T-40 vs T-45?

[dukeorock]

I know T-40's are pretty well loved around here...what's the main difference between those and the T-45? I know the 45 has only one pickup...any huge sonic differences?

 

[Engine207]

Might wanna try the T-40 thread. Lotsa PeaveyHeads there...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/peavey-t-40-club-part-2-a-657422/

 

[J Posega]

Huge difference in tone. The T-45 pickup is basically directly between the pickups on a T-40.

 

[dukeorock]

Might wanna try the T-40 thread. Lotsa PeaveyHeads there...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/peavey-t-40-club-part-2-a-657422/

I looked...still don't know the difference

 

[dukeorock]

Huge difference in tone. The T-45 pickup is basically directly between the pickups on a T-40.

Wish I knew what that meant! I like the reviews of the T-40, but like the looks of the T-45 better

 

[kjpollo]

I dont own a T-45 (YET!) but it was explained to me that the tone circuit is different from the T-40. The 45 has 3 knobs despite being passive and only having one pickup. You have basically 2 different passive tone controls. One works like your normal passive high roll-off but the other one functions like the tone control on a T40- when you turn it above 7 the pickup becomes single coil.

Pretty ingenious circuit for a budget-priced all passive bass!

 

[dukeorock]

Hmm...still don't know what that means, but...interesting!

 

[MNAirHead]

Necks are different.. they sound different... look different.

OVERALL... my preference is the T45... it's tougher to find a good condition one.

 

[dukeorock]

Yeah, the 45's aren't nearly as common...

 

[grimniggzy]

I own a T-40 and love the way it sounds, its a great bass. I just never play it b/c it's so damn heavy. If I saw a T-45 for a good price I think I'd give it a go.

 

[Rugaar]

Necks are different.. they sound different... look different.

Different necks? Really? That's very surprising. I used to own a T40 but didnt' really care for the thin neck. How's the T45 compare?

And can you compare the sound differences? So far most replies say they're different but give no support or explanation.

 

[panama]

It sounds like you need some "bass 101" and not really "peavey t series 101"

 

[kjpollo]

Hmm...still don't know what that means, but...interesting!

OK- a brief lesson in passive electronics. In a passive instrument, the volume and tone controls are "cut-only". That is, they only remove something from the signal. Volume knob only cuts volume, tone control removes higher frequencies form the output. That means a passive bass has its truest inherent "voice" when both controls are at their maximum. From there you can only turn it down (with the volume control) or remove highs (with the tone function).

The stock pickups on 40's and 45's are the same- a dual coil humbucker. The 45 has one and the 40 has 2.
T-40's have separate volume and tone controls for each pickup. But the tone controls on a T40 are different from "normal" tone controls. When you turn the tone control for either pickup above 7, one coil of the pair drops out, leaving you with a single coil sound instead of a humbucker sound.

The T-45 has that tone control, plus your standard passive tone control that essentially leaves the lows intact and rolls off the highs.
I've never played a T45 but I imagine the variety of tones is exquisite!

 

[dukeorock]

OK- a brief lesson in passive electronics. In a passive instrument, the volume and tone controls are "cut-only". That is, they only remove something from the signal. Volume knob only cuts volume, tone control removes higher frequencies form the output. That means a passive bass has its truest inherent "voice" when both controls are at their maximum. From there you can only turn it down (with the volume control) or remove highs (with the tone function).

The stock pickups on 40's and 45's are the same- a dual coil humbucker. The 45 has one and the 40 has 2.
T-40's have separate volume and tone controls for each pickup. But the tone controls on a T40 are different from "normal" tone controls. When you turn the tone control for either pickup above 7, one coil of the pair drops out, leaving you with a single coil sound instead of a humbucker sound.

The T-45 has that tone control, plus your standard passive tone control that essentially leaves the lows intact and rolls off the highs.
I've never played a T45 but I imagine the variety of tones is exquisite!

I understand passive electronics in a general sort of way...didn't know that little tidbit about how the Peaveys work...THANKS!

 

[kjpollo]

^
Glad to help.
Considering that they were never seen or marketed as high-end instruments, the early Peavey's were ground-breaking in a lot of ways.
*specialized tone controls
*bi-laminated necks
*first instruments produced via CNC machining

I have a T40 and a T20 and I'm hoping to land a T45 at some point to round out the "family".

 

[MNAirHead]

^
Glad to help.
Considering that they were never seen or marketed as high-end instruments, the early Peavey's were ground-breaking in a lot of ways.
*specialized tone controls
*bi-laminated necks
*first instruments produced via CNC machining

I have a T40 and a T20 and I'm hoping to land a T45 at some point to round out the "family".

You'd be missing quite a few...

T15, T27, T30, T60 etc....

T15 and T60 are stunning if the driver is qualified to drive.

 

[groooooove]

bumping an old thread,

i keep reading mixed reaviews on these T series basses. some threads seem to talk about the mystery of why no pros ever really used them, others talk about them being junk and barely worth $300.

to my eye, they look to be well made instruments. i've never seen one in person. does anyone have examples of good studio recordings using one? can be local cats or bigger names, don't care.

would anyone compare the T-45 to a p bass? whats the going rate for a fair condition T40? seems like $400 is a good deal nowadays.

 

[mech]

@groooooove ...plenty more out there, too. Enjoy. FWIW, they are extremely well made instruments. The fit, finish and workmanship as they left the factory should have cost 4 times the price.

 

[groooooove]

i saw a few of those youtube videos. there was another one i found particularly useful :



this kid is a decent enough player where i feel i can actually hear what the bass is doing. it sounds to me like a big, full sound, that will almost certainly sit in a band mix really well. i love that neck pickup.

i am surprised at the price. the hardware / fit and finish alone makes it look to me like they should be selling for $1400 or so - even considering their lack of public popularity.

looks like they sell on ebay regularly for under $400 if you do an advanced search. crazy.

i'm still curious if someone would compare a 45 to a p bass... i think they'd hold up favorably? but i really dont know.

 

[lug]

good article on the T45...

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