Why are old Peaveys so cheap?

[FunkMetalBass]

My only problem with Peavey is that they don't have a 6-string version of the T-40.

Like every other 6-string basses in the price range, I do feel that they need the usual hardware and pickup upgrades, but other than that, I've had no complaints about playability from any that I've tried.

 

[gard0300]

301 posts in 10 days. Impeding Mega Thread inevitable.

 

[smcd]

Basses, bikes and guns.

This is a great thread!

+1

My 3 favorite things!

 

[smcd]

But off-topic is where the good stuff is!!

Back on topic then......my two Peavey basses are fine for what they are. They are used weekly at an open mic (where I would never lend one of my good basses to a stranger) and they are used in my living room for practice on the couch.

I do not play live with them because they are at the bottom of the pecking order - and that has nothing to do with brand image or anything other than they are just not well made in comparison to my Ric, etc.

They are cheap for two reasons - brand image may be #1 on that list but #2 is that they are not the best made instruments.

My neck-thru Peavey with a 35" scale will wave in the wind and the sound of the pickups is a bit quacky and lacks midrange.

I currently have it strung B-E-A-D and it works great on my couch!

I've never owned a Peavey that wasn't every bit as well made as a Fender, Gibson, or Ric. In fact, most Peavey basses I've owned are better made than what I've seen from those brands. In some cases, a LOT better made. I remember the first time I took the pickguard off a mid-70's Ric 4001. It looked like a high school shop student routed out the cavities. No Peavey I've ever seen had woodworking that primitive.

I don't know which neck-thru Peavey you have, but every neck through Peavey I own is better made, with more expensive hardware, electronics and woods, than any Fender I've ever seen. Take the Sarzo bass, for example. 9v preamp, active/passive, 3-band EQ, ebony board with snake eye inlays, sleek translucent paint covering ash body wings with superb grain, 5-piece flame maple/purpleheart neck through body, dual humbucking pickups, Schaller roller bridge, top of the line enclosed tuners.

Now, take that and compare it to a Fender, Gibson or a Rick from any time period. Doesn't look too good in comparison, does it?? In fact, put any Fender product up against this, and the Fender comes across looking like a orphan in a workhouse in Victorian England.

 

[AmpedSilence]

Pretty "eye-opening" info in here, I'm interested in the T-40 now! (I'm pretty new to basses).
I currently have a Squier CV 60's P and like it very much. I was aiming for a Fender P eventually but if the quality is in the Peaveys, the price sounds very nice!

 

[Ben Mitchell]

My only problem with Peavey is that they don't have a 6-string version of the T-40.

That would be a stinkin' boat anchor!

 

[Scott in Dallas]

Yet, what I was trying to say was the I certainly understand that lots of people don't have the money to buy quality gear so they buy Peavey. And that's fine because it does work!

But any musician certainly knows the difference in good tone and simply volume.

Ignorant AND condescending. Welcome aboard.

 

[4dog]

I always thought and felt they were mostly for, forgive me, country players, from what ive seen and read here, thay have come a looooong way.

 

[4dog]

Not converted yet though. Lol

 

[fourstringbliss]

I've never owned a Peavey that wasn't every bit as well made as a Fender, Gibson, or Ric. In fact, most Peavey basses I've owned are better made than what I've seen from those brands. In some cases, a LOT better made. I remember the first time I took the pickguard off a mid-70's Ric 4001. It looked like a high school shop student routed out the cavities. No Peavey I've ever seen had woodworking that primitive.

I don't know which neck-thru Peavey you have, but every neck through Peavey I own is better made, with more expensive hardware, electronics and woods, than any Fender I've ever seen. Take the Sarzo bass, for example. 9v preamp, active/passive, 3-band EQ, ebony board with snake eye inlays, sleek translucent paint covering ash body wings with superb grain, 5-piece flame maple/purpleheart neck through body, dual humbucking pickups, Schaller roller bridge, top of the line enclosed tuners.

Now, take that and compare it to a Fender, Gibson or a Rick from any time period. Doesn't look too good in comparison, does it?? In fact, put any Fender product up against this, and the Fender comes across looking like a orphan in a workhouse in Victorian England.

Every time you show that Sarzo I get envious!

 

[smcd]

I always thought and felt they were mostly for, forgive me, country players, from what ive seen and read here, thay have come a looooong way.

Country players - back in the day when country music existed - were some of the best players on the planet. But Peavey started making basses long after country's Golden Age. They really haven't come a long way. They started at a very high quality point, and evolved from there. Their first bass, the T-40, was a very sophisticated instrument. The only complaint that arises is that many were heavy (around 12lbs).

 

[smcd]

My neck-thru Peavey with a 35" scale will wave in the wind and the sound of the pickups is a bit quacky and lacks midrange.

I've been thinking about this - Peavey, neck through, 35" scale - has to be a US Cirrus. I don't know what "wave in the wind" means, but if it means that the neck is unstable, then you must live on Jupiter. The 5-piece neck of a Cirrus is strong enough to jack up a truck. And the pickups? "Quacky"? You need to have either your amp or your ears checked. Either that or you need to put your pet duck outside when you're playing.

