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U.S. Peavey Club

#9,301
ubernator said:
I've had my eye on that foundation, but for $199 that fury is a ripoff. The worst of the furies, one piece neck, 4mm hex truss rod. Import parts... That's a $100 bass. The foundy is a classic and in the realm of fairness at $249. They have some other grossly overpriced later foundations with VFLs, I didn't bother posting those. The fair prices ones sell, the overpriced ones sit for months as they go through the price drop cycles.
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I agree it's not a great price compared to some of the deals I've gotten on Fury basses but $199 is still not expensive for a USA made bass....what import parts are on those?
The pickup looks like an aftermarket replacement pickup of some kind.
Replacing the pots and output jack to CTS and Switchcraft is cheap and easy.
I've seen very good one piece Peavey necks, there are also two piece Peavey necks with the hex barrel truss rods nuts that work great.
My G Bass has the barrel nut that takes a hex wrench on it's truss rod.

I agree the white Foundy is a better deal, I hate that trapeziodal bridge but the rest of that bass is really nice.
 
#9,302
58kites said:
I agree it's not a great price compared to some of the deals I've gotten on Fury basses but $199 is still not expensive for a USA made bass....what import parts are on those?
The pickup looks like an aftermarket replacement pickup of some kind.
Replacing the pots and output jack to CTS and Switchcraft is cheap and easy.
I've seen very good one piece Peavey necks, there are also two piece Peavey necks with the hex barrel truss rods nuts that work great.
My G Bass has the barrel nut that takes a hex wrench on it's truss rod.

I agree the white Foundy is a better deal, I hate that trapeziodal bridge but the rest of that bass is really nice.
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When 2pc neck furies are going for 200 or less, the 1pc usually go around $100. Best bass you can get for $100 but it is not a $200 bass considering the better made ones that go for $300. That's all I am saying. My experience with 1pc neck peavey is no where near as nice as the 2pc. The 2pc is something special, the 1 PC might as well be an early 90s MIM jazz neck. Not to say I don't like it, but I also scored my 1pc foundy for $40, I just prefer the 2pc if I am stuck with a firm seller at $200. Those 4mm truss hexes are easy to strip, and since we are not the first owners of these bargain finds, you never know.

Someone has been trying to sell a fury just like that for $100 missing the shaft and gear on one of the tuners for several months, it is not exactly moving. I passed on it and got my heavy relic player 93 from a pawnshop that I found on eBay. After 3 weeks of relisting because nobody bid at $100, I went in and got them down to $72. I wanted it for $50 because of the condition, but no dice. Turned out to be an excellent player.

I don't know exactly what parts are imported on the late 90s "crafted in USA" furies, but the pots for sure are (they are decent full sized, but prone to scratchiness), and rumors abound that even bodies were cut overseas, but I don't know, does anyone? The main issue is the change from the 2pc to one piece. At least for me. I'm just not willing to shell 2 bills. 1pc 1 bill ;)

There was a 1pc foundy vfl for $150, I would call that fair. The one I was looking at appears to be a 1pc with SFs, so I would go $150, maybe $175 because it comes with a case. But not $250, I'll wait for another or for the seller to get desperate. Gotta sell the bird first. I sold 2 of my pedals so I can buy the wah I want. Which can put the bird proceeds 100% to peavey acquisitions
 
#9,303
ubernator said:
Those 4mm truss hexes are easy to strip..
I don't know exactly what parts are imported on the late 90s "crafted in USA" furies, but the pots for sure are (they are decent full sized, but prone to scratchiness), and rumors abound that even bodies were cut overseas, but I don't know, does anyone?
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Hasn't most of the industry used hex barrel nuts for the last 20-25+ years?
Peavey has always cut bodies on their CNC equipment, I'm not sure contracting somebody to cut bodies and pay to ship them in would have been a great way to save costs, I think changing sources on some of the parts is the way they cut costs.
Using Alpha or Peerless pots is something that lots of companies did to save a few bucks as opposed to the old standby CTS pots.
Same deal going from Switchcraft to Alpha output jacks.
I think the biggest change was when they sourced overseas (P Bass) Fury pickups instead of continuing to wind their own.
Peavey often cut costs with the single ply pickguards also.
No question the 80's stuff seems nicer.

NBD
I just got a really nice 1987 Patriot, the quality is excellent.
I like Titan tuners, the narrow footprint bridge they used at that time, the SF pickup sounds great, the guts in the control cavity were soldered super clean.
The Peavey backplate is very cool, nice three ply pickguard, original speed knobs.
I like it a lot, I don't think I need my Foundation anymore.
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#9,304
I also disagree on some of the comments about the later Furys/Foundations. They are cheaper all around because of the cost reduction efforts by Peavey under way at the time - we all know that. But they are still very good if not excellent basses. The single piece neck is one of the fastest most comfortable necks made. I have two single piece Peaveys and both are great. I have said it many times before, if you buy a bass that has been abused you are going to likely find problems with it, not problems based on the original construction or QC of the bass....but on the way it was treated during its life. Hartley Peavey would never have put his name on a "substandard" bass guitar, that I know.

