Peavey Cirrus BXP

I thought long and hard about buying my next bass. After comparing what seemed to be a ridiculous number of basses I decided on the Cirrus BXP.

It's packed with high end features that you'd expect on basses costing more than three times as much (it is actually a cheaper version of the Cirrus, costing well over ??1000). From what I've heard, the electrics are the same.

The Cirrus BXP has active electrics including a 3 band EQ, VFL soap bar pickups and a pau ferro fretboard with a very funky abalone "C" on the 12th fret. The sound can be adjusted to exactly how you like it, it's hard to describe how versatile the bass actually is! At one setting it can resemble the booming of a Thunderbird, and at other settings a very punchy Jazz Bass sound - and everything in between!

One thing to watch out for is the fact that this is a 35" scale bass. This was no problem for me as I've got fairly big hands which can comfortably adapt for the larger frets, I do think people with smaller hands might find it difficult to play compared with your average 34" bass.

The bridge can be strung through the body or directly through the saddles. It doesn't sound much, but it's nice to have this option when re-stringing so you can have the bass sounding exactly how you like.

The sound... As explained above... Is amazing! I'm sure that if you were to spend enough time with the EQ and your amp settings, you could mimic the sound of 95% of basses out there (line 6 eat your heart out).

The electrics are very, very quiet. I play through a 30 watt Hartke practice amp with a Big Muff distortion and a Behringer overdrive. I've owned many basses over the years and few have been able to match this one on versatility or the pure quality of the sound. The neck through body gives amazing tone and sustain, adding to the sound of the electrics... Truly fantastic.

In the price bracket, the Cirrus BXP is simply unmatched.

I'll start off with the bad point... There is a slight blemish on the head of the bass. Nothing major, probably just quality control at 5pm on a Friday. Even so, this is a Peavey, not Encore and things like that shouldn't get through!

It's hard to comment on the action and general set up as everyone likes it set up differently! Suffice to say, it was sat up to someone's preference but not mine. Having said that, literally 10 minutes later with the truss rod and bridge and it was exactly how I like it (strings low).

The bass is extremely light, the lightest I've ever owned. I read one review on another website saying the Cirrus was heavy but I can assure you - A ten year old girl wouldn't complain of the weight!

One of the best things about this bass is the neck. It's VERY smooth, fast and comfortable. It's quite thin compared to my Precision Bass but the tone is actually better, so no let downs due to a thin neck!

I'll have to wait and see I guess. Everything is solid feeling, being a Peavey I presume the bass will out last me!

You get a one year warranty. Being Peavey, the customer support should be good. I don't imagine I'll need to conact them anyway!

I've been playing for five years now and I've got to say that I haven't played anything like this bass. It's comfortable, versatile and the sound is just amazing! If you're after a new bass and aren't sure what you want, you really do have to consider a Cirrus BXP. The price isn't a nightmare and you get a lot of bass for your money. All in all, I think this is the best bass you can get under ??600.

I bought a Peavey Cirrus 4 BXP about two years ago for 670$ (Canadian). I wanted to upgrade from the Yamaha RBX270 I had (and still have!) since I begun playing bass. I believe this Cirrus bass is made in Indonesia. It has a 35 inch scale, 24 frets, neck-through-body, 2 active Humbucker style pickups, one volume, one blend, and a 3-band EQ. The strings can go through body. Its finish is "Darkwood Top Natural" with a lighter colored neck running through the body. With the black hardware, this gives the bass a beautiful appearance. I like the little mother-of-pearl "C" symbol inlaid on the 12th fret.

Love the sound on this bass! I mostly play hard rock, and I love the growling and rumbling I can get through my Hartke Kickback 120 amp. It's totally quiet, and the 3 band EQ can produce a wide variety of textures, although I mainly stick to a setup with lots of mids and highs which gives it a very clear and "metallic" sound. The low knob can boost the sound a lot and gets too boomy for my taste at maximum level. Compared to my RBX 270, it has lots more sustain and volume. It also sounds great when slappin and poppin.

