*****SOLD*****

Peavey T 40 FL (Fretless) Bass Sunburst 1983 with original hard case

As regular visitors to this site will know, I'm a big fan of Peavey T40's and this bass is something very special. It's a factory produced fretless T40 and the only one I've ever seen - pretty rare. The condition is mint - absolutely gorgeous in every way - and it sounds superb with all the usual T40 tonal variations. Its also a lined fretless which makes playing accurately easier, which must be a good thing.

It comes with the original Peavey hard case and a copy of the owners manual. If you wanted a T40 fretless you would have to wait along time before one as good as this came along - a great instrument to play and also to invest your hard earned money in.

Peavey T 40 Bass

It was 1978 when the T 40 was first on sale but the research and development started 3 years earlier...The 1970's were notable for a dip in quality from the major marques as the big companies tried to increase production with their old and subsequently inadequate manufacturing processes. 

Peavey looked to the manufacture of firearms for inspiration. Although mass-produced they still featured impressive working tolerances achieved using a NC copy lathes and CNC routers. Over 3 years Peavey modified and programmed the copy lathes to carve guitar necks and patented a unique method of bi-laminated construction. To ensure a completely stable neck, the wood blank was swan lengthways, and the stainless steel truss-rod inserted before the 2 halves were glued back together, similar to the design G & L Guitars still use. The wood was then left to season in a carefully humidity-controlled environment before being carved.

This attention to detail and extremely high quality followed throughout the rest of the bass.

The massive metal bridge and string-thru body design give immense tone and the electrics also boast a patented circuit, whereby the 2-humbucking pick-ups can be run in single-coil or twin-coil mode through the tone controls. The volume controls are tone compensated, but the tone controls activate a neat circuit that gradually turns the humbucker (at position zero) into a single coil (at position 10) Combined with a phase switch and a 3-way pick-up selector, means a great many tones can be achieved - making it a very versatile bass indeed.

These early USA made basses are now recognised as being ground breaking and great value for money, and are widely tipped to become highly collectable over the next few years. Played by Ross Valory of Journey, amongst others, they make a superb gigging instrument and are extremely playable.