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Vintage Peavey

A

AHT2

Aug 22, 2018
18
8
Lexington, KY
#1
I am currently playing a Fender Jazz or a Fender Precision bass, both USA made with stock Fender passive pickups.
I want to get an American made Peavey, one that will sound noticeably different from what I have.
What would be a recommendation for my first Peavey bass?
My research leaves me considering a Foundation, not sure about the single vs double pickup differences other than what I have experienced with my Jazz bass.
What is characteristic of the super ferrite vs the SF pickups?
Active vs passive?
Any particular years of manufacture to focus on? Definitely want it to be US made.
Any other pointers appreciated.
Thank you.
 
#2
If you decide to go with an active Peavey bass, and don't feel like breaking the bank account for a Cirrus, a Dyna may very well be worth a look. The first generation will have a slimmer neck and will be closer in feel to a Foundation. Second generation is a bit more hi-fi sounding, with a different neck profile.

The there are Rudy Sarzo models...which I always found interesting but never actually bought one.

My $0.02 only...

Happy shopping.
 
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#3
A foundation is nice but will just be another flavor of Jazz bass. For something great and different, I second @ajkula66 suggestions for active basses. You might also like to take a look at a Millennium and B Quad if you can find one.

If you're wanting passive and have a strong back and/or are only playing single set gigs, the T40 is always worth looking at. Very different from your J or P.
 
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#6
Way way back (in the late ‘70s) when Peavey first introduced the T series basses a bassist friend asked me to help him select the best T40 at the downtown San Diego Guitar Center. At the time everyone wanted the heaviest guitar or bass they could find because there was the perception that weight equaled sustain. This is why the majority of T40 and T45 basses are tanks. The one my friend bought was noticeably heavier than all of the others hanging on the wall. He was overjoyed at his luck.

Last year while I was in town I dropped by to jam with him. I grabbed his old Peavey and could not believe how much it weighed. Seriously, that thing must be in the 12 to 13 pound range. Maybe even more!!

I have added this account because you want to be careful if buying a T series bass from an online source. They were made heavy on purpose so it’s not altogether a given that you’ll find a reasonably lightweight example.

I should add, though, that my friend’s T40 has a unique, but very very cool sound.
 
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#7
Guitar Center had a dozen Peavey basses hanging up when I saw this January 2...I went with the best one.
Picsart_24-01-03_17-17-41-524.jpg
 
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#13
ajkula66 said:
If you decide to go with an active Peavey bass, and don't feel like breaking the bank account for a Cirrus, a Dyna may very well be worth a look. The first generation will have a slimmer neck and will be closer in feel to a Foundation. Second generation is a bit more hi-fi sounding, with a different neck profile.

The there are Rudy Sarzo models...which I always found interesting but never actually bought one.

My $0.02 only...

Happy shopping.
Click to expand...
Yep, I started with a T40, traded that for a SF Foundation and a TKO amp, from there I went to a 4 string Dyna, then an early production Dyna fiver.
My favorite of them all was the Dyna Fiver. The preamp was very useful in shaping pretty much whatever sound I needed/wanted. If they were still making Dynas next door in Mississippi, I’d probably still be playing them.
 
#14
I just passed on a Foundation. It was in a local pwn shop for $239 and I probably could have gotten it for less. White body, neck and HS with two SF pups. Shoulda snagged it but I don’t need any more basses and I’m into shorties now. Somebody got a good deal.
 
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#15
I owned a passive Millennium about 20 years, though a little heavy such a solid playing and sounding bass. I also owned a T40, and though a unique bass with a nice neck and a ton of tone it just wasn't my cup of tea (let the flames be thrown). I just bought a Cirrus 4 last weekend, whole different league and animal. Love it.

Any of the American made models will be SOLIDLY built, not all will be heavy. I trust those American made older ones, and would probably trust the overseas ones that are more recent.
 
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#16
I have a USA Cirrus and can't recommend them enough! ( video review on my YT channel) but they aren't inexpensive

I also have a 5 string Dyna Bass, which is an active Foundation.

I also have a T40. It is a great Ric alternative that also gets a plethora of other tones (tone control guide also on my YouTube) but, for all it does, that bass is an acquired taste......I also think that T40s, no matter what setting used, sound and respond best with a pick but that's just a personal opinion
 
#19
I am a major fan of the T-40, it's a very uniquely engineered bass that to this day hasn't really got any peers. If you absolutely must have a sub ten-pound bass, it won't work for you but I personally think the sound and feel is worth the weight.

On the weight - it's worth noting that the solid color T-40s are generally lighter. My '82 natural was nearly 12 pounds, but my old '80 white/maple was much lighter and my current '79 black/maple is only a little over 10lbs, very light by t-40 standards. I read somewhere that the solid color ones actually might be Poplar bodies instead of the heavy Ash of the natural and burst finishes, which were selected for grain pattern.
 
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