Peavey Foundation Bass

I'm Not quite sure what the year is, Probably a mid 90's and it was made in U.S.A. (Duh..aren;t all peaveys?). Its a 21 fret , 4 string Peavey Foundation. It used to have a white finish, but i stripped it and found it to have a beautiful grain to it so I Disassembled it and gave it a shot of spray can varnish. To my delight she looks BEAUTIFUL. Its got 2 volume controls and one tone pod. It's also got the standard pickups and the sound coming off them convinces me that peavey knows what they are doing. She's got a rosewood neck that is relatively simple to adjust. WHen I got her she came with a hard shell case, a leather strap with a sheepskin shoulder pad, and a lovely huge pick that i never use.

When paired with a Peavey 250W studio pro bass amp, She sounds Perfect. I usually am not hooked up into any sound board and i just leave my tone down and the first pickup cranked, and the bass just rattles the foundation of the building. I find it equally useful in a studio where i can control the sound a little and make it richer.

I baught it used but i might as well have baught it brand new because the guy i baught it off of was EXTREMELY catious about it. So i cant think of anything that was broken or needed to be replaced. (with the exception of the cheap plastic jack mount.)

GOD!!! WHAT A JOKE>>>>THIS BASS IS A TANK!!! I COULDNT WRECK IT IF I WANTED TO!!!!

Never need any support at all

I've Been Playingf for 11 years and I must say. This bass Is RANK!!!

I'm not sure what year this Foundation was made, but I think it is one out of the early 80's. 21 frets, 4 strings. 2 volume (1 for each Super Ferrite Pick ups) and 1 tone, they are all passive. Thin neck, similiar to a Fender Jazz.

Fairly fat sounding, good for Punk/Emo, Ska, Funk, and Straigh up Rock. Sounds great out of my Fender Bassman. As long as you keep the tone all the way up, there isn't much humming. Does well with all playing styles (Pick, finger, slap).

The bass is set up well, but the strings will move away from the fretboard (I'm talkin about getting a train through the gap) if you get lazy about doing setup jobs.

With the hardshell case that came with the bass it can withstand anything. I've even dropped it down a flight of stairs, and there wasn't a scratch on it. In the 2 years I've owned it, it has never need any major repair work, and I'm estimating that it is at least 15 years old.

? Never used it

Overall great bass for the price paid

This is a foundation S model 1 P 1 J pickup and 2 vol 1 tonepot. I don't know the year or the body wood but it is kind of heavy,So I am guessing alder, since to the best of my knowledge basswood, alder, or poplar where what they were made of. I bought mine used for $229.00 It was listed at $300.00.
It seems to be the best of all possible worlds with this bass. The neck is the same as playing a musicman super thin, What accoustic tones! The curve of the body,the placement of the pickups and even the pickup mounting rings, the way your thumb just snaps back. Man it just like having my old Yamaha BB300 back. God that was a funk machine, and now with my favorite neck on it too. I will never sell this bass, it came with the classic 70's/80's upgrades Di Marzio pickups and a Leo Qwan badass II Bridge. In the 80 when hair/ metal ruled either you had Di Marzio's, duncans, or emgs for pickups. if I run this bass tru a GK soild state amp I get Guns and Roses bass sound to a T. If I push it tru a ampeg and put ghs boomers on for strings,Bam I got the early megadeth,w.a.sp, crue sound down cold. For some of you younger people reading play the following cd's "peace sells but who's buying"and "rust in peace" by Megadeth. Anything pre "theater of pain" by Motley Crue, and anything by W.A.S.P. and you will know what I mean.
I am very happy with this and it came with a nice hardshell case too. When I was younger you had to own BC Richs, Hammers, Jacksons, Kramers, and Fenders to be considered a real rocker, well I was dumb. Everyone knew that Peavey good stuff you just weren't cool. Well FUNK them!!! I wish I hadn't been blinded by name brand bias. It is just about the best bass I have every owned.

