• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

U.S. Peavey Club

#14,701
JEDI BASS said:
A bow, that’s been there for years, may not adjust out without addition of heat for hours and hours. It’s a gamble.
Click to expand...
That's my thoughts too. The TR can only exert so much force,maybe not enough to retrain a neck straight. My Patriot neck was bowed,every couple of year it needs clamped straight again.

I'd be checking availability of replacement necks before dropping the $135.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JEDI BASS
#14,702
JEDI BASS said:
A bow, that’s been there for years, may not adjust out without addition of heat for hours and hours. It’s a gamble.
Click to expand...
You apply some back pressure with the strings loosened and the trussrod generally moves easily...ive never had a neck i couldnt straighten out but none have been really severe either...the bi-laminate necks dont tend to twist either, unlike some Fender or Gibson types.

I have an 88 Peavey Tracer (bi-laminate neck all maple) that was somewhat bowed and over a few weeks it has stupid low action now after several small adjustments...the only issue with it was the locking nut was too low, thus the action was really high to compensate...it has a Kahler Spyder (Floyd Rose type) and it is a fav guitar now with its Schaller humbucker in the bridge and single coil in the neck, i think it was $70!...Peavey had quality issues starting very late 80's it appears...Eddie Van Halen was furious with them by mid 90's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, kodiakblair, tindrum and 1 other person
#14,704
Anyone have a source for tuners that will fit the hole size and basic configuration for 80's Peaveys? I haven't done much searching or measuring as the bass is getting a new nut put on, but I am going to need at least one old replacement tuner, if not a set of them that will fit my 85 Patriot.
 
#14,705
I bought a Forum P/J bass recently and the neck had quite a bit of forward bow. I removed the rusty strings, removed the truss rod nut, put a little grease on the truss rod nut threads and bearing surface and then installed new strings after putting a bit of tension on the truss rod. I made a couple of small additional truss rod adjustments and the action on that bass is quite low and it plays and sounds fantastic. I paid $100 for the bass and a Peavey Backstage Plus guitar amp.

I'm confident the truss rod had never been adjusted on that bass after it left the factory. $135? I'd buy it. You can probably part it out and get more than that if the neck is beyond help.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tindrum, Count Bassie and Brocephus
#14,706
deff said:
Anyone have a source for tuners that will fit the hole size and basic configuration for 80's Peaveys? I haven't done much searching or measuring as the bass is getting a new nut put on, but I am going to need at least one old replacement tuner, if not a set of them that will fit my 85 Patriot.
Click to expand...
Can you please post a pix of your headstock (to get pix of the tuners)
 
  • Like
Reactions: DiscoRiceJ, bigtone23 and Brocephus
#14,708
Necks - USA Peavey
I'm sure I'll get flammed for this.. but here it goes.

OVERALL, USA Peaveys are best setup with the following
  • Arrow Straight Neck
  • Correct Tension Strings
  • Correct Nut to Bridge Geometry (tilt & bridge)
  • Correct Break over the nut (some have adjustable string retainers)
I'll commonly clamp a neck to angle iron to get it straight.

----

All that said, there are a ton out there. No need to buy a potential headache (mistreated, stripped fastener, Broken truss etc)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mb94952, JEDI BASS and Count Bassie
#14,709
deff said:
Anyone have a source for tuners that will fit the hole size and basic configuration for 80's Peaveys? I haven't done much searching or measuring as the bass is getting a new nut put on, but I am going to need at least one old replacement tuner, if not a set of them that will fit my 85 Patriot.
Click to expand...
There are a couple types of 80s tuners that were most common: a unique, open gear type and Schaller M4s type.
There are singles and sets often available on eBay or reverb.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DiscoRiceJ
#14,711
MNAirHead said:
Can you please post a pix of your headstock (to get pix of the tuners)
Click to expand...
Open gear style. Hopefully this gives a decent enough view. Thanks for your help.
IMG_20191028_150654164.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF, mb94952, tindrum and 1 other person
#14,717
I still am playing my 86 Foundation S out at least twice a month. I bought it new way back and it's still the bass when I pick it up it just feels like home. Love it!.

Today I ordered a used Millenium AC BXP 5 since it was dirt cheap and I felt like picking up another 5 for a beater to have on hand. I've read a lot of good on these and while the US ones are clearly better these seem to be pretty good in their own right.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mb94952, geoff_in_nc, kodiakblair and 1 other person
#14,720
geoff_in_nc said:
Can you explain what you mean by these two bullets? I *think* I understand geometry but not sure, but I can't say I understand how strings can have correct or incorrect tension.
I and my basses thank you!
Click to expand...

Strings
If the strings have improper run out or too low/high tension, it will affect how the bass sets up.

When folks used to mail basses for setup, it was common for folks to want to debate strings.... what works on some may not be the right ones for another. To get 1mm action up and down the neck it takes enough tension to keep the string (and nut brake) adequate.

Geometry
On these basses (simplified version) ... there's nut, tilt and bridge (assuming that the neck is straight) ...
Getting a all 3 things in alignment makes them magical. I've had many RJ come through that were a balance of raising the nut and lowering the bridge...

Reminders... the Millenium normally does well with a neck shim... the RJ normally does well with a bridge saddle file down
 
  • Like
Reactions: geoff_in_nc, songwriter21 and Chuck M

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back