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I heard from someone who knows someone that they're looking to start manufacturing the Cirrus in Czech, likely same factory that Spector uses, and I think Elrick. Until it's officially announced though, it's just hearsay. They do great stuff in Czech, and I'd pay $2k for a Euro Cirrus, but probably not the $3k Euro Spectors can run.
I get that they would be quality basses, but I think I would have a hard time buying a new Czech Cirrus over a used US one if the Czech costs twice as much or more. Unless of course they bring something new to the table along the way (updated pickups/preamps, different wood options).
I think Fred is just testing the water.
At least a year before Fred's thread there was a pretty heavy hint from Peavey that the Cirrus was due yet another re-release. Struggling to remember who dropped the hint but they were connected to the company. Production was moving to NBE.Corp in the Czech Rep, the HP-2s are currently built there.
Since then not another peep has been heard about the Cirrus.
If you care enough to put the slightest bit effort in and actually look you'll find them easily enough.
Guitar Center currently has 2 T-60s ($650 & $999) and a T-40 ($750) listed for sale.
Music-Go-Round has 4 T-40s ( $800, $859, $950 and $1200); also 4 T-60s (3 at $700 , 1 at $600).
Then there's eBay currently 9 x T-60 and 9 x T-40.
More are on Reverb, Craigslist , Facebook Marketplace.
I will always root for Peavey, but I am not holding breath waiting for anything really good from the USA or abroad.
The voluntarily went on that program, made all kinds of noises about protecting jobs, etc, and a few weeks later, closed production in the US. I don't think the program "unfavored" them at all - they voluntarily shot themselves in the foot. They had to know that their timing was awful - I can't imagine how they thought that was ever a good idea.
Yay! A Peavey thread! Any excuse to post my three: My T-40, my T-45, and my USA Cirrus
JeezyMcNuggles
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The basses they made in USA, were made by the same exact computers and machines they use in every other country that they make them in. And their employees are trained the same way in every factory that makes them. Everywhere.
There is no difference except cost.
Peavey has been using machines to manufacture their products since they started out. Everybody told him he couldn't do it. He did it. Fender and gibson were selling American made guitars for 1500+ dollars. Peavey was making and selling American made guitars for $350. And they had less issues.
A perfect example of a master luthier has a tolerance of a 16th of an inch. Peavey's machines have tolerances of a 1000th.
They said it couldnt be done. That machines couldn't make guitars. He did it. Now every manufacturer does it.
No matter where he has them made, Peavey's products are the same exact products he makes everywhere.
If the machines are the same, and the components (woods, hardware, electronics) the same, and human skill and labor costs thereby minimized... it wouldn't explain why a Peavey (or Fender or Ibanez) made in a cheap Asian factory, and then shipped here, is a mere fraction the price of the exact same models (mostly) machine-made in US/Europe/Japan. Besides capitalism, there must be some other factors at play.
Every US Peavey I've tried has been at least great if not excellent. A cheap Asian-made Grind I played, OTOH, not nearly so much. Perhaps 10% confirmation bias, 90% objectively discernable quality differences.
I own three Indonesian Cirrus basses and all are top notch. They are not the BXP series and that seems to make a difference. Will put these against US made Cirrus basses any day of the week.
JeezyMcNuggles
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It's all confirmation bias. Cheap - mid grade - to excellent. The only differences that affect playability, is time spent on fretwork. And fretwork takes about an hour.
Besides the ones I've built myself, I have never played a "great" American made instrument. Therefore, I probably will never buy one.
I've been playing bass for 23 years now. The affinity i have, plays just as good as any other bass out there. It just neck dives a little because the body is so light.
Different models have different electronics and hardware. That goes the same with everything. But those differences, don't effect playability. Those differences effect weight and tone.
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@JeezyMcNuggles is correct. This also applies to Fender MiM vs MiA. Machines don’t know where they are installed.
I wouldn’t go so far as to call it jingoistic but I (me) am definitely willing to pay more for an identical product made here in the states. And the same is most likely true for consumers everywhere. There’s a sense of pride of place that drives consumers.