It with the Di Marzio's do 80's meteal great see above.

It is God only knows how old but it play just FUNTASTIC!

I t is in 90% and at least 1o yrs.old seem t be holding up well.

I love this bass!

My Foundation is in it's original configuration, so I won't go into much detail. I bought it in 1981 or 1982 (thereabouts). It was the year they were first manufactured and the store had to special order it. I was looking for a Fender Jazz feel and sound but being in high school I was looking at cheaper options.

Peavey had previously started out in the guitar business with the T-60 guitar and T-40 bass. Peavey was trying to enter the instrument market and great care and workmanship was placed on those initial axes.

It is a four-string, black poplar body with natural maple neck and came with a molded plastic case. The case is virtually indestructable.

I play mostly latin music: salsa, merengue -- no tejano. Also referred to as "tropical." I have played latin jazz and funk with it. I currently use it with a Korg AX-40B, since it is a passive bass, and a Peavey Mark IV head. My speakers are a SWR 2x10 and a Peavey 1516 (1 x 15 + 2 x 8)

It is sometimes noisey (hum) if both pickups are not turned up all the way. The way the single-coil pickups are configured, they act as a humbucker with both of them turned up.

Good range of sounds for a passive axe, but more on the bright side.

Studio work through the Mark IV works pretty well. I recorded direct form the Korg processor last year and the bass proved too sensitive. I was getting alot of finger-sliding-against-the-string noise into the recording. (I use Blue Steel 105-45 gauge.) I ended up switching to my Yamaha Fretless for the remainder of the session. This, however, I feel was the exception.

As mentioned earlier, the factory set-up was great and the bass was very playable. At the time, I was playing some funk and jazz and switched to lighter strings. I then lowered the action to compensate.

The locking latch on the hardshell case was broken internally. The internal dead bolt is loose. To this day, it will lock itself if laid right-side-up. The key will not open it. I tip the case upside-down and tap the latch a couple of times until it "falls" the other way. It doesn't bother me, since it kind of my secret combination.

It HAS withstood live playing for twenty years now. It has fallen flat from the guitar stand face-first at least three times -- the most recent one on a concrete sidewalk (thanks Randy the guitar player.)

Hardware looks like the day I bought it. Someone else mentioned here that it doesn't go out of tune -- it's true. The finish is VERY durable. In fact, Peavey recommended using car polish on it in their manual. The strap buttons I replaced with locking ones. The original bass had regular ones. I've only adjusted the neck twice. The first time because it was there and the second time to undo the effects of my experimentation. Backup? What backup? It's never even occurred to me to bring a backup. I change strings regularly and do some basic preventive maintenance.

I think everyone gives Peavey an A+. I recently obtianed manuals from Peavey for my two dinosaurs: the Foundation and the Mark IV. Documentation on the 1518 enclosure (before you laugh, I needed it for the crossover) was available on line.

Never have had to get anything repaired on the bass. My Peavey Century and Mark IV amps I service myself. They sent me schamatics for the Century some years back.

Warranty is loooong expired but I believe it was one year.

I've been playing bass since 1978. Most of my gear I've mentioned above. I own other stuff like flamenco guitar, classic guitar, and a MIDI keyboard. Other basses owned are Vox, Yamaha Fretless, and a Frankenstein guitar body with a bass neck (my first bass).

I wouldn't sell this bass. With all my years playing, I've never outgrown it. I even played a live gig with jazz flutist Dave Valentin using this bass. Then there's the sentimental value to it as well.

I choose the bass becasue it was simply the best at the price range I was in at the time. The only thing I would like to add to it is active onboard preamp.

This is an early 90's bass. Maple neck, alder body, and a rosewood fretboard. It has 21 jumbo frets, a white glossy finish w/ all black hardware. It is a classy looking bass with clean lines a comforatable feel. It has two pick-ups (P-J style) active Seymour Duncans, a Bad Ass Bass II bridge and Grover machines. Simple, sweet and built the way a bass should be.

