Opinions on Peavey Firebass 700

[BassNeo]

Just found one with a cabinet for a decent price. Who's got one / had one and your thoughts on them?

I searched Harmony Central and the consensus is generally good, but I'm always interested in opinions...

 

[Aussie Player]

I had one for a while.
I used it in a loud 3 piece classic rock band.
I tried it first using a pair of 4 Ohm Hartke 2x15 cabs @ 2 Ohms
then into a Hartle XL 8x10 4 Ohm cab
then into the above 8x10 plus one 2x15 cab for a combo making 2 Ohms.

It is very loud. Certainly loud enough for any gig so the volume capability need not be discussed or concerned about again.

The tone was too solid state for me meaning that it was a little clinical and pure sounding as I like a lot of growl in my tone and I couldn't get enough to keep me happy.

In defence of the amp, I was mainly using an ESP 404SM and I also sold it for the same reason after trying a Warwick Thumb, which is more to my liking. Had I put the Warrwick through it I might have changed my mind so I recommend you use your bass into it and see what you think.

As a bass player, it is very hard to describe what you like let alone convey that to someone else.

 

[zachoff]

Loud, sterile, and built like a tank. 2 Ohm stable is a plus though.

 

[JB696]

The sound is good, it will drive 2 ohms, and is nearly indestructible. Mine fell out the back of a van twice when the roll-up door was opened too suddenly. Another time it rolled down a complete flight of stairs. At an outdoor concert it fell off the back of a stage when my stack went over. The stage elevation was 8 feet, plus another 6 feet for the two 4x10 cabinets, makes a total drop of 14 feet. It landed on concrete. Accelerating at 32 feet per second per second, and figuring in the air drag, it must have been traveling at about 20 miles per hour. It broke the top of the head case loose on one end. But we plugged everything back in and the next band used it for two sets. That amp never did conk out on me. Sold it to my nephew ten years ago and he still has it. Great amps, in my opinion.

 

[megadethjohn]

I used to own one. Tons of power, very clean...if you have a good sounding bass it'll shine through this amp loud and clear. If you want to dirty it up get a pedal or preamp, the VT Bass would be bad ass paired with a Firebass 700.

 

[skylarhomeb]

I used to own one. Tons of power, very clean...if you have a good sounding bass it'll shine through this amp loud and clear. If you want to dirty it up get a pedal or preamp, the VT Bass would be bad ass paired with a Firebass 700.

Agreed I have been playing my Firebass for two years, and the Vt bass helps "dirty up" my sound. You will be hard pressed to find an American amp that is as powerful and reliable for the price you can find a used one for.

 

[cavedweller]

Dependable,lots of features,2 ohm stable,......heavy!