FlatEric

[quote name='kennyrodg' post='662363' date='Nov 23 2009, 08:07 AM']Cheers Flat Eric, Yep,that's the Blazer I have. I was'nt so much thinking of selling it, i'm more wondering if I should get a P for the tone or does the Ibby come close enough to save me the dosh. Thanks again. [/quote] Well, like I said - the thing that I like about the big pup ones, is that they have a very good uniform sound. I have a Greco GOB, with the same pup. [attachment=36886:GOB.jpg] One of my all time favourite gigging basses. The blazer is pretty much the same - good spread of sound - full. Stick the B and a P together, you must know someone who has one. Same settings on the amp - see what you think! Cheers.

[quote name='kennyrodg' post='662149' date='Nov 22 2009, 09:37 PM']Hey folks, I'm toying with the idea of aquiring a P bass but as I already have an Ibanez Blazer i'm wondering if any of you guys have any experience with both and how the tone compares,also if the Blazer comes close.The one I have a 1980 Humbucker version and is strung with Ti flats.D I stick or twist ???? I quite fancy a Tokai Hardpuncher but they're few and fare between.I'm looking at a couple of other non Fender examples as $$$$$$$$ are not in abundance at the moment. Thanks in advance. [/quote] Hi. If you have the one with the single pup, three screw adjustment, poles in a row, stick with it. I have two Blazers, with the big pup, which was also used on Greco basses and they offer a big full sound, equally, across all the strings. Great bass. If you fancy something else, I would save up and get it but don't sell the Blazer, as I'm sure you will regret it. Cheers. Flat Eric

[quote name='cocco' post='652382' date='Nov 12 2009, 10:42 AM']MORE!!!![/quote] And another thing. . . . . Definative details on the controls, by Chip Todd, the "T" in T-40, and all the other "T" Series instruments. This explains it far better than I can. This was written to detail the T-60 but as far as I can make out, the T-40 works in the same way. "It has been said many times that the Peavey T-60 guitar is capable of many sounds and tones from the pickup and wiring design. The only problem is most people that own one of these instruments are not aware how it works or how to adjust anything to get those wonderous tones. The basic layout of the instrument is two splitable humbucker style pickups. One located at the bridge, the other located at the end of the neck. The controls consist of two sets of volume and tone controls, one for each pickup. The pickups are split into single coil pickups by applying a ground connection to the middle of the two humbucker magnetic coils. This bypasses one of the pickup coils and the remaining coil becomes a single coil pickup. The tone control darkens (makes the sound more bass) the pickup sound by slowly grounding out the pickup through a tone capacitor. The genius of the Peavey wiring design is that when the tone control is turned clockwise it applies ground to the pickup center and splits it into a single coil pickup. When turned counter-clockwise the tone control removes the ground from the pickup center (returning it to a regular humbucker pickup) and then slowly applies ground to the capacitor, which darkens the tone. Therefore using the volume and tone controls with the three position selector switch, many various pickup combinations can be achieved. The volume controls have a .001uf capacitor bridging the input and output terminals. This they call volume compensation. It allows the sound of the pickups to remain constant as the volume is reduced. There is also a phase switch, which reverses the positive and negative connections of the bridge pickup. Pickups connected out of phase have a hollow, tinny, mouth harp kind of sound. When the phase is used, this is where the real genius of the wiring design comes into play. First of all, when the bridge pickup is selected and set at single coil setting on the tone control, the phase switch can be used to select either coil of the pickup. Second, when the middle pickup switch position is selected and the phase switch set out of phase, those volume controls have volume compensation. This means that as the volume control is rotated counter-clockwise, the volume is slowly reduced and the output of the pickup is passed through the .001uf compensation capacitor. The capacitor counteracts the out of phase sound characteristics and creates a rich mellow refined pickup sound. Now with the pickup selector switch in the middle position and the pickups out of phase, the volume and tone pots can be used to create many new sounds from the pickups, in addition to the many already achievable from the in phase setting". Got that?? Cheers. Flat Eric.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='657176' date='Nov 17 2009, 04:36 PM']It weighs 8 1/4 lbs. 1976 P-bass in cream (not Olympic White) with the grain visible through the paint. Neck pickup cover doesn't look original to me but the rest might be. [attachment=36574:Woodgrain.jpg] [attachment=36573:Tuners.jpg] [attachment=36572:Reverse.jpg] [attachment=36571:Neck_pocket.jpg] [attachment=36570:Neck.jpg] [attachment=36569:Headstock.jpg] [attachment=36568:Front.jpg] [attachment=36567:Covers.jpg] I already have a very nice 70's P and I don't really need another, but you guys know that I'm obsessed with weight! What do you think? Does this look pukka?[/quote] Looks OK to me. How heavy would you like it to be? I've just posted something about weight.