This bass will fit most any style of playing. I have played in Jazz bands, hard rock, and funk, it suites all with superiority over any other bass I have ever played. Sure my Fender frettless jazz bass fit the jazz band a little better but it wasn't good for anything else. I use an SWR working mans head with a SWR 4X8 cabinet. A super full tone, and an ability to achieve a bright poppy tone and a rich full low tone. I read somebody said it was no good for slap, put an active pick-up in it and you will change your mind.

I couldn't tell you how this bass came stock I bought it for $400 used and it was worth every penny. The action is perfect there is absolutly no noise (other than the noises I make) it is super durable and relyable

I have owned this bass for 5 years now and it impresses me more every day. I had a gig bag rip open on me dropping my bass to the street. I big scratch was all that was suffered. It has never needed adjustment it stays in tune for weeks at a time (even with travel). I have never felt the need to use a back up at a gig. I didn't even consider it untill I read some of the other reviews. But I still wouldn't, a back up would just be a sign of unreliability that I'm sure my bass wouldn't like to see. Would you bring home a back up wife?

No idea. I have never needed it with this bass.

I have been playing bass for 10 years. I have been through dozens of basses. When I walked into the music store to just look not even haveing any money, I saw it, I played it, I traded in my Fender and put the remainder on my credit card all with in 30min. My favorite feature is the sticker that came on the head that says "keep the beat" I once had the plesure of a proffesional studio musician playing it in the studio for a song. He handed it back to me and said "this is a sweet bass man" If somebody stole it I would hunt them down and kill them. I will never sell it I may get another bass but for the money I paid I got a super sweet instrument that I would have to spend 2-3K to replace and feel good about it.

This bass has a maple neck an alder body and a rosewood fretboard it also has 2 volumes for each super ferrit humbucker pick ups and a tone. this bass is great!!

this bass sounds wonderful compared to my epiphone accu bass i am in a metal/punk band it it's tone's suite all my needs this bass has a wide wide range of musical ability.

The music store i purchased this from says the foundation bass usually always has problems with the knobs being way to loose and falling of but he fixed that so this bass is pretty good all in all in its fitness category.

This bass is great for live playing i recently had a gig and it played great! the hardware is great also of course id play with a back up just incase a string brakes but i like i said before i love this bass!

The costumer support was great they fixed the knobs and checked it out for free! Great!

I love this bass so much ive playing for abot 3 years and if it was stolen i would deffinetely buy a knew 1 i love its sound so much get this bass!

I purchased my Foundation in 1991 from Elderly Instruments in Lansing, Michigan. It was new and cost about $230.00, if I remember correctly. It has an alder body, maple neck, 21 frets, 2 ferrite single coil pickups, two volume and one tone knob. The finish was kind of a fire engine red when I bought it but a couple of years ago I had it changed to black. For the price it was a great bass.

I have played a bunch of different styles but mostly classic rock and country now. I have found this bass to meet all of the challenges that were presented. I have changed amps so many times but I have never changed the bass. I played it through a peavey pro mark IV, a Peavey TNT, a Peavey TKO, a combo 300, Accoustic 150B, SWR. I think that the best sound was with the peavey combo 300 and a peavey 1820 cab. I have never gotten a lot of noise in any situation. I have found it to have a very full warm sound and a very snappy brite sound when I played with the tone settings at all.

The factory set-up was ok. I didn't like the strings that were on it so I changed them right away to my GHS Boomers that I always used. I did have to replace the plastic jack plate with a metal one last year. The finish was great when I got it but after all of the years I changed it to a glossy black just because I got sick of the red. Actually the body was quite beautiful when it was all sanded down and I considered keeping it natural.

This bass has withstood a lot of playing I never even consider taking a backup. The strap buttons have long been changed to the locking type so I don't remember what the original even look like. After 8+ years of heavy playing the original finish had become a little foggy but was still plenty thick and had not wore through. I actually changed the color because I couldn't find another bass that I liked as much as it and I wanted a different color.