 

[fourstringbliss]

They really haven't come a long way. They started at a very high quality point, and evolved from there. Their first bass, the T-40, was a very sophisticated instrument. The only complaint that arises is that many were heavy (around 12lbs).

This is why, after trying a bunch of other brands I'm down to just owning Peavey's. Even low budget Peavey's are as good or better than comparable models from other manufacturers.

 

[fourstringbliss]

I have a 1991 Foundation 5 with the Super Ferrites and an S1 pickup mod. Had it professionally set up too. I really have not found a better playing bass under $1500. As good as, prettier, sexier, but not better. I get constant compliments on my tone too. I will probably never sell it because it is worth way more than what I could ever get for it. Many times more. What gives with the under valuation of these old basses? Hell, I only paid $200 for the thing.

I'll take a stab at it, at the risk of repeating things that have already been said.

It's about name recognition and perception. Fender obviously has a corner on the bass market being one of the first and easily the best marketed manufacturers. New players who want to sound like their heroes want to play either a J or a P and on and on it goes until Fender is synonymous with bass guitar. When most people think of Fender they think of GC (or any other music store).

Peavey chose to stick with the pointy "Peavey" logo long after it should have and is linked with 80's hair bands. It also seems like their marketing machine isn't what it could be (much like Hartke) and their brand suffers. I think when people think of Peavey they think of pawn shops and Craigslist.

All of this is unfortunate for Peavey but good for us since we can buy VERY well made basses CHEAP!

 

[Iridescentone]

New players who want to sound like their heroes want to play either a J or a P and on and on it goes until Fender is synonymous with bass guitar.

I see your point but to be fair, Fender has been synonomous with bass guitar since the 1950's. Albums used to have credits that read...."**** ****** on Fender bass."

 

[fourstringbliss]

I see your point but to be fair, Fender has been synonomous with bass guitar since the 1950's. Albums used to have credits that read...."**** ****** on Fender bass."

You and me = same page.

 

[abstractart06]

I've never owned a Peavey that wasn't every bit as well made as a Fender, Gibson, or Ric. In fact, most Peavey basses I've owned are better made than what I've seen from those brands. In some cases, a LOT better made. I remember the first time I took the pickguard off a mid-70's Ric 4001. It looked like a high school shop student routed out the cavities. No Peavey I've ever seen had woodworking that primitive.

I don't know which neck-thru Peavey you have, but every neck through Peavey I own is better made, with more expensive hardware, electronics and woods, than any Fender I've ever seen. Take the Sarzo bass, for example. 9v preamp, active/passive, 3-band EQ, ebony board with snake eye inlays, sleek translucent paint covering ash body wings with superb grain, 5-piece flame maple/purpleheart neck through body, dual humbucking pickups, Schaller roller bridge, top of the line enclosed tuners.

Now, take that and compare it to a Fender, Gibson or a Rick from any time period. Doesn't look too good in comparison, does it?? In fact, put any Fender product up against this, and the Fender comes across looking like a orphan in a workhouse in Victorian England.

I have to agree with you. The Sarzo is an awesome instrument, and they have a beautiful neck profile. The only way you can get a bass with this combination of woods and components, is to pay custom prices.

 

[Waldo19]

So this USA Fury popped up on CL for $150 w/ hard case. I am talking to the seller and hope to be able to check it out this weekend. From reading this thread the asking price seems like a good deal, especially with a case.

I don't need another bass. But I don't have a P bass in my collection and I really like thinner jazz bass neck profiles. So, I'm thinking this is too good to pass up.

Any opinions or advice before I take a look in person would be appreciated. Are there any Peavey Fury specific things I should be looking out for when checking this bass out?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mark beem]

So this USA Fury popped up on CL for $150 w/ hard case. I am talking to the seller and hope to be able to check it out this weekend. From reading this thread the asking price seems like a good deal, especially with a case.

I don't need another bass. But I don't have P bass in my collection and I really like thinner jazz bass neck profiles. So, I'm thinking this is too good to pass up.

Any opinions or advice before I take a look in person would be appreciated. Are their any Peavey Fury specific things I should be looking out for when checking this base out.

Thanks in advance.

Solid-looking bass to me. I'd like to get a white one and slap a red tort pg on it!

 

[fourstringbliss]

So this USA Fury popped up on CL for $150 w/ hard case. I am talking to the seller and hope to be able to check it out this weekend. From reading this thread the asking price seems like a good deal, especially with a case.

I don't need another bass. But I don't have a P bass in my collection and I really like thinner jazz bass neck profiles. So, I'm thinking this is too good to pass up.

Any opinions or advice before I take a look in person would be appreciated. Are there any Peavey Fury specific things I should be looking out for when checking this bass out?

Thanks in advance.

That sounds like a really good deal! Jump on that!