Luthier Teardown |1979 Peavey T-60 | pt 2 Rescue a Busted Pickup!

[@1lug]

The reasoning behind the split neck was that they reversed the pieces relative to each other. The thought was that by reversing the wood grain, the neck would be less prone to warping in one direction.

[@MercutioUK2006]

Huge shout-out to Sam for some superb skills there, both in diagnosing the fault and some very neat soldering. Another raffle I'll be entering :)

[@alpeterson]

Before you get a T40 to check out (which you definitely should do) make sure to reinforce your workbench to hold the weight of a dead star.

[@MrChopin2323]

A dead star...lol....yeah she is heavy.

[@zapphoddbubbahbrox5681]

I think the bridge assembly should have come with a forklift

[@rauschguitars]

Huge respect to Sam! I honestly didn't expect it to be repairable.

[@FezMan94]

Same here, as soon as ben said epoxy potted, I thought they'd have to replace the whole pick-up.

[@andrewwinch474]

Absolutely, would’ve been easy to just throw it in the too hard basket.

[@jwandhistools]

I am in disbelief that you were able to save that pickup. I have been told many times it is not possible. Obviously it is. Well done.

[@Deuce_Luminox.]

I owned a T-60 in the early 1980's. It was heavy, had a very thin neck, and could be made to sound like anything. It truly was a sonic chameleon. I don't understand why more guitars don't use the tone shaping controls used on this model.

[@jeffthompson1869]

I had one too. Early 80s. Giant Peavey rig to go with it. Weighed like a boat anchor. I just could never find the sound I wanted out of it. For those who dig history or unusual guitars - this is a must get. But everyone else - I would not recommend. Listen to a pile of guitars and tones - and go with something that will spark the urge to pick it up and play. This type of guitar is not for beginners or smaller-sized players - this is for road dogs, punk rockers, muscular metal gods, or those who like serious workouts when they play. I have seen examples of this guitar where they change out the neck and fretboard with an all-metal neck - because it won't neck dive. It is a monster - but I don't regret giving it to a friend who fell in love with it. Bottom line: it is a great guitar - but it takes a certain type of person to want to play it on a regular basis.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Yes, I also owned one of these and I was always quietly surprised with just how versatile it was as a recording guitar, so sorry I let my T-60 go.

[@hazepheno925]

It's cause you got to play Authentic!

[@familiarpurrson8744]

@@jeffthompson1869 That was the problem I had with my T27: it never sounded quite the way I wanted it. I did much better with my first Les Paul, even though it was only an Epiphone 100. I know more now, though, which is why I want to get the Peavey back in working order if I can.

[@cletusbeauregard1972]

Check out Amplified Parts' Humbucker Control Pot. It does what the T-60's controls do and more.

[@grahamnunn8998]

We need more Sam, that segment of him repairing the pickup was amazing. Like you, he is utterly dedicated.

[@scottlevine5030]

"Its clever, but theres no reason to do that" kind of sums up Peavey in that era.

[@jimiyamagishi]

Actually, the truss rod is a single rod not aluminum channel, so the groove is actually curved to slightly "pre stress" the rod. I was @ Peavey for about a week escorting reps for Gotoh who made the machine heads & found out a LOT about those. :)

[@jams3maddij]

Getting all nerdy!!! 👂👀🕳🧠 🙏4🦴 Have a Patriot Bass. '83? Early. All case candy original case with, fading, but still intact foam on top lid of the original plastic form molded case. Black. Mantis. 82/3. Same deal with the tone controlled split but only single humbucker, F type synchro, multi piece body. I call it a mini dime. Just got that thing. Only thing I got from the ex and got to keep

[@JamesKambouris]

These axes are flying way under the radar. Just like most of Mr peaveys designs. There is thousands of cool peavey amps as well like," the missippi marshall. The mace amp which moly hatchet used. Thank you Sam for exposing unique American axes. I love that you are following a different path ! It shows your love and appreciation of these fine instruments. You Rock! Thanks Jim K. LV. Nev.

