Peavey T 60

1979 T-60

1980 T-60

1981 T-60

The T-60 was the first guitar Peavey ever produced. It was a market changer due to some of the new ideas and manufacturing techniques employed on this guitar for the first time. It was conceived in 1976, first produced in 1977 (not really until 1978) and stayed in production into 1987. This was the first guitar ever made with CNC machines, which by now most people who know the guitar know that Hartley Peavey and Chip Todd pioneered (The "T" in T-60 is for Todd as in Chip Todd who designed the guitar with Hartley). They must have made a lot of them and the quality must have been pretty high because they show up almost every day on eBay in nice condition. I think the prices are dirt cheap for what this guitar is. I was pretty skeptical at first but I felt like I really needed to try one (or more). At a few hundred bucks a throw it didn't cost much to give it a try. I found and bought three (79', 80', 81'). I didn't want to try just one. I wanted to make sure I got a real feel for the guitar and got to try the 81' with the "blade" pick-ups rather than the "toasters" used previously and after. Most of the first ones came in a natural finish rather than being stained like the one above or painted a solid color. I figured I would keep one and offer the other two for sale but now they have turned out to each have a unique tone so I don't know. The 79' (patent applied for) is more twangy and biting but a great sound. The '81 with the blade pick-ups used in that year, showed up first. It was smoother and not as biting (my least favorite but still good). My favorite is the 80', Which has tons of deep down tone to it and is also biting but not twangy. You feel the tone right through the guitar when you play. It is very heavy and maybe that has something to do with it. They are in order left to right in the group pictures (79', 80', 81').

The first thing I noticed when I got these was the neck. It has a flatter profile and is smaller. 1-5/8" at the nut like the Wolfgang but flatter, more like an Ibanez. I liked it better than the Ibanez but not as much as the Wolfgang/HPS although I have quickly gotten use to it and I do like it. The next thing was the weight. These are heavy but each is different. And third, after I plugged it in and fired it up was the unique, interesting and pleasing tone. The guitar played very easily and provided a variety of tones. It has this unique feature where the pick-up automatically splits to a single coil when the tone control is turned above 7. You can easily disable this with the wiring if you want to. I don't really like this feature myself but it is innovative.

I was definitely not expecting this level of quality, such a great tone or such a nice feel. Wasn't this supposed to be a cheaper guitar? If you can find one in near new condition as I did $600 or less will likely buy it! You can find a really nice one with a couple scars on it for $300. While I really don't know, if I had to guess why this guitar doesn't hold a higher status it is because it is maybe just a little too heavy and bulky. However, I think the weight is important to the tone. You can find lighter ones as the weight of the ash used in the bodies does vary quite a bit. If you are a guitar nut, this is a fun one to try and for the price you can't afford not to have one. Just make sure and get one that isn't too beat up as I am sure many are. I didn't think I liked ash much until I got this guitar.

There is a website where you can find out a lot more about this guitar at www.PeaveyT60.com They have original brochures and Chip Todd discusses the guitar in detail with all kinds of obscure facts.