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U.S. Peavey Club

#17,601
mb94952 said:
Tuners are great ! No need to change ANYTHING ! EASY to adjust. You know Peavey always does it right !
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Oh, but I’m always looking to change something lol. But good to know! I can’t say I love the black and pearl, but it’s not the worst thing I’ve ever seen by a long shot. Can’t wait to put my hands on it. Everyone join hands and think “level frets, level frets...” :laugh:
 
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#17,602
wild4oldcars said:
So the bridge is easy enough to adjust? I do tech work for one of the big chains (or I did before the pandemic...) and it seems to me usually the more “innovative” designs trade usability for some other tonal benefits that don’t really exist. As long as the 2 tek isn’t a nightmare, I’ll be happy lol.

Any opinions on the tuners? I have some gotohs on a fender zone that gets next to no play time, so I may swap those in if they’re not anything special, since I quite like those gotohs.
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I got one back in March and I love it. One of the best bass purchases I made in awhile. The 2Tek add a bit more weight but the overall build quality more than makes up for it. Mine arrived perfectly setup out the jump.

20200410_143415.jpg
 
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#17,603
Raw N Low said:
I got one back in March and I love it. One of the best bass purchases I made in awhile. The 2Tek add a bit more weight but the overall build quality more than makes up for it. Mine arrived perfectly setup out the jump.

View attachment 3882650
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I use one of those Neotech Mega straps, so as long as it’s no heavier than my t-40, I’ll be alright lol. But glad to hear you enjoy it!
 
#17,604
wild4oldcars said:
Well, with a little back and forth with the seller (and his wife), I got that axcelerator 2t on eBay for 350 shipped. I had one for a few weeks in 2013 or so, but that one was a dog and I knew far less about repairs back then. I’m excited to give this one a shot, especially with those true VFL pickups. Does anyone have any experience with those 2tek bridges? I read up on the peavey manual for them, but I’m curious if they actually improve clarity, etc, etc...
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No experience with a 2tek bridge (yet) but my Axcelerator basses have all the natural sustain they will ever need and with good note clarity and punch and that's even before I plug in !
 
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#17,605
ElBecko59 said:
what model Zone bass do have ? American / mim / 4 string ? hmmm
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4 string Mim in the sienna burst. I’ve actually owned 2 like it. I wanna love the bass so bad, and I love how the neck feels, but its always sounded really plunky and wimpy no matter the pickups or strings I’ve used. I’m holding out to find a Badass 3 or a high mass American fender bridge to try on it as a last ditch effort, but that’s hopeful thinking. The neck pocket is a less than stellar fit, and the bass is just so lightweight. I wanna believe that there’s a killer one out there somewhere, since they really do check a lot of the boxes on paper, but both I’ve owned were duds.
 
#17,606
wild4oldcars said:
4 string Mim in the sienna burst. I’ve actually owned 2 like it. I wanna love the bass so bad, and I love how the neck feels, but its always sounded really plunky and wimpy no matter the pickups or strings I’ve used. I’m holding out to find a Badass 3 or a high mass American fender bridge to try on it as a last ditch effort, but that’s hopeful thinking. The neck pocket is a less than stellar fit, and the bass is just so lightweight. I wanna believe that there’s a killer one out there somewhere, since they really do check a lot of the boxes on paper, but both I’ve owned were duds.
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What depth are your pickups at from the strings?
And does it play the same on different amps??
When's the last time you bought a new cord??
 
#17,607
Raw N Low said:
If you could only have one more Peavey (guitar, bass, or amp), and Peavey granted your wish to build it, what would it be?
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I might want either a 1990 style Dyna Bass 5 string with Super Ferrites, upgraded/modern electronics (with the 3 band and active/passive), 18.5mm spacing and painted Sherwood green, or a Century 200 preamp mated with a 400BH power amp.
 
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#17,608
Raw N Low said:
If you could only have one more Peavey (guitar, bass, or amp), and Peavey granted your wish to build it, what would it be?
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Cirrus 4 string with the Millennium pickup configuration and a Nordstrand 3B preamp. Wenge top, walnut back, walnut/maple neck. Ebony fretboard with no inlay. Carbon fiber headstock overlay with a silver logo. Black hipshot hardware and a Ghost bridge.

So basically my FrankenCirrus project, but with different wood and it's all from the factory.
 
