I have owned three. Bought the first one new. Popped a fuse once but that was the only time it quit on me. Plenty of power for any place I ever played. Still have number 3 and just got a rack for it. One of Peavey's finest products ever.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Peavey MegaBass Club
- Thread starter Stev187
- Start date
I've Jumped Ship.
After 20 Years, albeit with a considerable break in the middle, using my Megabass, i have gone to the Dark Side and purchased a Mesa Boogie Subway D800+.
The Mega is Great, but the D8 is something else again.
I will, however, be keeping the Peavey. It's just too good to let go.
After 20 Years, albeit with a considerable break in the middle, using my Megabass, i have gone to the Dark Side and purchased a Mesa Boogie Subway D800+.
The Mega is Great, but the D8 is something else again.
I will, however, be keeping the Peavey. It's just too good to let go.
I have multiple rigs, but the megabass paired with the tech21 RBI is one of the best sounding rigs I’ve ever owned. They seem to work really well together, and I won’t split them up. If I’m playing rock and have a big gig, that’s the power I choose.
Well
Time to get a power amp
...it is an old amp now....and I would not trust it on the road...especially with these issues
Time to get a power amp
You might be able to take it in to a tech, get a good cleaning and be good to go. Another thing is making sure there is enough area for ventilation. I see you have an effect right on top of the megabass. I always left a rack space for enough air movement.
Good luck, they are great amps for sure.
Good luck, they are great amps for sure.
Thanks JBassman. The 1U light-rail is only 2 inches deep, and doesn’t cover any cooling grills so that should be ok? Haven’t received any answer from Peavey tech service yet. I know this is not the newest of amps, but I like the sound and just also enjoy keeping the good ol’ stuff working. And it sits nice next to my two CS800’s, from the 80’s. ;-)
(Btw I have 3 other modern rack amps if I really need to trust them... those come along just in case. But I found that visitors appreciate the older stuff too).
(Btw I have 3 other modern rack amps if I really need to trust them... those come along just in case. But I found that visitors appreciate the older stuff too).
You would be amazed how tough these amps are built and what a little maintenance will to to keep them running.
I was the one that had the fan stop, all I did was take it apart, clean and lube it, throw it back together and it works like a champ now.
You issue could be as easy as cleaning the switches with a little deoxit, and it might keep working flawlessly. If you aren't comfortable doing the work, 100 bucks or less at a qualified tech might give her another 30 years of play.
I was the one that had the fan stop, all I did was take it apart, clean and lube it, throw it back together and it works like a champ now.
You issue could be as easy as cleaning the switches with a little deoxit, and it might keep working flawlessly. If you aren't comfortable doing the work, 100 bucks or less at a qualified tech might give her another 30 years of play.
The Megabass is off to Mount Doom, where it was created. (Meridian). Their technician said: “the older the better!” 
Will post results and costs for any future reference.
Will post results and costs for any future reference.
I want in on the action. I love mine, I just need to get one of the control stems fixed. Pain in the arse when these type of breaks happen.
WOW !!! That's an amazing Stack of equipment ! I have 2 Mega's and the T-Max.
How do you like your Tech 21 Landmark 300 ? I dream about the dUg Amp.
*Peace*
Eddie
I love the landmark 300. It's a great amp if you have PA support. I've been looking for a landmark 600 or a Sunn 1200s and have a hard time between the two.
@Primakurtz has a dUg, and I can say first hand that it sounds sweeeeet.
I do believe that's every model of bass preamp that Peavey ever made. I'm impressed, and scared!!
Wow that IS an impressive stack! I’ll do that with my gear when it’s back and post a picture. It’s nice to see that this is what the Magabass looks like when it’s clean. Mine looks like it’s lived on the bottom of a lake 
It looks great:I think it’s worth replacing that post-gain low range pot meter.
(It’s what I use most
)
Does anyone know of any other amps that have the versatility of the Megabass? Easy bi-amp / full range switch, high / low outputs, punch bass, equalizer? Perhaps even stereo?
It looks great:I think it’s worth replacing that post-gain low range pot meter.
(It’s what I use most
)Does anyone know of any other amps that have the versatility of the Megabass? Easy bi-amp / full range switch, high / low outputs, punch bass, equalizer? Perhaps even stereo?
Last edited:
I'm blessed to have these 2 Peavey's still in excellent shape. Everything on them still function like new. I have a second Mega that has been through hell and my son currently has it on a short tour even though the low range channel and the EQ section is not working. He's running it with the EQ section jumped out with a patch cable from the send to the Pwr Amp in and driving it with a Tech 21 Bass DI. Sounds great into an old extremely heavy Peavey 4 x 10 cabinet. If it makes it back I'm tearing into it, now that a cool TB'er sent me a pdf of the schematics for it.
*Peace*
Eddie
*Peace*
Eddie
Yep, with it's noisy fan and all. I use it more than the Mega because I like the EQ better. If I'm on a big outdoor stage with multiple cabinets I go straight into the Mega's Power Amp from the T-Max's Pre-Amp out. It's all heavy but worth the effort, IMO.
Most GK amps are bi-amped capable. The 1001RB comes to mind with a high and low feature. The Harke Kilo is another good amp that can be bi amped.
I would recommend a good dual channel power amp mated with a dual channel preamp for DJ'ing. The stewart world power amp I posted in the photo would be light and powerful for you needs. Here is another idea of amp / preamp options.
I would recommend a good dual channel power amp mated with a dual channel preamp for DJ'ing. The stewart world power amp I posted in the photo would be light and powerful for you needs. Here is another idea of amp / preamp options.
Awesome rig there Ed! I also got some chicken head knobs for my Peavey T-max. I'm thinking of swapping the cross over and balance knobs over to the broken stems on mine. I guy in my area was going to throw out the amp for nothing. Jokes on him.
