gs790
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Post by gs790 on Nov 15, 2008 3:01:06 GMT -5
I'm really starting to think that Peavey is one of those undervalued brands out there. It may be that I was just in a circle where nobody bought one of their guitars, and I was not close to a shop that was a dealer. Or it might just be that I got a smoking deal on what once was one of their top of the line guitars. All I can say is wow! My ultimate guitar crush is a Music Man JP6. Well, I managed to find myself a Peavey Limited HB at a guitar center, it might as well be new, and the price had been slashed to $399. Needless to say I am the proud owner of a very nice USA Peavey. While my crush still exists (it almost solely revolves around that 4+2 headstock), I am starting to think that this is almost a lateral move. Anyway. Fit and finish is better than I could have expected. Okay, it's a USA guitar. And Peavey's USA guitars are barely a notch below their custom shop. Absolutely gorgeous tiger/quilted (not quite sure) top that is set off by an unstained binding. The binding kind of blends into the neck, it's really something. Just a simple (hipshot if I remember right) vintage trem and locking tuners. The neck feels great (5 bolt for the interested) and if it isn't unfinished then it's a satin finish. It's as fast as I could want, the action feels great, and there is a good tactile feel.  I only have two bones to pick. I'd prefer the slightly less cluttered look off direct mounted pickups. Oh well, the mounts are black. They more or less blend in. I'd also prefer a 3-way blade switch (currently a 5) with a toggle to do Outer/Both/Inner coil splitting. The current set is very good, but I'd like to be able to get that once in a blue moon sound every once in a blue moon when the occasion arises. I might make that change down the road, but as you'll see below the wiring job is top notch. When I got it home (I know, I was misbehaving by not taking a look but everything was clear as a bell) I ran into two surprises. 1: a tone bypass on the volume. Not a biggie but a fairly savvy addition on a double HB guitar (at least in my opinion and experience). 2: a fully shielded control cavity! A free gift.  Just to complete the ensemble I was contemplating putting in the graph-tech ghost system. I like Chet's, at least in a live setting, so this seems like a nice little addition. |
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Post by newey on Nov 15, 2008 7:39:53 GMT -5
A nice guitar for sure. However, could you scale your photos down a bit so they don't blow your post off the page?
I have a close friend who swears by Peavey guitars for the money. You're right, I think they're underrated.
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gs790
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Post by gs790 on Nov 25, 2008 14:31:50 GMT -5
I'm trying to avoid writing a dissertation.
I was told today, "The neck is set up perfectly. Whatever you do, do not remove all the strings, or you will need to have the neck set up again) My understanding was always, "Same strings, same guitar, nothing changes."
If I am to take all the tension off the neck. Let's say that I replace the bridge. What should I expect to have to adjust? New bridge, new saddles: I will have to adjust intonation. That's simple and I can do that. Will the neck being without string tension settle somewhere different if I put the same style strings back on? This should just be a truss rod adjustment, correct?
Aside from being aware of how it plays and feels now, what critical measurements would you take to make sure it gets back to the same settings?
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Post by newey on Nov 25, 2008 17:45:33 GMT -5
I believe you are correct. The old saw about not removing all string tension from the neck dates back to the days when all guitars were acoustic, and none had truss rods.
On a modern guitar with a truss rod, it shouldn't make any difference.
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Post by andy on Nov 25, 2008 18:35:40 GMT -5
I'll back Newey up on that one. If you left it un-strung for a few seasons, then maybe you'd need to look at it, but for the duration of a quick bridge change, how far can it go? Of course, the new saddles on the new bridge will need their heights setting along with the intonation, which will affect the way the strings play along with the neck, but the neck itself shouldn't move noticably, and will make the rest of the work easier by being well set in the firsrt place.
It's quite a looker too, going by the photo above!
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gs790
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Post by gs790 on Nov 25, 2008 19:01:37 GMT -5
And a 5-bolt neck so the odds of it shifting are pretty dang low too.
Yeah, the more I look at and play this guitar, the more shocked I am that I actually own it. I payed nearly 50% of the original price that the store wanted for it as a used guitar, which was nearly 50% of what it should have sold for as a new guitar. (All that leave me wondering what that person traded it in for) It is far nicer a guitar than I ever expected to get.
Anyway, the story goes:
I had brought it in to work to show by to my father, and before taking it out of the case he called in a guy across the hall. The guy across the hall is a fairly accomplished blues player (at least locally). He gave it the once and wasn't sure how well it was set up. A lick or two later he had nothing to say but the quote above. I'm thinking that it was more of a, "Please know what you're doing I don't want you to hack this guitar to pieces." I find out later in the day that he had been talking to some other guitar players in the office. He was impressed. And for me, I just need to keep plugging away and get my level of play up to what this instrument deserves.
