Peavey t-40 questions

[DodgeSpiritRT]

1) What years was the T-40 produced?
2) What are the differences - if any - between the models during the years that the T-40 was produced?
3) Is there any particular year model that is considered "best"?
4) Are all the T-40s essentially the same guitar?
5) Is there a difference - other than the paint - in the wood of the maple bodies and the painted ones?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[bholder]

One difference is that some of the pickups have exposed blades, some don't. I forget which are the earlier ones though.

 

[cataract]

The Peavey T-60 and T-40 story, as told by Chip Todd.

 

[kodiakblair]

1) 1978 till 1988.
2)Apart from the change to blade PUs, the metal nut got changed to Graphlon later on.
3)Peavey basses were machined to be consistent, "best year" questions don't apply.
4)Yes they are. I honestly can tell much difference between my 3 from the late 70s and the 83 model.
5)Most natural are northern Ash not maple.

 

[B-Mac]

Might want to go here too.....

Peavey T-40 Club Part 2

 

[lug]

1)
5)Most natural are northern Ash not maple.

This. Most painted ones I believe are poplar or alder if memory serves.

 

[jd56hawk]

Some good prices can still be had, but some people are asking $600 to $800 for theirs, several of which have been listed on ebay for years.
Good luck, maybe you'll find this one. I missed one two years ago for $350...a week later it was back on ebay for $600.

 

[kodiakblair]

Be careful when you see black T40s listed as rare. All T60s and T40s were black in the final year they were available.

 

[Fumble Fingers]

1) What years was the T-40 produced?
2) What are the differences - if any - between the models during the years that the T-40 was produced?
3) Is there any particular year model that is considered "best"?
4) Are all the T-40s essentially the same guitar?
5) Is there a difference - other than the paint - in the wood of the maple bodies and the painted ones?
Thanks,
Mike

You can probably get your questions answered much easier by going to the forums at t60mafia.com. Chip Todd, the creator of the Peavey T-Series still hangs out there, and there are some articles that I wrote up there that answer many of your questions.

 

[Fumble Fingers]

One difference is that some of the pickups have exposed blades, some don't. I forget which are the earlier ones though.

The Toaster style pickup is the predecessor to the Blade style.

 

[Fumble Fingers]

This. Most painted ones I believe are poplar or alder if memory serves.

Yes, and if weight is an issue (and it usually is with T-40's) the painted models are significantly lighter than the swamp ash models.

 

[DodgeSpiritRT]

I'm assuming that the necks and the bodies of the various years of T-40s are "INTERCHANGEABLE". is that correct?

 

[lug]

I'm assuming that the necks and the bodies of the various years of T-40s are "INTERCHANGEABLE". is that correct?

As far as I know, yes. I don't think they ever changed anything but the nut material on T40 necks.

 

[B-Mac]

Prices are definitely creeping up as others have stated. Maple fretboards get a higher price. Be careful though as some PO's have taken out the electronics and pups, which to me is a deal breaker because that's what makes both the T-40 and T-45 special. Also, watch for pitted chrome hardware. My T-45 had spotless chrome hardware.

My '82 T-40

My '83 T-45

 

[B-Mac]

 

[Eilif]

1) What years was the T-40 produced?
2) What are the differences - if any - between the models during the years that the T-40 was produced?
3) Is there any particular year model that is considered "best"?
4) Are all the T-40s essentially the same guitar?
5) Is there a difference - other than the paint - in the wood of the maple bodies and the painted ones?
Thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike,
The answer to nearly all these question can be found at the T-40 infosheet which is linked in my signature.
I will add a few short answers to your questions.
3) This is debated. Early serial numbers and dealer samples are coveted by collectors, but folks seem to split mainly over whether they prefer the toaster or blade pickups.
4)Mostly they are the same. Asside from the pickup change, the only differences that really affect tone are the poplar (painted bodies) vs Ash ( natural and trans colors), Metal vs plastic nut (changed in early 80s) and maple vs rosewood fingerboards (I'm skeptical about the real tone difference). Other differences are minor. See the Infosheet for years for different changes.
5) No Maple bodies, just Ash and Poplar

 

[Eilif]

I'm assuming that the necks and the bodies of the various years of T-40s are "INTERCHANGEABLE". is that correct?

Yes, that is correct.
Other neck options are limited though (unless you want to reshape a fender heel) as the T-40 is the only Peavey with a 20 fret neck and flat heel.

However, I just learned that EGC makes an aluminum T-40 neck replacement.

Also, reportedly a 20 fret neck from a Peavey Milestone will work with just a bit of flattening to the rounded heel. A couple of guys have done this as they prefer the more jazz-like feel of the milestone neck to the more p-bass like feel of the regular T-40 neck. It also lets you keep the familiar peavey headstock shape.

 

[Eilif]

Yes, and if weight is an issue (and it usually is with T-40's) the painted models are significantly lighter than the swamp ash models.

I wouldn't consider this a hard and fast rule and would still double check the weight on any painted T-40 you buy. My poplar '80s T-40 weighed about as much as my ash '79.

 

[DodgeSpiritRT]

Thanks so much for all your responses and your time in answering my questions.

 

[Eilif]

Thanks so much for all your responses and your time in answering my questions.

You're very welcome!
There is a rather dedicated group of T-40 fans here and the T-60 forums are worth checking out as well.
I hope you enjoy the Infosheet, it's been a 10 year labor of love for myself and many other T-40 fans. It's pretty comprehensive but there's been just enough new info and consensus about the T-40 over the past few years that I'm thinking that next year I'll update and release Version 4.