Peavey Foundation Bass

I have an'87, a '92, and a '94 Foundation with maple necks. The earlier two have Superferrites, while the newer one has dual jazz shaped pickups.

All three are wired passive VVT and I am not sure of the wood type though it is likely either poplar or ash.

All three are black poly paint with maple neck. The fretboards are gloss on all three, but the newer two have satin finished backs. I bought all three used and only have cases for two. The '87 has the old triagular style plastic case which has held up well. The '92 has a molded plastic case that remains solid, though slightly warped on the front and back

I am currently playing mostly oldies and country. The Foundations cut through two guitars more effectively than my old jazz bass, and the '94 seems to have a particularly warm bottom end. At home I like to practice slap style, and the '87 is particularly good for this. It has a very distictive tone when palm muted and slapped.

My main amp rig is an Eden WT400 running a GK 410. The foundations really come to life when played through a powerful amp. They sound good at home on my practice rig, but great at rehearsal through my main gear.

I haven't taken on into a recording studio, but I find them particularly flexible and responsive to different playing techniques.

Peavey was the first major manufacturer to use CNC machines. The tolerances on the neck joints and control cavities are as good as anyone's. I got all of mine used, so I can't talk about the use they did receive prior to me, but the finishes seemed to have held up very well. They all have a few chips and scratches, but less than should be expected for basses of their age. I did set the action on all of them, so I can't judge the factory setup, but I can say that they all solid enough that they were easily returned to great playing condition with very low action.

These basses seem to be extremely solid and play as well as most new basses. The hardware all seems solid and has maintained its integrity over the years. The basses all hold a tune very well. I frequently take them out of the case, plug them into the tuner, and make no adjustments.

Never had to deal with them, though they do have manuals and wiring diagrams online.

I love these basses. It is amazing to me that more players haven't discovered them. That said, I'm glad because that means I can always find more at an affordable price. I have been playing for over 25 years, and these basses have moved to the front of my playing line, and that includes ahead of 2 pre-CBS Fenders.

My bass is actually a Foundation S 4 string Bass. It has 2 pickups, one is Jazz, the other Precision, both graphite passive pickups. It was made in the U.S. in 1986. 2 volume, 1 tone control. Used on eBay. Came with the original plastic case although the foam lining had been removed. Needed some work.

I got away from playing several years ago (that's another story) and sold all my equipment including my Fender 70's vintage Bass. Last year I got together again with the guys I used to be in a band with and I got the urge to play again. My brother did some research on basses since I have been out of touch for some time, and he found this one. It was purchased on eBay. I use a GK amp with it and it has incredible sound. The Precision/Jazz capabilities work extremely well. I can play it either way or both at the same time which is an interesting sound in itself. I don't do studio work so I don't have any opinion about that. Mostly at the moment I am using it at church but I am trying to put a band together for gigging purposes. It has a very clean sound and everyone who hears me play it is impressed by the sound it makes.

Like I said at the beginning, this bass needed some TLC which I gladly gave it. The bridge was quite rusty and I wanted to replace it with a Bad Ass II bass bridge but found once I got one, it would need a lot of modifications. I did a lot of searching and finally found out that nobody makes a perfect match for this bridge so I went one step better, I rebuilt the bridge with some help from a millwright friend of mine. It came out fantastic and when I put it back on the bass it worked perfectly. I have since learned the finer points of setting up the bridge for action and intonation and the bass works and sounds awesome. It does have a few nicka & gouges in it but anything really noticable is on the back. It looks like whoever owned it before had a big belt buckle!

I haven't had it long enough to establish a real opinion about how long it will last me but I plan on playing it for several years to come and have told my son he can have it when I am to old and feeble to play anymore. When I got this bass, the neck was a bit off and the truss rod needed adjusting. The problem being that Peavey designed a special truss rod for this bass and not just any socket wrench will do (notice I said socket wrench not allen key) and trying to find/buy one was a nightmare. I found a 5/8" socket with a fairly thin wall and once agin my millwright friend put it on a peice of tube for me and turned the sides of the socket down slightly. It worked like a charm. The only thing is it looks for all the world like a crack pipe however it does the job. I don't own another bass so I don't worry about a backup!

Costumer Service was excellent from Peavey. Anthony Johns who is the costumer service manager gave me all kinds of info including when and where the bass was born. When I was trying to replace the bridge, I emailed the costumer service department who told me that part was obsolete but I could probablyt find one that would work. Than I emailed Steve Smith one of their guitar technicians. He actually called me (I live in Ontario Canada they are in Texas) and figured out what I needed. Than he said he had a trunk with all kinds of new "old" (old replacement) parts and he would see what he could do. Ubfortunately he couldn't find one. However in this day and age with the customer service a lot of companies have, I was absolutely thrilled with the service I got, especially since I had not bought a new bass.

I was not to sure about this bass because back in my playing days Peavey was all about sound systems. I remembered the quality of instrument Yamaha put out when they started making instruments and I was afraid this bass would be like that. However I love this bass. Now that it is set up properly it is so easy to play and it sounds like a high end instrument.

Owned It for 21 Years!!

Hand Crafted In The USA
1987 Peavey 4 String Tobacco Burst
Maple Neck Normal Set Up
2 Super Ferrite Passive Pick Ups

Awesome Tone,I Bought a 5 String USA Cirrius Out Of Need for the Low B,Played for 5 Years Sold it Went Back To The Foundation With Hipshot "D"
Better Tone....Beautiful Warm Tone.. Very Versital Capable

Thin Neck Playes with Ease
Action Like A Guitar.Finish Has Lasted 20 Years Of Heavy Play.

Will this bass withstand live playing?
It Has for More Than 20 Years and TONE Has Only Improved.
Always Stays In Tune.Replaced input Jack at About 10 Years of Use.
Would you use it on a gig without a backup?
Your Kidding Right?

PERFECT .

I Have Been Plaing Proffesionaly For More Than 20 Years.and Am Always Looking for Better Sound And Tone.and Am Still On The USA Foundation With GHS Boomers.
Peavey USA Cirrius,Steinburger
5,Peavey TNT 130, Mesa Boogie M Pulse 600, Peavey Pro 500,Peavey 115 Combo.
Best Tone With The Mesa Boogie M Pulse 600 with 2-15's

My Foundation is a bone-stock 1983 tobacco sunburst, with rosewood fingerboard and maple neck, purchased brand new on 12/31/1983. It's still in exceptional condition.

