Peavey MegaBass [demo]

[@InstrumentalHuman]

Had one of these heads back in early 90's. Was in a touring metal band and this amp did me great for 7 yrs touring. My bandmates hated me cause this thing is a beast in weight and volume. The versatile is incredible. I was able to dial it in for any hall or club. Ran 4 ampeg cabs 4x10's 8ohms. I'd use it for studio recordings, rehearsals and shows. Our sandman always ran me DI and... he'd mic one speaker in the front for natural distortion. I miss having this. At one point a band mate spilled a beer on it and fried it. Somewhat of a blessing cause then I went Ampeg SVT1000 700 watts. Still have it too. Even a bigger beast. The megabass was ahead of its time if you ask me. For a digital bass amp in the 80/90's era, nothing can touch the versatility, volume or hernia's 😅

[@nebraskanheathen2226]

I got two of these at a Goodwill store in a flight case for 40 bucks best money I've ever spent at a thrift store

[@Stev187]

Nebraskan Heathen great deal. While it’s heavy, it’s still the most versatile bass head I’ve ever owned. Transparent clean and LOUD.

[@michaelb.42112]

I kind of hate you right now :)

[@eqbuffers8011]

My bass player in my band bought this exact head along with a peavey cabinet with 4 10s and a bottom cabinet with 2 15s (don't remember the exact cabinet models) back in 89/90. This head and both cabinets work great still. I personally think this is still the best sounding bass Amp I have heard.

[@jasonmyers2048]

I owned one of these for years and it was a tank. Very reliable. It fell off the stack that I was wheeling and landed on the pavement. It hit hard enough to bend the metal ear on the rack yet nothing changed with the performance of the head. Built so strong and very versatile. I prefer Aguilar now for tone, but for its day, this was a workhorse and as he mentioned, still very easy to find used.

[@jasonmumper9130]

I’ve used the mega bass for about 20 years now love those heads

[@Stev187]

I now own three of these! (Contact me if you are interested in purchasing one--I don't need all three). The main one I use was recently reconditioned in Meridian, MS by Peavey. You might consider having them repair yours. It cost about $200. I'd sell one of these for about $150.

[@michaelb.42112]

These are hard to find, but when you do, they are affordable. Killer amps and sound great with high end, boutique basses.

[@Stev187]

Thank you very much. I tried to consider my audience and think of what working bass players might like to know about the head; they certainly don't need to see/hear from me any more than necessary. Played this amp on a gig last night, btw. Continues to be the best gigging head I've ever used. Cheers!

[@karmakultivator]

Thanks for the review I'm the proud owner of one for a while and yes it is a monster and it is a great amp for any type of gig. I have played various venues and a very large ones and I am very very satisfied.

[@modcit]

Been playing this head since 1990. Still works great and sounds awesome.

[@MJ98774]

Thanks Steve for posting this and starting/keeping the megabass thread alive on TB! Still using that mint condition Mega you found at Guitar Center used, and its been a great backup for my original Mega I bought in '92. I'm not seeing them for sale anymore, anywhere....I think the supply has dried up and the word is out on how great these amps are. Hope your enjoying your 3 Megas....Im always on the lookout for another- cflbass

[@Stev187]

I'm down to one, but I'll keep it forever. (It's the one in this video). I gave one to an awesome local bass player, and he uses it. They are great amps!

[@joekelley5121]

My first band job was in my uncle's band using a Peavey MegaBass head paired with a Peavey 1820 cab, bi-amped and couldn't have asked for a better system to start with. Sold it a couple of years later, and while the cabinet was a weighty monster, I wouldn't mind having another one of those heads.

[@williamshepley3923]

Still using one myself. Picked up back in 95 and have had an Ampeg svt 3 a Hartke 7000 and the Megabass ate them all! Speakers im using are all Peavey 1-18 a 2-10 w horn and a 1-15....other than my old Sunn rig this set up is the bomb. i play prog metal and use ibanez basses....

[@hendrixfreek]

Great informative demo... much appreciated. .. Patiently awaiting the new mini mega 1000..

[@JPKB97]

I miss this amp so much...I loved it !! I had it the moment it came on the market & it had finally bit the dust just this past summer....I feel like I've lost my best friend.. :) I need one again...I used it in the smallest bars to some very huge venues & it was always perfect for me...

[@EddiePauleBolin]

Powerful, Versatile and built like a tank. I have 2 and will keep them forever. I normally bypass the Bright, Punch & EQ section completely by going out the send into any Tech 21 SansAmp product and come back in into the Full Range Power Amp input. IMO, the EQ is the only weak spot of the Amp.

[@samhill6590]

Ed Bo passed away in June of 2021. He was my best friend and bassist for over 40 years. I'm now the keeper of his 2 Megabass heads. RIP Ed Bo!

[@LeftHandedRightHanded]

​@@samhill6590 Wow! Crazy to see a legacy like this. RIP Ed.

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

That's how a demo is done.....

