NBD: Peavey T40

[GreggBummer]

Here is a "new to me" Peavey T-40. According to the interwebs, it is a 1982. I got her online in the used portion of a "big box" internet store. I was told that she functioned perfectly, however that was not the case when she arrived. The phase switch was busted off and the electronics were shorting out. It badly needed a setup and new strings.

(As an aside, the seller disclosed the switch problem but did not disclose the shorting out problem.)

I took a look at the T-40 wiring schematic I found online and I realized that it was beyond my level to diagnose and repair.

I sent her off to local shop where I have had work done in the past. They took a week to do it, but they replaced the switch (with one just like the pickup switch, you would never know they weren't stock!) They corrected the short in the electronics. They also gave it a very good set up. I have Rotosound 66 on her.

After one day of playing, I can give you come impressions:

-This bass is heavy. Really heavy. I need a wider strap.
-Awesome mids on this bass. It roars when pushed through my VT bass.
- While some think you can get a "Ric" or "Stingray" sound out this bass, I would disagree. However, you can get a "T-40" sound that is ballsy. In single coil mode, it has a nice punchy tone that I very much like.
- I have found no use for putting the pickups out of phase... yet.
- The neck is closer to a P Bass in feel. I am not a disciple of the P Bass, but the neck feels right.
- For a bass that is approaching 30 years old, it looks awesome. Honestly, it is the best looking bass I own.

Pics:

Thanks for looking.

 

[5string5fingers]

If only they weren't so heavy..

great bass

 

[zachoff]

Welcome to the club! I have gradually fallen in love with my T-40. It's my main home/practice bass.

 

[kjpollo]

FYI- you probably WONT find a use for the out-of-phase sound.
Its there but not very useful at all. I really wish that was a series/parallel switch instead. Would've been WAY more useful.

But thats a nice clean natural/maple- enjoy it!

Oh and a Comfort Strapp is also helpful!

 

[parsons]

call your chiropractor. You'll need his services if you try to play more than 15 minutes standing up with that bass.

 

[Riverrunsred]

A great score indeed,congrats .

 

[GreggBummer]

call your chiropractor. You'll need his services if you try to play more than 15 minutes standing up with that bass.

I'm taking it to band practice tonight. That should be about 2 1/2 hours of standing with it... or, at some point, saying screw it and sitting on my amp.

 

[aerodyne1]

I had one just like it back in the early '80's. Loved everything but the weight of it. Someone took good care of that one. Nice find!

 

[ilovenofrets]

I've read/heard so many good things about the T-40. Wish I had personal experience. I've never minded weight too much, as a good strap can relieve that issue. I think these are one of the coolest looking basses ever made. Ross Valory's sound on the live Journey album(Captured) is just incredible. You've picked up a nice one indeed. Congrats!

 

[Engine207]

Very nice, indeed, Gregg. There are a bunch of straps in the classifieds now!

 

[mech]

I have found no use for putting the pickups out of phase... yet.

[/QUOTE]

In the out of phase mode, have one PU on 10 (vol) and turn the other down some. You can vary the "out of phaseness". Play with the tone controls, too, with one on HB and the other in SC. What it can be used for is to thin out the sound of one PU or the other. Not easy to get to while playing live but great in the studio and the variations are almost endless.

One of the most useful mods to a T-40 is to rewire the phase switch to a SC/HB switch. The tone controls are then conventional.

mech

edit: Great looking bass BTW. Enjoy.

 

[mello_bedwetter]

What's the neck like compared to a jazz or precision? I like the looks of these basses.

 

[chokeslam512]

Good god I need one of these. Thanks for the gas, pusher.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I think that those are great looking basses. Its about time for a reissue.

Get yourself a 4" wide leather strap with suede backing.

 

[GreggBummer]

What's the neck like compared to a jazz or precision? I like the looks of these basses.

I don't know the measurements, but it feels closer to P-bass. I think if it had a small/thin neck it feel silly... this bass is pretty heavy and it needs a substantial neck.

I just played it for a two and a half hour rehearsal (my back and neck are fine). I was much louder than my Fender Jaguar or P Bass. I had to turn down my amp some. My drummer was getting blown out of the room.

This bass kicks ass.

 

[lowfreek]

Cut my teeth on that very same bass in the early 80's. Can't believe it's pushing 30 years - ugh. That white ash is one dense wood. Has anyone told you that bass is heavy?
Those toggle switches are kind of fragile, for sure. One of mine broke off, too. I remember the chrome on the bridge saddles bubbled pretty quickly, also.

 

[GreggBummer]

I remember the chrome on the bridge saddles bubbled pretty quickly, also.

You can't see it in the pictures, but there is some slight bubbling on the side of the bridge. With a bass that is nearly 30 years old... it looks sort of cool.

I am not sure what the wood was orginally coated with (poly?) but it aged very well. The blemishes and wear really look nice. They don't detract from the overall look of the bass, like some "relic" basses.

Comment from my singer: The knobs make the bass. The peavey knobs are a subtle finishing touch to the aesthetic... it is part of the overall vibe. If Peavey decides to re-issue this bass, the knobs are a must have.

 

[T40Chump]

Fragile toggles? Not mine. Lasted damn near 30 years before the snap went out of it.

Love my T40. It's been with me since I was a kid and it's seen its fair share of action. It is now, and probably will always be, my "go to" bass. Live or studio, it shines.

The weight isn't a factor for me. I just decided that I love the bass enough to deal with it. I play four hour gigs with it regularly and have a Levy's strap with extra padding to keep it comfy.

Congrats on your purchase. May she serve you well.

 

[lowfreek]

Nah, didn't mean the switch mechanism was fragile, per se; but the switch levers are. They are relatively long and have a reverse taper, making them prone to breaking off when properly coaxed. The tech that replaced mine all those years ago commented that he'd replaced more than a couple of them before - in fact, he talked me out of having him order an OEM replacement switch, and used a switch with a shorter lever.

The switches notwithstanding, that bass was built like a tank. It is missed.

 

[Munjibunga]

FYI- you probably WONT find a use for the out-of-phase sound.
Its there but not very useful at all. I really wish that was a series/parallel switch instead. Would've been WAY more useful.

But thats a nice clean natural/maple- enjoy it!

Oh and a Comfort Strapp is also helpful!

When I recently got my T-40, the phase switch had been replaced, and wasn't wired properly. I hooked it up, and it actually makes some pretty scuzzy sounds, so I took it out of the circuit. While I was in there, I replaced all the caps. Now it sounds great. I bought one new in about 1980 (my current one is an '81), and remember liking it much more than my '65 P Bass.