[@carldebaun6346]

One of the magical elements of these is that it doesn't just do a simple coil split, there's a taper from humbucker to single coil. Really makes the guitar extremely versatile.

[@DouglasRosser]

Hats off for putting so much time and energy into restoring such a non-collector snob guitar. I mean, those pickups were designed to be thrown away!

[@chrislawson7106]

I’d love to see some more videos With Sam going over how pickups work and doing some pickup builds.

[@jakobskaaning7730]

I might be wierd, but Sam being able to fix that pickup, made my heart warm and fuzzy

[@darrenwoodster1926]

I’ve got two of these now. A 78 and 79. Just about the best sounding guitar I’ve ever had. And they’re in good company.

[@RevMishka]

Simply awesome! I bought one of the original T-60’s when Hartley Peavey announced them in 1979…I loved it but it was stolen several years later. I was on tour. I’ve since bought several others but hadn’t owned one for a few years. But, I found a 1980 in Senna Burst (very rare finish)! I love it. Thanks for showing others the incredible magic of the Peavey T-60!

[@deehiggdh]

what an amazing feat. cheers to the pup repair man Sam

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Sam rules, he is very very clever!

[@erix777]

Professionally brought back to life! Masterful.

[@taylormoon3561]

Glad you got the original pickup working. Love a restoration story with a happy ending

[@SweetTGuitars]

Sam did a great thing, saving that pickup! I really love the coil tap feature on this guitar. I may have to try wiring something similar into one of my builds. Thanks for sharing Ben! ✌️

[@peterdyrhaug2621]

My '79 T-40 has been my main guitar since I bought it fresh and new. Upon sound advice I put a Gibson Dirty Fingers PU in the bridge position. Oh dear.. it sounds fantastic. The most versatile sounding guitar I've seen in my 30 years in the guitar repair business. The most useful out-of-phase I've ever heard and the ash-maple with the Dirty Fingers screams. Refretted by a master, it's also the best playing guitar (especially with 9's tuned to D I'm embarrassed to say). I also like to dial in a Firebird sound with the neck PU.

[@TheMazdaFan]

Better check the model…. The T-40 was a bass. Not sure how you got a “firebird” sound from it.

[@andresfernandezhernandez1495]

That's a real musical instrument, they built it timelessly. Excellent video

[@jamesthomson7047]

Well for getting the pickup repaired. Keeps it all original. Its gonna sound awesome now 😎

[@MetalMike87]

About the Neck topic, I think that from a Manufacturing standpoint that's quite clever 1. machine 2 mirrored cavities on different parts 2. glue them together after installing the truss-rod 3. go to the CNC machine 4. you're ready to install the frets I guess it was deemed as the fastest and cheapest solution, compared to the others

[@Xarthis]

Yes! give the people at HQ their well-deserved time in the spotlight!

[@savethedandelions]

watching sam work on that pickup, i may as welll have been watching a heart surgeon. i wish i understood wiring stuff, but every video i watch it's like it goes in my eyes and directly out my ears.

[@danklatt7503]

The split neck thing, was to reverse the grain of the wood, in one half of the neck. Reason- to stabilize or prevent twisting. (source on line somewhere) ps I would buy a pick guard and a tuner-T60. pps love the T60, sounds great unplugged.

[@rvburbank1]

I was about to say the same thing. Hamer also did the same thing with their necks.

[@ronaldprice9909]

In1979 I bought a t-15, still have it.it was my first electric guitar

[@Yoda8945]

I have a T-15 prototype in Bronze metallic. These were a shorter scale guitar like a Fender Mustang and the Gibson Byrdland.

[@tonyisyourpal]

Weren’t the T15s the guitars that came with an amp and speaker in the case ?

[@ronaldprice9909]

All original with hard case with built in amp

[@Yoda8945]

@@ronaldprice9909 Those were great! Because mine was a prototype, it didn’t come with the amp. I have a set of the later single string adjustment bridge saddles but have not installed them.

[@Yoda8945]

@@tonyisyourpal Yes, most did , but they were available without.

