I've long since stopped using Talkbass as a barometer for what's good or not. To be honest, you'd think the Cirrus and Millennium were junk because the strongest fans of them will often sell them, buy them, sell them again, etc.
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Why do you like or dislike the Peavey Cirrus??
- Thread starter RaginRog
- Start date
I've long since stopped using Talkbass as a barometer for what's good or not. To be honest, you'd think the Cirrus and Millennium were junk because the strongest fans of them will often sell them, buy them, sell them again, etc.
If you understand people, you will know that selling something often has nothing to do with whether something is good or not, especially among a population like TB members who tend to be gear enthusiasts.
Ugly as sin, but the plain truth is extended-horn basses have great strap ergonomics, even if they do look dorky. 
In general, it's everything I don't want, a middling '90s-style geek-bass with poor resale value.
In general, it's everything I don't want, a middling '90s-style geek-bass with poor resale value.
The answer to my like, and dislike is the same: It's a peavey. No definable character for me. May be better than fender, or musicman, but those instruments have identifiable voices that have played a major part in shaping music. I've never heard a record and identified the bassist as playing a peavey cirrus. That doesn't make it a bad instrument, just one I have no need of.
- Dec 12, 2007
- 2,268
- 43
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Zon Guitars, Tsunami Cables, DR Strings, GK
I wanted to love 2 different ones, but the neck profile and the note quality killed it for me. I think they are nice basses, just not for me.
The strongest fans of the Cirrus here on TB always seem to have a dozen or so on hand at any given time. I think it becomes like a fun diversion (a.k.a. obsession) trading, buying, and selling them, but is is in no way an indictment of the bass itself. Just the opposite in my mind.
I purchased a Peacock Blue fiver about 5 years ago, loved it, bought another in Ruby Red as a back-up. I have no intention of ever being without one of these babies in my my arsenal. Modern? Generic? Maybe, depending on the player. The modern tone still gets called for alot at the stages and studios I've been in lately.
Interesting. Most TBers would seem to claim that a modern tone will get you chased out of town!!!!!
Interesting. Most TBers would seem to claim that a modern tone will get you chased out of town!!!!!
I love it.
You win
No, you didn't.
I'm not sure which is more humorous, the "this is what most TB'ers think" assertion, or the fallacy that a Peavey Cirrus is only capable of one generic, modern tone.
As far as I'm concerned, let the misinformation prevail. This helps ensure that one of the best basses ever made is always readily available on the used market for extremely reasonable prices.
Yup. Very flexible and capable, especially with the Millennium pre upgrade, which I've been meaning to do to a few of mine. Sound aside, they're also some of the best playing basses on the market. How? No clue. That being said, I'm still thinking the Cirrus line only has another year or two before Peavey stops production.
Still have most of these. Kinda sold a few due to the sheer redundancy, slight lack of space, and wife not willing to let me have such an arsenal.
I owned a Peavey Cirrus sixer. The only reason I unloaded it was to fund the purchase of a Pedulla Thunderbolt (which I have subsequently unloaded for a G&L JB). Here is the (closed) for-sale thread with pictures and a sound clip.
It was my main bass from July 2009 to September 2010. It had a great sound - clear throughout the range of the neck, and all 6 strings. The neck was thick, but not uncomfortable. There was some added confusion due to the 6th string, but that was the player - not the bass. The electronics were very easy to use, and could result in a wide variety of sounds. I particularly liked the unfinished neck.
It was my main bass from July 2009 to September 2010. It had a great sound - clear throughout the range of the neck, and all 6 strings. The neck was thick, but not uncomfortable. There was some added confusion due to the 6th string, but that was the player - not the bass. The electronics were very easy to use, and could result in a wide variety of sounds. I particularly liked the unfinished neck.
LOL, the wife did.
Hard to win an argument that my collection isn't excessive with photo evidence like that!!!
