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Peavey Cirrus 4

Summary
Price New Peavey Cirrus 4 @ Musician's Friend
Manufacturer URL http://www.peavey.com/
Features 9.6 (11 responses)
Sound 9.7 (11 responses)
Action, Fit, & Finish 9.1 (11 responses)
Reliability/Durability 9.3 (9 responses)
Customer Support 9.0 (5 responses)
Overall Rating 9.5 (11 responses)
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Product: Peavey Cirrus 4
Price Paid: US $800
Submitted 09/16/2005 at 11:46am by Houston

Features : 9
You've read the features before. Neck-through dual soapbar (peavey's own) 18V active gold hardware flame top. Came with hardshell peavey case. Everything is pretty straight forward. However, the batteries have to be changed by a plate screwed into the wood. This will eventually strip out no matter how careful I am and the routing for the batteries is TIGHT!! Since buying this bass I've learved that some 9volts are bigger than others (that's how tight they fit!) use plain duracells or energizers these new "max-life" batteries just won't fit

Sound : 10
Rock and Funk. I run it through a nemesis (eden) 210 combo. This was my first decent amp and I loved the sound before I got it. It's a very modern sound with wide range of tones. Although it can get alot of sounds I tend to think it best for bright snappy stuff and sustain is great. (again...modern) If you want full dark sounds don't run away yet this will do it. I would think this bass fine for both stage and studio, its incredibly quite.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
When I got the bass the only flaw on it was a 1/4 inch long flaw in the wood by the rear strap pole. Otherwise perfect. I bought this used and the previous owner had a tusq nut put on. However, read on in the durability section. This bass plays wonderfully the neck is...well...lovely :) and action can be set ridiculously low.

Reliability/Durability : 7
OK...I'll admit that "body chemistry" and lack of proper care are the main culprits (By body chemistry I mean me and dad have to get titanium watches and glasses, otherwise they turn green and all sorts of funky stuff happens...and I have unusually sweaty hands) The plating on the tuners is just about gone...and I've had bass 2 years and honestly don't play it that often. The volume knob has loosened. Truss rod has had to be adjusted once (and majorly)

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 9
Playing about 5 years. Had a MIM p-bass and have 'fiddled' on high end basses in music shops all over the midwest. When it comes to playability it can't be topped. You may find something on this bass or that bass that suites you a little better...but if you can afford custom handmade basses your not reading this. I have yet to find a better neck. Tonal range is impressive. If you don't have a specific sound that you must find this is your bass...it'll boooom, pop and everything in between. If it were stolen I don't know what I'd replace it with...but another Cirrus would be first on the list to check out. Something to note: Last time I checked peavey's site they had a cheaper line of Cirrus...I'd be skeptical, as they are less than half the price of the Custom Cirrus (the cheaper ones have some suffix on them so it shouldn't be hard to tell them apart)


Product: Peavey Cirrus 4
Price Paid: US $900
Submitted 08/03/2005 at 03:26pm by Gordo

Features : 9
My Cirrus fretted 4 string has and alder body with a flamed maple top. My only problem with the Peacock Blue finish (and it's no big deal)is that the flame is only visible in bright light. In most of the places I play, the bass looks solid black. The bass is very well balanced with no hint of headstock diving (a pet peeve of mine). This bass weighs in at a pretty comfortable 8.75 lb. I had the bass shipped via UPS. It arrived unscathed, saying alot for the protection the SKB style case provides. Dunlop strap locks were included. Nice touch.


Sound : 9
You gotta like pickups that are dead quiet. These are. When tweaking the knobs, a little goes a long way, making for an impressive tonal pallette. My wish list would include a parametric type midrange control and a switch for passive mode. You get no warning when the batteries die. A pop-up battery holder would be a nice feature. The tone of this bass is quite bright and requires quite a bit of bottom end boost from my SWR's EQ. The sound is tight and never muddy. The active pickups lack a little of that organic sound you get from passives.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
I gave the oiled neck a light rub using super fine steel wool when I first got it to cut through a few wood fibers that were sticking through the finish. The neck is now gloriously smooth. Fret finishing is excellent, although the odd tool mark is visible. The truss rod and saddles needed only minor tweaks and have not needed readjustment in the seven months I've been playing the bass. The finish is very durable and shows no wear except where my thumb anchors on the neck pickup and my thumbnail rubs against the finish (to be expected). One of the tuning pegs creaks when turned. It turns smoothly and tuning stability is not affected.

Reliability/Durability : 9
This bass is solid as a rock. The finsh is very durable. No truss rod / bridge adjustments have been required since I first set them to my taste seven months ago.

I've been using this bass exclusively and without a backup since I got it. I just need to figure out how long batteries last so they can be changed before the bass dies in the middle of a song.