[@jewooldridge2007]

In the summer of 1980, I mowed as many lawns as I could find at $6/pop to earn $250 to buy a used Peavey T-60 from my local music store. That was my first guitar. Loved it. Sadly, I sold it in 1985 because I was in debt and needed the money. I really regret doing so. 37 years later, I have 24 high-end guitars (Gibson, Fender, PRS, Taylor, Line 6, BC Rich, Ovation, Breedlove, Schecter, Warmoth, Takemine, Washburn, etc). BUT NO PEAVEY. :-) I did buy a T-60 off Reverb a couple of years ago, but when it arrived the neck and neck pocket were messed up, so I sent it back. Definitely going to enter the raffle for this guitar.

[@alexmoll8372]

I own two T-40s, and a T-60. Love them all. The T-60 is a beautiful tobacco burst, and it's actually quite light weight - more like a swamp ash, than northern ash. That's wood for ya! The "upside down" neck plate was supposedly done so that the player could flip up the guitar and show the audience the logo. I'm not so sure about that, but it's a fun theory. I have mixed feelings about the prices continuing to go up. They've been underpriced for a long time.

[@neilpatrickhairless]

I think Chip Todd actually confirmed the neck plate story a few years ago

[@slimydroid]

More Sam videos please! I'd love to see more pickup work, we're probably spoilt by the exceptional work done on here but I bet it would make at least a couple of good videos.

[@DocWhiteblues]

I have a T60 from the same year. Sensational neck and a multitude of sounds. I use it for slide because it can sustain forever. I’ve never pulled it apart so it’s nice to see the innards.

[@jaynbob42]

You’re the face and boss of Crimson. But yeah, I would love to see some videos of the other guys at Crimson doing their thing. Electrics side of things especially but also would love to see some tutorials from whoever does the spraying as well.

[@Bun_Can_Do_It]

My dad played his '78 T-60 through his vintage '64 Fender Twin Reverb, the sound was absolutely amazing! It was so clean and articulate, one of the best clean tones I've ever heard!

[@samuelhatman8995]

But indeed it was absolutely chilled out and excellent display of quality mettle. I'd absolutely run to you guys were I not here in Minnesota for repair of such diligence. A joy to watch in every aspect of the production. Sincerely yours, "Sam" Hatman!

[@Allguitarinfo]

So cool to see a PEAVEY T60 on your bench man. THOSE INSTRUMENTS are so versatile .. the country players knew it..there were many players in those days playing the model. ..I had a T30 with electric case as my first electric guitar at 13 years old . Christmas Morning I was loving it. Hartley was using CUTTNG EDGE tech then... IVE ALWAYS liked Peavey stuff. Not all but some also have a Falcon USA.. ,a Predator plus ,andxa VType....the necks are so small on the T series..again really cool to see you have it on your channel. .Really wish you guys had a school of Luthiery in the States also. ..Anyway. thanks for what you do.

[@guitfidle]

That is so awesome Sam was able to get that pickup working!! I know a lot of techs that will not even bother with an epoxied pickup like that

[@DonNicolson]

Actually so chuffed that Sam managed to save that pickup I was sad when you said it had to be replace. In the words of a great man… Yay 😀

[@markmilligan8773]

I love this guitar 🎸 😍 and I can't believe you're raffeling it off thought this was different enough to stay in the museum. Oh course I'm buying tickets just don't tell the wife😅. BTW would love to see more of Sam and goings-on at Crimson

[@LisaHarsh]

Very cool. I did appreciate seeing Sam fix the pickup.

[@Metalfreak-vv2yc]

I own a few of the old Peavey's ...T-15, T-60 and a T-25 special. The 25 special is probably my favorite and sounds awesome. Cool video and great project that you started!

[@Reginaldesq]

Cool guitar. I love the knobs they used

[@robertdeen8741]

I remember in the early to mid 1990s we had an issue with Peavey prebass style pickups not working. To fix it, all that was needed was to heat up the solder where the fine winding wire went into an eyelet to meet the heavier wire that ran out of the pickup. I can only guess that when manufactured, it wasn't heated enough to burn the enamel off the wire.