The low action and playability was what made the difference at purchase. I tried out many basses in the store, and this one just felt really comfortable. However, it feels heavy, at least, that's compared to my RBX 270 which is super-light! I had no adjustments to make, and a close inspection after purchase revealed no flaws. The black-finished knobs feel a little cheap, though. I will probably get them changed eventually. This bass has a 35 inch scale, although I did noth bother to check at purchase (inexperience). I soon felt the difference compared with my Yamaha and its 34 inch scale. Good thing I don't have short fingers!

After close to two years of regular use, nothing has gone wrong with the bass. The natural finish looks more vulnerable to scratches than a plastic-covered bass, but maybe that's just an impression.

After starting a few years ago on my Yamaha, which is a very good beginner's bass, I think the Cirrus 4 BXP was a good choice as an upgrade. Rich, full sound, great sustain, great looks, no humming. Sure, if I had the money, I would have gone for those high-end basses with a four-figure tag price. But then again, maybe that's not where I'm at as a player. The Peavy Cirrus is a great bass in that upper-intermediate range. You can definitely feel you have a quality instrument in your hands. The longer scale is something you have to adapt to if you started with a regular 34 inch scale. But just for that menacing growling it gives me, I would buy it back if lost...

This is a review of Peavey's Indonesian made 5 string Cirrus. It has basically the same features as the USA made Cirrus, ie neck thru design, VFL pickups. The one I purchased has a tiger eye quilt finish. The tuners and bridge are black not the usual gold found in the USA models. This model can be strung through the body unlike the USA model. The finish is great.

I have a USA Cirrus 6 string and wanted the same sound out of a 5 string model. So I chose the BXP as an alternative to springing for another $1600 for the USA make. When compairing the sound of the two its almost impossible to differniate between the two. I would bet $ that a in a blind sound test, 95% of folk would not be able to tell the difference. This review is geared towards folk like me who want a comparison with a "real" Cirrus befor taking the plung. The pickups are just as quiet as the USA's. Pots are solid too, no issue here, just like USA.

I bought this bass used so I cannot tell how it arrived from the factory. The major difference in the BPX and USA is in this catagory. The super fast low action that I was used to on the USA was far from what I expierienced with this model. The action was somewhat high even though the bridge saddles were at their lowest position. After tweaking the truss rod, I was able to obtain the USA's low action feel up to about the 9th fret. However the action at and above the 12th fret was still a little high but definately playable. The low B was somewhat quieter than my USA and no amount adjusting to the neck pickup corrected this issue. The tuners seem solid, frets appear about the same size are the USA's. Wood seemed solid, body and neck made from "Agathis" aka indonasian mahogny. It doen not have the neck and head stock graphite reinforcement of the USA. A new BPX may not have these issues.YMMV.

Can't comment on its reliability. Since it's a Peavey, given their record of relaibility, It'll probably last at least through the next presidency. I adjusted the truss rod initially, don't have a clue as to when it will need adjusting again. Hardware will last for ages I'm sure, no issues there. This bass can definitely be gigged without a back-up. It's not gonna croak out on you. Just be mindfull that it has a 18 voly pre-amp and needs 2 x 9v batteries. Always carry spares.

Nothing to report here regarding this instrument. However Peavey is pretty good about responding to issue via forums on their web site.

I've been playnig Bass for 20 years and own several different makes, i.s Fender, Spector, EB. Overall I'will rate this instrument as a nice alternative to a USA Cirrus. When I pick up my USA and then switch to the BXP the initial feel is just different, kinda hard to describe, but the USA just seems more solid, well built, not that the BPX seems weak. It just my perception. Now that I've adjusted the truss rod this model plays just aboout as good as the USA. Which is superior to the above mentioned basses. If this bass were stolen I would not purchase another BPX. I would have to bite the bullet and get a USA 5 string. I guess its just kinda hard to accept this model since I've played on the real deal for about 5 years. If you want to experience the Cirrus sound and not pay top dollar, or pick up another bass to add to your collection, this is your bass. The can be had on ebay for under $400 routinely.