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 9
This is a solid and reliable bass. It does what it does very well. The level of quality is high. I like the way it looks, plays and balances.

I wish it had a battery life indicator, a pop-up battery holder. A parametric midrange (available on custom ordered models) and an active / passive switch (not sure it can be done with active pickups) would be nice.

Would I buy it again if it got stolen? Probably not. Only becasue there are too many basses out there not to try something new.


Product: Peavey Cirrus 4
Price Paid: US $1100.00
Submitted 05/10/2005 at 11:41am by DH

Features : 10
Mine is the standard, Peavey, 4-string model in Bubinga walnut with gold plated finish, 24-fret, active electronics. I have played it since 2000. No need to diddle at all with this instrument because it is well-built and has everything on board I need. The neck has one of the fastest and cleanest actions I have ever experienced. It is a very durable instrument, but it is long... so I often carry my Fender Urge bass, which has a shorter 24-fret neck, is its backup when I travel. Even though the Urge bass is extremely versatile and I like playing it more than any Fender I've owned, at home, and in the studio I prefer the Peavey.

Sound : 10
I play a wide variety of styles including classical, rock, jazz on this bass with no problems. It is whisper quiet with an amazing tonal quality, especially when chording. I usually play it through a GK 800RB head with a SWR Son of Bertha cab. It sounds very nice through my old Fender Bassman and my Peavey practice combo amp. I have played this instrument both on stage and in the studio (Latin jazz mostly) and find it equally good in both situations.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
The factory set up was good, but a bass of this caliber qualifies for the attention of an experienced luthier so that it is set for a professional's needs. We go over my basses extremely carefully, generally better than the final inspectors at Fender I have found over the years, and we could not find a thing wrong with this instrument.

Reliability/Durability : 10
This bass is a professional musician's dream and is both reliable and durable. I would use this instrument without a back-up. The only wear I've encountered was the need to replace the barrell jack after five years of steady use. I am a little old fashioned and don't prefer to play wireless so I am pretty hard on instrument and amp jacks. I doubt most players will require this replacement.

Customer Support : No Opinion
I have never had any reason to contact Peavey with respect to anything regarding this bass. I have heard their customer support is excellent from other musicians that have used their amps for years. I will rate this no opinion only due to no experience or need for it.

Overall Rating : 10
I've been playing bass for 38 years and have played many makes and models but have always preferred Fenders. I still remember the day a friend put a Peavey Cirrus bass in my hands. Not only was it beautiful but the action was low and fast. I just couldn't stop trying it and decided it was finally time to retire my old Fender Precision. Especially when chording, the sound is phenomenal! It will take quite a bass to replace this one if that ever happens! I hope it lasts forever!


Product: Peavey Cirrus 4
Price Paid: US $650
Submitted 04/15/2005 at 09:06am by Colin

Features : 10
4 String
Flame-maple top, black sides, neck and back
Gold hardware
3 band eq
Nice case

Sound : 10
DAMN
so i started out shopping for an excellent bass with no price restraints in mind. i tried just about every kind of bass, starting with fender jazz, then to ernie ball, warwick (thumb bass, close second), spectre and many others.

what i came to realize is that most of these basses are made to sound just like one another. no real spectacular sound, necks all felt relatively similar (thumb bass, being the only outstanding one).

then i tried a PEAVEY cirrus. peavey, the same company that has made cheap, albeit rugged gear for beginner musicians for years. 4 strings, sexy flamed maple top. gold hardware.

and the BEST friggin neck i've ever played on. no buzz, none -- sounds like someone took this bass to a luthier in a faraway mountain someplace. 18v preamp, 3 band eq -- two big sexy pickups that get everything from funky slap (neck only), to stinging rock (mix the 2) to that standard jazz frumpy noise (bridge only). i can't stress enough how well made this bass is.

from any big name company, i'd pay 2k or more for this bass. from peavey, i was able to pick it up used for $650.00.

i sold that thumb bass btw. ;)

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
read above

Reliability/Durability : 10
read above

Customer Support : 10
its peavey, southern charm~

Overall Rating : 10
BUY THIS NOW


Product: Peavey Cirrus 4
Price Paid: US $699 Floor Model but not Used
Submitted 02/05/2005 at 03:54pm by Mike

Features : 10
1999 Peavey Cirrus 4. 24 regular frets. 2 Peavey active pickups that take 2 9 volt batteries and are controlled with 5 knobs: volume, pickup blend/select, bass, treble, and mid. Bubinga body/neck with neck-thru body design with a thin, very comfortable flat neck.

