Peavey Odyssey
Peavey built the Odyssey during the years 1989 thru 1992. Apparently it was their first attempt at moving into the higher end axe-market. Peavey’s own literature from their website’s archived manuals lists the specs; 24 3/4 inch scale neck, ebony fretboard, Graphlon nut, 15″ fretboard radius, 10″ tilted and bound peghead, genuine mother of pearl inlays, carved and bookmatched flame maple top, distortion class Alnico humbuckers with coil splitting switch, gold hardware. There was also a 25th Anniversary Model Odyssey that included a quilted maple top and 3D block style inlays. One might presume that the demise of this particular model was due mostly to the price tag being in excess of a thousand dollars, which was a bit inconsistent with Peavey’s reputation as affordable merchandise. It’s a shame the Odyssey line never survived the 90’s because it honestly is a spectacular guitar. If you read the few User Reviews at Harmony Central, you’ll find that the grooviness of this axe is unanimously declared.
The serial number indicates the date of manufacture as April 1992, one of the last builds. Oh well, there must always be a wart somewhere. This axe had two small bummers inflicted upon it by the previous owner; one… the smashed plastic control cavity cover and two… a pair of small screw holes in the top between the bridge pickup and bridge (not shown, no big deal). These photos make the guitar appear to be scuffed up more than it really is. Considering that it is eleven years old and considering that I paid $125 with gig bag included, I would say it’s in perfect condition.
Although the Odyssey is obviously a pseudo Les Paul, it is different enough that I wouldn’t call it a LP substitute or replacement. The overall feel of the axe reminds me more of a ‘75 Guild Bluesbird than LP. The neck profile feels about midway between the thin Bluesbird neck and semi chunky Les Paul neck and plays perfectly along its entire length, with the uppermost frets being comfortably accessible. The fingerboard feels flat and wider than either Gibson or Guild, with perfectly dressed, low and voluptuous frets. Always stays in tune and the intonation can be zeroed in without extreme saddle adjustments.
The frequency tailored, distortion class humbucking pickups are gonzo macho compared to the Paul’s P90 and 91. Sustain? Rhythm players will need to incorporate string muting into their technique. Flipping the coil tap switch provides a nice change from the meaty humbucker tones, but the Peavey’s single coil tones cannot be considered, by any stretch of the imagination, as a substitute for Fender tones. Quack is minimal and twang ain’t its thing. Distortion comes easy… even in coil tap mode and that distortion does have some real tone in its foundation. Makes it sound like a living creature. Backing off the throttle cleans up the tones yet also seems to suck some of the life out of the sound. My only (small) complaint about the sound is the huge bottom end generated by these magnetic thunder-pumps. The low E and A become maximum mud if the pickups happen to be nestled up close to the strings. I adjusted the bass side of both pickups way down into the body.
Conclusion? I just got paid today and got myself some cheap sunglasses. Now I’m a sharp dressed man and my head’s in Mississippi. This Peavey is my ticket to another planet, but now…. I might be mistaken. The axe is a keeper.
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