[quote name='cocco' post='652382' date='Nov 12 2009, 10:42 AM']MORE!!!![/quote] Sorry about the delay!!! One of the things that is often said about the T-40 is how powerful the pups are and how you can dial in a lot of different subtle tone differences. Although they were all machine made and feel pretty much the same, they all have slight differences in sound. Two of the same year, side by side, have a difference. Pretty much in line with other makes, I guess. In reality, this would only make a difference in a studio, live - you would not be able to tell. The other thing is the weight. Well, compared to a Steinberger, yes! Compared to a Jazz or Precision, Yes. I do have heavier, though - an Ibanez Studio that you could knock posts into the ground with!! I was thinking about this, earlier this year, when I opened up my '79 to sort out an annoying crackle, I decided to strip it down, clean it up and give it a good service. I weighed the parts on a very accurate industrial scale. The body was 2.15Kg - 4.73 lbs, neck 1.16KG - 2.55 lbs and all the remaining parts were 1.45KG - 3.19 lbs. Total 4.76KG - 10.49 lbs. When you consider that each bridge saddle weighs about one ounce and the whole bridge, assembled, is just under 1 lb, at 15 ounces, I think that's what tipped it over the edge! Does anyone know of a heavier bridge?? Having weighed some of the others, 10.5 lbs is about on the mark. Does this add to the sound? Well, all things considered, I suppose it does. What are they like to gig with? Well, our sets are about 45 to 50 minutes and it doesn't bother me, in fact after a while you get used to it and then going back to something lighter/smaller, feels a bit odd. The last two weekends I used a Jazz and an Ibanez Roadster - loved it but this weekend I've got to whip out a couple of T-40's! The bodies are Ash, with the natural ones having more figuring on the upper bout. The odd thing is that most are five piece but every now and again, they are three pieces - central core and two wings. Think that'll do for now. Cheers. Flat Eric

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='584489' date='Aug 29 2009, 12:56 PM']Here's mine: Burman Pro501 guitar amp, ex Simon Cowe, Lindisfarne Older style Burman Pro4000 with script logo and red transformers. Newer style Burman Pro4000 with sans serif logo and yellow transformers. [/quote] WOW! When I were a lad, workin' int' shop, we used to sell these. We had the 501 and the 502 - probably my favourite guitar amp It is a VERY long time ago, but we put them up against all sorts of stuff and as far as I can remember, it was very close to a Messa Boogie. BLOODY loud - not even seen one for years - didn't even know he did bass amps!! Look at all the workmanship in there - almost a work of art!! How much do the 501's go for these days? Santa's coming soon!!

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='653744' date='Nov 13 2009, 04:01 PM']Is that the same as a TSB-550 but two pickups?[/quote] Yep. Stacked volume and tone and individual series/parallel switches. When I get five mins, I will post a pic. On another note (nothing to do with Aira) went to see Deep Purple, last night. WOW. Those boys can still do it, big time!! [attachment=36298:DP.jpg] Now, how does it go??? G Bb C G Bb C# C G Bb C Bb G!!!! Tee Hee. We all came out to. . . . .

[quote name='razze06' post='652398' date='Nov 12 2009, 10:54 AM']I've recently found out a something else: the schematics of the T-40 you can download from the net refer to the post-1983 models, and show no resistors in the tone circuitry. My bass is from 1980, and if you open it, you can see a resistor staring back at you, right where the tone circuit connects to the volume pots. At first I thought it was some kind of modification, because I didn't seem to get much variation in tone, only a drop in volume. Further inspection revealed that it is infact part of a treble bleed, a high pass filter that helps retain high frequencies when lowering the volume. Expert opinion is that it is original wiring, and not a later mod. So it seems that pre-1983 models have an extra bit of circuitry to help with high frequencies. Could this be because earlier pickups are supposed to be a little darker-sounding?[/quote] Here's something I didn't know. I will check this out - as you say, the Toasters are warmer, so maybe the Blades didn't have the same curcuit. I'll get back to you. What colour is yours? Pic?