The plastic case has been called junky by some, but here is my testimony as to its durability; during a load out in 1985, someone helping to lug stuff left it on the passenger side of a Dodge Dart, and nobody saw; the Dart promptly backed over the bass, the right front tire crossing the case laterally at about the 12th fret. Not only was the case and the bass undamaged, the bass DID NOT EVEN GO OUT OF TUNE.

It has sparse accourtements, as many have noted, but it's a blue collar kind of axe, so I don't expect a lot of bells.

I've never played a better sounding bass. WIth 45-105s on it (Peavey, GHS Boomers, or ClearTones), it has that wonderful throaty snap, a clear, defined and punchy low end, and a delicate upper register with a gentle hand. Can be pushy if you're playing hard. I have a Peavey Combo 300 (also bought 12/31/83) and they are a wonderful matched pair, though the Combo 300's high end is more harsh and clinical since it lacks a tweeter; through a Fender Bassman 60, it sounds luscious. For recording, you just peak all three pots (kills any hum) and record direct, no EQ needed. Nobody ever believes me that it records like this, but it does.

I lived with a degrading action for many years as the neck slowly bowed until I finally got my hand on a genuine Peavey truss rod wrench this last fall, and now it's factory fresh again. I LOVE the narrow neck/string spacing. The nut could have been more precise in cut, and the break angle on the A string is not sufficient to prevent buzz unless you're VERY careful winding the strings do it's coming from the bottom of the machine.

See the case durability story. This thing has endured climate changes, humidity changes, and other rough treatment for all of it's 24 years, and it's just flat bulletproof. I'm going to hand sand the laquer off the back of the neck because I never liked it, and because that will fix a few minor dings. If you follow the manual for finish (paste car wax), your Foundation will live forever. I never had a backup axe until 3 months ago. I trust my foundation implicitly. (My backup is a new Millenium, has the same neck!!)

Peavey's support is wonderful, personal, and helpful. Only needed them twice in 24 years (to order the truss rod wrench, and for some general setup advice) and they were all over it both times.

My Foundation is irreplacable to me. I've owned it for 24 years, and I have my Millenium which will be my "beater" now since it weighs less than 1/2 the Foundation; but my recordings will all use the Foundation. If I had a wish list for it, it'd be a prettier finish, I lost my taste for the tobacco sunburst over the years. THe finish is in grwat shape, but my Millenium's faux figured maple finish is WAY prettier.

Mine was a late 90's 4-string model
"Crafted" in USA (what does that mean exactly?)
No frills black finish
2 SINGLE COIL pickups VFL-style (not super ferrite)
2 volume, 1 tone controls
maple neck & fretboard

Lots of mid-range nasaly spank that makes a kick-butt slap sound. I haven't heard anything that compares. The pickups are single coil and generate a little hum but quieter than stock Fender Jazz pickups. Quiet stock tone pots. Tone was a little thin on the low E and I never could seem to adjust the pickup height to compensate. Still, the sound was incredible.

Blah no-frills finish, chrome hardware seemed to have a thin coating and may corrode over time. Fret edges rough - absolutely unacceptable for a USA model bass. I wasn't impressed with the quality. The bassed played great otherwise and the action was nice.

Other than the cheaply coated chrome finish hardware it would hold up well for years.

I love Peavey support which is why I will always remain a customer. They are always very helpful. I did not encounter their support with this bass but have with other products.

I love Peavey products but this guitars fit and finish is one of worst Peavey's I've ever placed my hands on. Sound quality was great and had tones I can't quite duplicate elsewhere. I hear the finish is better on early 90's models with the Super Ferrite pickups but you won't have as good of tone.

Standard two pickup jazz bass type bass. Poplar body, bi-laminated neck, rosewood fret board, passive electronics.

Holy shit. i can not believe how good this bass sounds. It sounds like a vintage jazz bass, only more like a vintage jazz bass than a real fender. Total ballsy rock sound. I have had many many basses, some very pricey, and if i were playing rock, i would choose this over any of the others hands down. Just a very very nice rock tone. I added a series parallel switch and now it sounds even better. i highly recommend that mod for this bass

This is probably the best neck i have ever played on any bass ever. It is bi-laminated like a g&l and from my experience these types of necks never ever warp. I have never seen a warped bi-laminated neck. I have seen warped one piece necks, warped 3 piece necks and warped 5 piece necks, but these old peavey necks are as stable as i have EVER seen. they really knew what they were doing back then. man...

The body is soft, but it is poplar. And thats why it has that bouncy resonant tone with a fast attack. Poplar really gets a bad rap. It easily sounds as good as alder, if not better. I know this bass sounds better than any of my alder basses. Everything, other than the softness of the body wood, is absolutley top notch. Super nice fret work. I guess in the 80's they actually took the time to do it by habd rather than just have a machine press them in and assume they are level enough. These frets are LEVEL!

never had to use em

This is a rock solid, easy playing classic bass. I really wish peavey would start making them again, in the USA and not as some cheap BXP import piece of junk.

Peavey USA made Foundation made in 1992, 4 strung, maple neck and fretboard, long scale, 2 vol 1 tone control set up, ivory white body, 2 passive pickups, large clover leaf key open tuners, simple adjustable bridge. Very fast, thin neck, very comfortable to play body is cut well, great balance.

I found this bass in a pawn shop, priced at $199, but I bought it for $160 after bitterly complaining that "that ol' Peavey is all beat up, and needs a lot of work..." etc. It looked like someone used it for a hammer-there are dings on the body and the paint is flaking off, the jack has been replaced by a home made thing, and it was very noisey and the neck was terrible.
It is now about the best full scale bass I ever played.
A very simple design, nothing fancy, but everything you need, period.
I have been playing since 1963, and I'd recommend this bass to anyone.
*-because it has no extras, but doesn't lack anything-very well thought out design.

