Arghhhh!!! Help!!!

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 2:01 pm

Just bought a Peavey T-40 on the "bay". Only because I can't afford another RIC right now, hmph. Anyway, I owned one years ago and remembered loving the tone so figured I'd buy another. The action seems to be pretty high and there is a lot of buzzing from the 8th fret up. Also, the treble E string is right at the edge of the fretboard and the bass E is lower on the board. It's completely playable but obviously the spacing should be about the same on the board.

It's a bolt on neck without much room either way to move it to make a significant difference. Looking down the neck from the headstock it doesn't seem to be bowed, looks pretty straight. I'm bringing it to a tech tomorrow to see if it can be fixed. I hate to send it back to the guy I bought it from because when I did plug it in, the sound was great. I know this is a vague description but, I'm by no means a "tech".

The string height of my C64S strings is a little lower than that of this T-40, though not significantly. I've posted pics of my 64S through Peter but can't do it myself. Any thoughts???? Thanks in advance.

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 9:26 am

Nevermind....I sent the bass back to the guy. Looking for a RIC 5 string now. The search continues.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 10:37 am

How heavy is a T-40 compared to a RIC? I never played one.

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 11:05 am

It's much heavier than my C64S. Swamp ash body. Built like a tank. They actually are a very versatile bass for the cheap price. They stopped making them in 1988.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 11:24 am

Thanks Scott.

I've heard that they were heavy, but I've also heard people complain that RIC's were heavy.

There's definitely a group of T-40 fanatics, not unlike our own RIC bass owner group. Having been very happy with my budget-priced Peavey amplification, I've always wanted to try a T-40 ...

scottpro1969 · Post by **scottpro1969** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 1:23 pm

John,

I think you'd be surprised at the sound and construction quality of the T-40. American made too!!! It's not really pleasing to the eye though. If you get the chance to play one, do so. They were usually either sunburst or natural finishes. In the early/mid 80's they made solid colors made of Alder (much lighter) but some said compromised the sound to an extent.

I'm through dealing with eBay for guitars. It's really hit or miss. And since I've been with this discussion group, I've realized you really have to do your homework as far as what IS and IS NOT the real deal.

I just got the OK to get another RIC bass from the wife

after this experience so I'm now in the market for a new 4003 or 4004/5. Anxious to pull the trigger...lol.

My budget priced amplification suits me just fine too. Crate combo amp that I can mic for live performance...works for me.

philco · Post by **philco** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 4:32 pm

I got a Hohner GT3 on eBay that turned out to be a dog, but the guy took it back. The bummer is I paid $50 for shipping. It only cost $15 to ship it back, so the guy made $20 on the initial $35 shipping charge. BEWARE of high shipping charges from private individuals. Dealers often use new shipping boxes and packing materials, but private individuals often charge you high then make up the box from leftovers. Private individuals want to make $20 or so even if you don't decide to keep it. Do this 10 times a month and you have a $200/month part time business. Dealers rarely charge more than $30. The best deal I ever got was also on eBay, but that was from a reputable brick & mortar guitar dealer. Most bad deals come from private individuals that sell few instruments. Check feedback and check return privileges before bidding. I got my 4004L on eBay, but it was about market value, and from a reputable brick & mortar dealer with hundreds of eBay sales.

It's nothing against Rickenbacker, but Rickenbackers are well regarded in the used market with price tags to match, while Czech Spectors are red headed step children without cause. It's just that few people know the background of the instruments, or that Czech products are top notch (JJ tubes, CZ rifles and pistols, Pilsner beer, etc.). I've seen used RIC 650D guitars go for more on eBay than I paid for mine brand new. Often times it's better to buy a new Rickenbacker from somebody like Mike Parks. I almost never see a bargain price on a used Rickenbacker bass on eBay. My FWIW, my 4004L cost $820 and the ReBop was $437, delivered. For the price difference, I bought a Marshall AVT20 amp, modified it for bass practice, and had money left over. And the ReBop works better with the Marshall amp (enough bass boost to overcome the boosted Marshall midrange and enough treble boost to overcome the Marshall treble rolloff). The 20 watt AVT20 gets vintage Marshall tube bass amp tones without bleeding your ears, so it's perfect for practice . You can mic it for live work. Go to the toneman section for mod info, and maybe you can use some of it on your Crate combo. It also improved the AVT20 as a heavy sounding guitar amp that shakes the walls and works better with effects pedals now. Sounds much bigger (deeper tighter bass) than any 10" guitar practice amp you ever heard.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 2:55 pm

As invasive as the IRS is, I'm surprised that it hasn't looked into the excessive-shipping-charges scams with regard to undeclared income and tax evasion!

philco · Post by **philco** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 4:17 pm

The truth is, the IRS looks at certain types of people, like doctors and lawyers and high income businessmen, and if you don't fit certain profiles, you can cheat for all it's worth. If your work involves mostly labor with very little materials purchases to trace, you can practically forget about declaring any cash transaction business with impunity. The thing they do now is look at your LIFESTYLE. Live way below your means and it goes a long way toward protecting you from the IRS. The IRS has been known to tax bigshots according to their outward lifestyle, and say it would take X amount of income to support it, and figure the tax on that. I know millionaires that live like Joe Average next door. I know one that sleeps on a cot in his kitchen to save on air conditioning bills in the summer, but he's rather extreme. He was my ex-landlord, and chintzy as hell on repairs and upkeep, and worth about 20 million. He drove a Nissan pickup until it fell apart under him.