***Thanks for the tips. I kind of expected that the neck was going to be okay, and there's no harm checking in with people that do a lot of guitar projects first. The last thing I want to do is fly blind and hurt this guitar. And as for the saddles I've little jig and calipers (I'll be damned if the new saddle heights aren't within .001" of the old ones.
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Post by cynical1 on Nov 29, 2008 2:59:13 GMT -5
I'm really starting to think that Peavey is one of those undervalued brands out there. Can I get a BIG AMEN!!! I've had a Peavey Foundation for 16 years and can't say enough about it. It can sound like a Jazz bass...it can growl, it can thunder, it can sing...and the neck is the best bass neck I've ever played. The Super Ferrite pickups are 20 years old and I wouldn't think of replacing them with aftermarkets. I did replace the original bridge with a Schaller, but that was because one of my kids lost the friggin' adjusting screws when I had it apart for cleaning... You can certainly spend more, but you'll never get as much bang for the buck... OK, soap box now stored in the upright and locked position... Happy Trails Cynical One |
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Post by D2o on Dec 8, 2008 11:10:12 GMT -5
Amen #2 to those SUPER FERRITE pups ... I just think they are the cats meow. That is supposed to be a good thing, except - now that I think about it - my playing actually sounds sort of like a cats meow.  D2o |
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Post by cynical1 on Dec 8, 2008 13:34:13 GMT -5
...now that I think about it - my playing actually sounds sort of like a cats meow. ...as long as it doesn't sound like two cats humping in a garbage can life is good...  Happy Trails Cynical One |
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Post by andy on Dec 9, 2008 8:03:57 GMT -5
I know a few cats who might dissagree.  |
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Post by cynical1 on Dec 9, 2008 9:35:27 GMT -5
I know a few cats who might dissagree.  wow...you weren't kidding... Happy Trails Cynical One |
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Post by andy on Dec 9, 2008 9:49:05 GMT -5
Ha ha! How embarrassing- far better to be caught humping in a garbage can with someone else!  |
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gs790
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Post by gs790 on Dec 10, 2008 10:25:25 GMT -5
I may just end up starting a new thread in a more appropriate place, but I've got a string question.
Two days ago I finally got around to restringing this guitar. Okay, so I cannot be completely sure what gauge strings were on there previously, but I know that I put on a set of Super Slinkys. Just by the feel test, I am fairly certain that the strings are the same gauge. Just by the eyeball test, it looks as though the relief has not changed. Darned it all if I am not so familiar with how this guitar feels to be certain if it plays exactly the same. But it just seems that the guitar has not settled into the strings. I may just have to swallow a little bit of pride and have a tech dial it into the absolute sweetness it was.
I've got a little fret buzz out of the A and G strings that develops about 1/2 second after being plucked open. I don't recall this happening before changing strings. I adjusted up the G saddle and that is helping, but now the string is a little higher then I would like. I'm inclined to ignore it since it wont show up in anything but a sustained open not, and even then it's not showing up in the pickups.
I suppose all that rambling is for two global questions.
1. Do strings of the same gauge but different brand behave differently.
2. Is it possible for strings of the same gauge but different brand to change the geometry of the neck?
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Post by andy on Dec 10, 2008 10:58:36 GMT -5
Actually, my first suggeston would be to wait a bit and keep playing them in- as strings age they lose a bit of top end, and resist fret buzz a little better. The change is so slow that you tend not to notice it happen, but jumping from a well worn set to a new one can seem like a sudden change, and highlight otherwise subtle buzzes and things.
That may not be it, but while there may be differences between different brands, they should not be so much as to adjust the setup for the same gauge!
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Post by D2o on Dec 10, 2008 11:31:25 GMT -5
I didn't respond because I don't know the answers to your two questions ... I have suspicions, but I don't know.
Having said that, I wholeheartedly agree with Andy that you should WAIT!
However, there is a possibility that (you/strings) could have thrown the neck angle off a little during the string change ...
... depending ...
... you said this is a Peavey, right?
Does it happen to have the "micro-adjust" feature in the neck that some of the older Peaveys have? Is that the fifth bolt? It would be a little nut inside the neck, which can be turned with an Allen Key.
If so, microadjust away: 1) loosen the strings a bit, 2) loosen the two neck screws nearest the body, 3) give the microadjust nut a quarter-turn counter-clock-wise, 4) tighten the two neck screws back up, 5) tighten the strings, and 6) see what you've got.
But don't get carried away - do what Andy says and sit on it a bit. I have copied something I wrote in a previous thread:
Maybe you are just a little sensitive to a seemingly sudden and distinct change? By the way, the guitar was coincidentally a Peavey (an old T-15).
D2o
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Post by cynical1 on Dec 10, 2008 11:55:27 GMT -5
Very good advise from all here.
Just to chime in here...was the guitar without strings or had the strings loosened significantly for storage?
