To upgrade or not to upgrade. (Peavey Millennium)

[Lit311]

I acquired a Peavey Millennium 4-string ac bxp (Import) a while back. I'm happy with it for the price, and I love the feel of it. I've got some money saved, and was thinking about either upgrading/modding some things on it, or *gasp* buying another bass.

For people familiar with this bass, do you think it is worth sinking money into? What recommendations do you have for pick-ups or preamps that play well with this bass? (Active pickups)

As far as new basses, I was thinking of a Warwick Corvette. A total different animal, I know.

Only looking to spend 200 at the most, so I would have to sell the Peavey as well to buy another bass.

What do you all think?

 

[Growlmonkee]

If you love the feel of it, it's worth upgrading, as long as you have a goal...as far as what you would like to be different than what you have now. As far as return on an upgrade investment, there is none (usually), it's lost, as far as money. That won't matter, if it's something you plan to keep, that plays nicely, and after the upgrade, sounds great. I have a bass that cost me very little, I have put more money into it than it was worth to begin with, because I love playing it, and even more so, after the upgrades. it was a good investment for me, (it's the one with the flamed headstock in my avatar, the whole neck is like that), and is my #1 go to bass, of the 3 I own. If I sold it, it would be at a loss, but, that doesn't matter, I never will. If the Peavey is "all that" already, of course it's worth making it even better, as long as you do not plan to get a return on the investment, and you have a goal, as far as what you want to change. If after playing the Warwick..it blows the Peavey out of the water, don't bother with upgrades.

 

[NKBassman]

I used to have a Millennium BXP. I found it to be a very decent bass for what I paid for it (<$200CAD with a very nice hard case). I replaced the stock pickups with MIM Fender jazz pickups and it was a HUGE improvement over the stock pickups. Overall though I found it to be a fairly solid bass with a comfortable flat neck. Best part was that I didn't mind taking it to gigs where it might get knocked around a little bit. At the end of the day, however, I sold it to a friend and don't miss it one bit.

My suggestion would be to pick up some cheap used aftermarket pickups in the classifieds here to upgrade the Peavey a little bit, and then start saving for the actual bass you want.

EDIT: Actually, does the AC use the humbucker pickups? ie not jazz bass pickups? Then you will probably have a very difficult time finding replacements.

 

[skwee]

Maybe if we had a sense of what you feel is missing from the Peavey, that would help. I don't really see a reason to dig into an intact instrument unless something is broken--would rather put the money into a second instrument.

 

[Lit311]

If you love the feel of it, it's worth upgrading, as long as you have a goal...as far as what you would like to be different than what you have now. As far as return on an upgrade investment, there is none (usually), it's lost, as far as money. That won't matter, if it's something you plan to keep, that plays nicely, and after the upgrade, sounds great. I have a bass that cost me very little, I have put more money into it than it was worth to begin with, because I love playing it, and even more so, after the upgrades. it was a good investment for me, (it's the one with the flamed headstock in my avatar, the whole neck is like that), and is my #1 go to bass, of the 3 I own. If I sold it, it would be at a loss, but, that doesn't matter, I never will. If the Peavey is "all that" already, of course it's worth making it even better, as long as you do not plan to get a return on the investment, and you have a goal, as far as what you want to change. If after playing the Warwick..it blows the Peavey out of the water, don't bother with upgrades.

Thank you for the insight. The downside is none of the dealing near me carry Warwicks, so if I wanted to try one, I would have to just order one.

Your words seem very wise and carry an importance of instrument that I think get lost in the shuffle of brands and the price range.

What kinds of upgrades did you do to the Jag?

 

[Lit311]

I used to have a Millennium BXP. I found it to be a very decent bass for what I paid for it (<$200CAD with a very nice hard case). I replaced the stock pickups with MIM Fender jazz pickups and it was a HUGE improvement over the stock pickups. Overall though I found it to be a fairly solid bass with a comfortable flat neck. Best part was that I didn't mind taking it to gigs where it might get knocked around a little bit. At the end of the day, however, I sold it to a friend and don't miss it one bit.