Bass was noisey, and still has some noist in the pots, but this will be repaired. I cleaned and oiled the tuners, and put some Loc-Tite on the big cloverleaf keys because they were loose and rattling, then went around the bass and tightened up all the screws. This got rid of most of the noise. I reset the neck angle, and adjusted the truss rod and re-set the bridge. The neck is near perfect for me, and very fast.
The tone is very versatile, much like a Fender Jazz, but a little more bass to it. I love the pickups, and the possibilities of varying the tone. I think this would be a great all-around bass, and I'd love to hear it recorded. It is also simple and tough enough to go on the road-this one looks like it fell of the bus a few times, but it was very easy to put back into playable condition.
Dislike-I think I may someday replace the entire bridge-it works fine, but I'd like a more massive and solid unit, a Badass probably.
I had the same complaint about my old Fender Telecaster Bass. so it's not just the Peavey.
Overall quality of manufacture is excellent-this is a USA made Peavey, and I have no idea what the ones made else where are like, but this one is a gem! Versatile,great tonal range, sounds fine theough out the range from low to high, very quiet and fast with no fuss-very easy to play even for my old (60) hands.
9 because it's not finished yet- I'm adding Fender flat strings and having the witing checked by a dealer-Final rating might be higher.

Have no idea how tha factory set it up, but I was able to set it up with the aid of a factory manual I downloaded from the Peavey website for free. It is absolutely the easiest long scale bass I have ever played, topping a Ric and several Fenders and my '50's Danelectro.
This bass was abused by previous owners, and it looked terrible when I bought it.It looks better, and plays beautifully after maybe 1 1/2 hour's work.
Rated 10.

SOLID! Bass looked like it was slammed against the stage many times- had chips and dings in the bottom ot the body, screws were loose, had not been cleaned or maintained, maybe ever since the 1990's.
It took a little TLC, but not much else and came back.
Good basic design. There is a lot of thought in this simple bass, and I'd bet a long time bass player had a hand in the design.
In my experience, the best thought out bass design for simplicity and function.
Rated 10.

Planning on a trip to a dealer for service. Have contacted Peavey online for information and an owners manual, and got a very quick, helpful and friendly response, free manual downloaded from their site.

Rated 10.

I have been playing in bars since the age of 15, started bass lessons in 1963. I own one other bass and several guitars and small amps.
If it were stolen, I'd shoot whoever stole it, or buy another one.
I love the way is has been thought out-the design is very comfortable, there is nothing "extra" added, it is a very solid, simple design, but...
It is very comfortable, both in the body cuts and the neck-the neck is very narrow at the nut, and very thin front to back, but feels very good in the hand. It is the fastest long scalke neck I have ever played, very little string noise, very little effort to play, intonation perfect up the neck.
The neck is adjustable for tilt angle and the bridge is elementary, but it works well. Truss rod is very heavy duty. Tuners are heavy duty ans well made, tune fine and hold tune well. Pickups are variable
and tone is great. I believe the tone will improve with better strings.
I plan on taking this bass to a Peavey dealer for an electrinics checkup, but I have no problem with the bass overall.
It is simple, beautifully put together, very high quality materials,great design, and I'd buy one again in a minute.
I'd recommend a US made Peavey Foundation to any bass player for any purpose.I believe they set out to make a General Purpose bass for a good price, and IMO, they hit a home run with this bass.
Overall, this is my favorite bass, period.
Rated 10.

Mine is a 1988 black alder body Foundation with a log scale maple neck. I bought it used 15 years ago. The little music store had no bass amps so I had to play it unplugged. That was what sold me. The feel of the tones through the alder body were so warm.

Granted, it has only one volume and two tone controls, but the feel of this bass is what's so special.

Everything was stock and it had a few battle scars.

The tone is very clean and sweet. If you're looking for an EBO sound you came to the wrong place.

Like I said before, the wood on this bass sings all by itself.

I do a lot of work on a digital studio and have found that running this bass through an old Bass Rockman the Super Ferrite pickups provide a very clean foundation to work from.

They can be a bit noisy with both tone controls up, but I think if I took the time to shield the bass better I could solve my own problem...

I bought the bass used from a very small music store. The set-up was whatever the last guy had... 15 minutes and she's been fine ever since.

The neck is the standard for all other instruments. It just melts into your hands.

As far as the finish, it's poly of some kind. Eventually I'll strip her down and do something nice, but it has taken 15 years of bumps and bruises with minor effects.

I would trust this bass to show up and sing anywhere.

After 20 years this bass has only needed a slight truss rod adjustment and periodic minor set-up changes with new strings.

The electronics and pick-ups are beginning to show their age, but it's probably more of something I'd notice.

I've moved cross country 4 times and dragged her to God only knows where and I've never had this bass fail on me.

American made does mean something I guess...

I've only used Peavey's website for support and they've been quick and very helpful on dating the bass.

I've never had a problem that required any service or repair so I can't say much more.

I've been playing bass for over 25 years and have had Fenders and Gibsons. I'm not a collector or hoarder and as it is when times are hard the instruments go... Those basses I wish I had back because they're worth more then I am... This bass is now the only one I have. I feel no need to buy another one.

The natural tones from the alder body are incredible for an instrument of this price class. Who needs active electronics when the natural tone is this good.

If someone stole this bass I have to hunt them down...and God help them if anything was broken...

My is a mahogany Foundation in natural color. Made in USA, 1987. 34" scale, 1.5 nut width, 8" radius. Extremely fast maple fretboard. Features are pretty basic, but... when you are on stage, that's all you want. I will give it a ten just for the neck feel.

I do play mainly funk. Lots of slapping and popping. I just set up the bass to suit my needs and corrected the action. It plays amazingly and I feel like an extension of my arms. Ferrite pickups are really hot and silent. Deep lows and bright highs.

Action had to be adjusted, but I bought it used. I always send my instruments to my tech guy to set it up to my needs, so I cant really say anything about original set up. One thing i know... it is very well constructed. The strap buttons seem to be as tight as its first day, and neck straight as an arrow... for a 20 yo bass thats pretty impressive.

Im sure it already withstood A LOT. And it will handle much more. I would totally depend on it, but of course i never show up at a gig without back up.

Peavey forum and help is unbelieavable. AJ replies to your questions asap, and that usually means in 2 days max.

Amazing bass. Im looking for a fretless version now.

