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Opportunity to get a T-40

#61
CGremlin said:
Beautiful bass, but weren't all of the '78s in the rectangular cases with the copper-colored lining? I have three '78s (one of which is an 8M), and they all have the rectangular cases.
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According to all the sources I have seen, you are correct. All I know is that the seller of this bass claimed that his father had bought it new. It's entirely possible that the case was replaced with a later one at one time or another. Since there was a good deal of "Player's Wear" on this bass, the case may have just worn out with use, and been replaced for that reason. The number codes on the neck of the bass date it as a 1978.
 
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#63
CGremlin said:
Beautiful bass, but weren't all of the '78s in the rectangular cases with the copper-colored lining? I have three '78s (one of which is an 8M), and they all have the rectangular cases.
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That is my understanding as well. My '79 and some others that I've seen came with the stopgap fender style and the brown fur plastic bullet came after that.

Perhaps it's also possible possible that a '78 neck ended up on a new body in a newstyle case in late '79 or '80?
 
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#64
Was at Boaz Music and Sound today in Boaz, AL, where I almost took home a Fender Precision Lyte. Odd story here. The store owner was an old Boomer geezer like me who loved instruments
(Fender and Peavey in particular), but he passded a couple of years ago. Store presently is minded by two dowager ladies, friends of the owner, and they are clearing out not unsold inventory, but the owner's stash of favorites! The wall rack had a Geddy, a couple of P's, and a T-40, which the woman helping me said was only one of several.

Apparently the deceased owner kept meticulous records, including asking prices for the stickers, so I don't know how much haggling is allowed.

Top Dollar Pawn a few miles up Route 431 in Guntersville is worth a visit too, if you like various iterations of Squier P's, including a Squier II by Fender.
 
#67
Eilif said:
Perhaps it's also possible possible that a '78 neck ended up on a new body in a newstyle case in late '79 or '80?
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Possible maybe, but no way to tell for sure. Unlike Fender, Peavey did not mark the neck pocket on their bodies. So for now, I'm gonna have to believe the number on the neck, and the story from the son of the original owner that what I have is a 1978. I cannot imagine what could have happened to a T40 body in one year that would have required its replacement? Easier to believe that the original case wore out over time, like someone else posted about having a broken handle.
 
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#68
eldoryder said:
Possible maybe, but no way to tell for sure. Unlike Fender, Peavey did not mark the neck pocket on their bodies. So for now, I'm gonna have to believe the number on the neck, and the story from the son of the original owner that what I have is a 1978. I cannot imagine what could have happened to a T40 body in one year that would have required its replacement? Easier to believe that the original case wore out over time, like someone else posted about having a broken handle.
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I think that's the more likely story. Both of the types that proceeded the bullet had separate handles that were probably the weak points especially with a bass as heavy as the T-40. The replacement would probably have happened between 78 and 82 as that's about when we've been able to determine that the bullet cases had the fur interior before going to the cheaper foam pieces.

Regardless of when it actually left the factory, what you've got there is a '78.
 
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#69
eldoryder said:
I cannot imagine what could have happened to a T40 body in one year that would have required its replacement?
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I can - one of mine apparently got dropped at some point in its life and has a busted area on the body that required replacement of the jack with a functional but way-ugly part. I've been pondering replacing the body with a blonde slab from another T-40. Like you, I think it's more likely that the case was damaged and replaced, though.
 
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#72
My Peavey T-40 had many notches on the body near the bridge, from bumping into the hi hats on small stages.

I played in Alberta and British Columbia for over a year, in winters where I learned that -40* is where Celsius and Fahrenheit scales meet. After a gig I'd toss that plastic flight case -- w my improvised polypropylene rope handle wrapped in denim -- in the back of the truck, drive 750 miles in that temp, and it would still be in tune when we arrived.
 
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#73
image.jpeg
 
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#75
40Hz said:
Yup. If it's as advertised, it's a very good deal considering. Apparently the sleeper has awakened and the vintage mystique generator has been started up. Recent prices on the major used sites have gotten ridiculous for some T-40s. And it'll only get worse before buyers finally come to their senses.
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Yeah, they are nice basses, and for a long time were especially a good value, but when I see some priced north of 700 bucks, I cringe a little. At 375, assuming it isn't trashed though, I'd jump on it
 
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