Sound : 10
I've played in everything from hardcore/metal to blues to hard rock to jazz and this bass has had the answer for all of them. I play it through a Carvin stack and sometimes with a Boss pedalboard. The pickups, again 18 volt actives, are SILENT when not playing and the bass can conquer any sound: bright, dark, warm and full or empty and thin. Most variety out of any bass I've played, including ones that cost 3 or 4 times as much. Only recorded once with this bass and the enginer was not very good or formilliar with active electronics, the recording came out poorly but I'm sure it is not the fault of the bass. Great for playing live: can lay back for traditional rhythm bass parts or can just as easily come out front in the mix for soloing.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
Never had any problems with the set up. The action is really beyond description, extremely low and comfortable with ringing sustain and although the bass has really taut feeling strings they have a relaxedness to them that makes bending easy. At the same time the tautness of the strings makes them great for slapping/tapping and other technique play.

Reliability/Durability : 10
Despite having 3 or 4 guitar stores in the town I live in, I drive 50 miles every time I have to give my basses a check-up or repair because the luthiers I use are the best. The two of them talk my ear off everytime I bring this bass in about how wonderful it is and how much they enjoy working on it. "You could play this bass for 100 years without any real problems" the one told me.

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 10
I've been playing for a decade and have had some notoriety. I have a few classic Gibsons: 77 RD Artist, a 75 Gibson Grabber, a Fender P-Bass, and 2 Wishbasses: a 4 String and a 5 String. If my house burned down and I lost all of my equipment this would be the 1st guitar I purchased again. I cannot say enough about this bass and nothing negative about it. I swear that I don't work for Peavey. I'd like to give a 5 or 6 string model of this same bass a very serious test run but I love the way this skinny neck feels and I don't want to be the guy who has a 4 and 5 or 6 string model of the same bass.


Product: Peavey Cirrus 4
Price Paid: US $1000
Submitted 02/01/2004 at 08:40am by Anonymous

Features : 10
Bubinga walnut with pau ferro (Bolivian rosewood) finger board. Gold plated hardware, 35-inch scale. Oil finish. Active electronics w/ equalizer and separate tone and volume control for each pickup. This is a professional quality electric bass with every feature necessary for excellent versatility over several different styles.

Sound : 10
I have been playing bass for 30+ years professionally. Of the many basses I have played and the several I now own, I think that I like this one the best because of its sound versatility and extended scale. It can produce a very rich, full sound as heavy as it gets and also a lighter, brighter sound when needed. Because of the range and ease of chording on this instrument, I generally prefer to use it over my 5-string, especially for studio work.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
Well, I am pretty picky in this category and always have my own setups checked and re-set on a regular basis by a professional luthier. I guess what I can say here is that this is a very solid, very well-made instrument that gets positive comments from my professional (and he holds nothing back and really complains when something is not as it should be). The oil finish and gold plating probably make it difficult for the less dedicated to care for.

Reliability/Durability : 10
I have played this bass for a few years now, and have no complaints. As noted above, the oil finish and gold plated hardware probably make this the choice of only the mose dedicated and serious players. Peavey makes this pretty obvious in their marketing and this is what I have found to be true. This instrument was definately designed for the professional.

Customer Support : 9
I have never had to deal with the company, so that is the only reason why I cannot give this category the highest rating.

Overall Rating : 10
I have been playing for 30+ years. Other basses I play are either Spector or Fender models. If this bass were stolen or lost, I would definately try to replace it.


Product: Peavey Cirrus 4
Price Paid: US $800
Submitted 11/10/2003 at 11:47am by Anonymous

Features : 9
Check the web site, this thing has too many good features to list here. Mine is made of Bubinga wood and looks positively stunning. The Straplocks and gold plated hardware look very nice. The stock strings are pretty good and warm up nicely in time. A set of DR Hi-Beams sounds good, too. My only minor grudge: it would be nice if the mid were sweepable (I understand that some limited production units have this feature).

Sound : 9
There is not a sound that this bass won't do. It can give you a modern, edgy Jazz sound or a thumpy P-bass sound. The pickups and electronics are dead quiet. The sound when flat is warm, clear, and full, without being boomy or edgy. I would characterize it as a 'modern' bass sound, not as dark or boomy as a classic bass. With new strings, it can be a bit bright, but just turn the treble until the strings break in. Similar to Warwick basses in sound.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
The neck is nice and thin, the strings set low, and the spacing perfect. One minor finish flaw is all I can find. Fit and finish is first rate, a lot better than the price tag would make you think to expect. I wish the cable jack was on a plate and not inlet directly into the wood. I love this thing. Neck is not too overly thin like some Carvins or a 73 Jazz basss, but not a thick plank like most Warwicks.

Reliability/Durability : 8
Have gigged with it and it is doing ok so far. The finish is oiled and will not hold up to abuse, but with care and some lemon oil, it will always look good. All hardware is solid as heck. I had to make no adjustments whatsoever, just took it out of the box and played it.