Mine's solid maplewood neck and fingerboard.... My favorite part of the bass. controls are rhythm + treble volumes, 1 tone control. Easy bridge w/ screws to adjust intonation.

Pretty much the bare basics. I think most anything else gives you a cheezy sound, feel, or look. Although they don't give you much, I'm satisfied.

1 thing: When either one of the volume controls is off while the other is on, it gets a little buzzing. I always play w/ all three nobs on 10.

I play rock + reggae. My amp (peavey keyboard 100w) does it no justice. It works though. As soon as I get a better amp, I'm sure it'll be great. Tone is pretty good- could be better though.

Nothing else feels right compared to this bass.

I bought it used, i've had it for 3 years. no problems yet. I've given it some belt buckle rash, and a little ding in the neck. Also, the plastic covers on my pickups are a little worn down in some places from heavy playing. None of it has affected the play or sound, though. As far as I'm concerned, its still a great bass. I trust it.

got it used, haven't had any problems w/ it 3 years and counting.

Definately the BEST bass for $275, best money I ever spent. If I lost it, I'd probably upgrade to a nice Fender Jazz, but some don't even compare to this one. I have a crappy OLP Stingray which I hate. This is pretty much the ONLY BASS I'LL PLAY. The most natural feeling to my hand.

I bought my Blue jazz style maple neck bass in 1989 in NYC. It has two volume controls and a tone knob.

I can play any style of music from rock to funk, to Jazz on this bass. I tend to play rock and blues. I find that the pickup may crackle when the knobs are turned. I used to spray the knobs out with degreaser. I just replaced one of the pots this year. I find the sound to be rich and full.

The bass had to be set up immediately, and worked well after it was set up. It holds adjustments well. The truss rod is a bit hard to adjust and needed a special adjustment tool I got directly from Peavey. I sanded off the finish from the back of the neck with very fine sandpaper and 0000 steel wood. It is easier to play that way.The saddle is a bit cheap looking, and rusts easily.

I have this bass since 1989. It plays well and sounds good. I don't need any other bass. It suits my purposes well.

N/A

Been playing on and off for 16 years. The head stock is long and sticks out of every gig bag I have tried. I tried Fenders, Music Man, Ibinez, and this is the most comfortable bass (short of the Fender '66 Jazz bass I played)

Nothing special here, I bought mine used in 1993 for $175. Needed a bass for recording my songs and it filled the bill nicely. Plastic case is kind of junky

Patched through old an Peavey PA it recorded great. No hum etc. In jam sessions it sounds like a bass should but I did disconnect the bridge pickup because this chick I used to jam with cranked that pickup and it was way too treble-y. I like a good "Jack Cassidy" bass sound and the neck pick up is good enough for that.

Heavy strings sound good, lighter gauge can be a bit weak. Well made for the price, far superior to Fender's junk Squier basses. One drawback is poor balance, the neck end wants to point downward so that can be distracting.

It I was a pro bass guy I probably would go high dollar but this bass is an all around worker. A good player can make anything sound good. For a spare bass it is more than I expected.

Again this bass is plain but good. I never regretted buying it.

I bought this bass in 1993 or 4. It has the maple neck, I was a little concerned with the durability of the maple neck, but I tell ya the thing hasn't moved a bit. I put a hip shot on it, but other than that I left everything stock. For me, it is very comfortable, I love the thin neck and the range.

let's face it, are we ever completely satisfied with our sound? Not really. But if you are a road dog doing a lot of gigs and you need your sound to be versitile and you can't afford 20 basses to fit every style you play,this bass could work for you. I'm not to worried when I get a sratch or a ding because I didn't take a morgage out on it. I play through David Eden equipment I chose eden because I play at relatively low volume, just enough to hear what i'm doing and let the mains do the rest of the work. I like my hearing and I want to keep it. Eden sounded the best to me at these levels. I like the way this bass records. It took a while with the eq and to find the right compression but once that was achieved it recorded rather well.I've recorded and played on live t.v. with this bass.The only minor complaint I have is I wish the pick ups were a little hotter.

The bass was playable when I brought it home but I had to set it up the way I like it. I like the action low because of the different techniques I use. I had to raise the pich ups a little for the right hand tapping stuff. But other than a quick set up, everything was in order from the factory. After a few years, the plastic around the imput cracked and one of the screws were stripped but after reading a few other summary's i learned that it was a common problem.

I think this is the best asset of owning this bass. The day I brought it home I tweaked the neck, havn't touched it since! I always bring a back up bass but I have never had to use it. A true road beast for the $$. The finish still shines but there is a bare spot of wood over both pick ups from my big sausage looking thumbs ( not Peavey's fault). I'm also very pleased that I don't have to fiddle with loose strap buttons or hardware which could be common with any guitar or bass. It still has that new car tightness so to speak.

I havn't had a problem yet. (knock on wood).

I started at 8 years old i'm 38 now so I've been at it for 30 years.I also own a 5 string les paul I try to keep it nice so it only goes to the studio...on nice days. Once in a while it will show up at a gig.I usually bring an ibinez for a back up. I also have a fender jazz with a bad piece of wood. When I was looking for a bass to gig with, I went to the music store in the morning when there were no people there and tried many different basses at all different volumes with the same equipment that I own. I felt this bass was the best chioce for the value. It is comfortable, easy to play and very durable.As I've stated above, I am never fully satisfied with my sound but for a bass that's under $500. it is versatile. I can live with that.

bought it used. don't know what year it was made. 2 "soap bar" style pickups and a skinny maple neck. it is a "basic" bass. it is just what i wanted.

sounds fine to me. it is my first bass. i demo'd a few newer "budget" models (some with FAMOUS name-brands)...the Foundation sounded better than anything "new" that was under $500.

the previous owner had sanded off the paint (or whatever the former finish was). it is bare wood stained a medium brown. i kinda like it. the neck feels fantastic!! it is quite thin and perfect for someone new to the instrument of for general ease-of-use playing. a perfect fit for me.

no problems here. i like "broken-in" instruments. i can depend on it. it is a "no frills" working man's bass. good stuff.

who knows?? never called 'em.

this is my first bass. i am a guitarist. i always thought i'd buy a Fender bass. i've demo'd plenty of Fenders. this Foundation sounds and feels better than any other affordable (sub $500) bass i've seen. it is ROCK solid and sounds very good. for the price it simply CANNOT be beat. thumbs up!!!!!!