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#17,609
Big Shrek said:
What depth are your pickups at from the strings?
And does it play the same on different amps??
When's the last time you bought a new cord??
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The p pickup is where it sounds best, and the j is a lot closer to balance volume. It’s not an issue with the cord or the amp, as I can definitely hear/feel the flubbiness of the notes even unplugged. Using rotosound steels btw.
 
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#17,610
Two lovely Peavey USA basses came my way recently. I was thinking about the way each plays and sounds and thought some might find my observations of interest.

The basses:

IMG-3574.jpg


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The Millennium Plus 5 is typical of that model in that it has an Alder body with a flame Maple top, one piece Maple neck and a Pau Ferro fingerboard.
The Cirrus has a Bubinga top on a Walnut body, the neck is Walnut with Maple stringers and a Pau Ferro fingerboard.

Before getting into my observations about tone and playability, I'll mention something that has been a puzzle to me. I believe that Peavey considered the Hipshot tuners and bridge to be superior to the Gotoh style tuners and ABM bridge used on the production Cirrus basses. The special order Cirrus basses that were produced in the custom shop were fitted with Hipshot hardware and the Millennium preamp. If the Hipshot hardware was considered superior to the ABM/Gotoh style hardware why was it not used on the production Cirrus basses? I suspect the Millennium preamp was developed after initial production of the Cirrus so that could explain the Cirrus preamp being used on the first ones but I wonder why they didn't switch to the Millennium preamp after it was developed. Using up existing Cirrus preamps already in stock?

Both basses play and sound terrific. They feel somewhat different, as you would expect. The neck on the Cirrus feels more narrow than the neck on the Millennium but my dial caliper tells me they are the same. ?? I don't know why. The Millennium weighs 9 pounds 2 ounces and the Cirrus weighs 9 pounds, 4.5 ounces and I can feel the difference. I would not have thought that I could feel 2.5 ounces but I can. Measuring from the bottom of the body to the nut shows the Cirrus to be about 5/8" longer and the Millennium does indeed feel slightly more compact. These differences that I am mentioning are slight and probably inconsequential. 5 minutes of playing either bass and I feel completely comfortable.

Tone is where real differences seem to come into play. This will NOT be a fair comparison since I have D'Adarrio XL nickle rounds on the Cirrus and TI flats on the Millennium. The Cirrus has a very clear voice. Each note sings clear and sweet. The Millennium has a darker, rounder tone (due in part to the strings) and, perhaps, sounds more polite. I would certainly prefer the tone of the Millennium for blues and soul music. Either bass would be great for the jazz I usually play.

The generous and great sounding EQ available on both preamps make it possible for the basses to sound similar to each other. That said, the highs seem more detailed in the Cirrus and the overall tone warmer on the Millennium.

If you are trying to decide whether to get a Millennium or a Cirrus, my advice is to get one of each. You won't be sorry.
 
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#17,611
Chuck M said:
Two lovely Peavey USA basses came my way recently. I was thinking about the way each plays and sounds and thought some might find my observations of interest.

5 minutes of playing either bass and I feel completely comfortable.

The Cirrus has a very clear voice. Each note sings clear and sweet. The Millennium has a darker, rounder tone (due in part to the strings) and, perhaps, "sounds more polite" ( I love that, Chuck ! )

The generous and great sounding EQ available on both preamps make it possible for the basses to sound similar to each other. That said, the highs seem more detailed in the Cirrus and the overall tone warmer on the Millennium.

If you are trying to decide whether to get a Millennium or a Cirrus, my advice is to get one of each. You won't be sorry.
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Good and accurate comparisons, Chuck ! I agree 100% - Get one of each and you'll be set for ANYTHING. Despite the bridge pickup looking NOTHING like a Pbass pup, it does what we expect a Pbass to sound like PERFECTLY. Mean, growly, and tons of attitude. I think the Cirrus does more of what you'd expect from an Alembic or a Wal bass ( I know, two TOTALLY different basses !) but the walnut / bubinga Cirrus can do Geddy Lee's Wal tone on Hold Your Fire pretty spot on.

I think the Millennium has more chameleon like features. You can really get it to sound like any bass, or like no other bass. The pickup placement is perfect. The bridge MusicMan pup really sounds nice. I can't compare it to anything off hand. I don't think it sounds like Flea, but then again, I've never tried to dial in that tone. Due to the bolt on neck, it is punchier and warmer, like you said, Chuck. Get one of each, seems to be the wise action to take.
 
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