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What's the major diffrences between a Cirrus BXP and a Cirrus USA?

#2
The quality is night and day between the two. I do know that much. The BXP is made in Asia. I used to hate Cirrus basses simply because I thought the BXP models were all they made. then I played a USA and fell in love. If you look around you can find some great deals on USA Peaveys.
 
#5
Well right now, I have a BXP Cirrus 5 and to be honest I'm happy with it and the sound I get out of it... but if the USA models sound that much better then the BXP then I would want to make that leap. I love the feel, playability and tone of the bass. So if the USA is that much better, but still similar in some regards... I'm all for it :-)

:bassist:
 
#7
MNAirHead said:
really depends .. they were made in various countries...

Which exact 2 are you comparing?
Click to expand...

I think I know where MN is going with this. I have never played a USA made Cirrus, but I do own a BXP made in Indonesia that is as sweet as can be. From what I understand and have learned, and I know MN will appropriately correct me if I'm wrong, but the ones made in Indonesia, come as close to the USA made ones that you can get at less than half the price. I got mine for under 300 dollars!! I love it!

Jack
 
#8
Early Indonesians (the country of origin is in the headstock finish ) are about 90% of what the USA versions are.

Specifically for this varient, glossy neck.. electronics.. hardware.. finish options.

I owned 4 cirruses and did a comparison about 2 years ago.... should be in search (no I don't have a link)

OVERALL,
It's a great time to buy the USA models... they are not decreasing in value.. there are some great bargains out there right now.


PM me if I can help Identify/value or locate with you.

I've owned several of each of the USA Peaveys - there may be something closer to your taste range.
 
#9
gospelbassist said:
Well right now, I have a BXP Cirrus 5 and to be honest I'm happy with it and the sound I get out of it... but if the USA models sound that much better then the BXP then I would want to make that leap. I love the feel, playability and tone of the bass. So if the USA is that much better, but still similar in some regards... I'm all for it :-)

:bassist:
Click to expand...

the BXP isn't ... some cool features some have great build.

I'm in the camp that your audeince can not really hear the difference.. much of OCD bass tone is for the player -- not the band.

My wife couldn't tell the difference... my band couldn't tell the difference.

I'm just a patriotic snob that likes to have USA on the gear list.

-----

Contrary to what some posts will note, I'm not a fan of modifying these -- there by the time you add up time and materials, your better off just selling and buying the one you really want.

Really sounds like you're fine..

If life ever gets you to frozen MN, you're more than invited to test drive Peavey 5s (or others) side by side.
 
#10
I will add 2 things to this:

1) the satin finish on the back of the neck of my USA Cirrus V is one of the things that I REALLY like about it. The feel is significantly nicer (to ME) than the feel of other basses I have with a glossy neck. Also, the shape of the neck is different than all my other basses. It's flatter on the back side - different even than my other US Peavey 5-strings. I like it the best of my collection, too.

2) my stock Cirrus sounded good. I have now upgraded the preamp to the US Peavey Millennium preamp (which adds a mid-frequency sweep - i.e. lets you adjust the mid-range frequency that is being boost/cut by the mid boost/cut knob) and it sounds way better! It was for sale before I did the upgrade. Now, it's my #1 bass in the stable.
 
#12
MNAirHead said:
Early Indonesians (the country of origin is in the headstock finish ) are about 90% of what the USA versions are.
Click to expand...

This is my experience as well.

I have played and owned several of the early Indonesian Cirrus BXP's. I also own a Cirrus USA. When it came time to thin the herd, I had a really hard time letting go of the BXP. It was so close to the USA, and I could have cashed in the USA for more. I made a tough choice and let go of the BXP. The electronics and hardware were different, but I hesitate to use the word inferior, on the BXP. The fit, finish, set-up potential, and playablity on the BXP was virtually identical to the USA model. The tone was virtually identical as well.

I can't speak for the second generation BXP which I understand is made in China and the QC and overall build quality not as good as the earlier Indonesian models.

But the Indonesian Cirrus BXP is the closest Asian-made clone of a USA-built guitar that I've ever seen and played.
 
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#13
Stuart -- you have one of the few upgrades I have a positive opinion on (Adding a Bart pre to a GT7 and Millenium to USA Cirrus).. I'm interested in hearing more about this in PM (you did it a few months ago)

=====

The issue with the Cirrus BXP is the average buyer/seller can't tell the difference between the excellent and average.

IT's been rumoured that the QC was done by USA staff in early Indonesians... there MAY be multiple revisions. In this era there were some killer under the radar basses.. Millenium J/J and Milestone come to mind (note NOT ALL of them are the same)

Part of my opinion to NOT blindly Ebay or Mail Order a BXP is we don't know which exact one you're getting.

Contrary to much of the baseless TB dribble.. there are a sliver of the BXPs that are 95% of what the USA ones are -- Like you said, the preamp is different - not inferior. IF you wanted a satin neck, PM me and we'l go through how to delicately accomplish this.

I've never posted "order a BXP" simply that they're as incosistent as Fender gear (go ahead and flame me)

=======

OPINION
I'd rather see TBers put money in their retirement than chase gear (don't tell my wife - she'll laugh youoff the planet) ... IF you had a comfortable BXP, and wanted to tweek sound, my opinion would be to add some type of low cost DI/Preamp (Zoom B2.1u, MXR M-80, Hartke Attack) etc.... often this yields a faster and more flexible alteration at a much lower cost.

In your case smile, and review your bank balance.
 
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#17
gospelbassist said:
I checked my BXP and it's an indonesian model. Do you still recommend I go for a USA model?
Click to expand...

I'd recommend you find one locally, either owned by another TB'er or in a music store, play it, and then make that decision. They're a bit more expensive than a BXP but they are higher quality instruments. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide if the higher quality is worth the higher price. If you're ever in central Ohio I'd be happy to let you take mine for a test run.
 
#18
gospelbassist said:
I checked my BXP and it's an indonesian model. Do you still recommend I go for a USA model?
Click to expand...

Like capnsandwich said, it's 6 one way, half a dozen the other.

If you come across a nice Indonesian version, you will be very happy and save a couple hundred bucks.

If you come across a gently used USA version, you will have the flagship Peavey bass, but you'll have to spend more to get it.

That's the advice I gave to one of my students who is presently trying to make the same decision as you.
 
#19
gospelbassist said:
I checked my BXP and it's an indonesian model. Do you still recommend I go for a USA model?
Click to expand...

If you can flip the Indo bass and use the proceeds to buy a US model for short dough, definitely do that.

But if money is an issue, I'd hang onto the Indo Cirrus. I'd love to say that the US model is leaps and bounds better, but it's not. The US model is a little better. It has a nicer bridge and uses better woods, but the Indo bass is very close.
 
#20
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