The reason I mention this is that the Peavey Foundation bass I have is VERY sensitive to this sort of situation...as well as a new string change.
Peavey doesn't put as much meat in their necks as some manufacturers...which I love...but it seems to create some annoying little quirks when changing strings. Not knowing the string gauges that were on previously makes me suspect that might be a prime suspect...wound G...etc...
Like everyone so wisely advised "give it some time". The accepted wisdom is to wait 4-5 days, then make VERY SMALL incremental changes.
One other thing, how are the frets? If this is an older instrument they may be showing their age...
Something else to consider is how comfortable are you in making these adjustments?
And finally - if you you do feel comfortable making these adjustment PLEASE only make ONE type of SMALL adjustment at a time and wait 4-5 days between adjustments. IE: bridge saddles, micro-adjust, neck shim or truss rod. You may very well over-correct and create a new problem you didn't have before. It's the best way to troubleshoot and will make it easier on a professional if you have to take it in to a good reputable shop.
And take this to heart- "The enemy of good is better..." GO SLOW
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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gs790
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Post by gs790 on Dec 10, 2008 12:56:55 GMT -5
Just gathering information. I'm in no particular rush to judgment.
I will probably put the G saddle back where it was though.
The guitar in question is the Limited pictured above. Don't know about the fine adjust feature, and don't plan on screwing with the neck in any case.
Thanks for the input, that is pretty much what I expected. I kind of figured that everything was still settling, but I had a few minutes and thought I'd gain some knowledge.
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Post by D2o on Dec 10, 2008 13:53:49 GMT -5
It doesn't look like you have the micro-adjust anyway ... Is this what your 5 bolt neck looks like? D2o  |
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Post by mlrpa on Dec 10, 2008 18:38:04 GMT -5
Ok, another 2 cents thrown in here. Take the Super Stinkys, and toss them in the trash. I know I speak hearsy with some people here, but I think that they are the worst strings you can use. Try the Dean Markley Hendrix, and I doubt you'll have that problem. Also, try a set of 10's.
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gs790
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Post by gs790 on Dec 11, 2008 10:11:48 GMT -5
There is no such thing as heresy, if there was a holy grail there would only be one guitar and one set of strings, but I'm going to have to ask that you bring the mustard for further consideration. If you're just saying, "I like Markley strings," I'll just file that under the long list of guitar player's preference that I am aware of.
A simple ditch this for that statement is not conducive to making an informed decision.
-Edit-
Okay, so I am looking at the string gauge and realize that I've got extra lites on there. Never been a fan of the XL, should have paid closer attention to string gauge. I can at least get behind your 10 - 46 possibly 11 - 49 suggestion.
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Post by cynical1 on Dec 11, 2008 12:13:13 GMT -5
A simple ditch this for that statement is not conducive to making an informed decision. Rather then spend a fortune at the local music $tore, have you ever heard of Webstrings? These are not cheap strings at a cheap price, these are surprisingly good strings at a very low price based on volume and low overhead...and a good source for factory overruns, too, I'd bet. Here's a listing of the different strings available. Note the different gauge size on the A and G strings within the different sets:  ...at $2.99 a set it might be worth your time to try a few different offerings to see how this effects your current issue. Now for the "informed decision part"... This link would make even ChrisK proud...check this out for "more information then you ever wanted" about strings for a guitar... Happy Trails Cynical One |
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Post by Teleblooz on Dec 30, 2008 0:27:46 GMT -5
I'm really starting to think that Peavey is one of those undervalued brands out there. In my experience this statement is not just true for their guitars, but applies to their other gear as well. In my years as a bass player, I used several Peavey amps and was never let down. A good friend of mine plays his Strat through a Valveking 50-watter, and he couldn't be more satisfied. Peavey's ancient substandard reputation was outgrown many years ago, but it somehow still lingers in the public mind. |
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BigBob1962
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Post by BigBob1962 on May 6, 2011 22:48:46 GMT -5
I guess here in Washington State that belief never caught on... I've used Peavey gear, and the amps are road solid... not the most "musical" per se, but least likely to fail under even the worst conditions... and as for guitars, I own a Peavey Patriot, and a T-60 and wouldn't trade them for anything else. Sorry to hear about your adjustment problems... I have set these up myself, and never had any problems w/ intonation or buzzing frets... best playing guitars I own (got 15 different guitars, both electric & acoustic) even if the T-60 could possibly rival the Les Paul in dead weight... I think hands down it is the most versatile guitar for a 2H config!
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Post by flateric on May 9, 2011 17:12:05 GMT -5
At this stage I'd just like to add my signature from the UK Basschat forum.
"After the apocalypse cockroaches will still be playing through Peavey gear trying to drive away the mutated strains of airborne syphilis. i'm assuming they will be playing in drop C"
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