Ugly as sin, but the plain truth is extended-horn basses have great strap ergonomics, even if they do look dorky.
In general, it's everything I don't want, a middling '90s-style geek-bass with poor resale value.
Finally...some haters!!
I wanted someone to actually give some reasons for not caring for them. I think that since I grew up on 80's metal...I actually find them very attractive. As far as tone is concerned...I've got a great amp/cabs (Markbass), I have no problem eq-ing my amp to get the Cirrus to lose a bit of the hi-fi-moderness.
I add lows/low mids up to about 2-3 o'clock, and I cut the hi-mid to about 11, and highs to about 9, and I get a very nice tone.
Yup. Very flexible and capable, especially with the Millennium pre upgrade, which I've been meaning to do to a few of mine. Sound aside, they're also some of the best playing basses on the market. How? No clue. That being said, I'm still thinking the Cirrus line only has another year or two before Peavey stops production.
Still have most of these. Kinda sold a few due to the sheer redundancy, slight lack of space, and wife not willing to let me have such an arsenal.
That red Cirrus looks amazing...the middle/back look extremely dark...darkest I've seen on a Ruby red.
I hope they never stop making the Cirrus, and at least keep the bolt on models.
The red one is actually cranberry red burst with a matching headstock. It was part of a limited edition of basically the tiger eye models in different colors that were sold to top dealers. My blue fretless was a custom shop owned by a guy who had some real connections as this was well before they took orders from customers.
Don't get me wrong...that blue one is amazing too!! I love it!
Which ones do you still have?
It's a 35" scale on the new Bolt-On models.
BassPlayer: Peavey Cirrus Bolt-On
It's never a bad thing to have some staying power in the music industry, especially when its bolstered by a historically solid reputation. Consider Peavey, which has been on the scene for over 40 years and has maintained a respectable reputation for the duration. Peaveys newest instrument is the Cirrus Bolt-on, and from the first glance, it has a clearly established personality. As musical genres cross-breed and evolve, so too do the desires of the average musicianand Peaveys designers seem quite aware of this natural progression. The Bolt-On has an interesting blend of sensibilities: Its definitely a rocker, but refined, intelligent, and pretty in a goth sort of way.
The most striking thing about this 4- string is the walnut neck and wenge fingerboard. Not only is the dark wood elegant and classy, it seemed to offer a snap and immediacy to each note that I found instantly gratifying. The wood was gorgeous, with a porous, grainy feel to the touch. There are no dot inlays in the fingerboard, except for a tasteful mother of pearl P marking the 12th fret. The neck heel is angled and inset for better access in the higher registers. While the body is sleek and narrow, the 35" scale and 24-fret fingerboard make this an exceptionally long instrument. That said, the neck-to-body weight ratio is balanced, whether on your knee or standing.
The electronics revolve around Peaveys patented VFL (vertical flux load) pickups, which are featured on all the Cirrus basses. Without a doubt, there is a modern growl and sparkle that comes through, no matter the rig. The neck-position pickup is rich and throaty, while the bridge pickup has plenty of spank and attitude. While I personally miss having a basic tone knob, the 3-way active EQ offers plenty of leverage to dial in what youre looking for and is useable throughout each knobs range, although the treble filter is voiced lower than I would have expected. The Cirrus can deliver a creamy Jaco-esque tone from the bridge pickup as well as a warm J-Bass sound from the neck pickup.
Another feature contributing to great resonance is the patented Peavey Dual Compression tailpiece. This bridge consists of four individual die-cast saddles for each string. Not only is each saddle screwed to the body in front of each saddle, but the cast carries through to the back of the instrument, in order to maximize metal-to-wood contact as well as metalto- metal contact between the sliding saddles and the bridge piece itself. Two hex nuts set the action for each string, and the intonation can be adjusted with a hex nut in front of the string saddle. Three sides of the saddle are in total contact with the bridge piece itself. At the headstock of the bass are Hipshot tuners, which are a great complement to any instrument.