Honest assessment of my personal experience and buying habits -
In 2020 I bought an MiA P and an MiM. Spec wise they are similar except the MiM fingerboard has a maple fingerboard. On delivery the MiM action was very high. Set up once. Plays perfectly. Nut is fine, no sharp fret edges. Upon delivery the MiA nut was cut so low that G and D strings benched at the first fret, not the nut. Several frets weren’t fully set, you could see the tang between the fingerboard and the fret. And it passed inspection in Corona.
Also as proof of my consumer habits -
After a setup and a new nut and a full fret dressing by Straight Frets it’s now my everyday player. I refer to it as my MiA. It is meaningful to me that it was made here. But in every way the MiM left the factory as a better bass.
I knowingly paid about $1,000 for the sticker and neck plate that identify it as MiA and my next one will most likely be the same. No thought given to resale value because these basses don’t keep up with inflation. But to me it is worth the extra cost to own product from a US factory.
ps
EVEN if MiA really means assembled because I know full well where all the parts come from.
Completely agreed that the MIM is a lot closer to the MIA quality, sometimes as good or better. Fender seems to have QC ironed out there. One of the best basses I ever owned was Squire jazz when Squires were made in Mexico (in the 90's), rivalled a number of MIA's I've tried since. I have not experienced the same comparability with the Asian made ones. They've gotten better, obviously due to CNC etc., but still not the same level.
All IME/IMO:
Rockbass < German Warwicks
Asian Laklands < US ones
Tributes < US G&L
Kingstons < US MTD
Asian Spectors < Euro or US
Metroexpress < US or Japanese Sadowsky
and (pursuant to OP) Asian Peaveys < US ones
This is all assuming same electronics etc (not always a given). And yes, I'm well aware that many instruments are started overseas and "finished" here to varying degrees, lines get blurry. I'm old-school, but not ignorant. I also nostalgically pine for the days when instruments made in USA could still be taken at high value and face value, jingoistic or not, and times are a'changing. Now I just know I walk into GC (seldom anymore) and see firewood where real instruments (sometimes) used to be and just feel like...
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Maybe a little off topic but in going with flow of this thread. Sounds like we need a bunch of "blind" tests on instruments from different regions.
There are two guitars shipping to dealers right now. The HP-2 (made from NOS parts, assembled in the Czech Republic) which runs about $2499, and some imported Peavey Branded dreadnought guitars.
Some dealers have older stock import Raptors and such.
I cannot find any basses available new that aren't 1 offs from obscure dealers that just have old stock, and they are all imports.
The "line" of Peavey Guitars and Basses no longer exists, sadly.
They are still making amps, PA gear, etc.
Some dealers have older stock import Raptors and such.
I cannot find any basses available new that aren't 1 offs from obscure dealers that just have old stock, and they are all imports.
The "line" of Peavey Guitars and Basses no longer exists, sadly.
They are still making amps, PA gear, etc.
@Jesuguru
There's a valid reason for your
Rockbass < German Warwicks
Asian Laklands < US ones
Tributes < US G&L
Kingstons < US MTD
Asian Spectors < Euro or US
Metroexpress < US or Japanese Sadowsky
and (pursuant to OP) Asian Peaveys < US ones
It's deliberate.
Western companies dictate what materials/hardware are used, how often/how many QC checks are made, time between machine calibration. Every aspect of an overseas build is intended to be of a slightly lower standard than the high dollar Western model. Folks like FMIC are painfully aware what happens when lower priced yet high quality import instruments hit the market ; sales of domestic product drop. To this day Fender Japan can only export certain lower tier models , the really good stuff stays in Japan.
As for "Asian Peaveys < US ones" , well that depends on what models you are comparing.
The ultra cheap "everything in the box" Rockmaster starter kits were inferior to Fury/Foundations, the same cannot be said about the 1994 Milestone I jazz bass; the Milestone I is an extremely well made bass.
Some overseas models were built down to a price, some compete easily with US models, I'll play my neck through Grind BXP over my bolt on US Grind every time.