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='652628' date='Nov 12 2009, 01:34 PM']I used to have a TSB-550 (32" scale) which was lovely. I regret selling it.[/quote] DOH!!!! I've got a TSB 650 and everytime I pull it out to play it, I keep thinking how small it is!!! Never measured it! Doh!! I've also got a TSB 400 and I did know that was medium. Another good one is the old "Thump Thump" - CSB 400! Where's me glasses!!!!

quote name='cocco' date='Nov 11 2009, 10:46 PM' post='652084'] Turns out mine is a 79 build. I gave it an outing today and it's damn near broke my back, but I still love it Flat Eric you are a mind of information about these fair play. What else do you know about them? I'm tempted to get a railed one now just to hear the contrast between them I found out from the previous owner that it set him back a mere 25 notes. I still think I came out on top though [/quote] Well, out of my enthusiasm for the beasts, T-40's and T-60's, I have learned quite a bit. The very early ones had a line around the truss rod cover, an 8M serial number and square cases. The line was deleted after they discovered it was too difficult to apply. These are very rare! There were some rare ones with six digit numbers - I have one with pots dated '77 and apparently these were issued to the reps to promote Peavey's new venture into guitars. Each set of numbers were issued to different reps, so if one went missing or the rep forgot to go back and collect, they would know who lost it. The early ones, same as yours, would be slab bodied, Toaster pups, blade type switches, pots dated on the sides on the very early ones - on the top later on, metal nut and "Patent Applied For" decal. [attachment=36162:IMGP0349.JPG] Most were natural/maple but you could get Black, White, Red, Tobaco Burst and like a Tan/Orange burst. Rosewood board was also an option. The intermediate ones - early 80's, went to a more sculptured body, blade pups, which were built in a moulded unit, (the Toasters were on a brass chasis) blade switches and metal nut were retained, PAF detail went. The later ones went to BAT switches (larger) and a nylon nut but were pretty much the same and the previous model. [attachment=36163:BATSwitch.jpg] Diferent colour options were available - Dark Sunburst and a Wine Red, again with Rosewood as an option but rose boards are rare. They came (after the early square case) with a dedicated moulded case, that was build to withstand a fall down several flights of stairs, complete with a manual, thumb rest, key for the case and I believe, a truss rod key. I know lots of other stuff about Peavey T's, most of it useless - so if anyone is interested, shout MORE!!! Cheers. Flat Eric.

[quote name='grimbeaver' post='427572' date='Mar 6 2009, 08:55 PM']this is my aria pro II double neck, cant play the bugger but it looks good[/quote] WOW. I was after one of those, a couple of years ago - slipped through the net!!! Looks great.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='650115' date='Nov 9 2009, 09:19 PM']What is the neck width like on these? also what do the switches do?[/quote] The necks are not small, mine average around 43mm at the nut. As per the previous post, they were all machine made, so any slight variation is down to sanding and finishing. The neck, however, is not very deep, at around 19mm at the first fret and because of this, although it looks like a handful, it is very easy to get on with. I have small hands and have no trouble at all. I have a Jazz that is 37mm at the nut, which feels tiny, compared to the T-40 but the T-40's have been out a lot more times than the Jazzes!! For anyone who doesn't know, the humbuckers can be turned into single coil, with what would normally be the tone control. On 10 it is pure single coil and as it is backed off, it starts to feed in the other coil, fattening up the sound. This can be done on both pickups, to any degree. So, you can alter the sound and tone a great deal. On top of that there is an in/out phase switch, which if used with the volume equal gives a very empty sound (not much use at all) but if you feed in one more than the other, or bring in/take out coils, the permutations are endless. This all sounds very complicated but I guess if most bass player are like me, you have 2 or 3 favourite signature sounds and stick with them. The other thing is, the early "Toaster" pick-ups have a slightly warmer sound, with the later "Blade" pups being slightly brighter. Both are powerful!! Cheers. Flat Eric.