[@MacDorschbert]

13:40 this editing is dope 😂

[@daytch9485]

I've got peavey basses this Era and the split neck definitely keeps the warp away, and they had good maple to use , not short growth

[@adammono1839]

Quite an exploration into coil windings!

[@rockhoundingeasternwashing5308]

I've owned 2 T60S over the years. I wish I'd stop selling them off. Very industrial strengh guitar!

[@StratsRUs]

If this guitar was of a more acceptable weight they would sell a ton if rereleased. Great video.Perfectly paced

[@mordokch]

I played a T40 bass for years back in the 80's - one of the best bases I ever had - weighs about the same as a small ish car.

[@DarwinStearns]

Congratulations for not falling into the "Peavy Trap" - i.e. overtightening the scratchplate screws. To the best of my knowledge, Peavy put those idiotic voids in the body behind the scratchplate screws on all their instruments, which is why you find so many of their guitars and basses with cracked pickguards.

[@definitivearts2792]

Peavey took it a step further in the 80s. I have an '84 Peavey Horizon 2 (with the Octave Plus floating Tremolo). It has all of the same quality build features as the T series (2 piece neck, tilt adjust, top hat knobs, all the little details and built like a tank [I have dropped this thing so many times and not once has it broke]) but it went with a slimmed down, more slanted/streamlined body style, and weighed slightly less (though still hefty at 8lbs 10oz.) than the T series. It features 2 blade humbuckers, with the coil tap tone circuitry and a pickup selector switch, like the T series, but with a single master volume. The unique feature was the addition of a single coil in the middle, connected to a 3 way toggle, that turned the middle single coil either on/in phase, off, or on/reverse phase. The number of tones this thing can do is insane and it has been my go too work horse for yeeeeeears. Definitely worth a look if you are wanting to take a dive into the past when guitar builders were trying new things rather than constantly trying to rehash the 60'. 👍

[@1066wastrel]

I for one would love to see more of what go`s on at Crimson, whilst she watches her soaps & ghost hunters et al (give me strength) I`m in the mancave watching Ben, Rosa SW, Texas Toast, Paul Sellers (who may interest you guys), anyway, bring on more Crimson!

[@Deliquescentinsight]

I knew that the T-60 is a good quality guitar, but this video reveals just how unusual and innovative the design is, I now regret getting rid of mine!

[@marcusadams8067]

Amazing work by Sam😮

[@JoeySchmidt74]

Lol, my twins are called Ben and Sam, I hope they have a fraction of the repair talent shown in this video.

[@thedocisin3204]

Love my USA made Peavey Predators. Got 4 and 2 are stock and 2 have EMG's. Love the feel an sound.

[@ryanferris7841]

Nice work on fixing that pickup

[@joegabbard5281]

IIRC, the tone pots on these, and some other Peavey models with the same wiring are actually S taper pots.

[@Katira-KR7]

I wish they would produce more guitars like this now.

[@clinehunt9323]

Thanks for the memories (though sad) my parents scraped together money they didn’t have to buy this exact guitar for my high school graduation present. I took it to my small college and it was stolen from my room along with my crate amp, the one that looked like a wooden crate. Enjoy your programs very much!

[@TheBigburcie]

The epoxy potting could have been a massive issue to deal with but it may have been a benefit in this case. Sam was able to find the bad connection within potentially damaging the original coils (something I did 20 years ago and still have the pickup parts in a bag to fix).

[@darrenhopkins6987]

Great series. And great you could save the pickup. I have a 79 The paul if you want to see about doing a service/ restoration project on. I dont have the skill or confidence yet to do a fret job. Going to practice on a few cheaper models first

[@edwinstovall3334]

I've owned two Peaveys in my time and still have one. First one stayed stock until it was stolen. I have my modified the other as far as I'm going to. The only reason to be anxious about gigging it is that it's HEAVY! This is the first guitar I modded, so I didn't think about all the end results -- I just went for sustain. I got it at the price of weight but it sounds and plays GREAT!