This club is for members that own all types of USA Peaveys, old and new. Please do not disparage those of us that own and love later Peaveys by making comments that are not based on fact and that downplay those instruments.

My goal is to own USA Peaveys from all eras because I believe they all have their own inherent worthiness.
 
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#9,306
58kites said:
Hasn't most of the industry used hex barrel nuts for the last 20-25+ years?
Peavey has always cut bodies on their CNC equipment, I'm not sure contracting somebody to cut bodies and pay to ship them in would have been a great way to save costs, I think changing sources on some of the parts is the way they cut costs.
Using Alpha or Peerless pots is something that lots of companies did to save a few bucks as opposed to the old standby CTS pots.
Same deal going from Switchcraft to Alpha output jacks.
I think the biggest change was when they sourced overseas (P Bass) Fury pickups instead of continuing to wind their own.
Peavey often cut costs with the single ply pickguards also.
No question the 80's stuff seems nicer.

NBD
I just got a really nice 1987 Patriot, the quality is excellent.
I like Titan tuners, the narrow footprint bridge they used at that time, the SF pickup sounds great, the guts in the control cavity were soldered super clean.
The Peavey backplate is very cool, nice three ply pickguard, original speed knobs.
I like it a lot, I don't think I need my Foundation anymore.

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Really nice patriot!

About the 4mm adjusters, I have had problems on an ibanez and an epiphone. My issues were not peavey related, but if I have a choice to avoid any instrument that has that type, I will if I can. (If another version is available, if not I just make sure to check it carefully)

Runnerman said:
I also disagree on some of the comments about the later Furys/Foundations. They are cheaper all around because of the cost reduction efforts by Peavey under way at the time - we all know that. But they are still very good if not excellent basses. The single piece neck is one of the fastest most comfortable necks made. I have two single piece Peaveys and both are great. I have said it many times before, if you buy a bass that has been abused you are going to likely find problems with it, not problems based on the original construction or QC of the bass....but on the way it was treated during its life. Hartley Peavey would never have put his name on a "substandard" bass guitar, that I know.

This club is for members that own all types of USA Peaveys, old and new. Please do not disparage those of us that own and love later Peaveys by making comments that are not based on fact and that downplay those instruments.

My goal is to own USA Peaveys from all eras because I believe they all have their own inherent worthiness.
Click to expand...

No disparagement intended. If you remember that my foundation had signs of prior abuse, then maybe you remember the issues I have with pricing. I was not saying that the one piece later ones were not good, I was saying they were not worth $199 when the older better ones went for that range. My issue was $199 was double what those usually go for.

Sorry my tone tends to come off that way in all aspects, but it is not my intention.

I am likely to react that way anytime an instrument is priced much higher than it should. I do snarky replies to Craigslist ads too. My bad.

I feel it would be a disservice to not educate folks about avoiding paying $200 for that fury when nicer 2pc necks are going for that price. That's how I think. I was not slamming those basses, I just think they should go for less than the older ones. And they usually do. And where did I initially get that info about the differences between older and newer? This club. I did not take it as disparaging info, I took it as just facts and opinions that ended up being corroborated by my experiences when I got my hands on both types.

I like them all, I just don't like seeing them priced the same.
 
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#9,307
I like the old school Gibson nut truss rod adjustment too, but so many have hex barrel nuts now.
Don't know of any still using the old brass nut.
The best system, in my opinion, is the "wheel at the heel" of the neck that Yamaha uses.
The USA Peavey Millenniums had them too and some of the inexpensive import Peaveys as well.
I wish there was a good source for replacement barrel hex nuts for all the bass brands out there, I've tried digging up a source that has ones that will fit Peavey but I have not been successful. I feel like a new barrel nut on any used bass would be a good thing.
The 5/32" and 4mm barrel nuts are stupid, the barrel nut is fine..they just need to have a 3/16 hex cut in them so you are not working with a dinky hex.
I think if anybody (not me, I've got three Fury basses) asked for more/better pics of that Fury at GC that I linked to, you would find that the neck looks really good. Take a close look at the maple headstock, looks like a good piece of maple, the finish looks good too.
The pickups also look like an upgrade from the original stock ones.
Hardware looks very clean.
It's also $199 with a case included, not a bag ....not really a bad deal.
There are an awful lot of good one piece necks out there, Fenders for instance, my Guild Pilot for instance, G&L, Musicman.
I think there are great 2,3,5 piece necks and some that are not.
I think there are great one piece necks and some that are not.
 
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#9,308
I admit to not looking that close at it, once I saw it was a post 95 and $199.

I prefer Furies with USA peavey pickups, and I think they went to at least 96. It is a shame to think of how many perfectly good fury pickups were probably thrown away, sold for $5 or abandoned in junk parts bins because of the myth "you have to upgrade pickups on all inexpensive basses". The fury pickups, the pinstripe 5 wires and the following 3 wire black and white thick wire ones are pretty good pickups. The 3 wire being hotter, but the 5 wire is a bit crispier, even after sitting in milk. I don't want to " upgrade" either, and I tend to overlook furies with "upgraded" pickups, unless the original is included, and it rarely is since people didn't realize they were great pickups as is.
 
