CRAVE Guitars says…
Thumbs up: Build quality, very versatile tones, innovative electrics, great neck, all‑original condition, great under‑the‑radar vintage value, OHSC
Thumbs down: Plain Jane looks, weight, brand name on the headstock, not many artist associations
Decree: A fantastic overlooked and massively underrated instrument with a strong cult following. A great guitar with which to stand out from the crowd
Model Description:
Like The Music Man Stingray, the unassuming Peavey T‑60 is sometimes described as one of the best and most criminally overlooked guitars of its time. As a result, the T‑60 still remains firmly under the collectors’ radar… for the time being. This anonymity is probably because there were no long‑lasting, significant artists associated with the model. Alternatively, it may not have inspired guitarists because the body shape could be regarded as quite plain and ‘ordinary’. The T‑60 was the brainchild of founder, Hartley Peavey and designer Chip Todd. It was also Peavey’s first attempt at building a solid body electric guitar, manufactured between 1978 and 1988, despite Peavey’s marketing material of the time suggesting that it was introduced in 1976. An equivalent T‑40 bass was introduced shortly after the 6‑string. The model is notorious for being quite heavy and that generally holds true, although it should be remembered that weight was seen as a positive characteristic at the time. Whether the weight was just the fashion or the fact that less dense tone woods were in short supply is up for debate. Most T‑60s were made in the trendy natural polyester finish of the period, while some of the alternative finishes attract higher prices for their relative scarcity. The electrics are unique in that the tone controls blend from single coil to humbucker throughout their sweep, a feature that remains uncommon to this day. In addition, a phase switch adds further flexibility when both pickups are in use, making the T‑60 a very versatile instrument. These hugely underrated guitars hold a special place in guitar history and, possibly because they were made in large numbers, they are comparatively affordable at the moment, which is not likely to remain the case, especially once the speculators catch on – it’s only a matter of time. To date, Peavey has not reissued the T‑60 so, if you want to try one out, the originals are the only way to go.
Guitar Description: While not garnering mass‑market popularity during its lifetime, the Peavey T‑60 has a cult following by enlightened enthusiasts who have discovered its many positive qualities. This early maple‑fingerboard example from the 2nd year of production is in very good all‑original condition with a few minor scuffs to give it a comfortable lived‑in feel. The very early T‑60 models, as here, have Gotoh‑branded octagonal tuners before the ‘P’‑logo ones were introduced, the ‘Patents Applied For’ designation on headstock and the pickups have the solid black cover inserts whereas later models have a central ‘blade’ to each bobbin. Build quality is very good and gives the guitar an indestructible, built‑to‑last solid feel. The natural satin finish with no grain filler to the subtly arched body is perhaps the classic T‑60 look and was well ahead of its time. Despite being finished in thin polyester, it doesn’t stifle the resonance of the dense tone wood. It is heavy but remember that was the ‘in thing’ at the time and it is far from alone in being a bit on the hefty side. It is, however, probably not great on the spine for a long gig though. While it may be argued that it is not the prettiest of guitars, it has a retro style that really grows on one. The gloss neck is skinny and has a superb modern feel, making it a very playable guitar. The T‑60’s pioneering electrics add a wide variety of usable tones and is an early example of providing both single coil and humbucking modes through a clever on‑board blend system. The additional phase switch provides the icing on a very tasty cake. One can see why the original T‑60 has a cult following of dedicated aficionados today, including CRAVE Guitars. Perhaps, one day, the Peavey T‑60 will be resurrected in the same way that Ernie Ball ‘reissued’ the Music Man Stingray.
Features:
- Made in Meridian, Mississippi, U.S.A. in 1979
- Three‑piece double cutaway ash solid body with gentle top carve
- Natural satin polyester finish to body and gloss finish to the neck
- Two piece rock maple bolt‑on neck with original Gotoh tuners, aluminium nut and neck tilt adjustment
- Scale length 25½” (647mm)
- Unbound maple fingerboard with 21 jumbo frets and dot markers
- Original chrome‑plated hardware
- Original split coil ‘toaster top’ dual coil pickups
- Original electrics comprising two volume controls, two tone controls that blend single coil/humbucker modes, 3‑way pickup selector switch and phase switch
- Original die cast integrated bridge/tailpiece with through‑body stringing
- Weight 9lb 11oz (4.39kg)
- Original black/brown Peavey USA fitted ABS hard shell case
Artists:
- Chet Atkins
- Johnny Copeland
- Steve Cropper
- Carl Perkins
- Jerry Reed
Trivia:
Despite Peavey promotional material suggesting that the Peavey T‑60 was handmade in America, the T‑60 was one of, if not, the first American guitars to have its bodies and necks carved by CNC machines for consistency before being hand finished.
Detail Gallery:
