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Peavey T-20 FL, worth it?
- Thread starter nasonm
- Start date
If I didn't already have two fretless basses, I'd do it. Those are nicely designed and executed basses, and Peavey did a good job on fretless when just about nobody else was really into it.
I don't know about market value but the fretless is going to be rare enough nthat you won't easily find quick comparisons. It would be worth $200 in my opinion though.
I don't know about market value but the fretless is going to be rare enough nthat you won't easily find quick comparisons. It would be worth $200 in my opinion though.
Yes, grab it. It's probably very heavy, like other Peaveys of the period, but if that's cool, grab it.
My experience with T-20s is that they're not heavy at all. This was the first Peavey bass designed from the ground up as a bass, and not just a big guotar (like the T-40 which is just a bigger T-60).
I'm currently looking at a fretted one for the same money, so given that the fretless is rarer, that's a worthy deal. Really a great, unsung instrument.
$200 sounds like a pretty good price, as long as it's in nice shape and all there, including all the little doo-dads that originally came with it. And is designated "FL" on the headstock.
I'd be surprised if it's light weight. Less hardware and such than a T-40, but still in the T family of bruisers.
I know it sounds silly for a bass in this price range, but these old Peaveys are genuine certified USA vintage guitars. They have a fan base, and there are avid collectors out there. Originality does affect value.
Add points for metallic finishes and a felt-lined coffin case.
Deduct points for broken/missing or non-original parts, like knobs, bridge, tuners, pickguard, pickup surround, truss rod cover.
Here's my T20. It was fully 10 lbs or I'd still have it. It had a cool baked-in "plonk" sound that was to die for. FWIW, the T-20 Super Ferrite pickup is unique, different than the other Peavey SF pickups. If I ever come across a <9 pounder, I'll pay a premium to get it.
I'd be surprised if it's light weight. Less hardware and such than a T-40, but still in the T family of bruisers.
I know it sounds silly for a bass in this price range, but these old Peaveys are genuine certified USA vintage guitars. They have a fan base, and there are avid collectors out there. Originality does affect value.
Add points for metallic finishes and a felt-lined coffin case.
Deduct points for broken/missing or non-original parts, like knobs, bridge, tuners, pickguard, pickup surround, truss rod cover.
Here's my T20. It was fully 10 lbs or I'd still have it. It had a cool baked-in "plonk" sound that was to die for. FWIW, the T-20 Super Ferrite pickup is unique, different than the other Peavey SF pickups. If I ever come across a <9 pounder, I'll pay a premium to get it.
Yet another thread that makes me regret selling my USA Rudy Sarzo model..
I'd do it, even if it was $400.. USA-made Peavey's speak to me. I love the sound and feel of their instruments. Must be because I like absurdly heavy instruments. Almost had a USA Foundation 5-string for $150 a while back, but was a few hours too late in replying (damn work!).
Anyways, I'd go for it at $200!
I'd do it, even if it was $400.. USA-made Peavey's speak to me. I love the sound and feel of their instruments. Must be because I like absurdly heavy instruments. Almost had a USA Foundation 5-string for $150 a while back, but was a few hours too late in replying (damn work!).
Anyways, I'd go for it at $200!
Here's an interesting looking one that just sold on ebay.
Note the "blade" style pickup. Never seen that on a T20.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Peavey-T-20...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Note the "blade" style pickup. Never seen that on a T20.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Peavey-T-20...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
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The pickup in the T20 is the same as the pickup in the early "slant" Fury. They share the same one. But they're different than the Foundation and Patriot Super Ferrite pickups. Pull a Foundation or Patriot pickup and you'll see they're much smaller underneath, where the slant SF is much bigger. They look the same from the top, but the bulk of the slant SF is hidden under the pickguard.
After I sold my heavy T20, I found this minty early Fury on ebay. I figured it would be lighter than the T20. Wrong, it was even heavier. It sounded just like the T20 but was well over 10 lbs, had to dump it, sadly.
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Oh. both my Furies are early 80's slanted ferrites.
The weight varies quite a bit on them, one is 8.6 and the other is just under 10.
The weight varies quite a bit on them, one is 8.6 and the other is just under 10.
Thanks everyone. It's awfully tempting. I'm not a fretless player but for that little dough, it wouldn't hurt to have one around!
Regardless of whether I played fretless or not and with no consideration for the weight I'd buy it on the principal
of you can never have too many Peaveys and this would right the fretted/fretless T 20 imbalance in my home.
of you can never have too many Peaveys and this would right the fretted/fretless T 20 imbalance in my home.
I love my T-20FL.. Bought my first one in 1982.. Brand new $225 with case. I have had 5 since then. Bought my current one about 2 years ago now for $72 off e-bay. Beautiful find. I absolutely love them. You will not regret buying them and at $200 they are worth it.
Here is mine -
Here is mine -
Love overdue update. I didn't get it quite for $200 but I think it's still a good buy and I figure if it's not for me, I'll be able to recoup my investment.
