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U.S. Peavey Club
- Thread starter Soundchaser11460
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I wish they (both the bass and guitar versions) were still in production just so they can be snagged at any time new vs a low level treasure hunt to find them. Rehouse the bass version in a 4" soapbar and the guitar version in a standard humbucker sized format just so they have a more universal fit.
I guess they just went the way of the Toaster/Blade T pickup: times changed, they changed their lineup and designs and the beloved Super Ferrite left the building in favor of that large format VFL-looking single coil.
The SF popped up around 1983, had a little bit of a makeover around 1993 (blank plastic cover) and was gone by 1995. They had a much longer run vs the Toasters/Blades of 1978-1982.
Hard to match the sound of them, I don't know of any pickup that does, and they sound quite different in different configurations.
The T20/Slant Fury vs the T40 vs the Foundation vs the Patriot, and that's all passive, before the active Dyna added another layer to the cake.
The VFL pickups must have been an attempt at a more modern sounding pickup but for my ears they are not an improvement.
This notoriously frugal Scotsman would put money on this being the reason.
Never had this confirmed but my guess is the ferrites used C-8 magnets while C-5 is almost industry standard.
You can lay your hands on C-5 in huge numbers from a wide range of sources, C-8 is limited so you're looking at extra time/money. Once the buying dept saw how cheap imported parts were, the days of proprietary pickups were over.
My pinhead observation is that migrating Ferrites were when the company was trying to reposition from being "good enough for gigging" to a premium market. You'll also observe that Fury stuff became an almost competitor to splitP pickup Pbasses etc.
At the same time, small shops were closing and business was centralizing with big box stores.
The timing may have been not fully understood... the company was trying to create a lessons learned semi-boutique at the same time the industry was moving to high volume / low profit per unit sales.
The models the 'core' folks normally discuss (and bid up on ebay) are from the "testing and repositioning" period.
Why they didn't come up with a "Lexus" or "Acura" type branding still baffles me.
I think Peavey moved away from the SF PU's for several reasons. Cost, perceived improvements in new designs (VFL) and the fact that the Super Ferrite PU circuits work so much differently than the typical passive single coil electronics. I love the sound of the SF equipped Foundation basses and absolutely adore the sound of them when a .047UF cap is soldered from the output wire to ground. That is the equivalent to a passive Fender tone cut circuit rolled fully on. Our buddy Thundar bought a SF Foundation from me (I got it from 58Kites) and it has the modification and he loves it as is. RMMV and that is fine.
I respect that others have differing opinions about tone and have no argument with them. Some guys love blonds and some love redheads. There is nothing wrong with that. I personally love the tone of the VFL's and especially when used in the Cirrus and GV basses. Those electronics sound wonderful to me.
We frequently have discussions about tone and usually leave out a big part of the equation. Our amplification. I tend to favor Aguilar amps and use mostly AG 500 and AG 700 heads and mostly the discontinued GS 112 and GS 212 cabs. I'll bet few of you use the same amps I use and that is PART of why our opinions differ.
The best thing each of us can do is find what works best for us as individuals. One other thing, the guy who I took bass lessons from can get a much fatter tone from any bass than I can. I expect the hard callous on my fingertips from playing upright bass has a lot to do with it.
I think the VFL pickups got paired very well with their very good preamp designs in the Cirrus, Millenniums, G-V, G bass and their other modern exotics I'm forgetting.
I had two VFLs in a Koa RSB bass and they just didn't do a thing without a pre, the battery alone didn't do it.
On the other hand, I've got an '85 EMG P pickup that sounds great with just a battery.
Admittedly, I'm more of a passive bass player, I love the sound of a good ol' P bass...it has character, much like what I'm finding in these SF pickups, it sounds beautiful but the kicker for me on my Dyna bass, whether I play it passive or active, it retains that quality not sound like a bass on autotune, I know that has also to do with the preamp it uses. This is the bass I wouldn't mind playing active.
I traded a G&L Trib L2000 for this bass as I couldn't quite get into the MFD tone passive or active as much as I'd like and this blast from the past Peavey just has me floored. Some love the modern tones of the typical active basses of today, that's perfectly fine, we all have different preferences but I guess I'm an oldie. Only other bass with an active mode that I loved was an old Ibanez Musician MC924 I used to own, it too sounded well, for lack of a better description, more natural.
If Peavey were to go back into the market full bore, I think they could carve their own niche in the industry by revisiting these SF pickups and putting them on their basses even if this meant higher priced basses.
I've yet to try a bass with VLF pickups, would love to try one in the near future if I chance upon a Peavey bass with them in my neck of the woods.
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Gig tomorrow, I'll be playing the ash Foundation for my main, my Bongo for the downtuned songs and my ash slant Fury as a backup. Or maybe I'll just be an ash-hole and leave the poor Bongo at home.
Break a leg tomorrow ! I'm SO glad gigging is coming back. I'm going to a show, too tomorrow. I'm SURE the Foundation will be amazing, so go ahead and be the Ash-Hole you always wanted to be
Funny.Nobody wants to hear you play the bongos anyway, those are more for naked private home use like Mathew McConaughey after 4:20
HAHA !!!! Me too !!! That is the most over used TB-ism around. (First time I used that word !) I wish there was a dislike button, too. I guess they think we might abuse the button and hurt some feelings. Oh well, one can wish.
My wife has no interest in any bass I have or, have owned in the 26 years we've been together. Tonight I was going through my basses just tuning them, & she walks past and said "I like that one" pointing to my '86 Peavey Foundation 
. Should have bought some Peavey's years ago 
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. Should have bought some Peavey's years ago .
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Funny. My Foundation is my wife’s favorite too.My wife has no interest in any bass I have or, have owned in the 26 years we've been together. Tonight I was going through my basses just tuning them, & she walks past and said "I like that one" pointing to my Peavey Foundation
My Sarzo is the only bass that my wife likes.My wife has no interest in any bass I have or, have owned in the 26 years we've been together. Tonight I was going through my basses just tuning them, & she walks past and said "I like that one" pointing to my '86 Peavey Foundation
Yeah crazy just a passing comment, but surprised me all the same .
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huh...interesting. The only bass I had at the time just before I got married was a 90s Peavey Foundation.
Boy the magnets on the Peavey basses must be REALLY strong. lol
Boy the magnets on the Peavey basses must be REALLY strong. lol
Super Ferrites are the best!
My wife points to my EBMM USA SUB Bass: black textured body paint, one ply black pickguard, black painted neck back, black headstock front/back/sides,
and a nice chocolate brown rosewood fretboard, chrome bride, tuners and control cover plate.
Apparently, black n chrome appeals to her....very metal ...but totally not pointy!
She is wrong, I have several prettier basses.
and a nice chocolate brown rosewood fretboard, chrome bride, tuners and control cover plate.
Apparently, black n chrome appeals to her....very metal ...but totally not pointy!
She is wrong, I have several prettier basses.
LMAO, my wife prefers the looks of my Foundation as well. She says she really like the body color and the way the "black strings" offset the "white neck." As far as tone she just wants the bass to get her on the dance floor