I've picked up three of these off eBay in the past year and found them generally to be versatile and sturdy instruments. Like all Foundations, they have poplar bodies with laminated, two-piece maple necks, 21 frets and a neck tilt adjustment. All of mine have rosewood fretboards. The neck is 1.5" at the nut, a real plus for players with small hands. They come with two single-coil pickups, with two volume and one tone knob. (My early 80s model has the classic "P" knobs found on T-60 guitars.) Pickups are hum-cancelling when both volume controls are at 10. Stamped metal bridge. Two of my instruments have a nice sunburst finish, while the third was sanded down by a previous owner and given a tung-oil finish. It looks quite good, despite the fairly dull grain pattern typical of poplar.

I'm a guitarist who switched over to bass last year and now play mostly classic rock in a band. This bass gets me every tone I need for the variety of styles we play, from Beatles and Motown to a crunchy, Rickenbacker-like sound. Pickups tend to be a little mid-rangey. Nevertheless, this bass can produce a fairly wide tonal range through adjustment of the volume and tone pots. The tone pot on one of my basses was replaced with a homemade 10-position vari-tone switch. Combined with the volume controls, it offers some of the best passive EQ I've heard. Pickups are single-coil, so yes, they are noisy when not in hum cancelling position, especially when you're surrounded by a lot of gear. I only gig, so this hasn't been an issue.

All bought used, so I can't comment on factory equipment. Stock equipment seems high-quality.

Two of my Foundations date from the 80s (early and late) and one from the early 90s. The 80s models seem to me to have the solid, rugged build that Peavey gear is famous for. They stay reliably in tune and have straight-arrow necks. They also are slightly heavier due to a wider body at the bridge end, as well as having less of a body contour. I don't know if production standards slipped in the 90s, but my the 90s model seems a bit cheaper. I'm pretty sure mine took a lot of abuse, and it doesn't seem to have fared very well. The tuners, jack and pots could all stand replacement. The neck on the 90s model also has serious alignment issues that will probably force me to sell it. I find the tuners on the 80s models to be superior, including the Schaller-style tuners on the late 80s model.

Can't vouch for warranty work as all my instruments were bought used and are 10+ years old. Customer service from the Peavey web site is outstanding. You can get virtually any question answered on the forum, if not by a Peavey tech then by another Peavey owner. Quick and inexpensive mail-order for tools and parts, too.

I've always felt that Peavey guitars were highly underrated. The Foundation offers great value in a solid, American-made instrument. It's nothing fancy -- just a good all-around workhorse bass. It suits my fairly modest needs perfectly and is totally reliable for gigging. Would I replace if it was stolen? Already have! My first Foundation (with the tung-oil finish and vari-tone switch) was stolen last spring. (It eventually turned up at a local pawn shop, and I got it back.) I bought 2 to replace it: a pristine 1984 issue, and the early 90s model discussed above. I never paid more than $154 for any them. In the case of the first two I bought, I consider that a bargain.

It is a Peavey Foundation 4-String Bass Guitar. I do not know what year it was made, but it was made in the USA. It has 21 Frets, and was white in color before I stripped the paint from the body to make a natural looking finish. It has 2 volume knobs and 1 tone knob. There are 2 Peavey Super Ferrite Pick-ups which are passive. The body is made of alder, and the neck is made of maple. I bought the guitar from a friend for 70 dollars, and it came with a Gibson Gig Bag.

I play Rock/Metal/Alternative style music, and the guitar is perfect. The sound is very warm when playing songs such as "War Pigs" or "Black Sabbath". The bass is great for both stage and for studio.

The bass didn't contain any flaws when I recieved it, For the previous owner took great care of it. As I stated before, I did removed the finish from the guitar down to the bare wood, and then put 3 coats of laquer on it. The wood grain is very nice looking.

This bass will definately withstand live playing, and it seems very reliable. The strap buttons are solid, and overall the bass is very dependable. I would use it at a gig without a backup.

N/A

If it were to be lost/stolen, I would buy another. I love the warm tone of the bass and the fact that it doesn't buzz on any frets unlike many other basses that I have played. I wish that it had active circuitry, but I play enough, that I would have to replace the 9 volt battery at least once a week.

Bought new in Portland, OR in 1995 for around $250
Broomstick neck - great: I played a 62 Fender Jazz bass before and really bought the Peavey because I was getting nervous about taking the Fender out on the road. I figured it wouldn't be the end of the world if the Peavey was stolen or wrecked... But the Peavey is in fact easier to play (and has one more fret which is good - you can play a top E). I use it all the time for gigs and recording. The Fender stays at home.

I play jazz/jazz rock and avant rock.At first I missed the classic Fender Jazz bass pickup sound but the Peavey is pretty close and it sounds good recorded in the studio and also recorded from a live gig.

Is noisy. But so is the Fender Jazz. I have sometimes had to wrap a wire around my leg to cut the hum in studio situations.

It gives me all the sound I need. I used fuzz and flange and octave pedal from time to time, but the straight sound is smooth or honky depending on the way I play.

Would like better shielding.

Was set up OK. I didn't have to alter it much. I always drastically change the pickup angles - I like a lot of bridge pickup on the bottom two strings and not much neck pickup.

Seems solid. Only one breakage - the jack socket plate was thin plastic and the fact that the jack comes out at rightangles to the body means it takes a lot of sideways punishment when you put the bass down if you don't have a stand. Mine split so I replaced it with a massive chunk of thick plastic.

The machine heads have been damaged but that's because I don't use a flight case.

Never had to.

Been playing since 1962. I would definitely look for another if this one went. In fact I would like to find a second one anyway.

Easy to play, comfortable. Not too heavy. Slim looking. If it had better shielding it would be perfect.

Purchased 2nd-hand, really cheap, condition very good. Earlier reviews (below) describe the instrument.

Black-cased pickups give it a smart modern appearance.

Pros: It just does everything I want it to. Tuning is great, so is tonal balance between strings. Picking, slapping, plectrum - any style works. I only really use it with all knobs wound up fully, relying on playing style to alter tone. I took the sustain and tone for granted until I played some other basses in a store recently - they just sounded dull and lightweight in comparison.

