Peavey Mark VIII XP Bass Head

This particular Mark VIII pre-dates the XP Series (black face with gray lettering only, no aqua-green). Probably dates from the mid to late 80's. The unit has a nice selection of features which allows me to use it sans pedals or other types of signal processors. Two inputs are provided (one high gain, one low gain) which allows me to run both my active and passive basses at the same time. Pre- and post-gain knobs are combined with "bright", "sustain" and "punch" buttons to feed the signal through the preamp path and on to the power amp (350 watts at 4 ohms). An active 9-band equalizer is accentuated by high and low shelving pots. An effects loop, a line patch (preamp out/power amp in)and an XLR output allow a variety of signal paths to outboard equipment. All of this, with the addition of an onboard chorus, gives the average bass player more useable features than many late-model bass heads. For those who like to bi-amp, there is an on-board, adjustable crossover network with three 1/4" line-level outputs (low, high, and high chorused). With all of this on-board ability, there is no question that this head can serve as a terrific "jack of all trades" (live, studio, and rehearsal).

Does it sound like a comparable Ampeg, Trace or SWR? Naw... The best description that I can give is "flat" or "mono" sounding (those of you that have used Peavey in the past know what I'm talking about). It's never gonna be mistaken for a tube amp. HOWEVER-- for bass players looking for a solid sound (especially rock or country), plenty of tone-shaping for different venues or styles, and plenty of power to go BOOM all night, this very well may be your amp. I have been known to add a Boss Bass Overdrive to the effects loop and turn on the on-board chorus (depth at 10, rate at 0) and get a truly gnarly metal distortion with a couple of my basses (on a couple of my other basses, the fundamental overpowers the distortion in the blend, so it sounds pretty weak). I DEFINITELY have to re-EQ the Mark VIII for each of my five basses to get the right sounds. As this has been the case for all of my other Peavey bass amps (one head only and two combos), I've learned to always set up each bass individually and mark the settings before taking any Peavey amp to a gig. This ain't no SVT Classic, but the price tag at the pawn shops and music stores sure will get your attention. Great sound to price ratio!

Good lord, this thing is a tank. Like I mentioned above, I have owned several Peavey heads, cabinets, and combos. Without a doubt, the strongest, most durable amps on the market. Ever notice that when you see a 20 year old piece of equipment still in use, it has the name Peavey plastered across the front. There's a reason for this. Like it or not, if you tell the average musician (yep, those of us who still play for $50 a night, or maybe just free beer) that we can have impeccable tone, or a unit that sounds pretty good at a reasonable (if not rock bottom) price and will last forever, we'll take the Peavey over the "big boys" any day. If price isn't an issue to you, CONGRATULATIONS!!

In a word, outstanding! Over the years, the guys in Mississippi have answered a million of my stupid questions on all types of equipment (yes, real people still answer the phone over at Peavey). The web site is easy to navigate and has downloads of manuals for all of their products (including a few obsolete items). I have yet to buy a used piece of their equipment for which I could not get a manual or spec sheet. Bravo!!!

I've been playing in local working bands for six years now. I have used some form of Peavey amplification for most of those. At this point, my gear list includes the Mark VIII with one Peavey 15" Black Widow cabinet (I sometimes add a 15" Scorpion cabinet in larger venues)and an Ampeg combo (BA112) for rehearsals and coffeehouse gigs. I'm currently playing a pair of Warwicks (Corvette Jazzman and Streamer Standard), an old Westone DX, an older Japanese Fender knock-off, and a Fender acoustic/electric bass. Each bass has a distinctive sound with this amp.

As noted, it doesn't have the warm, stereo-like, tube-like tones of the Ampegs, Traces, Galliens, or big SWR heads. On the other hand, it suits my style very well (finger and pick styles in the rythm section of a rock/country/blues band)at a fraction of the price of the others (paid $200 for the head and the BW cabinet at a local pawn shop, both in outstanding shape for their age). If you steal it, I WILL FIND YOU!! No question that I would replace it with another Mark VIII if I can find one at a reasonable price (around here, the Houston area, Peaveys are the staple product at pawn shops. As such, I've seen several of the Peavey bass heads, mostly Mark VI and VIII, at reasonable prices.).

While you are sitting in the music store, grinning from ear to ear as you play a high dollar amp (I sure did when I tried the Ampegs), just remember that most bass playeres will find themselves in the background with the rest of the rythm section, while the vocalist and shredders jump out front. If you don't really need the tone of a soloist (and your wallet isn't exactly fat), it's probably not a bad idea to consider an amp that packs a lot of volume and thump into a tiny price tag.........look no further.

