Looking at a 1982 T-40 tomorrow...a little advice

[hopwheels]

Going to go check out a 1982 Peavey T-40 tomorrow with original hardshell case and an older, Fender BXR Twenty Five 25w combo as part of the deal. I held one in a GC back in the day, and have read a bunch about them recently, but don't know much more than that. it literally just caught my eye so I'm going to go check it out. Anything I should watch out for that can typically be a problem or should be looked at more closely with this bass. And thoughts on price ballpark I should be in? Thanks for any input.

 

[Eilif]

-Make sure the switches work. One is a phase switch that will only function when both pups are full on and in humbucker mode. The other is a pickup selector switch.

-Test the Tone knobs. There should be a notable drop a bit more than halfway through. This is the pickup going from humbucker to single coil

-Check the saddle height screws to make sure they turn freely and aren't stripped

-Check for a ski jump (forward bend of the neck a bit above the neck joint ) and neck warpage though this is a good thing to check for on any older bass and not specific to the T-40's.

-Look for separations in the bi-laminate neck, especially near the headstock.

Best of Luck!

 

[bholder]

They're closer to indestructible than most basses, but still good to check everything.

 

[bassbully]

Great basses with some cool tone variety. I would check the weight. I can't hang one around my neck, suckers weigh a ton.

 

[hopwheels]

Thanks for the replies! Good info. Yeah I've heard the weight may be an issue, but the thing is speakin' to me...at least from the photos. We'll see how it does in hand.

 

[hopwheels]

Where should price be...ballpark? I was thinking around $400 depending on condition?

 

[Eilif]

$350-450 is probably a pretty standard price. I just sold a great condition T-45 with case for $450.

Might want to check the "Sold Listings" on Ebay.

 

[xaxxat]

The Secret Sounds Inside the Peavey T-40 Bass

 

[Clark Dark]

The one pictured in the OP does have the coveted blade pickups so that's a plus. Peavey in those days made some pretty sturdy necks so making sure the electronics work as they should is the priority.

 

[hopwheels]

Well turned a 2 hr drive into a NBD! Seller went to $375 with the little Fender BXR combo amp so I don't think I did too badly. Definitely high action, hoping it'll adjust. But all the electronics seem to be working.

 

[bholder]

Well turned a 2 hr drive into a NBD! Seller went to $375 with the little Fender BXR combo amp so I don't think I did too badly. Definitely high action, hoping it'll adjust. But all the electronics seem to be working.

I would say that's a great deal these days, especially in that condition. I paid $350 for my first T-40 16 years ago. Prices have gone up since then. I hope you can get the action to your liking, remember to check neck relief and adjust truss rod first if needed.

Beautiful bass! I was hoping you would pick it up.

 

[kodiakblair]

@hopwheels

Lovely stuff, Got one like it myself. That's a steal my friend. Congratulations

 

[wraub]

If I had the money in hand, I'd offer you $400 and I'd let you keep the amp.

Nice score for sure!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

The micro tilt makes adjusting the action a snap.

 

[bolophonic]

A T-40 is next on my bass list. Especially after seeing the one the OP bought!

 

[hopwheels]

The micro tilt makes adjusting the action a snap.

Swapped out whatever strings were on it for some DR Low Riders I had laying about. Found an online .pdf manual and adjusted the micro tilt...bam...nice low action, beautifully straight neck, all intonated nicely.

The previous owner also had the pups all adjusted pretty high so it was distorting pretty badly. But all is good now. This thing is a best.

 

[TJH3113]

You stole that bass. It's a beauty.

 

[hopwheels]

Fun additional note...there's the faint adhesive residue of a sticker on the back of the headstock and in the residue you can clearly read Marguerite's Music. If it's the same place I found online, this thing was in Minnesota at some point.

 

[bholder]

The micro tilt makes adjusting the action a snap.

I forgot all about that! Woo-hoo what a score!

 

[CGremlin]

Eilif hit the high points of stuff to look for, so I don't have much to add that wouldn't apply to any other bass. Hope the new T works out for you - I've got three of them myself, and they're all wonderful instruments. You'll spend a couple of hours just playing with the tone knobs and phase switch (the switch closest to the bridge).

Edit: one thing that you might want to look at if you're a stickler for all-original parts are the switch tops. IIRC they were still using the lighter square-topped switches then instead of the heavier ones with rounded tops. Either will work fine, though.

Edit #2: I really should read the entire thread before posting. Congrats on the new beast!