Should I refinish? Peavey T-40

[Same]

Had this T40 for almost a year now and love it, but the finish that was put on it before isn’t my favorite. Just wondering ‘if’ I should refinish it, or how I should go about it. Whenever I play it(normally in dark settings) everyone already thinks it’s black but was thinking of either going back natural finished with boiled linseed oil, or just black paint. But let me know what y’all think,

Here it is currently all green. Also the small switch that you might see is an old kill switch that I bypassed, but just left the switch to fill the hole.

Another thing that concerns me is the neck is separating at the heel where the two pieces of wood meet. It doesn’t so much affect the way it plays that I can tell, though it does fret out in that section. If I remove the neck would that cause any stress to that area? I could likely get away with painting it without removing the neck though likely not advices here.

Sorry if this isn’t a proper first post or if it’s unwanted here, feel free to remove it.

 

[jd56hawk]

The color is fantastic, especially in the second pic, but the finish is very bad.
Don’t worry, it’s a good first post and you’re in the right section...the answers should be coming in soon.

 

[Yammybass]

Its what these forums are for. I try to learn stuff. And I do because almost all TBers are helpful. So far I haven’t had anything negative. I would leave it as is I like the dark deep green colour that is a sharp looking Peavey. But if the separation is bad possibly get a luthier to assess it . It adds character I think.

 

[Bass V]

it's a T-40! therefore, an excellent post.
popping the neck off shouldn't present an issue, but this is a prime candidate for a cool refin.
while I like bursts the big guards on these use up so much acreage it's nearly pointless, a color or clear tint complementary to the maple fretboard and black scratchplate is best and imo swamp gator green ain't quite it. but there are lots of greens that would look great, a light pastel, candy apple metallic, micro flaked, something to stand out in a classy way cos you know somebody is waiting to rip it from you no matter how it looks, so make'm super jealous. lol

 

[Same]

Cool, thanks so far y’all, I look forward to learning and playing. This is probably my first and last bass, I was really happy to find it local for like $300. So if I can make it the best it’s going to be then that would be great.

I kind of want to go back natural, I was thinking boiled linseed has just enough amber tint to make it not so light, I was also thinking of torching it to bring out the grain some more but I’m not sure about all that. The only thing that sucks is this is my only bass so I’d have to work on it between shows or recording, and linseed oil takes so long to harden it’s sure to get in the way. I know if I paint it it’ll not look so great, probably look a lot like the door in the background, and if I got a different color it’ll be much worse

 

[Rib 13]

i like that color!

 

[RadioactiveGuy4]

Peavey T-40 Club Part 2

Check out the T-40 Club to get some more info.

When you say that the wood at the heel of you neck separating are you talking about the seem in the middle of the fret board?

 

[Same]

Yeah it’s separating in the middie where the two pieces are glued together. Right at the base where the neck should bolt on, I don’t notice a separation in the backside of the neck, though it’s provably covered by the body.

 

[RadioactiveGuy4]

Yeah it’s separating in the middie where the two pieces are glued together. Right at the base where the neck should bolt on, I don’t notice a separation in the backside of the neck, though it’s provably covered by the body.

I don't think its actually separating. My T-40's neck looks just like that. There is a finish that is applied directly to the fret board so in order for it to be splitting I would think that the the finish would also need to be cracked as well. From your picture that doesn't appear to be the case. I'm not home but when I get home I will take a pic of my neck and we can compare.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Just crud in the joint, no biggie.

 

[Same]

Cool, I’m not that worried about it at all. But the only reason I noticed it is because you can definitely feel it by your nail or even just touching it. Ive Played with the action and the only place it seems to buzz is in that area, could just be the guitar itself but I think it’s fine

 

[kkaarrll]

leave it

one of a kind

 

[scuzzy]

i have a t-40 and that separation is fairly common when the neck tilt feature is used. the tilt bolt puts stress on the middle of the neck in the pocket while the screws holding the neck on pull down on each side. this, over time, can cause stress on the neck in the pocket slightly separating the 2 sides of the neck. mine did it as well. I filled the split with glue and it hasn't budged. I still use the neck tilt, I just don't torque the neck on to the body like a he-man.

removing the neck won't hurt a thing. just use sense when putting it back on and how you torque down the screws.

 

[xaxxat]

I'd break out a sander and go to town.

 

[Drucifer]

Cool, thanks so far y’all, I look forward to learning and playing. This is probably my first and last bass, I was really happy to find it local for like $300. So if I can make it the best it’s going to be then that would be great.

I kind of want to go back natural, I was thinking boiled linseed has just enough amber tint to make it not so light, I was also thinking of torching it to bring out the grain some more but I’m not sure about all that. The only thing that sucks is this is my only bass so I’d have to work on it between shows or recording, and linseed oil takes so long to harden it’s sure to get in the way. I know if I paint it it’ll not look so great, probably look a lot like the door in the background, and if I got a different color it’ll be much worse

You got a great deal, I'm seeing similar T-40s now for $500 and up. I personally like the green! My T-40 neck has the same split, not sure I'm going to do anything about it. I'd like to hear if anyone else has had this problem, what might exacerbate it [EDIT: @scuzzy's post described one issue nicely], and how to reasonably remediate it.

 

[saabfender]

Another vote for “leave it alone.” I love that color. I think it’s the best-looking T-40 I’ve ever seen.

 

[TeamScorpioRI]

Where did you snag this? It looks like a T-40 that I had a while ago. I never was able to find that same color. I could swear mine had that same crack at the neck too

 

[MotorCityMinion]

I've had this bass on my mind for some time. Sandblasted. Dark stain, sand it again then light or no stain with an oil finish. The grain will just POP. There is some fine examples of P / J basses in this forum like that. You don't need to be a pro to pull this off either

 

[hardtop]

It was likely natural, as most seem to have been, and someone just did a light sand and stain. I would totally refinish it back to natural, essentially restoring it to original.

 

[Relsom]

I'd take about a pound of wood off that thang while you've got it stripped. Just leave it clamped to the sander and go take in a flick. But seriously....there's gotta be something you can do to lighten it up a little as long as you're going to take the finish down.