Cons: Can be noisy close to electronics, so stand back. Only 'full' (humbucking) sound comes with both pickups on max.

Finish is great. I have found that 'made in USA' is a real quality indicator on guitars and basses, and the Peavey is no exception. Amazing to find a US instrument available so cheaply!

It would be good if the pickups/pots/wiring were all shielded and used fatter cables - so points off for cutting corners internally.

Oh, and how come guitars get fancy-looking machine heads and basses get these functional old pieces of tin?

Never let me down. Straight 10.

Managed to get obsolete owners' guide off the Peavey internet site, so well done for that.

This is my first bass, I've had it about 8 years.
If it were stolen or lost, I'd be tempted to scour the small ads for another. Might just have to look for something as good or better.
I love the shape, weight, shiny black with maple fretboard, chrome knobs.

I bought this bass in 1982-3 made of course in USA. Standard 21 fret 4 strings solid body. two vol. one tone but here's the rub, this bass is without question the best (apart from the high end 3000-4000) bass I have ever owned. Been playin bass since 1961 phew am I that old? N.O.A. (thats french for anyway) 2 passive ferrite matural finish stamped bridge hard shell poly case. This thing stays tuned.

I've played everything out there since the 60's as far as style goes and it has yet to disapoint me. Low level volumes to rip your heart out thunder, slap. thumb, fingers, pick, it all has its place and sounds GREAT. The power I use depends on the venue. Basic club is Thiel 15" bottom with Mark IV head, Mark IV head with active crossover section to Galien Kruger for mesa boogie 12's, then there's Acoustic W-bin (370 I think, you know that woodstock amp that Santana's bassists used?) powered with an old Mosfet heavey I mean in weight and sound amp 1000@8ohms - speaker is 5 ohm load so probably guessing at 1350 watts? with once again Peavey Mark IV active crossover to messa boogie 12's WOW what a sound. This bass delivers and just keeps getting better with time. I will always have this axe.

This instrument comes in a very playable set-up. If you change the strings to a different tension, you must also change the bass action. Unlike most basses I've owned (Gibson Thunderbird, 68 Fender Jazz, T-40, KENT, Rickenbacker, Fender Precision frettless, I'm so old I forget the rest) it has an allen key adjust which really works well. Just let me take this opportunity to thank PEAVEY for putting out an incredible product at a most reasonable price.

I've played thousands of gigs all over US and Canada and it has yet to let me down. I've never had a backup until recently and thats not because of any insecurities about its performance. I"ve been so content with this axe that I bought a used Peavey Foundation 5 string. The B's outrageous. All styles. Real fat with da blue.

Never had to. The bass is that good.

If it were stolen I'd buy another with assured confidence. The shape, weight look - all very good. The various tones I get from handling all three potentiameters is incredible. Played an outside gig once in Wellesley Ma. where a few bassists from Berkley School of Music attended. Their remarks were "what kinda of bass is that and what did you do to it to make it sound like that?" Truthfully speaking, member that KENT I listed above? Well in 1961 I had a Fender Bassman with 2 blown Oxford speakers and did I ever have to work at getting a sound hahahaha Consequently, the technics I mastered then, I still use today. That's the trick, longevity and hard work.

My Peavey Foundation is a 1983 model, white with 2 Super Ferrite pickups and a maple bolt-on neck. I bought it in 1984. It is a 4-string passive pick-up instrument and it came with a hard plastic case with padded foam in the inside. I paid approximately $239 in 1984 for it. It has the typical 2 volume/ 1 tone control set-up. Personally, I would have preferred a 3 position selector switch with 2 volume and 2 tone controls. But, overall this is a simple instruments with pretty standard features. The maple neck was an upgrade if I remember correctly.

I have been playing bass guitar since 1969 and have owned Fender basses, Rickenbacker basses,a Guild Starfire bass, a Gibson Ripper and a custom Haagstrom Bass. I have played everything from folk-rock to country to jazz/fusion to prog rock. Of all the basses I've owned, I find the sound of this bass to be the most versatile. I can make it fit whatever I play. I have played it through a Fender Bassman 100 and a number of small single speaker amps both 12" and 15" and no matter what I put it through I can always dial it in. The biggest drawback to this instrument is the noisy single coil pick-ups. Most of the time one must use BOTH pick-ups to cancel the hum. So, I compensate with the amp. If I am recording with it, I compensate with the EQ. I can get sounds ranging from a Rickenbacker type sound to an almost upright bass type sound. I play with a pick so I don't do much of the "funky" stuff with my thumb. I use D'Addario EXL170's (45 gauge) and the intonation is always perfect and the bass ALWAYS stays in tune. The lighter strings also give the bass a little more high end which I like. Overall, its a pretty versatile instrument for me with a pretty good sound but I wish I could use the pick-ups indepedantly more often. For the money, it's a great instrument.

This bass was made perfectly. NO FLAWS. The only thing I did was raise both pick-ups to put just a little "edge" on the sound. I have never changed anything since 1984!!. The chrome still shines and the finish glows after a good coat of Martin Guitar polish.

This bass is a TANK! It's made like a rock. As I said above, the finish is great and the chrome still shines after all these years. The strap buttons have never loosened up and this bass has NEVER needed any adjustments whatsoever. I have never used a back-up with this bass. After nearly 20 years though, the case is falling apart. The foam rubber inside is rotted and the one of the hinges is broken. I guess it's time for new case.

I have never neede them--NO OPINION>

If this bass were stolen I would definitely look at another Peavey. For the money this thing is tops. I disagree with the fellow who called this a "beginners bass". The workmanship and versatility make this bass a workhorse as far as I'm concerned. I don't think I'll ever sell this thing. I've had it nearly 20 years, maybe in another 20 or so it'll be a "vintage" instrument. OK, maybe not but I love this thing anyway.

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.

This is a 4 string, 21 fret, maple neck Peavey Foundation Bass made in the USA. It has two volume controls and one tone control. The pick-ups are two active Super Ferrite Humbuckers by Peavey. It is Candy Apple Red and has a glazed finish.

