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Question About Peavey T-40

The White one I have still had the vinyl overlay on the pick-guard when I got it. I'd be embarrassed to tell you what I paid for it, but it was truly in "time capsule" condition.

Nothing to be embarrased about - I paid a fairly good chunk for one of mine, but it was a very, very rare pre-production T in almost new condition. The exaggerated prices on eBay aren't really a good yardstick for what people will pay, though. There are several on there that have been there a while, because they're priced unreasonably IMO.
 
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Thinking about adding a T-40 Peavey bass to my collection. Any pros or cons would help.
I googled about the pickup's changing between single coil and humbucking. Anyone have one how do you like it. The one i'm looking at is a 1979 with original case. asking $450.00

I think it would be cool to have a 38 year old bass if it is playable.

The downside of the T-40 is they are pretty much the heaviest production bass ever made
 
I had an '81, black/black/maple, with the fitted case, and to this day, I regret selling it. Tone for miles, very much a swiss army bass, but also very much it's own strange, beautiful creature.

For my $.02, the only con was the weight. Possibly the heaviest bass I've played, with only an Ibanez ATK, or my old '70 Montaya PJ thing coming to mind of being in that weight class.
 
Thinking about adding a T-40 Peavey bass to my collection. Any pros or cons would help.
I googled about the pickup's changing between single coil and humbucking. Anyone have one how do you like it. The one i'm looking at is a 1979 with original case. asking $450.00

I think it would be cool to have a 38 year old bass if it is playable.
Grab it ! Good price! I mean you'll probably need back surgery as it weighs a ton but still a cool bass to add to collection.
 
I love mine. Very versatile, but it is heavy. I don't think you'd regret it.

Found this awhile back.
t40 tone settings (1).png
 
Thanks for all the replies. Went with the natural/case for $450.The T-40 was the second bass i bought for myself back in 1978. So this is a buy from my past and my heart. As i remember back then it came with the tear drop case i loved it.
All the pics i looked at showed the rectangular case. Does anyone know when the tear drop case came out. I will looking for one of those to replace the other. Also question i guess you either love Peavey or you don't. Why do you think the T-40 didn't sell more or become more popular....
 
Pros:
It's hard to imagine a bass more sturdily built than the T-40. I've mostly played it sitting down in the control room, and for me, it's been a pretty ideal recording instrument. That's thanks to the range of the pickups and controls, and the total absence of hum or buzz - a studio engineer's delight. The neck adjustment feature makes very low action achievable, if that's what you want.

Cons:
On live gigs, playing standing, I've found the ergonomics a little awkward. I can deal with the heft, but the neck tilt, uncontoured back and slightly curved top make it seem to hang just a bit away from you - kind of more like a "Les Paul" vs. a "Strat" feel, if you get my meaning. Also, in a fast-paced set it can be difficult to locate the best settings for sounds you like to use, due to the wealth of nuances available. Still, I wouldn't count those as very major minus points.
 
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Thanks for all the replies. Went with the natural/case for $450.The T-40 was the second bass i bought for myself back in 1978. So this is a buy from my past and my heart. As i remember back then it came with the tear drop case i loved it.
All the pics i looked at showed the rectangular case. Does anyone know when the tear drop case came out. I will looking for one of those to replace the other. Also question i guess you either love Peavey or you don't. Why do you think the T-40 didn't sell more or become more popular....
I think the teardrop case came out sometime in 79. The original was the big rectangle case with the "bronze" carpet.

9zz1qdpgc4.jpg
 
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