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…

[Guildguy]

Hi,

 

I am repairing/ restoring a peavey T20 that I have just bought (previous owner attempted to reshape the guitar body so currently looks odd). 
 

wondered if somebody could draw/ template around there t20 guitar body (ideally guitar shape on pieces of a4 paper so it can be scanned hopefully with key dimensions I.e. measurement from bridge to bottom of bass etc.). I am keen to resurrect this bass.

[kodiakblair]

1 hour ago, Guildguy said:

wondered if somebody could draw/ template around there t20 guitar body

Wish I could help but I sold on my T-20 several years back.

 

There is a nifty piece of guitar CAD software would solve this, damned if I can find the link. Basically you stick a guitar photo in then enter known measurements, in most cases nut to 12th fret. Software works everything  from that and gives you a PDF 🙂 

 

Will see if I can come up with something 👍