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Peavey T-40 Club Part 2

#241
85vf500rr said:
THis mights sound crazy, but what about dropping the T-40 pickups and electronics into a swamp ash body? It could be a direct replica of the T-40, just in swamp ash or even into something along the lines of a P or J bass. Seems like a swamp ash body would be a LOT lighter than the hard ash Peavey used. They've got another T-40 at the local shop and even though I'm sure it can't it feels like it weighs twice as much as my Jazz. My jazz has a swamp ash body, so that's what got me thinking about it...
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That is crazy enough that it might actually work. If produced in Asia like the Grind and the Millennium BXP products, Peavey may be able to hit a price point where a new, lighter, T-40 tribute is less than the going price of a used original.
 
#242
dangnewt said:
That is crazy enough that it might actually work. If produced in Asia like the Grind and the Millennium BXP products, Peavey may be able to hit a price point where a new, lighter, T-40 tribute is less than the going price of a used original.
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My guess is the complexity of the electronics is the real issue that keeps them from being remade. The T-40 was the first CNC routed body, right? I assume they used the labor that opened up to work on it's mammoth wiring and soldering.
 
#244
Legattabass said:
My guess is the complexity of the electronics is the real issue that keeps them from being remade. The T-40 was the first CNC routed body, right? I assume they used the labor that opened up to work on it's mammoth wiring and soldering.
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I have to think the electronics is a BIG issue. Obviously they could always drop the phase switch as a cost-cutting measure. But if they went with standard tone pots instead of the old coil-splitting ones, they'd detract from the variety of tones and defeat the purpose of a reissue.

I emailed Peavey's customer service department a couple years ago about this exact topic and they said it was on the table but there were no immediate plans.
 
#245
I think that the T-40 will end up in tribute form by Eastwood or another like minded company first. If Peavey liscenced the design out to another company for a year or two, they could gage the market. If it did well, then they might bring the -40 back.

If I had capital, a factory, and any kind of manufactering or business saavy... I'd be on the phone with Mr P right now...
 
#249
kjpollo said:
I have to think the electronics is a BIG issue. Obviously they could always drop the phase switch as a cost-cutting measure. But if they went with standard tone pots instead of the old coil-splitting ones, they'd detract from the variety of tones and defeat the purpose of a reissue.

I emailed Peavey's customer service department a couple years ago about this exact topic and they said it was on the table but there were no immediate plans.
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Interesting to hear that it is a topic of discussion at Peavey HQ.

I agree that the phase switch could probably go without too many tears shed but the coil-splitting is mandatory. If they could come close on the tone, nail the look, while shedding a few pounds, it would sell.

The two tough decisions would be what to do about the bridge - it is definitely part of the look, I'm not sure how much it contributes to the tone, and there has to be some weight and extra expense there because of the size of that beast.
The other is the neck - is the two-piece neck essential to the look, feel and tone? is the tilt-adjustment worth retaining?

I wouldn't mind if Peavey left a few things different, if only to help out the folks who own an original. (like me ;))
 
#250
mech said:
Peavey will never re-issue an old model. They can be bought on the used market for 10 to 20% of what a USA new issue would cost and who would really want one made in Asia? Really defeats the mojo.

mech
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I don't have a horse in this race, since I already have my '80 SiennaBurst and the weight doesn't bother me (and it ain't going nowhere!), but I don't think there's gonna be any re-issue.

I can't imagine that, beyond TalkBass, there is a T-40 following sufficient for a return on investment. We're a very tight niche market of enthusiasts who dig on the tone, electronics, USA-build, and "mojo". A new bass would also likely be north of $400, which is the high side of the "vintage" market, which I believe most buyers would prefer.
 
#251
Just playing around...

IMG_9852.jpg
 
#253
Now we're talking!

I'd actually prefer a T-40 with Peavey's 34" scale Millennium BXP necks over the chunkier original. Skip the original's tilt adjustment and special tool needed to adjust the truss rod and give me the wheel-style truss rod adjustment anyday.
 
#255
Engine207 said:
... I can't imagine that, beyond TalkBass, there is a T-40 following sufficient for a return on investment. We're a very tight niche market of enthusiasts who dig on the tone, electronics, USA-build, and "mojo". A new bass would also likely be north of $400, which is the high side of the "vintage" market, which I believe most buyers would prefer.
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True. And from what I've read Peavey made about a quarter of a million of them already. I think that will suffice for the necessarily limited demand.
 
#260
mech said:
Do it! You'll like the T-40 PU with the pre. Add a SC/HB switch and you'll have a hard time putting it down. I did this to a beat up TL-5, that fortunately still had the pre, several years ago.
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Awesome. Now I have gas for a 5 string 40...

What is the string spacing on that bass?

I wonder if I could pull that of with a Patriot...
 

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