[@EddiePauleBolin]

When running MebaBass head in Full Range Mode, Both XLR DI's are Full Range. You can run either one to FOH.

[@edwardjohanbol]

Who the F are you? I am Ed Bol... and I own this amp

[@TheSason666]

This thing was advertised on CIRCUS magazine back in 1991 by Tony Montana and Great White album!!!

[@CharlesGude]

Hey man ,I am looking for the schematic for this amp. it belongs to the bass player in my church band. i think one of the output transistors is blown. but i need the schematic to repair it properly. any suggestions?,, BTW nice bass sound and nice demo too. Charles

[@miguelr3135]

Is it fine to use it for a regular Dj sound system? I have 6 Cerwin Vega earthquakes subs I want to increase the bass in and im not sure if these were made only for bass guitar

[@tommyhunter9641]

Very good amp for a big room.

[@FIBONICITY]

Can I test it with headphones.?

[@JPKB97]

I live in Canada ..I'm sure they could repair mine but I am interested in another one...:)

[@MrLennon8888]

Have you encountered a problem bi-amping? when I try, it only plays through the Hi channel. The low volume will not work. I have tried moving cables around - still the same. any ideas? thanks,

[@JPKB97]

I want to repair mine but they an authorized Peavey dealer says they no longer make the part...So I don't want to get rid of it, maybe a little more research & I will see where I stand at that point...

[@AnnulmentProof]

Is there an alternative to the PV megabass? Different brand but basically same bi-amp function?

[@Stev187]

The old Gallien Krueger 800RB was a biamp head. I think there were others.

[@edwardjohanbol]

Hi, I have this amp... love it. But why is the pre so sensitive? My passive P bass cant go past 2, and my active bass needs to be at 1... otherwise there is distortion.

[@Stev187]

Dial back the post gain, and/or use the input pad. That always works for me.

[@JPKB97]

It’s an awesome amp !! Wish I never treated it like shit when I was young !! Big mistake .. honestly the sound of that amp was awesome

[@JaYGoasT]

im buying one of these soon and the bi amp full range switch is my question. ill be running a peavey 8x10 and wanna get the most power i can get using one output. would i run the switch at full range and use the output on top?

[@Stev187]

JaY GoasT top or bottom. It will be the same. You’ll like this head.

[@peterl497]

Can it be operated with a single cab?

[@JPKB97]

I want to hang on to mine but I just need to find a good repair shop.. I'm in Canada..

[@edwardjohanbol]

My fave amp too... but why the crazy amount of gain?!!! Over 2 and its cooked!

[@Stev187]

dial back the post gain, or use the input pad. this always works for me.

[@edwardjohanbol]

Post gain is just volume. Yes the pad is in. Played it though many cabs, including the 2x15 black widow which is great, but best for me is Ampeg 8x10. The DI is superb for recording too.

[@kennyh5083]

Good lord, play the SOB already!

[@JPKB97]

Yes very much interested but how do I private message you ?

[@IronmanWelds]

I was wondering about the watts. You say it has 2 200 watt amps. when you say full range you mean you can run it at 400 watts?

[@Stev187]

+Julian Hornsby No--that would require "bridging" or hooking the amps together. It is a pair of 200w amps. That said, people often called it a 400w head. I will tell you this: even one of the 200w amps is as loud or louder than some of my 500w bass amps. In full range (two 200w amps running--also called "dual mono') is really, really loud. Hope that helps.

[@Stev187]

+Stev187 Oh--and you can't bridge this amp. I left that out.

[@IronmanWelds]

Stev187 ok I see, someone in my area is selling a rig with a megabass amp. I'm thinking of buying it. It will be my first amp.

[@Stev187]

I love this head--plenty of power for any room and very versatile. They have been going for about $150 in good working order.

[@jamesgritman5477]

I have had one of these heads since I bought it new in 1986. I toured with it for about five years, then gave it to my brother, who used it as an amp for his violin, who gigged it for about ten years before he gave it back to me. I stored it until a few months ago, when my gk mb800 went down. I decided to use it at a gig instead of taking my Ampeg SVT, and I was blown away by the power and sound of this amp. I powered two gk neo cabs, one a 410, the other a 212. I never got the post gain past 3 with the pre set at 5, which is a huge testimony on how loud and clean this amp is. Even though rated at 200 watts per side, the perceived headroom was very impressive. This is all the power I need for club gigs. I'm not only amazed at the sound and power, but also the longevity of this amp. Peavey builds them right, and to last a long time. Ampeg SVT heads are the only other amps that are comparable to the longevity, and they need fresh tubes every now and then to keep their great tone. The peavey name might not be in vogue right now, but high quality, low cost powerful amps never go out of style.

[@Stev187]

Oh, and if you don't decide to repair yours, I would purchase the EQ slider knobs from you (heck, I'd like to buy all the knobs). Send me a private message if you're interested.

[@Stev187]

You can do it here in KZbin--I sent you a message.