I have deale with the company before with an amp problem and they were great but I have not had any problem with the bass. The bass had a one year warranty.

I have been playing different instruments since the early 1970's (bass,drums,guitar). I have owned a Taylor, Strats, Tele's, P-bass, Gibsons, Ibanez, and Yamaha. I have owned this foundation longer than any other guitar, bass, or amp. If it were stolen I would buy another just like it. It has been kind of like my favorite pair of jeans It Just Fits Like A Glove. The best thing I ever did was to trade in that 75 Pbass for it. Except for what that Pbass is worth now, I have no regrets.

My Foundation is a 1986 model that was purchased new from Mitchell's Music. It has an Alder body, Maple neck and rosewood fretboard (21 Jumbo frets). The pickups are standard issue Peavey Super Ferrite single coils. 2 Volume and 1 Tone control (all passive). Stamped steel bridge and open tuners. Black finish.

For the price, you can't beat the variety of tones that this instrument is capable of. On the bridge pickup setting it is very bright, and on the neck pickup setting the sound is sort of a flat old Fender Precision sound. Together, however it has a well rounded Fender Jazz sound. Mixing with the volume knobs at different varying degrees I have gotten sounds anywhere from a Rickenbacker to a Gibson Grabber and any Fender in between. The only complaint I have is that it could use a little more on the lower end. I am currently using a Crate BX160 combo amp that has built in chorus and 7 band EQ as well as pre- and post shape and tone controls. I have had no problems with hum, except when around certain electrical and light setups and then only when both volume knobs are not turned up full. I have used it live and in studio. I have owned various Fender and cheap Japanese basses before, however this has been the one I have kept the longest.

The action from the factory was quite good, but for the way I play, I had to lower the string height and adjust the radius slightly. The adjustments were quite easy. The pickups needed to be adjusted higher to get more volume. The neck has a slight bow on the low E side that I don't notice as much on the G side, but has had no effect on tuning or intonation.

This bass has withstood some grueling practices and live playing situations. IT NEVER GOES OUT OF TUNE!!!
The one thing that I have noticed on this site and also talking to others that have this model, is that the common attribute is the ability to stay in tune.
No matter what temperature or humidity level the only time I need to tune this bass is after a string change or if I hit the tuners by accident. I have never had to adjust the truss rod and the only time intonation comes into play is when I change strings. And then it is on the E string only. I have gone into live situations dozens of time and watched the guitar players tune up with tuners and then give me an open A to check with only to find I'm still in tune from the last practice or gig.(They use me as the tuner now). This bass has been so reliable I started leaving backups at home because they are just more equipment to carry.

The warranty is for 1 year. I have never needed to use it since purchased new in 1986.

If this bass is stolen I would purchase another. It has the ability to sound good playing Metal, Jazz, Funk, Slap, Rock.....etc. It is lighter than a Precision, has a thin Jazz style neck, and a finish that has withstood 15 years of abuse with hardly any wear (It helps when you take care of it though). My first choice was a Fender Jazz or a Music Man Stingray, however it was a gift from my wife and I half-heartedly "gave it a shot", and after doing so basically sold or shelved the others.Maybe the one I received was a fluke, but it sure has been a testimonial for Peavey.

I bought this thing in '96 and it was used; i got it at a pawn shop, and it came with a hard case and a leather strap, for $250.00 WHAT A BARGAIN!!! It has 21 frets and is black w/a maple neck and rosewood fretboard. It has 2 super ferrite pick-ups (passive).

Let me start by saying that I love this bass. I have been playing bass for 13 years, and have had several basses come and go, but this one has stayed with me the longest. (okay, okay...have an old no name bass with an awful sounding lipstick-style pick-up that I've had longer than the Peavey, but I still dig the Peavey much more...). I can get a rumbling low or a pretty high trebly sound out of my Peavey, it has two volume and one tone knob, and when i owned my Laney BC120 I could level buildings with the thing.