[quote name='cocco' post='645296' date='Nov 4 2009, 02:45 PM']Thats cool man, how do you work out the age of them? mine is definatly an old one because it is slab bodied and doesnt have the pickup rails but ive never actually known the age[/quote] As per Kingforaday. These also relate to the T-60's and all the other guitars and basses. [attachment=35749:Peavey_Serials.JPG]

[quote name='The Burpster' post='645938' date='Nov 5 2009, 07:25 AM']No way - You have a Viper....? Pics please.. is it a CCB or black...? I've been after a blk one for ages. My CCB in the middle of these.[/quote] Ahh, erm . . . some confusion here. As I also visit "The Dark Side" (playing guitar - you know, those tiny things with cheese wire on - usually attached to God's Gift to women) my "Viper" is a 70's GUITAR. Sorry if you got a bit excited!!! Cheers. Flat Eric.

[quote name='dave.c' post='645539' date='Nov 4 2009, 06:13 PM']And some pics! [attachment=35725:Ovation_...m_1_copy.jpg] [attachment=35720:650c.JPG] [attachment=35719:Dave_C_M...um_07_lo.jpg] [attachment=35718:Dave_C_Magnum_01.JPG] [attachment=35723:03062007146.jpg] [attachment=35722:Magnum_I.jpg] [attachment=35724:Magnum_II.jpg][/quote] Just. . . . . . WOW. I guess that is a re-finish - I've never seen one that colour!!

[quote name='richrips' post='645111' date='Nov 4 2009, 11:59 AM']Hi everyone, I've been offered an ovation magnum bass for £500. It is natural mahogany finish, good condition and includes the hardcase. The scratchplate looks non-original (lacks writing and the outputs are furthur apart than normal...). This means either the scratchplate broke and was replaced, or the bass is a convert from magnum 2 to 1 spec (the 1 being more popular nowadays due to the stereo outputs, and passive setup instead of the mono output with the noisy, battery hungry active EQ). Is it worth the £500 asking price? is the modification/conversion likely to affect its value to a large extent? opinions, particularly from magnum owners etc most appreciated! cheers, rich[/quote] Rich, Hi. I have a Magnum III, dark charcoal sort of colour - I paid more than that some time ago. I think the Magnum I's are more sought after, more of a beefy design than the III and the IV (see pic of a III - not mine but the same), so I would grab it. [attachment=35706:MAAIII.jpg] A new scratch plate shouldn't be a difficult job, if you wanted to change it over. I found Fender UK very helpful, when I needed some bits for my Viper - they are the Ovation people in the UK - they may be able to put you onto an original item.

[quote name='cocco' post='644104' date='Nov 3 2009, 08:19 AM']I read somewhere that the necks on the first few years of production were made on a machine which was designed for making rifle butts, im not sure how true this is, but I love telling everyone who takes interest in my T-40 about it [/quote] You are absolutely correct! Hartley Peavey and Chip Todd pioneered the use of machinery to replicate the features over and over again. The machine developed to make rifle butts identical, could make necks that had the same profile, time after time. CNC machines were put to use on the other parts that were machined, so each instrument had a consistency. I have several T-40's and T-60's and the feel of each is the same, with the only difference being between the early ones (more slab bodied) and the later ones, which were more contoured. They also laminted the necks in a way that Leo Fender later used on his G&L range. Check out the link below. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7oCiMnvXUE&feature=channel"]Peavey Number One[/url] Cheers. Flat Eric.

[quote name='TheDave' post='641605' date='Oct 31 2009, 01:33 AM']I really want this but I darnt order it from Yankyland! >.< [url="http://www.rondomusic.com/product2682.html"]http://www.rondomusic.com/product2682.html[/url][/quote] Hi. I have a black Urge bass, VERY GOOD nick, rosewood board. Can't remember the year - Mexico - plays and sounds great. Not used it for ages - bought it and other shorter scale basses when I injured my hand. I also no longer use a classic Aria TSB400. Both of these are medium scale - 32" I also have an Aria CSB450 but it has such a great sound/feel to it, I shall keep that one. The CSB300 is a good "smaller" bass but mine went to another home. Let me know if you are interested and I will dig them out and take some pics. Cheers. Flat Eric.

