Peavey Max 450 Bass Head

I bought this amp new in 2004. It was a demo model at a local music store, so although it was "new" I got a nice discount due to usage. It is not exactly feature-laden, but it has nearly everything I would want: tuner out, gain control, master volume, XLR direct out, line level control, active/passive switch, etc. The EQ is a bit restricted, in that you're boosting "bass" or "treble" instead of precise frequencies like a graphic EQ provides. The "mid-shift" button does allow you to select the exact midrange frequency you are boosting. The DDT speaker protection feature is great. I almost never use effects but when I do they are in front of the amp, so I can't comment on the effects loop. I wish it had a headphone jack. It's also a heavy little sucker. Sometimes I wish it had more power, but maybe adding a second speaker cabinet will move more air and make me happier.

I use this amp with an Avatar B212 cabinet. I play a passive Fender Precision and an active Traben in a classic rock cover band. I can get the tone I want and generally can get it at the volumes I want except when we're playing an extremely large room or an outdoor gig. At times like these it is great to be able to go direct to the board and play through the PA, and the 450 Max allows me to do that with ease. I'm predominantly a fingerstyle player, although I use a pick on a few numbers and have even been known to throw a slap into the mix on occasion. I like fat, thick, warm bass tones, and can get the tone I want by leaving the treble flat, boosting the mids around 200-400 hz, and cutting the bass frequencies slightly. I have the gain set around six and the master set around four. The fan can get noisy, but no one can hear it unless it gets real quiet during practice. You'd never even notice it at a gig.

I trust Peavey gear because its bulletproof. 'Nuff said.

Peavey has been very responsive the few times I've ever contacted them. When I was shopping for a cabinet, I sent them an e-mail so they could help me find a local dealer who had a particular cabinet in stock. I got an answer within an hour! Unbelievable! Other than registering the amp with them for warranty purposes, though, I've never had any other contact with them concerning this product.

I've been playing stringed instruments for 33 years. I started on acoustic guitar then switched to electric guitar, but have played electric bass almost exclusively for the last six years. My main bass is a Fender Precision, and my second bass is a Traben. If anything happened to this amp I would probably get the 700 Max, just to have the additional headroom. I've also considered going the "preamp/power amp" route, but I like having both in one package. I love the tone and the reliable construction. People can sometimes be guilty of looking down on Peavey, but I think in some instances they are missing out on some fine gear. There is some really nice stuff coming out of Meridian these days.

This amp has all the features I need for the blues. I assume 2003-2004, one channel, no headphones, no biggie.

It can attian a nice crisp sound with the(2) black widow 1505-8 DT BW that are in my dual showman cabinet. They are in Parallel. It does not have the saturating fat bottom my acoustic 370-301 with the 18" CV horn had, but it is more than adequate, and have oveall better tone response I am using an Ibanez Mark II series with Dimarzio pickups. Distortion is almost imperceptible at a volume level that rivals an airliner. It runs utterly quiet, and craftsmanship is excellent and durable looking

Never had a Peavey Hiccup

5 year warranty, American built, never had to contact them, their stuff works!

I have been playing 40 years, have a 100 watt bassman (I use it for guitar) and this head replaces the bassman. It gives me the sound I want, and don't mind spending $ on new if the value is there. I looked at the Behringer 3000 for about 200 bucks, and it was indeed tempting, but I will pay for reliability in my bass head. Huge amount of power for the money. Underutilizing that power can only help it last longer in my opinion. You will have a problem getting the volume low enough in most clubs, this thing is a monster. I am glad it has the master volume.

Bought it new May 2004 -- I think it's a fairly new model Peavey product. It is 170watts into 8ohms, 300watts into 4ohms, or 450watts into 2ohms. Two 1/4 inch speaker jacks in rear, footswitchable post EQ, balanced XLR jack, ground lift switch, a "speaker protection" limiter, active/passive switch, 8amp fuse, and some jacks for in/out preamps or power amps. It weighs about 30lbs and looks pretty good for a Peavey. It is solid state. The amp can make several sounds. I'm more into a deep bass tone but this amp can also sound ok for slappin' and poppin' folks.

Playing it with a Gibson EBO, Fender J, Samick 5 string, and tried it with an Epiphone. It sounds pretty good with all. Not Noisy -- can push some air around through my twin 15's or 4x10's. I tried it originally through a 8x10 cab and it was rather fun. Not a tremendous tonal range, but enough for R&R or Jazz.

I have owned at least one of every major manufacturer's bass amp since the mid sixties -- but only one of them was a Peavey until this one. The "other" was a little 1x15BW TNT 100 that I got in trade when it was at least 15 years old -- it held up well. I hope that is a Peavey trait. I have been told that Peavey amps are very reliable. We'll see.

Never contacted Peavey.

I bought this amp at Lancaster Music in Lancaster Texas one Friday night about closing time for a son to use at a club gig that night. I didn't have time to hit a Guitar Center and shop around much, but Ted at Lancaster Music was asking $450 and sold it for $400 so I bought it. I doubt that I would have bought a Peavey if I hadn't been rescuing my son's gig. I don't know yet it $400 was a fair price or if I just paid retail for a Peavey. I have played bass since the mid sixties and was a founding member of a nationally know rock band for a few years (why did you stop buying the records??????) and I owned or own just about everything that said BASS on it. Always thought of Peavey as a beginner amp or something a church would buy for a Sunday band. I guess I am a brand bigot. Hope this amp changes my mind. At this point in time I would not buy it again, but that is not based on ANYTHING that is the amp's fault. So far it sounds good and has been reliable.