Peavey showdown: Axcelerator vs. GV vs. Cirrus
 

Peavey Axcelerator, Cirrus, GV basses.

All three of these basses have the same kind of pickups, right? I understand that they're made of different woods, have different hardware, and different preamps, but with all controls set flat would they sound similar?

Axcelerators only have 2 band EQs so you'll likely get more tonal variation from the Cirrus and GV basses.

I'm sure they'll have some sonic similarities due to the pups but body wood will no doubt play a hand.. Alder for the Cirrus.. Basswood for the Axcelerator and G V (I think)..

Been wondering myself!

I'm asking because I want to start collecting Peavey's but not for the sake of having one of each. If all three would have similar sounds then I only want to get the most versatile or best sounding of the three.

I can't say. I have an Axcelerator 5 and have owned two Cirrus 6ers but never played a G V nor have I ever had a chance to A-B-C all three at one time.

Were I in the market, of the three you listed I'd go with the Cirrus.

The Axcelerator bass materials varied. According to the manuals, the 2-T model had a Poplar body, Rock Maple neck, and Rosewood fretboard. The Plus model had a Swamp Ash body, bilaminated Rock Maple Neck, and Pau Ferro fretboard.

That stated, I would not be surprised to learn that there were some minor variations in hardware and possibly woods during the course of their production run.

Cool! Thanks for the clarification!

I have a GV and an Axcelerator 6. Not sure what it is about the neck profile on the Cirrus but for me the GV and Ax 6 are more comfortable to play.

Good to know! Similar sound between the GV and the Ax 6?

You are welcome, Mark. Since you have a 5, you may know that it has a little different construction from the fours. The scale is 35" instead of 34", the body is Poplar, the neck is bilaminated Rock Maple, and the fingerboard is Rosewood. As you can see, the variations within the Axcelerator model line can be a little confusing.