses for the first time tonight since getting the Peavey. Lol. It's like I was playing a uke. Lol.
Congrats! For me, the T-40 has been the ultimate studio sofa bass. Passive, but very nuanced tone controls, and *totally* quiet, meaning no buzz, no hum - ever. Experienced engineers have been taken aback.
Last edited:
Yeah man. I was dreading plugging this bass in and hearing those 40 year old electronics. Lol. I plugged it in and it's dead quiet. It's killing me to not to take a look under the hood. Lol.
After reading the thread about Jazz bass weights and lots of my freinds asking me, I finally weighed it. 11.3 pounds. Not too bad.