[@HatchA_Makes...]

Kudos to Sam for having the skill & patience to work through the problem and repair it. My only gripe would be that he put the inner cover-thingy (the layer between the pickup and the metal cover) on upside down, so now the worn patches on each pickup don't have the same/original orientation. (But that's just my CDO doing its thing). (And yes, I'm aware I typed CDO - it's in alphabetical order, obviously). Also - having that sneaky peaky "behind the scenes", as it were, was a really cool addition to the content! Does Sam have to get paid more now for technically being an extra with a speaking part..? hehehe

[@scottlassiter6982]

YES! Please get a T-40. I love mine.

[@stu-j]

Fantastic strip down and setup Ben and kudos to getting the pickup back to working condition! Find a marlin sidewinder ( UK's best selling guitar I think at some point) and restore one of them cheap and cheerful guitars! My first guitar I had that was a real left handed one!

[@douglasbaxter71]

I'll sell him a Sidewinder and a Slammer! Slammer is a totally different beast. Iron Curtain manufacture, not Far East!

[@HandToolWoodGuy]

I definitely agree you need to showcase more of what Crimson is all about. But you are not allowed to stop this stuff, or the building, hahaha. I would miss you something terrible.

[@GySgt_USMC_Ret.]

I purchased a new T-60 in 79 (along with a Peavey Pacer amp). Traded it in for a 99 Black Wolfgang Standard. The Wolfgang was destroyed in an accident. Wish I had kept the T-60. Fair winds and following seas to all.

[@1lug]

Big yes to doing a T40!

[@mehAudio]

Yay, Sam! For all the innovation in CNC manufacturing, QC mucked up big time

[@MrRonk55]

Actually had a 78 in 1978. Weight was never really a problem with me. I bought an ash Strat and that was a bit to lug around too, but never warmed up to that. Sold the T-60 and always regretted it. Got one on Ebay a few years ago for the same price I paid in 1978. Not a thing wrong with it, too. Go figure that!

[@chrisdrake447]

It’s just so representative of the era, I think. Fender and Gibson having actual and perceived issues with product quality, why not a USA made guitar and bass from an amp manufacturer? Think it was the first review I saw, in Sounds newspaper by Tony Mitchell, that was awarded top marks. Probably not as well-endorsed with artists who were based outside the US as other instruments like the Yamaha SG1000/2000 and higher end Aria PE series guitars were with New Wave players, but one heck of a statement.

[@unitednihilists]

OMG the dot inlays are stickers! I've had this guitar for 30 years and didn't know that.

[@PerpetuallyTiredMusician]

First off, just found this channel and it's an amazing repository of entertainment and knowledge, love it. I had a t40 in the late 90s and played it flipped. It sounded great but the neck was uncomfortable, and extra so since it wanted to neck dive due to me playing it upside down. Later traded it for a guitar since had started to gravitate towards composing and song writing. Kinda wish I hadn't now, they do look and sound cool. Peace and stay safe

[@tedjenkins1736]

In 1978 when I was in 7th grade I saved up my lawn-mowing money from the summer and bought one of these new for $325. It was my first electric guitar ever; I assumed that ALL electric guitars weighed the same as a boat anchor. I foolishly traded it about 15 years ago at my local GC for a Line6 Vetta amp and regretted it ever since. Three months ago, picked up another one off of Reverb. But I didn't pay no $325 this time....

[@Gatopanzon_1976]

I have a T80 bass, super heavy instrument, love it!

[@notplaying2379]

I’m so glad you managed to fix my* guitar. * Thinking positively for the raffle.

[@TheFULLMETALCHEF]

A T-60 was my first touring guitar…stolen from a gig and never replaced. Should have gotten another but after several KZbinrs did reviews several years ago the prices tripled online.

[@peachmelba1000]

Any thievery is bad, but guitar thieves are nearly as bad people who steal children's bicycles.

[@steveburrows101]

Really enjoyed this. Admired the T-60 since it was launched. That looks like a pretty pristine example (bar your pickup problem).