I really dig the playability of the Foundation. I had to raise the pick-ups a little to get the sound I wanted, but the action was perfect. I usually use a lesser guage string for ease of fretting, but have used as much as .105 guage strings. The chrome bridge is pretty cool, too. It's a man's bridge, without being anything too fancy.

This bass has been dropped, kicked, drop-kicked, cussed at,had beer and coffee spilled on it, had a two year old slobber and climb all over it, and been scratched (there is a significant amount of paint missing on the underside of this instrument). There are several dings, and the fretboard has seen some wear, and I probably couldn't get too much for it if I ever intended to sell it (which I don't). All of this, and the thing still doesn't go out of tune. I have played gigs without a backup using my old pal Peavey. God bless American made axes!!!

I've never had to deal with Peavey, and I know that in a lot of circles, Peavey guitars and basses are often laughed at, pissed on, etc, but I swear by them. That I have never had to contact Peavey for any reason whatsoever is to me a testimony to this bass and it's makers.

I've owned three four strings, and three five strings in my 13 years of playing bass. While it is far from being a Warwick, or an ESP, (or anything else with fancy electronics and all the amenities), the bass definitely holds up & I believe that both veteran players and beginners would dig playing a Foundation. If anyone ever stole this bass, I would hunt them down, and force them to lay down grooves for the Backstreet boys (AAAAARRRGGHHH!!!!).

this bass is from the late 80's/early 90's. i bought it last year in a second hand shop. it has 22 frets, and a solid top. it was dark blue when i bought it, but i sanded it and painted it powder blue last summer. it did absolutely nothing to the tone. it has 2 volume controls and a tone control. i usually crank the tone to the max and back off both volumes a little bit. it makes it sound better for some reason. it has 2 "super ferrite" single coil pickups, a basswood body, maple neck, and rosewood fretboard with fat frets. typical body style, double cut, stock peavey tuners.

I play bass and sing in a pop-punk band, so i need a little bit of tone, but pretty much anything will do. i run it through an SWR workingman 4004 head and an ampeg 8x10 cabinet. i hate effects. they are the devil. it has a very rich sound. it has no buzz that i can hear. i try slapping and plucking every once in a while, and it kind of sucks for that. with a pick, the sound almost resembles an ernie ball/musicman stingray, which is an honor to the bass. with fingers, you can make it sound almost like an upright, if you roll back the tone. it's pretty versatile. i took the whole thing apart and sanded it, so that messed up the action alot, but i was able to fix it and it sounds better than it did before. so it's pretty tough.

when i bought it, it was covered in stickers and scratched up. the action was set decently, but when i put on new strings, i had to adjust it again. it's set now where i'm the only one who can play it. there are nickles under the bridge to jack up the action so it doesnt buzz, and i have the neck bowed because that's comfortable for me. when i took off the back plate to have a look at the hardware, there was still sawdust in it. and after sanding it and repainting it, there are a bunch of streaks. but that's because of me. new ones are really good. i've played a few.

i jump off of things, light stuff on fire (my strings), and once i hit a drunk guy with it. it didnt even go out of tune. the hardware is all origional. one of the buttons popped out once, but i busted off a toothpick and put it in the hole and screwed the button back in, and it's been fine ever since. the finish is fine with me. i painted it myself. i put washers under the strap buttons so i dont have to buy strap locks. it works fine. i trust this bass with my life. i have a fender fretless jazz bass that i bought new, but i dont like the sound of it, so i use it for backup. but i've never had to use it during a show.

i've never dealt with the company, but i imagine they would help me. they better, anyways.

i've been playing since i was 10 (6 years ago). i own a bunch of small amps, a fender fretless jazz bass, and soon (hopefully) an ernie ball stingray, and various other junk. if it were stolen, i'd buy something else, simply because i want an ernie ball.i love the fact that i can do whatever i want to it and not feel bad. i hate adjusting the truss rod though. i wish it had a humbucking pickup so i wouldnt have to spend 1500 on an ernie ball.