I'm pretty sure Rudy Sarzo's Cirrus basses, built in China and Indonesia, will be on par with the US models. If they aren't then the owners have been real quiet about it
There's a valid reason for your
Rockbass < German Warwicks
Asian Laklands < US ones
Tributes < US G&L
Kingstons < US MTD
Asian Spectors < Euro or US
Metroexpress < US or Japanese Sadowsky
and (pursuant to OP) Asian Peaveys < US ones
It's deliberate.
Western companies dictate what materials/hardware are used, how often/how many QC checks are made, time between machine calibration. Every aspect of an overseas build is intended to be of a slightly lower standard than the high dollar Western model. Folks like FMIC are painfully aware what happens when lower priced yet high quality import instruments hit the market ; sales of domestic product drop. To this day Fender Japan can only export certain lower tier models , the really good stuff stays in Japan.
As for "Asian Peaveys < US ones" , well that depends on what models you are comparing.
The ultra cheap "everything in the box" Rockmaster starter kits were inferior to Fury/Foundations, the same cannot be said about the 1994 Milestone I jazz bass; the Milestone I is an extremely well made bass.
Some overseas models were built down to a price, some compete easily with US models, I'll play my neck through Grind BXP over my bolt on US Grind every time.
I'm pretty sure Rudy Sarzo's Cirrus basses, built in China and Indonesia, will be on par with the US models. If they aren't then the owners have been real quiet about it
@Jesuguru
There's a valid reason for your
Rockbass < German Warwicks
Asian Laklands < US ones
Tributes < US G&L
Kingstons < US MTD
Asian Spectors < Euro or US
Metroexpress < US or Japanese Sadowsky
and (pursuant to OP) Asian Peaveys < US ones
It's deliberate.
Western companies dictate what materials/hardware are used, how often/how many QC checks are made, time between machine calibration. Every aspect of an overseas build is intended to be of a slightly lower standard than the high dollar Western model. Folks like FMIC are painfully aware what happens when lower priced yet high quality import instruments hit the market ; sales of domestic product drop. To this day Fender Japan can only export certain lower tier models , the really good stuff stays in Japan.
As for "Asian Peaveys < US ones" , well that depends on what models you are comparing.
The ultra cheap "everything in the box" Rockmaster starter kits were inferior to Fury/Foundations, the same cannot be said about the 1994 Milestone I jazz bass; the Milestone I is an extremely well made bass.
Some overseas models were built down to a price, some compete easily with US models, I'll play my neck through Grind BXP over my bolt on US Grind every time.
I'm pretty sure Rudy Sarzo's Cirrus basses, built in China and Indonesia, will be on par with the US models. If they aren't then the owners have been real quiet about it
You have stated the obvious truth that seems escape a lot of us. Taking my MetroExpress as an example, if it came with noiseless pickups and VTC , there would be no practical reason to buy a German Metro. It makes sense to step it up on the fret work, but improvements beyond that would undermine German product.
@Jesuguru
There's a valid reason for your
Rockbass < German Warwicks
Asian Laklands < US ones
Tributes < US G&L
Kingstons < US MTD
Asian Spectors < Euro or US
Metroexpress < US or Japanese Sadowsky
and (pursuant to OP) Asian Peaveys < US ones
It's deliberate.
Western companies dictate what materials/hardware are used, how often/how many QC checks are made, time between machine calibration. Every aspect of an overseas build is intended to be of a slightly lower standard than the high dollar Western model. Folks like FMIC are painfully aware what happens when lower priced yet high quality import instruments hit the market ; sales of domestic product drop. To this day Fender Japan can only export certain lower tier models , the really good stuff stays in Japan.
As for "Asian Peaveys < US ones" , well that depends on what models you are comparing.
The ultra cheap "everything in the box" Rockmaster starter kits were inferior to Fury/Foundations, the same cannot be said about the 1994 Milestone I jazz bass; the Milestone I is an extremely well made bass.
Some overseas models were built down to a price, some compete easily with US models, I'll play my neck through Grind BXP over my bolt on US Grind every time.
I'm pretty sure Rudy Sarzo's Cirrus basses, built in China and Indonesia, will be on par with the US models. If they aren't then the owners have been real quiet about it