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Why do you like or dislike the Peavey Cirrus??

The Peavey Cirrus is...

  • Great bass...I own one!!

    Votes: 46 30.5%

  • I like it, but it's not for me

    Votes: 33 21.9%

  • Don't like...too hi-fi

    Votes: 10 6.6%

  • Don't like 35" scale...might like it more if it was 34"

    Votes: 17 11.3%

  • meh...it's alright

    Votes: 17 11.3%

  • Stop it with these polls already!!!

    Votes: 28 18.5%
  • Total voters
    151
  • Poll closed .
RaginRog

RaginRog

Last guy you want to see is Employee Relations guy
Nov 29, 2009
2,662
28
Formerly Staten Island
#1
Just want to start off by saying that I'm a Fender guy, and I've been a Musicman guy....and a Ric guy...but have always been most comfortable with Fenders.

A few years back, I had a Cirrus...a peacock blue one...great/beautiful bass...but sold it to fund a Ric purchase. I also had a Bubinga/walnut one that I bought on a whim, and returned it as to not upset my wife.

So, I finally picked up a new one recently...and really do like it. It's not as prominent in the band mix, but it has a very clean, defined tone...and despite being 35" scale...is the most comfortable neck I've ever played. The true reason behind my purchase though, is because it's an amazing bass to use for recording. My guitarist and I are always swapping ideas via mp3s that we overdub each others parts on. So with a plus for appearance, comfort, and clarity...I think it'll be a keeper.

Why do they not get as much love as Musicman, or Fender basses? I realize they're a bargain on the used market, but are somewhat pricey new ($1700).

What experiences have you had?
 
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#2
I feel like I should be able to pick multiple answers from the poll. I disliked the feel of the 35" scale, but I liked mine a lot when I owned it...it just wasn't the tone I was looking for at the time, a bit too modern and hi-fi. Wound up with a MIA Jazz V, so that tells you where my tastes run. However, I definitely would not be opposed to getting another one someday. They are great basses.
 
#5
I've owned 50+ active 5-string basses over the last ten years and have kept all but my favorite four, two of which are USA Cirrus, one neck-thru, the other a bolt on. I love the tone, feel and sound of these basses and have nothing but love for them. I did find great deals on them used, though they are well worth the new price and more, IMO.
 
#6
rockstarbassist said:
Gets overlooked bc of the headstock, plain and simple.
Great basses at any price point. I'd love to have like a fretless 5'er version.
Click to expand...

I agree, Peavey used to be looked at way back when as being low end gear. Certainly not anymore, but they are still suffering from the stigma of the past.
 
#7
Probably the most stable bass in my 50+ collection which includes mid- to-high end Fenders, Gibsons, MMs, Rics, etc.

This thing is in tune almost every time I take it out of the case, even when it's been ridden hard and put away wet.

I love the neck profile, consistent output string-to-string, EQ section, and the aesthetics are nice too (I have one in Peacock Blue and another in Ruby Red, both fivers).
 
#9
BassDudeSA said:
I agree, Peavey used to be looked at way back when as being low end gear. Certainly not anymore, but they are still suffering from the stigma of the past.
Click to expand...

Yep, it's sad really. They don't have this issue with their guitars and amps IMO but for pretty much anything bass related they still get associated with "uber budget" stuff. Even though I see lots of their Tour Series bass stuff out and about nowadays.
Besides my ex MTD 535, I'd easily say the Cirrus 5's neck is about as comfy as it gets for that style of bass.
 
#11
It's a killer bass and possibly overlooked for no reason. I love the 35" scale (I have medium/small hands and just adapted) and get unmatched clarity and articulation out of this bass. The electronics on it are top notch and highly flexible. Phenomenal bass for recording in any style (I've used it for aggressive modern post/prog metal and also R&B more recently... the neck-through sustain and strong signal worked great in the later).

It's like playing on a grand piano. This bass even taught me how to bring my tapping to a whole other level. Suddenly I became known in my scene as the bassist who did stuff people had "never seen before."

That's my endorsement. :p

If I was going to get another bass, I'd get another Cirrus... maybe a Maple 6. I don't trust any other basses (especially 34" scale) after getting used to the Cirrus.
 
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#13
Here's mine next to my TL-Five
 

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#14
I don't own one, but have spend a lot of quality time with a fretted 4, a fretted 5 & a fretless 5(all US built) ...and all rocked my world. I'm a piano tone type of guy and the tone, action, fit-n-finish was consistently excellent
 
#15
I just got one about a month ago, I totally love this bass! I can't understand why more players aren't hip to them, they're amazing basses. Does Peavey still make them? I don't see much info about them on their website
 
#16
rockstarbassist said:
Gets overlooked bc of the headstock, plain and simple.
Great basses at any price point. I'd love to have like a fretless 5'er version.
Click to expand...

I totally agree...I think the late 80's and 90's did Peavey in. It seems like they were respected a bit more back in the 70's.

I also think that Peavey do themselves a diservice by putting the same preamp in several of their basses. The Cirrus preamp and VFL pickups would be a little more prestigeous if they didn't put them in some of their "cheap" basses.

Double Agent said:
I feel like I should be able to pick multiple answers from the poll. I disliked the feel of the 35" scale, but I liked mine a lot when I owned it...it just wasn't the tone I was looking for at the time, a bit too modern and hi-fi. Wound up with a MIA Jazz V, so that tells you where my tastes run. However, I definitely would not be opposed to getting another one someday. They are great basses.
Click to expand...

I figure some people might have a couple of reasons. However, I prefer/like it when TBers actually post responses as to why they do or don't like a bass.

BassDudeSA said:
I agree, Peavey used to be looked at way back when as being low end gear. Certainly not anymore, but they are still suffering from the stigma of the past.
Click to expand...

I don't know if that was necessarily the case back in the 70's and early 80's. They had some decent bassists playing Peavey gear back then.

jjk2007 said:
Here's mine next to my TL-Five
Click to expand...

Very nice...those TL-Fives are really nice looking basses.
 
#18
RaginRog said:
I totally agree...I think the late 80's and 90's did Peavey in. It seems like they were respected a bit more back in the 70's.
Click to expand...

Uh...no.

Unless you played pedal steel, or were on a super-limited budget, Peavey amps in the 1970s were complete jokes. They were some of the worst sounding amps ever made.

But I'd love one of the original Cirrus neck-thru 5- or 6-string basses, I always thought they were cool, a legit boutique instrument disguised as a "value". I have no idea whether the current ones are at all similar though.
 
#19
i really prefer the u.s. millennium over the cirrus. just has more of a classic sound, which i like. i have two cirrus's and for me they just weren't round enough, or have enough "natural" low end. i can see how some people would like them though, just not for me. really good build quality though. probably some of the best.
 

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