#9,309
Runnerman said:
Absolutely awesome Patriot...looks like a brand new bass!
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Yeah, hard to believe it's 30 years old.
The materials and craftsmanship are very good, really tight neck pocket as well.
There is no shielding in the control cavity or in the pickup route area or on the back of the pickguard, which is stock.
Man..those SF pickups are reeeally not noisy, must be well shielded.
The sounds it does make are loud and aggressive and clanky and thundery good.
 
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#9,312
58kites said:
Hasn't most of the industry used hex barrel nuts for the last 20-25+ years?
Peavey has always cut bodies on their CNC equipment, I'm not sure contracting somebody to cut bodies and pay to ship them in would have been a great way to save costs, I think changing sources on some of the parts is the way they cut costs.
Using Alpha or Peerless pots is something that lots of companies did to save a few bucks as opposed to the old standby CTS pots.
Same deal going from Switchcraft to Alpha output jacks.
I think the biggest change was when they sourced overseas (P Bass) Fury pickups instead of continuing to wind their own.
Peavey often cut costs with the single ply pickguards also.
No question the 80's stuff seems nicer.

NBD
I just got a really nice 1987 Patriot, the quality is excellent.
I like Titan tuners, the narrow footprint bridge they used at that time, the SF pickup sounds great, the guts in the control cavity were soldered super clean.
The Peavey backplate is very cool, nice three ply pickguard, original speed knobs.
I like it a lot, I don't think I need my Foundation anymore.
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Looks exactly like my 87 - what an awesome bass :). Hope you enjoy yours as much as I dig mine.
 
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#9,313
ubernator said:
I prefer Furies with USA peavey pickups, and I think they went to at least 96. It is a shame to think of how many perfectly good fury pickups were probably thrown away, sold for $5 or abandoned in junk parts bins because of the myth "you have to upgrade pickups on all inexpensive basses". The fury pickups, the pinstripe 5 wires and the following 3 wire black and white thick wire ones are pretty good pickups. The 3 wire being hotter, but the 5 wire is a bit crispier, even after sitting in milk. I don't want to " upgrade" either, and I tend to overlook furies with "upgraded" pickups, unless the original is included, and it rarely is since people didn't realize they were great pickups as is.
Click to expand...

From my nimble experience... noticed there were a ton that had bad glue on the backing magnets. they'd make rattle and harmonic noise..

All they needed to do is glue them back on to the pickups
 
#9,314
Runnerman said:
I also disagree on some of the comments about the later Furys/Foundations. They are cheaper all around because of the cost reduction efforts by Peavey under way at the time - we all know that. But they are still very good if not excellent basses. The single piece neck is one of the fastest most comfortable necks made. I have two single piece Peaveys and both are great. I have said it many times before, if you buy a bass that has been abused you are going to likely find problems with it, not problems based on the original construction or QC of the bass....but on the way it was treated during its life. Hartley Peavey would never have put his name on a "substandard" bass guitar, that I know.

This club is for members that own all types of USA Peaveys, old and new. Please do not disparage those of us that own and love later Peaveys by making comments that are not based on fact and that downplay those instruments.

My goal is to own USA Peaveys from all eras because I believe they all have their own inherent worthiness.
Click to expand...

I agree with this, particularly with the budget models (Fury, Foundy, Patriot...). They are all bang for the buck instruments. The 70s/80s Peaveys are starting to rise in value. Part of that is the reputation being out in the open now, the rest must be the trend to view 30+ year old American instruments as having a collectable value.


Outside of the cost savings on parts substitutions, I have found that the 80s versions tend to be better built than the 90s versions. The biggest way to save a lot of $$ on the manufacturing end is through labor savings. I have 84 and 85 Foundations, both are inherently better built than my 93 that I sold and a 94 I played at a Guitar Center. The 93 had little things that go hand in hand with rushed and labor saving production: an off center neck tilt screw mechanism, a thinner, softer finish and a matte finish on the neck. I'm still not convinced that Peavey didn't outsource their bodies. I will post photos of the inspection stamp in the neck pocket and the sticker under the neckplate from my 93. They are both very Korean looking.

Nonetheless, I will post pics of my new 85 Fretless Foundation as soon as I clean and set it up! It's really killer!
 
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#9,318
scifiguitar said:
New strings and a set up. Cleaned up the frets and it's already amazing. Need to clean the body, which I should have done before strings but then I'll be done. The truss rod was like butter. Better than most new truss rods. It's that what you guys are getting? View attachment 1153453 View attachment 1153454
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Looks good man! Just a note, I've had marginal success with plain black fingernail polish covering the more visible chips on my black foundy. They wear off a bit over time but cheap and super easy to apply and looks good.
 
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