The Peavey Foundation is a very well made bass that fits a style somewhat different than what I chose to play overall is very well made. It is very good for playing jazz and/or songs were you want to have a deep smooth bass in the background. I use a SWR workingmans bass amp which are really great. The bass doesnt hum in any unusual manner unless you play it near a bunch of other electronics, then the pickups are very sensitive and may make a humming sound, but if not, the sound is great. It is a much brighter sound than I like to play but when songs call for higher bass, then this is always great to have. It seems to sound better live i think than in the studio. Me and my friends are in a small band and we have recorded some of our things and I like it more when we play live. I actually have no complaints about it except its a little bigger than the size of bass I like to play.

The bass was set up surprisingly well. The frets were good and the neck was almost exactely where I like to have it adjusted to. The bridge and the neck seems to be almost in perfect condition and set up ready to play. The bass has a great finish and there has been no wear and the finish doesnt seem like it would ever come off. All I have done is polished the metal hardware a little and thats about it since I bought it and I have had it for about 9 months.

The bass withstands anything that you throw at it. The hardwear is about as good as it gets and the finish will last far longer than I will be playing this bass. I havent had to tune it or adjust the bridge and neck since I purchased it though I did change the strings. If i played a gig, I would probably not need a back up but I always bring one just to feel safe.

I have been playing bass for about three years. I purchased this bass off of a recomendation and if I lost this bass, I dont think i would buy it again only because what I like to play, the bass really is not designed for. I play music like korn and Incubus. My favorite feature about it is the rich sound, its a lot better than lots of basses out there, for the price, your getting a steal on the sound quality. I never really understand how to utilize a maple neck cause my first bass was rosewood and the switch to maple kinda through me off. Its a little different but you can play Deftones really well with a maple neck. Overall, I am glad that I purchased the bass.

Peavey foundation:made in u.s.,4-string fretless,solid-top,2 volume controls and a tone control,2 ferrite pickups,maple neck,satin finish,precision body style,grover tuners,rosewood fretboard,chrome hardware,

this bass is great for the classic bass playing styles and the heavy loud bass style,i use some distortion and a wah peddle at times,it has a nice full sound, something you can feel in the floor when you play it,great variety of sounds, i get comments when i play in public that they thought it was a regular guitar at first(maybe its just the way i play)but then you can get the really warm,bass sound out of it as well.i play it up on the stage and in the studio, but its suitable for the studio i would say.i love everything about the sound of this bass

the bass was fine when i bought it, the action was great,pickups were well adjusted, since the bass was used it had a few scratches but no deep gouges,the tuning pegs were a little tarnished but it came off with a little guitar wax.

it has withstood playing live,the hardware seems like it could last a long time,the finish is good enough to last, doesnt look like it will wear off anytime soon,solid strap buttons,it seems like i would be able to depend on it, since i just got it 2 months ago i havent had to adjust anything,i used it on a gig without backup and it was great

i bought it used from daddy's junky music and they were very friendly and helpful,it was under a 30 day warranty and i havent had any problems yet

im 16 and ive been playing since i was 8,theres nothing i wouldve asked before purchasing it,i would probably buy it again if it were stolen or lost,i love the sound and especially the low price for a great bass,my favorite feature is probably the ferrite pickups,ive never compared it to other basses,i would advise that everyone go out and buy one!

21 frets. 4 string. 2 volume knobs, 1 tone. 2 peavey super ferrite single coil pickups. bolt on maple neck. polar body. Polyurethane finish, black. traditional open-gear tuners. 34" scale. molded hardshell case.

i like a fat, round sound. i haven't played that many basses, so i don't know how mine stacks up. i think it sounds alright.

i didn't get the bass brand new, so not much to say here

the hardware on the bass is pretty good. the finish, however, is wearing off in a few places. good body.

i've been playing for about 7 or 8 months. i've had this bass from the beginning. if it were lost or stolen i would probably get a different guitar. i like the design: simple. i wish it had a new paint job

The bass I am reviewing is a Peavey Founation made in the USA in 93 or 94, it doesn't really matter with the Foundation, they haven't changed much in the past years, probably because of the well craftsmanship of the bass. Keep in mind that this bass is probably not for a profesional but more for an amature or beginning bassist.
You can get a 5 string or a 4 string Foundation. The one I am reviewing is the 4 string version. It has 21 frets.
This bass has two volume controls one for each pick up and one overall tone control. The pick ups are single coil peavey "super ferrite" pick ups. This is not an active electronics system. but then again if you are a beginner then you probably would not need a active system any way. And any active electronics system you can find for a resonable price is not quality enough to be worth paying the money for, so I would suggest if you are a beginner then stay away from those lower priced basses with the active electronics because you will in most cases buy a bass with poor sound quality when it comes to the electronics. So if you want active electronics than buy a good system not an afordable one, you'll be happy you did.
The foundation that I have is an alder body with a maple neck and a rosewood finger board. It is done in a sunburst design.
It a jazz style bass. the bridge is a standard flat mount chrome bridge. The tuners on this foudation are the factory ones, I have not felt the need for new ones yet, but may look for a new set soon, I'm kind of picky.
The new foundations come with a case now.

The music style I use it for ranges, I have played rock with it in numerous bands and it has sounded great. I used it in a Jazz band for a while and it was great. And I have played funk and slap with this bass. Playing slap on this bass is not the best, The style of the pick ups make it work out with out any popping but the design of the bass was definitly not for slap or funk for that matter.
I'm running two peavey 15 enclousers and a peavey M-7000 power amp and a peavey ProBass 1000 preamp with a boss ME8B effects processor amoung other things.
The bass over all is not that noisy, It has given me buzzing from time to time but was mostly because of a bad connection in the wiring, My fault, i shouldn't mess with that stuff too much.
The only problems that I have found with the sound was during studio recording, when the highs were not comming out as well as I would have liked. This can be fixed in many ways, And might have been because it hadn't been worked on for a long time and the bridge was out of wack.
The range of sound is OK It can put out great Lows and ok highs. It has a bit of a porb putting out some mid frequncies.
The things I like about this bass is the fact that it has a great price tag on it for a beginner bass player. I bought this bass as my first in 93 or 94 and it has lasted me for a long time. I plan to keep it for a long time too, Its a great beginner bass. The cost was great about $450 I think, and the quality and sound of it was better than any other bass I played in that price range.
What I dont like about it is the sound quality when playing funk or slap. It is not really designed for that style of music. And the fact that it doesn't have active electronics is a down fall, but like I said earlier it is not needed for a starter bassist.

