N(old)BD: Peavey T-40

ba55i5t

ba55i5t

May 24, 2006
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#1
Hey folks,


Long-time TBer...been inactive for quite a bit, but came across this on kijiji and immediately had to run out to the pawn shop to acquire.

Beaut to my ears and eyes, pics don't do justice.

Weight really isn't a big deal...I'm not a big guy but I could sling this thing around for a few hours.

Solid, solid, solid US built. From 1979 (maybe death from above as a nickname). Acquired for $499 CDN.




Side thought - what do you folks think about this vs the Gibson Grabber G3? Anyone with experience with both?
 
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#2
ba55i5t said:
Hey folks,


Long-time TBer...been inactive for quite a bit, but came across this on kijiji and immediately had to run out to the pawn shop to acquire.

Beaut to my ears and eyes, pics don't do justice.

Weight really isn't a big deal...I'm not a big guy but I could sling this thing around for a few hours.

Solid, solid, solid US built. From 1979 (maybe death from above as a nickname). Acquired for $499 CDN.




Side thought - what do you folks think about this vs the Gibson Grabber G3? Anyone with experience with both?
Click to expand...

I have both - different beasts - the T-40 wins hands down though.
 
#5
Man I want a T-40 again. I had one I bought new in the late 80's and foolishly got rid of it when I was flipping basses. I always remember them being heavy, bulky, but extremely well built and amazed on how versitile the sound was. Sound wise, the were a little generic, not being as unique sounding as the jazz or p basses, but they still could hold their own. I'd really like to play one again and see what I could do with one these days, after playing a lifetime.
 
#6
JGbassman said:
Man I want a T-40 again. I had one I bought new in the late 80's and foolishly got rid of it when I was flipping basses. I always remember them being heavy, bulky, but extremely well built and amazed on how versitile the sound was. Sound wise, the were a little generic, not being as unique sounding as the jazz or p basses, but they still could hold their own. I'd really like to play one again and see what I could do with one these days, after playing a lifetime.
Click to expand...
I've been looking into buying one myself but your description is a bit confusing. You say you were amazed at the versatile tone but also that it's "generic".
 
#7
Thanks all for the kind comments so far.

It's interesting that the idea of unique/generic tone comes up since the t40 does a pretty decent job at replicating other basses due to its many toggle switches.

Right now I'm really keen on the bridge pickup at 10 vol and just about 7 tone but not single coil. Single coil is just a bit thin for my taste.

If I want a bit meatier I select both pickups with 10 volume each and have 7 tone on bridge and 10 tone on neck. Pretty thick but defined sound.
 
#8
I have both as well. I can't say that I really prefer one over the other. Each has its virtues. It's why I have both!

The T40 you bought looks to be in excellent condition. I think the price was right.

I think the T40 has more tone range but I also love the distinct sound of the G3. The Bill Lawerance pups are unlike any other that I have.

I do prefer the neck of the G3 to the T40.

That being said, the T40 is not as limited in tone as the G3 so it's just a matter of taste.
 
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#9
I find mine is very sensitive to the amp. Through a straight ahead no frills set-up like my old Peavey 210 TX it kicked butt. Through my Roland 120 cube? Not so much. I think it is because the Roland is a modelling amp and it colours the sound too much. The weird thing is if i use this same comparison with my other basses the results are all over the place. As an example,my OLP 4 string sounds like crap but my Jazz with active MEC's,sounds better than ever. Just my thoughts, and congrats to the OP on his T40.
 
#10
Congrats on the T-40. Glad you like it and it's always great to hear when another TB'er joins the T-fold.

If you can handle the weight (and it sounds like you can) it kicks the Grabber around the block. If you're interested in various T-40 tones, there's a setting chart at the link in my sig.

Enjoy!
 
#11
Gluvhand said:
I've been looking into buying one myself but your description is a bit confusing. You say you were amazed at the versatile tone but also that it's "generic".
Click to expand...

As odd as that sounds, that's how I remember it. Possibly a better description was it was unique to itself. It could get a lot of different tones, I do remember that. I was playing a rickenbacker at the time as my other bass, and those basses were about as opposite as one could get. I do remember the sound being very fat and full. It was a better bass than I was player at the time. These days with my understanding of tone and electronics, I could probably find its strengths and versatility, which is why I'm eventually looking on getting another one.
 
#12
LowNloud1 said:
I have both as well. I can't say that I really prefer one over the other. Each has its virtues. It's why I have both!

The T40 you bought looks to be in excellent condition. I think the price was right.

I think the T40 has more tone range but I also love the distinct sound of the G3. The Bill Lawerance pups are unlike any other that I have.

I do prefer the neck of the G3 to the T40.

That being said, the T40 is not as limited in tone as the G3 so it's just a matter of taste.
Click to expand...

Is there any chance you can post some soundclips of the G3 w/the different pickup combos and fingerstyle vs pick?

I now have a chance to grab a G3, but much more expensive than the peavey. I'm going to try it either way, but knowing that you have both, do you find that the G3 has a thinner sound than the T-40? In particular, I'm using the settings i listed above (also experimenting with neck p-up at 8 which sounds juicy when both selected).

Basically, I just want someone to talk me out of dishing out an additional 500+ cash. I love the T-40, but the G-3 has always been my "wow" in my mind bass. (not a huge Green Day fan either lol)
 
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#13
ba55i5t said:
Is there any chance you can post some soundclips of the G3 w/the different pickup combos and fingerstyle vs pick?

I now have a chance to grab a G3, but much more expensive than the peavey. I'm going to try it either way, but knowing that you have both, do you find that the G3 has a thinner sound than the T-40? In particular, I'm using the settings i listed above (also experimenting with neck p-up at 8 which sounds juicy when both selected).

Basically, I just want someone to talk me out of dishing out an additional 500+ cash. I love the T-40, but the G-3 has always been my "wow" in my mind bass. (not a huge Green Day fan either lol)
Click to expand...

Sure, I'll make some clips and post them. I have to go grab it from the practice room so it will be later this evening before I can post the clips
 
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#19
...and in the TB Classifieds (shameless plug). :whistle:

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#20
i admire all you players who dig on this instrument: owned one once and had to get rid of it (maybe after 6-8 months) because of the weight: if you can rock it, you're a better (stronger?) player than i am! besides, i went to fretless years ago.
 
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