Mid 90's model. 100% solid state. I do not know if it the 'XP' model, but it definitely is a Mark VIII! No channel swithcing, but if you have the footswitch(I don't, sadly) you can switch the built-in chorus on and off. As I use an external effects pedal, this really isn't a problem. There are also effects inputs/outputs if you need them. What I really like is the built-in XLR input so that sound people can run your amp(as opposed to just your bass) into the shi- uh, I mean "direct" box. This is a very handy feature if you play live. I think that most bassists will find this unit to have more than enough features for 99% of applications out there. I myself play mostly rock and heavy metal, and the Mark VIII provides enough power for that. The 9-band graphic EQ, high/low frequency shelving contorls,along with the "punch" and "bright" boost control knobs provide an excellent means of shaping the sound for whatever you need it to do. Need more lows? Stupidly easy. Need pronounced upper-mids(which I do)? Highs? They are also easy. It doesn't take a rocket-scientist to use this amp, and I find that you can tweak the sound in a live setting in about 5 mins. This itself is worth the price of the amp if you play out.

I have mostly been using my Spector NS-4CRFM basses(maple body/neck with active EMG p/j pickups) thru this amp with a peavey 2x15(soon to be replaced by either a 4x10 or a 1x15/2x10 setup. Again, I find that I can cut thru walls of distorted guitar, drums, and keys with little to no problem atall. IF you are strictly after the SVT(i.e. - tube) sound, then you might want to play this first before buying, because solid-state is a much different tone. I have found using an outboard effects processor to be no problem with the sound/noise levels from this amp. You will hear a small amount of noise when no one is playing, but I doubt anyone could hear it live. It's pretty quiet. I have found that the amp does NOT distort at the levels I play at. I have not tested this to see what the threshold for this is. Again, I don't see why this could not be used for any style of music.

This is the second Mark VIII I have owned. I(for some stupid reason, which I can no longer remember...) sold my first amp, but I was lucky to find another is great condition. My equipment seems to get abused and thrown around a bit by those who handle it(but I don't know why, and no one's talking...), and it works great. I play in heavy smoking areas(mostly bars and small clubs, plus an 8x10 band room with 3 chain-smokers), and it still works great. You may want to clean yours periodically if you find yourself in this situation. This amp has a built-in fan, but I find that it still runs pretty hot. So far, this has not been a problem.

Never had to deal with Peavey.

I have been playing bass for 13 years. I have played Peavey & Crate Combos, as well as a GK 800rb. I have played on Trace Elliot and SWR amps as well. While I will admit that the Trace amps are quite superior in sound to the Mark VIII, I can not(at this time) justify spending the extra money, especially since most studio engineers still have a problem with the bass player using commmon sense(i.e. - playing thru an amp as opposed to some sterile DI box). Also, with the rapid advancements in modeling technology, I would thin that the Bass Pod or J-station might be better in a studio situation. Therefore, for the time being; I will stick with what I consider to be the best(imho) value for money: the Peavey Mark VIII(note: many other companies, such as Hartke and Huges & Kettner make similarly priced/featured models if you are looking for an alternate).

Tons of EQ goodness, gain, chorus... Very customizable amp with plenty of power.

The EQ, gain, and chorus allow you to really shape your sound - I've hit sounds for a good funk bass, as well as a great rock sound. The only noise the amp makes is due to bad grounding in my bass. I'm using a Guild Pilot 5 string, and this head pushes the entire range of the bass. Nothing spectacular, nothing unique, but just what you make it.

This head is built like a tank - good luck carrying it with only one hand, it's a heavy mother. I'd play without a backup amp, definitely. I'd say it's very dependable. The previous owner used it as his gig and practice amp, and it continues on with me doing the same thing.

I've had extremely limited experience with Peavey's customer support, and rather than rate them on other's experiences, I'd rather not rate them.

I've been playing music for over 10 years, but bass for only 4. I bought this amp, an 1810 Black Widow-equipped cab, and a 15" sub cab from a friend for five bills - not too bad of a deal, I'd say. I already have plans to replace/modify my rig, and, sadly, the Mark VIII isn't part of those plans. But, I think I will hang on to the amp as a tried and true back-up. If it were stolen, I'd be pissed, but I don't think I'd buy the amp a second time. I think I'd move on to the SVT4-Pro (my intended replacement for the Mark VIII). Don't get me wrong, this is a great amp. It's just not exactly what I want. It serves a purpose, it does it's job, and it does it well.

made in the U.S.A in the mid 90's. solid state.350w. can go to 600w. i play mostly rock and blues, but sometimes i try different styles. this amp does the job. one channel. low&high gain inputs. low gain effecs loop. 9 band graphic eqaulizer. i wish it had parametric e.q. got a very good chorus. with depth and rate buttons. low and high shelving. bright button (trebele booster) and punch. compressor ant ddt compression. pre-amp out and power amp in. balance XLR line out. crossover outputs.

i play Rickenbacker 4003 and westone thunder I fretless bass. passive pick ups and electronics. suit to every music style because of the 9 band e.q. little noisy on the bright function. little more noisy when the compressor is on. but you dont have to use it because of the punch function that i very quiet. but the noise is ok to use play with on gigs. wouldnt use the COMP on recordings. the chorus is great. better then BOSS or DOD.

i can depent on it. i do. i HAVE no back up. i giged it and it is a workhorse. works great. very reliable.

i play for 8 years. this is my first professional amp. a very good but i dont think i would buy it again. a great minus is the weight. 23 kg. i love the fat sound. i think i rather the trace elliot.