When I bought this bass it was set up fine,in my experience Peavey has done a pretty good job at getting it right the first time. It played well for a mid priced bass and the pick ups at the time were adjust fairly well. I of course over the years of playing it have made improvments with the adjustments but who hasn't. When I bought the bass it didnt have any flaws that were noticable except for slight peeling of the neck laminate at the base of the neck where it connects to the body. This can happen over time from to much humidity, and did not effect the playing ability of the bass at all.

This bass has with standed live playing for the last seven years and has still held up to the abuse. I haven't had a problem with the hard ware but have noticed a little wear on the back of the neck from using it so much.
I have not had a problem yet with the strap buttons.
I have never needed to use a replacment except on one occasion when a string broke but thats not the bass's fault it was mine.

I dont know how long the warranty was for this bass but I have only had to repair it twice because of the 1/4 inch plug in the bass had a ground fault from twisting around and getting loose. happens on all basses.

I have been playing for about seven almost eight years now. I have Boss ME8B bass effects processor 2 peavey 15 inch bass enclousers Yamaha fretless bass P-style Harmony elect-acoustic bass OLD but good SKB rack and bass case Peavey ProBass 1000 preamp Peavey M-7000 power amp Peavey TNT Bass Combo with BW Peavey Sessionbass amp Head Dunlop bas wah Morley A B box and a whole lot I dont use all the time too.
If I had a limited cash flow I would definitly buy this bass again.
I love that it has the super ferrite pick ups, they are great sounding. I hate that it is a four I like the 5 better.
I compared it to a BC Rich which was good but was too much for the features it had, a fender, which had alot of buzzing from the strings and was too heavey, it starts to hurt holding a bass up for a while, so get a light one. and a washburn which was way too much money.
I wish it had the active electronics in it but they kick up the price too much.
I would just like to say that if you are a beginner then this would be a good bass to check out when you are shopping around. Its definitly worth the time. I know alot of people are raving about active electronics today, and they ar right when they say they are great but if you are just looking for a first bass for your collection than it is not worth your well earned money to buy an active system. Unless your parents are buying it for you, if so than milk it for all its worth. hehe.

Older model foundation that I just picked up used. Made in the US with a poplar body and a pair of single coils. 2 volume controls (1 per pickup) and a master tone round out the passive electronic section. A Maple neck with a maple fingerboard complete the features on what is a well built yet simple bass.

It's very versatile and very responsive, much like a Fender Jazz Bass but not quite as nice. The singles hum when you turn them all the way up, but if you turn both up they hum cancel. Lots of good sounds, and remarkable versatile for a bass with passive electronics.

Got it used, so my input is worthless here. The guy who had it before me allowed it to take some damage, but the sound is still good. If you take care of it, there shouldn't be any problems.

Peavey's are extremely well built, but I might replace the input jack as it seems a little loose at times.

Peavey will take care of you, their website is one of the best out there.

I'm a guitar player and picked this bass up used for really cheap. I know peavey makes solid stuff and my old bassist had a foudation that I liked, so it made sense to buy one. It's a solid bass made in the US for a very reasonable price (when they're new). If anything is wrong with it, i'd have to complain about the hum and the loose input jack, but otherwise I love this bass. It's not a Stingray or anything, but It's a solid bass to groove on.

Used, '98 made here in USA; only 21 frets(I prefer 24); poplar body with gloss white finish; 2 volumes one tone; has 2 high output Peavey brand single coils(good but will be replaced in time); passive electronics; poplar body, maple neck and fingerboard(available with rosewood fingerboard I believe); standard double cutaway strat-like body; cheap diecast bridge that will be replaced; the traditional shamrock looking open gear tuners; jazz style neck with 34" scale; came with a hardshell, but probably doesn't when new... low rating because it's just a basic bass, probably Peavey's cheapest model, I'm really picky too.

I bought this bass simply because I wanted a 4 string for slapping, where I didn't have to worry about slapping it in half...It's mainly a beater bass. But it sounds really good, the playability is similar to a fender american deluxe jazz bass. It's quiet, and definately slap ready. Gets a fair variety of sounds, not the most low end...but you can get all you need. I'm replacing the pickups, because I almost always do....but no other complaints about sound.

I got it used....it was set up okay...but I quickly changed everything. Lowered the action to 2/16 of an inch at the 17th fret...which is pretty low... Everything's in good order, looks nice. Put together solidly. The main complaint is that the neck is raised up out of the joint pretty high over the body...instead of being close to flush with the body...so the bridge has to be raised up higher...and the pickups do too....but I'm going to work on fixing that up. It's not a big deal to anyone but me, because I'm insane about those little things sometimes.

I don't care how this bass holds up...it's a beater like I said. If I happen to drop it, who cares. I can tell it'll hold up though...It's been through a lot of abuse with slapping...and it seems durable as can be. There's no fancy stuff that can break, so what's to worry about? This bass is pretty much the backup/alternate bass....so I wouldn't have anything to back it up.

I've dealt with Peavey many times....they're a great company, haven't talked to them about any problems with any of my gear. They were even nice enough to send me about 15 different books and lots of posters...what a swell bunch.

I've been playing for 2 or so years, but am better than most every bassist I know. I use a Peavey Cirrus 5 string as my main bass, and love it. I have had so much gear I can't keep it all straight. I just got rid of a Peavey Mark VIII head, and will soon get a Ampeg SVT 3PRO head... I also play guitar have a Marshall VS265R combo and an ESP guitar...lots of other neat things too...inculding a George Dennis Parametric Volume/Wah which is INCREDIBLE! I looked at this bass for a while because I was searching for a cheap practice bass. I hate the way this thing has the neck raised so much above body..most bolt-ons are like that, but I guess I hate bolt on basses. I like that's it's cheap, durrable and slappable. If I had bought this for my first bass I would have been a much happier begginer. I wish I had a Modulus Flea Bass and a Ernie Ball or Peavey Van Halen guitar. If you starting out, or looking for a cheap bass, get this Foundation thing. And listen to Funk!