Peavey ProBass 1000

The Peavey Probass 1000 is a one-rack-space, single channel, solid-state bass preamp. I bought this unit new in the early 1990's. It had low and high shelving EQ, a graphic EQ, effects loop, direct out, and an electronic crossover for biamping. At the time, I was playing alternative and modern rock, and then later country and classic rock. The EQ available on this unit allowed me to dial in any sound I wanted to fit any kind of music I was playing, regardless of the bass I was using. It was only a single channel unit; it would have been nice to have had two channels to switch back and forth. The balanced DI was a nice feature, but it was full range with no speaker simulation, which I would have preferred. But I can't hold that against this unit because hardly any other brands offer this.

It handled anything from an active Music Man Stingray to a passive Fender P-Bass very well tonally. Lots of headroom at the input before clipping. I personally like a clean, solid-state sound, and that is what I got with this preamp. I used the crossover and ran the signal to a 600 watt QSC power amp, then the lows to two Cerwin-Vega 1-18 cabs and the highs to a Randall 2-10 cab. Excellent clean, huge sound, and even at high volume, the Peavey preamp introduced very little noise of its own.

This preamp never broke or had issues at any time. It seemed to be well-constructed and worked just fine for ten years of weekend gigging. I baby my equipment and always keep it racked and clean, so I can't say how well it would hold up in an abusive environment.

The Peavey company itself has been very nice and helpful in the two or three times I have talked to them over the years (about other pieces of Peavey gear I owned, not this one). My local Peavey repairman is rude and grumpy, but I can't hold that against the brand name itself.

I have been playing bass for 31 years (as of 2008) and this was one of the best pieces of bass gear I ever bought. Lots of great features but still very easy to use; I could quickly dial-in just about any sound I had in my head. At the time I bought it, there weren't very many rack mount preamps on the market, so I had limited choices, but as it turned out, this one filled every need I had. I ended up selling this unit after about ten years because I wanted to downsize to a smaller rig, but I wish I had kept it because it sounded so good. I'd buy one again if I found a used one in really good shape.

its fairly easy to use except the eq can get a bit anoying but the rest of it is simple.

this is probably the best sounding solid state i have used, i run it from my monterey 5 string into a peavy 200 watt pa with 2 electro voice 350 watt 15 inch boxes and it gives of enough power to out run basicly any drummer i have played with.

i have used this amp for ages without needing a backup and i would go to a gig only just with this and my guitar and pa system.

i havent ever needed to contact the company and i dont think ill need to.

ive been playing for 4+ years and i play in a metal band so it does the job. If it were stolen id try and get another or buy another peavey. i probably use the punch boost button for my active pickups when i play slap and it makes it sound nice and clear this is what ive been writting all my bass and guitar lines on since i got it, but sometimes ill use my 70's yamaha 100 watt guitar amp for the spring reverb and OD.

ultra simple bass pre-amp that features a really versatile 7 band EQ and a 2 way crossover. a set and forget design that is a workhorse for stage use.

the unit has a dark character, like an ampeg, but without the tube sound that can sometimes be too much of a good thing. the unit is solid state, without the annoying solid state sound. the unit can be a little hissy when running into a full range cab like SWR or EDEN. but it sound the bomb when i run my old peavey 1x15" cab AND my SWR 4x10".

i bought the unit used, and it had a cold soldier joint on the input jack. i've heard many people complain about this, but if you are handy with a soldiering iron, it can be fixed in about two minutes.