HI,
Thanks for the replies. It is interesting about the color of the nuts mentioned around 1982. My '85 has a black one instead but not sure what color it will end up with soon as I have to replace the nut. It is broken at the end on the G string. It holds the string but its not that stable overall and will cause rattling. I would like to try and get a metal one if possible.
Anyway, I had a '79 'Patent Pending' T40 back in the mid 80s that was natural tone with maple fretboard. It was a weird one I must say (long story). I got rid of it mainly because of its weight but I was starting to get out of playing bass around then as well. I picked bass back up last year and all I could obsess about was replacing my T40...weight be darned.
I didn't care what color (though red was on the bottom of the list) or what year as long as I found a seller willing to work with me as I am rather financially challenged, and I got one back no matter what!. I ended up with a beautiful 1985 dark Tobacco burst/maple fretboard. Its seen its share of playing and has a few marks of play wear but the chrome is perfect and it overall is in great shape. I do need to run a check on all the electronics though as I am not picking up extreme tonal difference as I remembered my first one as being when the knobs/switches were adjusted.
I recently ran across another T40 that didn't have quite the visual options I am used to seeing hence my questions in my initial post. I appreciate the comments and hopefully I can add it to my stable soon. It needs some work in the electronics department though badly...I gather that will be a challenge to find the parts for it?
Here is a pic of my T40 and my Fender Pbass Special:
I call it 'Godzilla' and it has since gotten a slightly wider, thicker strap (the big Levys one) and that seems to be working out well for me concerning its tonnage ^_^ This time around nothing will make me part with (and hopefully the other one I want as well)!!!
T40s RULE