[@HandlebarWorkshops]

I have a Peavey Predator (Strat copy) from the mid 90's - my first electric guitar. The truss rod cavity in the neck was done in the exact same way.

[@seankelly7211]

I was thinking about how nice a new scratch-plate would look on that Peavey, made of a contrasting wood, or metal?

[@rogerhedin8069]

One more detail: with only the bridge pickup in use in single coil mode, you switch between the front or back coils with the phase switch...

[@ThroughFallenEyes]

Try to get some 60s Hagstrom basses on the show. Those are some damn cool instruments and have some wild features. I had a few come through my shop and I regret never keeping any. The built in mutes are a killer idea.

[@peterquailman2460]

'bout the backplate, can it be rotated 180? Sam saved the day, apparently. Great going, Sam.

[@KozmykJ]

The Tilt Adjuster ...

[@KozmykJ]

Grand job Sam. Good to see someone spotted the 180° on the Bridge pickup. 🙄

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I saw that as I was putting her in the case to ship out. Doh!

[@graygunter698]

Just got done with v1 and it went off i said hope he has part 2 up. Lol its bad when u watch videos on things you do as a hobby this fella gets to do for a job. I just really like my 80s peavey guitars i got 3 of um 2 of wich ive owned 30 yrs

[@andiewithanie]

those countersunk screwholes in the pickguard are fantastically [over/]engineered

[@CORYSart]

And after watching this great video I'd like to add a few things. I believe the neck was made by to "separate" boards of wood so and then laminated to keep from twisting. Second was your comment on the up side down peavey plate because I felt the same way. I believe it's so fans would read peavey when musicians trick style playing. Maybe someone familiar with musicians stage style pre the first t60s would give a possible idea as to why folks at Peavey decided on it.

[@familiarpurrson8744]

I own a Peavey T27. Something about the wiring is toasted, the ground tp the bridge I suspect. Anyway, it’s interesting to watch you going through what I will have to. The bucker on the bridge has the same sort of circuit, and I’m wondering will I want to save it or would I be better off going with a new pickup and a push pull set up.

[@zapphoddbubbahbrox5681]

++ on the T40! Amazing tones.

[@moogoomoogoo5990]

And just like that a new series, Crimson Guitar CSI. So riveting I had to get a second cup of coffee.

[@quequechanbushcraft1451]

I can tell you've been drawing and producing art since you were a kid.

[@peterlundin7953]

More is more! Sam is genious!

[@cpfs936]

I don't know (if I remember correctly) if I'd call them "CNC machined". IIRC, the necks were carved on a modified version of a gunstock lathe. Still advanced for the time, but more like a Pantagraph that worked off a master, rather than numerical data.

[@U014B]

11:42 "and it should all work as... Where did that music come from?"

[@nzsteve]

Yes, definitely get a T40 to work on. I had a sunburst one, an absolute beauty, back in the 80's and it's definitely a regret that I sold it. It played really nicely and sounded beautiful, but by crikey it weighed a ton - which is why I sold it. Also massive respect to Sam to for his mad skills in repairing that humbucker, but please get him to wear a mask when soldering - there's all sorts of nasty shit in those fumes.

[@sunn_bass]

I really like the T-45 bass better. Single pickup and no pickguard. The sunburst on those really look nice. I like the single pickup because its placement actually sounds better.

[@valentino3191]

Many players worship Leo Fender and Les Paul. (And both men deserve the recognition for manufacturing geniuses and innovators) But so few people have heard of Chip Todd and Hartley Peavey’s innovation. As far as I’m concerned, they had them all beat with their manufacturing skills and thinking.

[@benlogan430]

Those T-60’s always looked the stuff! I’ve been looking for a good one. I have a Predator and a Patriot but, haven’t yet found a good T-60. Awesome video brings me back to the days at Skinners house!

[@FriskyOG]

love the videos of tearing down old lesser known guitars :)

[@mikemcgee9031]

I've got the T-40 for you. All original and functioning. Might need a bit of TLC and fret work.