This one just feels right, for a utility bass

[Willie G. Moseley]

A few months ago I wrote an article about mid-'80s Peavey basses, and it was recently printed. For utility basses, particularly in some of the places I've played, I've always done well with Foundations (since the mid-'80s), which are basically a Jazz Bass-type of instrument (1 1/2" wide neck @ the nut, two pickups, same controls as a Jazz, etc.).

A Patriot bass was part of the profile, and surprisingly, after I was through comparing them, I found myself liking the Patriot perhaps even more than Foundations. Its body ergonomics seem to fit me just right (different from the Foundation), and the neck profile was nice, even though its width is 1 3/4" at the nut.

It's got one Super Ferrite pickup in a "sweet spot" style (a la Music Man Sting Ray, G&L Climax/L-1500, etc.), which would make for a lot of space on the pickguard for me to be able to stick on a handrest exactly where it will be the most comfortable.

All that extra space also means an extra pickup could be installed wherever as well; i.e., this would accommodate such a mod fairly easily...however, a second pickup might complicate where to put a handrest, but that's personal nitpicking.

And there's some folks who really like Super Ferrites, and some who don't. Said pickup itself could always be replaced.

I've always felt that comfort is the most important facet of a decision to utilize a particular instrument. If it's a utility piece, you can and should mod it to get the sound you want, but make sure it "fits". For me, the Patriot seems to be a perhaps-overlooked example of that notion.

[Ethan]

I think pretty much any Peavey bass from the 80s or 90s would fit that bill, really! The T40s are starting to gain popularity but you can still get those for pretty cheap too.

[unfun75]

I had a Fury (p-style) that was pretty sweet. Late 80s or early 90s. Red with black pickguard.

[bondedbybrick]

Willie,

You are SO correct - Peavey basses are workhorses and under appreciated, witness the current values on used Peavey instruments. I've owned a '94 Peavey Forum Plus bass for years and it was the perfect base (no pun intended) instrument in which I could learn to play the bass. Nice wood, great ergonomics, and nice active pups..... Plus, a price far below the HFC-approved purchase price!! I will be selling it soon because I've moved on to a 2TEK Cruisebass, even though I did try to find a 2TEK-equipped Peavey Axcellerator. No luck..... As much as I love Hamer guitars and basses, I have always identified with Hartley's philosophy and I will never get rid of my Peavey Odyssey. I'll always have a Peavey in da' HOUSE!

Derek

[Turdus]

Kyle really did play these live. Witnessed it with my own eyes....

[stobro]

The Patriot bass was introduced a year or so after the Foundation and Fury basses, and it has further refinements to the body shape and contours. The bass side horn is extended a little, the treble side cutaway is a little deeper, the bridge (probably the first non-Peavey-designed bridge on any Peavey guitar or bass) is set a little closer to the edge of the body.

These adjustments forced the molded case to be redesigned to fit. You can tell the vintage of an old Peavey molded bass case by the number of mods added to accommodate the T-40 ( original), Foundation/Fury (1st revision) and finally the Patriot (2nd revision). They may have been revised further after I left the company.

Not all Patriot basses had the same width necks. I have two with p-bass width and one with j-bass width.

I also have close to 30 Peavey guitars and basses from the early to mid '80s. I'm still looking for a Banana Yellow Mantis...