[quote name='cocco' post='639515' date='Oct 28 2009, 10:06 PM']Hey guys. I've recently bought an Aria SB II Elite off a fellow BCer and am a little stumped as to what the controls do. Anyone got any ideas? Research would suggest it has the same electronics as the SB900 and SBR 80 but I'm going on what I see alone here. HELP!!!![/quote] Hi. Excellent choice! If it is the same as mine, the knob near the socket is the tone, the one near the back pick-up is the volume for the back pup and the other is the volume for the front pup. The switches, from memory, are parallell & series. Switched down, where I always leave mine, is series - a lot more balls than the other setting. You will find that the back pup appears to be weaker than the front, so I have the front on full and bleed in some of the back for a bit more "Bark". Gigging with both mine, tonight. Great stuff!! Cheers. Flat Eric. [attachment=35330:3arias.jpg] Yep, that's how mine works - gigged them both last night. Not played them for a few months - forgotten how bright they are. The grey one has worn in Rotosound's and I was getting shades of Bruce Foxton!

[quote name='razze06' post='637094' date='Oct 26 2009, 05:21 PM']Pics my T-40 in action. Apologies for the bassface...[/quote] Nice bass! Keep 'em coming. Cheers. Flat Eric.

[quote name='stefboltonfc' post='637256' date='Oct 26 2009, 07:54 PM']After losing out on a MIJ (Salmon Pink) '62 Jazz Bass on eBay last night (probably to one of you evil people) due to being caught out by £1 in the last five seconds, I've decided I really need one in my life. Would anyone be willing to sell one, or know anyone who wants to sell one, or even any local stores* that are selling one? *Preferably NOT to be imported in from the US, or Far East - because I haven't yet got the balls and confidence to buy from abroad. If anyone can help me with my new lust, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!![/quote] Hi. I have a Pink/red 62 Japan, thinking of moving it on. It was originally from Far East Guitars. The pic that I took some time ago, shows it more red than it is. If you are interested, let me know. Has a Freestyle (slightly road worn) hard case. I have four other Japanese Jazzes and I can confirm that they are a great instrument. I have never played a Mexican one, so I can't match them to their quality/sound but I do have two US and you would struggle to tell the difference in most circumstances. Good luck in your search - let me know if you want more pics. Cheers. Flat Eric. [attachment=35241:mrrs.jpg]

[quote name='cocco' post='634115' date='Oct 23 2009, 02:57 AM']Indeed i do have one of these babies and I love it dearly, I will post some pics of it when i get the chance, Im not gonna lie tho its a bit of a dog in comparison to all your fine examples. I got mine in a straight swap for a 78 p-bass, To this day I'm not sure weather it was the best or worst thing I ever did.[/quote] The sun was out the other day!! [attachment=35204:T_40Bass.jpg] I also have a couple of "Well used" ones but still make a great sound. Will get some shots of the old fellas. Meanwhile, to keep this T-40 thing going, here's one I took the other day. Mmm, Nice!! Cheers. Flat Eric

[quote name='buff' post='631690' date='Oct 20 2009, 07:18 PM']Was chatting to a bass player friend on friday night at a gig about the jag. He had one but couldnt get on with it, although he says on hindsight he didnt give it a real go. He thought his was short scale.[/quote] I had one, Sunburst, from a Jap Fender importer. 34" Scale Great to look at but despite trying, couldn't fall for it. Never rehearsed or gigged with it. Went to a new home, the guy loved it to bits!! Horses for courses Flat Eric

[quote name='Doctor J' post='634346' date='Oct 23 2009, 12:24 PM']I used to have vintage Fender GAS until I got a vintage Fender.[/quote] Me too!! I've got a '72 Jazz - a few years back I was desperate for one. Drove 400 mile round trip, got back, plugged it in and my first thoughts were "it's got magic in it!" The only thing is, there are some places I daren't gig with it, if you get what I mean! Flat Eric. [attachment=35000:PJP.jpg]