Customer Support : 9
Never had to call. Their forums on line are helpful as is having manuals on line.

Overall Rating : 10
Pros:
- Great sound
- Excellent value
- Stunning looks
- Great feel and playability (once you get used to the 35" scale)
Cons:
- Some people might not like a 35" scale on their 4-string
- Oiled finishes sound and look great, but need more care than other finishes, so treat it nicely


Product: Peavey Cirrus 4
Price Paid: US $700 used
Submitted 09/05/2002 at 02:34pm by Todd H
Email: bmiawmb<at>toddh dot net

Features : 10
I believe this is a 2000 or 1999 model. From the website:
35 inch scale
24 medium jumbo highly polished crown frets
Distinctive C abalone inlay at the 12 fret
Deeply contoured body design
Graceful, compact body design
Graphite reinforced peg head
Graphite reinforced neck
Dual expanding torsion rod
Neck-through-body construction
Recessed genuine Switchcraft? jack
On-board studio quiet 3-band active EQ with Bass, Mid and Treble with +/- 10 dB of boost and cut
Master volume control
Pickup blend control
Genuine strap locks
Multi-laminated body wings and neck
Custom thermal-fused Cirrus bass strings
Graphtech topnut
Mini enclosed premium die cast tuning machines
Specially designed milled, multi-adjustable ABM bridge
Adjustable spacing, side-to-side
All hardware solid gold plated
Hardshell Case included.

Sound : 10

I play blues, and it works wonderfully. The active tone controls give you a great deal of latitude in sound. The pickups are dead quiet. Very rich and full sound with meat.

One note: Elixir strings on this bass sound pretty flat. This is my first experience with elixir nanowebs, and I'd like a brighter string since this bass is not a particularly bright sounding bass. It's warmer and earthier.
I'll be trying DR sunbeams or high beams on the recommendation of another Cirrus user.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
Outstanding. Peavey really crossed their t's and dotted their i's on this one. Frets well polished, the nneck through bass just feels solid as can be. The word work and joints are gorgeous--fantastic craftsmanship. The bass when I received it used has some minor oxidation on the gold tailpiece.

Reliability/Durability : 10
I've played it live and seems to be wonderful. Strap buttons are very solid, so much so that I've opted to leave off my straplocks. Hardware is all very durable, and the range of adjustment possible on the tailpiece is really great.

Customer Support : 9
Peavey has always been great for me on other gear. I haven't had a need to contact them with this product.

Overall Rating : 10
I've been playing bass for 13 years and this is the 2nd bass I've ever purchased. I've had it now for about 9 months. My first bass was a Peavey Foundation S Active. I've played lots of really expensive basses, and nothing ever got me excited to spend money until I got my hands on this Cirrus, and then I couldn't believe how much of a bang for the buck I got with this bass. First rate construction all around. I like the Cirrus for its longer scale, incredibly fast action, wider string spacing, and incredibly rigid neck through design, warm tone and gorgeous look. I'd buy it again in a minute.


Product: Peavey Cirrus 4
Price Paid: US $1000
Submitted 04/29/2002 at 04:15pm by Anonymous

Features : 10
Update from previous post in which I questioned use of 35" scale on 4 string bass.

Now, I love this bass. I've gotten used to the scale.


Sound : 10
The MOST AMAZING thing is that you can control the mix from the bass. The active Volume, Bass, Mid and Treble controls have incredible range, such that you can set up close to flat at the beginning of the gig, and compete with the guitarist into the wee hours without touching the amp.

Also, the Treble control lets you keep strings on longer, even if you really like the sound of a fresh set. Roll it back when you have new strings, and roll it up as they die.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
This thing has held up very well

Reliability/Durability : 10

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : 9
9 because you have to be aware of the long scale 4


Product: Peavey Cirrus 4
Price Paid: US $1000
Submitted 01/21/2002 at 12:17pm by Anonymous

Features : No Opinion
Peavey has a great website. check out the specs there.

Sound : No Opinion
Very well made, lots of versatility.

THE ONLY REASON FOR THIS SUBMISSION IS THIS: 35" SCALE ON A 4 STRING BASS?

In the store, it seemed fine, like I'd get used to the longer scale in a while and it would not adversely affect my playing.

After playing it a while, I think I like 34" scales on 4 strings. It does wonders for a 5 string, and the trade off is worth it.

Make sure you take this into account in your selection.

Action, Fit, & Finish : No Opinion
great quility

Reliability/Durability : No Opinion
well built

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : No Opinion
15 yrs exp. would not buy it again. Still a great bass, just a bit long for the frilly upper register stuff.

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