Peavey T-20 - vintage USA made goodness!

[kingforaday]

 

I couldn’t resist this one! I’ve got a collection of Peavey T-40’s, and owned a T-45 (and T-15 and T-60 guitars…) but never tried the T-20 so I figured I’d give it a go. Surprise surprise, I love it! 
 

Sadly the case foam is disintegrating and making a mess all over the bass. I’ve dismantled it for cleaning (to be fair I do this with each new instrument I get anyway) and need to replace the comically oversized odd tuner and old/gross/dead strings. 
 

 

Not looking forward to sorting the case but, I’ve done it before so at least I know what to expect! I like the fact that the case is brown (all my T-40 cases are black) - I clearly never paid much attention as I didn’t know they were 

 

 

any love for the humble T-20?! And anyone else pretty much immediately dismantle a guitar as soon as they get it?!? 
 

[cocco]

I'm a huge fan of the T series. I have a toaster 40, used to have a blade one too but sold it.

 

I've never seen a 20 in person, how does it compare weight wise to the 40? Is the pickup the super ferrous? I'm guessing the neck is the same. 

[kingforaday]

2 hours ago, cocco said:

I'm a huge fan of the T series. I have a toaster 40, used to have a blade one too but sold it.

 

I've never seen a 20 in person, how does it compare weight wise to the 40? Is the pickup the super ferrous? I'm guessing the neck is the same. 

 

a whole pound difference (probably the bridge!) - I’ve never really been bothered by the weight though so I’m the wrong guy to ask. In fact I’d go as far as saying I like the weight of them, makes them feel more solid and substantial! 

 

I’ve just been nerding out on every little detail, so it’s a good time to ask! 
 

yeah other than the extra fret on the t-20 it seems basically the same. It fits the T-40 body the same.

 

the bodies are also really similar sizes

 

 I was pleased to discover that Schaller type (t-40 tuners) fit the T-20 as it has the little cut outs, helpful seeing as I’ve picked up multiple spare sets of those over the years! I thought I had a set of T-20 tuners but they look a bit longer so I’m not sure what they’re off. 
 

You could use the neck plate on either too, I was tempted to swap this out for a T-40 one as I have spares… but now I see it, I like the way the plate slots into the plastic piece, smartly done! 

 

[LukeFRC]

My old t45 was 14.5lb - so yours is a nice weight there

[kodiakblair]

6 hours ago, LukeFRC said:

My old t45 was 14.5lb - so yours is a nice weight there

Had you calibrated your scales before the weigh-in? 

 

Reason I ask is though the T-series are frequently cited as heavy, that's down to the hardware. I had 2 T-40s from 1978 and 1 from 1979, all were 12.5lb. Stripped for cleaning, just neck/body/neck plate, they were a bawhair over 5lb.

 

By 1981, Peavey were looking at ways to lighten the basses. One change was to the pickup, the blades are lighter. 

 

T-45s have 1 pickup, 1 pot, 1 knob weighing 1oz, and a scratchplate needing about 40 screws less than a T-40. 

[LukeFRC]

12 minutes ago, kodiakblair said:

Had you calibrated your scales before the weigh-in? 

 

Reason I ask is though the T-series are frequently cited as heavy, that's down to the hardware. I had 2 T-40s from 1978 and 1 from 1979, all were 12.5lb. Stripped for cleaning, just neck/body/neck plate, they were a bawhair over 5lb.

 

By 1981, Peavey were looking at ways to lighten the basses. One change was to the pickup, the blades are lighter. 

 

T-45s have 1 pickup, 1 pot, 1 knob weighing 1oz, and a scratchplate needing about 40 screws less than a T-40. 

You are right - I had a T40 not T45. Picking it up wasn’t fun, but once strapped on it was glorious. 
my main bass at the time was a Warwick in the 7lb range…