Everything you wanted to know about the T-40 bass V2.

3:
I posted this on TB originally, and later updated it extensively at the T-40 forums. I
wanted to update it on TB as well, but I couldn't find the original post, so here goes.
I'll bookmark and sig this for future updates. Please send me any additional
information you may have to add-to or correct this document. I welcome it.
Tone-Very Versatile, but still has a unique tone all it's own. Can achieve one of the
best pseudo-ric tones of any non-Rickenbacker instrument. The T-40 is said to be able
to do good versions of many other classic basses, but it definitely has it’s own
unique tonal character.
Bodies-. Natural and sunburst finished bodies are Ash, and solid colored bodies are
made of poplar, with a few early solid colored bodies being made of alder. T-40
bodies are very heavy and are usually made of 4 pieces of wood, with two smaller
strips in the middle, reaching a bit wider than edges of the pickups, and two larger
pieces on the sides. Fairly good grain matching, along with the huge pick guard,
makes many t-40’s look quite consistent from the front, and akin to a butcher
block on the back. Later model T-40 bodies are reportedly more contoured and a bit
lighter than earlier model T-40’s
Finishes- The most common T-40 body finish is a thin satin natural colored finish
with the grain accenuated by the application of a walnut colored grain filler. The
finish is not extremely hard, but not being gloss, natural T-40’s hide their
dents well. Most other finishes are hard polyurethane gloss and stock colors are
Black, White, at least two types of sunburst (Traditional and Sienna), Red, Blue, and
Burgundy. Orange has also been spotted and Green has been reported, but best
evidence is that they are, custom colors, or aftermarket refinishes.
T-40 necks and headstocks are always gloss finished.
Pickups All Peavey T-40's have chrome rimmed ferrite (iron) humbuckers with a
wide frequecy range and the ability to operate in humbucking and single coil modes.
-Early models 78-82/83 have covered dual magnet humbucking pickups (often
referred to as “toaster” style). These pickups are noted for being
somewhat warmer sounding without quite as much gain as, but perhaps more
"thickness" than, the blade models.
-82/83 and later models have single magnet and exposed blade humbucking pickups.
Usually referred to as "blade pickups" or "blades", the single magnet design is more
efficient and these pickups are noted for having greater attack and high end with more
gain than the "toaster" style.
Construction- Made in the USA in Meridian, Mississippi, T-40's tend to be very
consistent, well built basses. First bass ever made on CNC routing machines.

Changed the way basses were made industrywide.

Neck/Fingerboard- Gloss finished "bi-laminate" maple neck (two pieces of reverse
grain maple) is very stable, but sometimes not particularly attractive. No separate
fingerboard on maple board models. Also available with a rosewood fingerboard,
though not as common as maple. T-40's have a neck tilt feature similar to 70's
fenders, but with 4 bolt necks. Some fretless rosewood fingerboard T-40's were
produced as the T-40FL model.
Nut-T-40 was introduced with a metal nut, which many owners credit with giving the
bass clarity and “ring”. Somewhere in the second half of production
(probably post 1984) it was replaced with a plastic nut.
Hardware -Sturdy, sometimes oversized chrome hardware. The cast bridge has a
sustain block and allows through body stringing only. Tuners are similar to current
model Grover Titan and Schaller m4s model machines. Knobs, bridge and neck plate
have "Peavey" or the Peavey "P" embossed over a black enamel background.
Controls- Two switches, a three way selector switch and "mystery" phase switch.
Four knobs, consisting of volume and tone for each pickup.
Single coil options-Tone knob switches from humbucker to single coil at the "7"
position.
Mystery Switch-Second "mystery" switch is an in-phase/out-of-phase switch that
only works when both pickups are on. Brings a nasally honking sound to the bass.
History- Designed by Chip Todd, manufactured from 1978-1987. The T-40 and it's
guitar counterpart the T-60 were the first guitars manufactured by Peavey.
Dating- Peavey has a forum where you can post your serial# and get the year of
manufacture in a couple of days. http://www.peavey.com/support/forums/
Going rate- Prices on T-40's have been rising. In march 2007, an ebay search showed
T-40's averaging between 250 and 350 (with a few cheaper and more expensive)
depending on condition, case, etc. Recently, it has become much harder to find T-40's
under $300 and a few examples have fetched over $600!
Related instruments- The T-40 was designed as the bass counterpart to theT-60
guitar, with whom it shares almost every major feature. A single pickup version of the
T-40 was also manufactured, called the T-45. The T-45 is similar, but lacks a pick
guard and phase switch, and has a passive "special mid-frequency roll-of control".
The T-20 has similar (though reportedly lighter) body and neck to the t-40, but has a
single diagonaly mounted large size “super ferrite” pickup under a
pickguard in the mid position, similar to early Peavey “Fury” basses.

Truss rod adjustment- Requires a 5/16" socket type and it is available through
Stewart MacDonald
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Truss_rods/Pocket_Truss_R
od_Wrenches.html
Owners Manual- available for download
here: http://www.peaveyt60.com/images/Peavey T-60.pdf
Wiring diagram - http://www.peaveyt60.com/mods&hotrodding.htm
Modifications - T-40 is one of the few basses that Darkstar pickups (Hagstrom BiSonic style pickups by Hammon Engineering: www.basspickup.com) can be fitted to
without any additional routing. Some owners have also experimented with various
means of lightening the bodies. Replacement pick guards are made by
Jeanie’s pick guards and others.
Case- T-40's came with a fitted plastic hardshell case in either a rectangle
(alumninum frame under plastic) or a rounded wedge shaped case with integral
handle. Some early examples came with a very heavy tolex case with unfitted
yelowish green interior, leather endcaps, white piping and rounded edges.(very
similiar to traditional fender style)
Custom work- Chip Todd (T-40 creator) does custom work on T series instruments
and others, including lightening bodies, custom tops, body binding and left handed
instruments. http://www.peaveyt60.com/ctecustoms.htm
Promotional materials- All the T-60 materiel here are also features the T40. http://www.peaveyt60.com/t-60_brochures.htm
Websites: http://www.peaveyt60.com/t-60_articles.htm has schematics (same as t-60)
info about T-40 creator Chip Todd, and early Peavey instruments, and some
informative articles. Also, check the Peavey website for owners manual and related
information on their forums. Chip Todd is known to post on the T-60 and official
Peavey forums.
http://peaveyt40.forumotion.com/index.htm
Not a super active forum, but a great place to get information about the T-40.
PLEASE READ BEFORE QUOTING THIS OUTSIDE OF TALKBASS!
This has taken me a while to compile, and represents the combined work of myself
and alot of other T-40 enthusiasts. I welcome sharing this information, but please,
before you go and put this info on your ebay ad (it's been done) or website please
credit the author and source. Feel free to contact me with questions.
Thanks,
Eilif