My suggestion would be to pick up some cheap used aftermarket pickups in the classifieds here to upgrade the Peavey a little bit, and then start saving for the actual bass you want.

EDIT: Actually, does the AC use the humbucker pickups? ie not jazz bass pickups? Then you will probably have a very difficult time finding replacements.

The AC has I think called soapbox pickups. The same that are in the Cirrus model I think.

 

[NKBassman]

The AC has I think called soapbox pickups. The same that are in the Cirrus model I think.

That sounds right. Those pickups are very unique and will be pretty much impossible to find aftermarket replacements for.

You could experiment with different active preamps if you don't care for the tone of the instrument, but if you're planning on upgrading in the future you might as well just leave your Peavey as-is and save to get the bass you really want.

 

[Gatlin]

I had a Millenium BXP 5 string for a while. I always liked the way the bass played, but never could get a tone that I really liked out of it. I researched swapping pickups several times, but never did (mine had j-style pickups). I ultimately sold it. It was the first 5 string I owned and I played it for a long time though. Since yours is a 4 string it won't matter, but I never could get the b string to sound good. The b string on my 35" schecter sounds MUCH better than my millenium ever did.

 

[Growlmonkee]

I would play a Warwick before buying one, they have a lot of character, and their own flavor, you may, or may not like it. My Jag is a Modern Player, it's made in China, and on the low end to have a Fender badge on the headstock. the one I got has an amazing flamed neck, only by chance, the workmanship, and feel to it, is really good, I'm guessing they aren't all great. I changed.... Hipshot tuners, and bridge, EMG GZR pickups, flush Dunlop strap mounts, a black string tree, a custom control plate, and a black pickguard , the bass was a demo, I got for 239, the addons were near 400, it would not sell for near 639, but, doesn't matter, it's my baby. Be sure you like your bass enough, before going past it's value with addons, they don't add much to selling value, if at all. If you have eyes on something else, like a Warwick, save up for it, but, make somehow playing one a priority first, they are not everyone's cup of tea, though they are nice instruments. My Jazz bass is probably worth 1000, I gigged with it Sunday, sounded great, ...I love it, but, I like the Jag better.

 

[Lit311]

Maybe if we had a sense of what you feel is missing from the Peavey, that would help. I don't really see a reason to dig into an intact instrument unless something is broken--would rather put the money into a second instrument.

That's fair. I like the dark tone that it CAN get....and the bright pop that it CAN have, but it doesn't seem like the dynamics of the preamp (or something) can give me both at the same time. Evening them out leaves it kind of lifeless. Maybe I am just bad at eq'ing idk.

What I am trying to say is...well, hard to put into words. I want the sound to be more colored and full. Does that help?

 

[Lit311]

Update.

Thanks everyone for the responses and advice. I didn't receieve any overwhelming arguments to sell the bass, invest a lot of work, or get a new one. Just a combo of these things, which was solid advice. Am just going to hold onto the bass as a beater/gig bass, and save up to eventually get a high grade recording bass (maybe).

In the meantine, I changed the strings on the Peavey and did some other minor things. I put from DR Fat Beams on it and WOW. Those things really mesh well with the Peavey...and I am getting the sounds that thought I was lacking. So, looks like the Peavey got some new life. Live and learn.

 

[NKBassman]

Update.

Thanks everyone for the responses and advice. I didn't receieve any overwhelming arguments to sell the bass, invest a lot of work, or get a new one. Just a combo of these things, which was solid advice. Am just going to hold onto the bass as a beater/gig bass, and save up to eventually get a high grade recording bass (maybe).

In the meantine, I changed the strings on the Peavey and did some other minor things. I put from DR Fat Beams on it and WOW. Those things really mesh well with the Peavey...and I am getting the sounds that thought I was lacking. So, looks like the Peavey got some new life. Live and learn.

When in doubt, always start with fresh strings before getting carried away with anything else!