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Peavey TL-5

BillyRay

BillyRay

Jan 20, 2008
1,671
75
Quebec
#1
What's the beef on these basses ? I hear they are good quality instruments and can be had for a great deal.

I played one today (I liked it so much I even put it on layaway) and the only thing that bugged me was the amount of noise coming out of the pre-amp in active mode. Can this be fixed by shielding ? Some reviews on Harmony central say that the pu's are dead quiet, others complain about noise. The noise was prevalent especially with the highs boosted.

This will be used for recording purposes, so noise is not tolerable (I can always get store credit on another bass for the amount I payed to put it on layaway, so I'm not in trouble or anything). The deal was just too good to pass up and I fell in love with the thing.

The bass is the old model with the Super ferrites and the mid-sweep pre-amp (three band + volume/balance + passive/active switch).
 
#5
I owned a TL5 and a Dyna-Bass. Both 80's models. Both had the same preamp and Super Ferrite pickups. They both played and sounded great, but the preamps were a bit hissy. I just learned to ignore it. You don't hear it while you're playing. I wish I still had both basses, honestly.
 
#6
Seriously, the thing slays, but for recording, any noise stands out like a sore thumb in the mix. I would have no qualms about gigging it live. Might have to try to EQ the hiss out somewhat and return it if it doesn't work out. I didn't think to reduce the highs on the head's the parametric EQ. I could always use a p-bass on the recordings, but I wouldn't buy such a 5 string just to play live... Hard to justify the cost since any POS cheapo that can stay in tune for a whole set can do that job :(

But yes, it sounded GREAT. The Super Ferrites sounded fat and had incredible mids when I played near the bridge... Hmmm, incredible mids.

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#8
Thing is, I was looking at A LOT cheaper: my budget going in the store was around 450 and the bass is 650 CAN wich is roughly 500US. So I might not have the scratch to replace the preamp since I'm already overextending myself a bit. I have the money, but I feel bad giving in to GAS just to get a "problem" bass that will need more dough to be used.

I played a Yamaha fiver wich I also liked: gold hardware, two soapbars, burst, bass and treble bands, similar shape as TRB but seems to be discontinued as I can't find it on their site. Not as wide a palette of sounds, but it WAS dead quiet, very usable and quite a bit cheaper. Playability was also good, but the Peavey, man, that thing reminded me of my old Lado as far as fit and finish were concerned.

Decisions, decisions. I'll just wait to see if I'm picked to do the recording (and thus join the band where I'll need a fiver) and go from there. Guys were admant that I needed to be ready to record the first rehearsal we have togheter after they make their decision*, so I might not even have the time to have it repaired and ready.

* I predict I'll be picked. Guys were impressed and I was very pleased with their attitude and material and I don't think they are auditionning any more bassists.
 
#9
You can disable the preamp with a flick of a switch and it should be dead silent (as much as two single coils can be - that is, silent with both pickups full on / blended in the center) in passive mode. Be aware - the "Treble" knob on that preamp setup operates as a passive "Tone" control when in passive mode. So when you switch to "passive" mode your tone will be half way rolled off if the "treble" is in the center detent.

It should be quiet enough to record without trouble. I recorded a few projects with my Dyna-Bass 5 which had the same pickups and preamp with no problems. My Dyna-Bass was ultra-shielded, I would expect the TL to be the same.

The TL-5 is a very very damn good bass. Easily worth what you're paying, and if it's in good working order it should need no modifications.
 
#10
I have 3 TL-6's and 2 TL-5's. More then likely the noise you are hearing is a shielding issue, a couple of mine were doing it as well. I corrected mine by pulling the pot/preamp cover and rolling A small amount of tin foil around the grounding ring that is on the bass and the underside of the cover. Its as if the cover wasn't fully seated onto the bass, or not making good contact. Took care of all my noise issues. Fantastic basses. Good luck!
 

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