There is an interesting amalgamation of bass-design philosophies going on here: The combination of woods, simple components, and solid electronics make this instrument appealing to a wide variety of players while also offering some class. The long, sleek neck design would be comfortable for players accustomed to getting both hands on the fingerboard as well as those inclined to flail away on high notes. Finally, the unusual (for a 4-string) 35" scale makes it an excellent candidate for detuning. Whether tone or looks are your priority, the Cirrus Bolt- On has good things going on in both departments, and it offers a few subtly unique qualities that set it apart from the 4-string bolt-on pack. Matthew Charles Heulitt
CIRRUS BOLT-ON 4 ST RING
List $1,499.99
Street $1,100
Pros Snappy response; solid construction
Cons None
BassPlayer: Peavey Cirrus Bolt-On
It's never a bad thing to have some staying power in the music industry, especially when its bolstered by a historically solid reputation. Consider Peavey, which has been on the scene for over 40 years and has maintained a respectable reputation for the duration. Peaveys newest instrument is the Cirrus Bolt-on, and from the first glance, it has a clearly established personality. As musical genres cross-breed and evolve, so too do the desires of the average musicianand Peaveys designers seem quite aware of this natural progression. The Bolt-On has an interesting blend of sensibilities: Its definitely a rocker, but refined, intelligent, and pretty in a goth sort of way.
The most striking thing about this 4- string is the walnut neck and wenge fingerboard. Not only is the dark wood elegant and classy, it seemed to offer a snap and immediacy to each note that I found instantly gratifying. The wood was gorgeous, with a porous, grainy feel to the touch. There are no dot inlays in the fingerboard, except for a tasteful mother of pearl P marking the 12th fret. The neck heel is angled and inset for better access in the higher registers. While the body is sleek and narrow, the 35" scale and 24-fret fingerboard make this an exceptionally long instrument. That said, the neck-to-body weight ratio is balanced, whether on your knee or standing.
The electronics revolve around Peaveys patented VFL (vertical flux load) pickups, which are featured on all the Cirrus basses. Without a doubt, there is a modern growl and sparkle that comes through, no matter the rig. The neck-position pickup is rich and throaty, while the bridge pickup has plenty of spank and attitude. While I personally miss having a basic tone knob, the 3-way active EQ offers plenty of leverage to dial in what youre looking for and is useable throughout each knobs range, although the treble filter is voiced lower than I would have expected. The Cirrus can deliver a creamy Jaco-esque tone from the bridge pickup as well as a warm J-Bass sound from the neck pickup.
Another feature contributing to great resonance is the patented Peavey Dual Compression tailpiece. This bridge consists of four individual die-cast saddles for each string. Not only is each saddle screwed to the body in front of each saddle, but the cast carries through to the back of the instrument, in order to maximize metal-to-wood contact as well as metalto- metal contact between the sliding saddles and the bridge piece itself. Two hex nuts set the action for each string, and the intonation can be adjusted with a hex nut in front of the string saddle. Three sides of the saddle are in total contact with the bridge piece itself. At the headstock of the bass are Hipshot tuners, which are a great complement to any instrument.
There is an interesting amalgamation of bass-design philosophies going on here: The combination of woods, simple components, and solid electronics make this instrument appealing to a wide variety of players while also offering some class. The long, sleek neck design would be comfortable for players accustomed to getting both hands on the fingerboard as well as those inclined to flail away on high notes. Finally, the unusual (for a 4-string) 35" scale makes it an excellent candidate for detuning. Whether tone or looks are your priority, the Cirrus Bolt- On has good things going on in both departments, and it offers a few subtly unique qualities that set it apart from the 4-string bolt-on pack. Matthew Charles Heulitt
CIRRUS BOLT-ON 4 ST RING
List $1,499.99
Street $1,100
Pros Snappy response; solid construction
Cons None
