What’s Peavey doing??

[dmas81]

Hey all my TB’ers, just wanted to ask the question, what is Peavey doing when it comes to bass manufacturing?

If you know anything about their American made basses from 15+ years ago they were fantastic build and some of the best playing basses on the planet.

I own 7-8 boutique basses and have bought and sold for the last ten years and the one bass I regret selling is my American made Peavey Cirrus. Still one of the best necks I’ve ever played.

And based on the used market of these, it seems like people are figuring out they are a great value. I bought mine for $650 at Sam Ash and sold it for nearly a $1000 and haven’t seen any fivers under $1500 for a while.

But the bigger question, why does Peavey seem nearly non-existent in the game now? They had a great product.

 

[Gorn]

I'm gonna guess they weren't making enough money from those particular basses. I doubt it's much more complicated or controversial than that.

 

[Poobini]

There was a thread earlier this year from the Peavey folks asking for input on new instruments. Of course everyone there assumed there would be something ready to go by NAMM... for some reason...

 

[Andy R]

The late eighties/early nineties were great years for Peavey basses. I’ll be using two at a gig tonight - my Sarzo and RJ IV. Both great playing, great sounding basses.

 

[tindrum]

I seem to remember reading here in the past year that they were setting up for production in the Czech Republic (?)

 

[Lowendchamp]

Wherever they are manufacturing basses, they still are but only one model but it looks pretty solid.

 

[nickpc]

There was a thread earlier this year from the Peavey folks asking for input on new instruments. Of course everyone there assumed there would be something ready to go by NAMM... for some reason...

This thread? Multi-Scale

It is now over a year old now, with nothing announced yet...

 

[Poobini]

This thread? Multi-Scale

It is now over a year old now, with nothing announced yet...

Dang... time flies. I could've sworn it was at the beginning of this year! Still, gathering customer input -> design -> release isn't a quick process! I would expect at least 2 years before they're ready to show anything off.

 

[nickpc]

Dang... time flies. I could've sworn it was at the beginning of this year! Still, gathering customer input -> design -> release isn't a quick process! I would expect at least 2 years before they're ready to show anything off.

I got a lot of flack in that thread for suggesting the whole multiscale thing was a bad approach, but with more than a year and nothing at all announced in any way it's feeling like I was pretty spot-on. The lack of updates is more sad than even surprising - you'd think they would have something to tease us with by now., but it doesn't appear so.

If, at that same time that thread started, Peavey had pulled the CNC files for some of their more respected models, worked with pickup, electronics and hardware vendors to get those components selected, and got things moving we'd be playing the results by now. Just sayin'.

 

[Poobini]

I got a lot of flack in that thread for suggesting the whole multiscale thing was a bad approach, but with more than a year and nothing at all announced in any way it's feeling like I was pretty spot-on. The lack of updates is more sad than even surprising - you'd think they would have something to tease us with by now., but it doesn't appear so.

If, at that same time that thread started, Peavey had pulled the CNC files for some of their more respected models, worked with pickup, electronics and hardware vendors to get those components selected, and got things moving we'd be playing the results by now. Just sayin'.

The last post from Fred says they're anticipating a reveal by the end of the year if everything goes right... That was in July, just over a month ago. Granted I'm only going off of his word, but it sounds like they're trying!

 

[Killing Floor]

The electric bass market is 1/10th the size you think it is. Peavey’s share of that market, at their peak, is 1/10 what you think it was. In other words, however many basses you think Peavey made, divide by 100. Good capital strategy?

And I agree, the basses they made in USA were very good.

 

[jimmyb]

I'd love to buy a sarzo

 

[ahadl2500]

I have no proof for it, but my feeling is that Peavey got squeezed out of their market segment as import quality started improving. The drama with Undercover Bosses did not do them any favors either. I think their market strategy was probably pivoting in recognition of their market position well before that bad publicity hit though.

Noting that I love my GV and miss my Millenium Plus. Would have kept the Millie if it had been a 5 string.

 

[tgriley62]

My two "twins". Both pawn shop finds for a total of $225

 

[ahadl2500]

My two "twins". Both pawn shop finds for a total of $225

That is the great part of US Peaveys. While it is getting harder to find a deal they are still out there. Bought my Millennium used at an auction for $100 (US MM/J config bass). GV was new old stock in 2003 for $450.

 

[zubrycky]

I have a Peavey Milestone I. Great bass.

 

[mmbongo]

Well Peavey shut down all of their manufacturing plants for one. No more USA made anything from Peavey.

As mentioned before, they likely didn't make enough money from their USA made instruments. They were good quality but they should have charged $2000+ for them. Problem with that is, people who are spending $2000 are not going to buy a Peavey. It's a catch 22.

The Undercover Boss episode did them zero favors as well. Quite the opposite.

 

[Ostie]

Really miss my ‘92 Foundation. A great sounding, great playing bass that I didn’t appreciate what I had.

 

[J Wilson]

Not shooting an Episode Two of Undercover Boss.

 

[Bonafide]

Bring back the T-40... Seriously. Slightly updated version. What a classic. I would love a blue one made in any country and would be happy to pre-purchase!