💥Trash or Treasure? The Peavey Rudy Sarzo Signature Bass

[@tolstoy21]

I picked up one of these in the early 90s and haven't parted with it since. I 100% agree with your comments on the neck and overall feel of the instrument. When I shop around for basses, I can't find anything that feels like this one does in my hand.

[@ralphbaxter2655]

Like the dyna basses, they are dynamic.

[@TompComp]

Rodney, that "honk" and that tone you said "misses the mark" is exactly what we love about this bass! I know everyone likes what they like and no one sees eye to eye, but I died when you said it would take some EQ-ing to get that out in recording. 😅

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

Treasure for sure! One the best Bass guitars in the 80's and 90's..

[@josephjordan2883]

Had one and it was one of the most beautiful and well built basses I’ve ever owned. Sold it due to the sound and would love to get one again to mod the guts on.

[@RodneyMcG]

I added some EMGs and it's still one of my all time favorite basses

[@peekaboo4390]

I just picked up a minty Pearl white 87 Dyna Bass with a Kahler tremolo bridge and ferrite pickups...monster bass.Peavey used Schaller bridges and not Gotho BTW.

[@rockereivanivan]

Man love those Rudy Sarzo basses, specially the Cirrus one lml

[@RodneyMcG]

Yep! I just picked up an unfinished Cirrus 6 i'm working on. It's fun project.

[@svtbass]

I was on tour in the late 80s early 90s with a huge ( at that time) international pop singer chick. Peavy sent me a TL5. I felt GREAT!!! The Flame Maple was outstanding. Pretty lightweight too. SOLID construction. I used that and a first generation Spector 5 string JJ. ( narrow spacing though) I wound up playing the Peavy most of the time because the sound crew LOVED IT.. We had Claire Bros and MSI out on that tour. Huge arena gigs . But the Peavy held its own and it was so comfy to play that I gravitated it over my Pedulla 5 strings at that time . MIne was see thru charcoal.. The ebony board was of the highest quality.. Like you said the DYNA BASS preamp was lacking.. But overall it was OK for live arena gigs. However when we had to do TV show or LIVE rec for video stuff i used the Spector only because it cut like a knife with great support. But the narrow spacing was a pain. I would love to find a TL5 again someday. Maybe toss a Bartolini TCT preamp in it . Go old school preamp. That RUDY is temptig too.. Maybe Reverb has them.. I saw John from Duran Duran a few years ago and he used a Peavy Cirrus bass. One of teh best sounding LIVE arena bass sounds that I ever heard. Heard everything just like teh record . No MUD. But deep and full

[@RodneyMcG]

They are killers. Not saying the TL might be coming up next, but..................;)

[@russellzauner]

The TL5 *SOLD* me on Maple basses. I picked up a butchered Hohner B Bass Pro 5 and it still feels *right* holding it as well as those piano overtones that maybe everyone doesn't like but that I absolutely LOVE. Needs a LOT of TLC but you can feel it speaking, unplugged even.

[@GilaMonster971]

I have several TL-5’s they are my favorite basses Peavey has ever made. The one in my picture I refinished it in purple burst nitrocellulose.

[@insederec]

@@GilaMonster971 I am on a quest for a 4 stringer to replicate my TL5 because it is by far the best playing bass I've ever laid hands on. Unfortunately the dynabass isn't quite there being a bolt on and it has a totally different neck profile. Sad to hear the sarzo sounds so different otherwise I'd be hunting for one.

[@GilaMonster971]

@@insederec maybe try a Unity series Dyna bass. They are neck through construction....I have a Koa wood one and it’s pretty nice. Not exactly the same neck profile as a TL-5 (it’s more like a Fender jazz bass neck) but still a nice bass.

[@edgarpoe9072]

Just aquired one cant wait to test it out

[@davidgotteri]

Absolute treasure. I have 2, the 1992 bass and the 2014 one. They play and sound beautiful.

[@mattiasjp]

It sounds very much like the Arias. I think that honk could be great in a band mix. It will definitely cut through and we must judge our sound on how it works in a mix.

[@RodneyMcG]

Yeah, i've heard them back to back. This one is just a bit more shallow than the Aria. Not bad, but just not as good as what I think they were after.

[@russellzauner]

Cliff's sig model with Aria is awesome but it's a HELLA lot of cash

[@jimfulton9706]

I have 2 of these beauties, they look and play amazing but you definitely need to replace the electronics. You are so right about the neck, it is a dream to play. Love them and your presentation. Thanks.

[@michaelb.42112]

I LOVE my Rudy Sarzo basses. Like Rudy, I've played just about everything, and Peavey is my favorite. My Cirrus's and Randy Jackson Peavey are all I play. I like the Sarzo / Dyna bass because of the active / passive ability, BUT like you said, the preamp needs to be replaced with an NTMB, EMG, etc. Once that's done, the sky's the limit.

[@RodneyMcG]

The American serious Peavey are totally under valued, no doubt

[@t.dehart4691]

I put a Glockenklang 3 band preamp in mine, with a Nordstrand MM 4.2 (neck) and a Seymour Duncan MM.. sounds like a late 70's stingray on steroids ...couldn't be happier.

[@mikechecka292]

American made Peaveys are becoming valuable. I had a T-40 in the 90s. Hated it. Let it go for nothing. Decided I wanted one last year and almost passed out when I saw what they are selling for. Even trashed ones are expensive.

[@danieljohnston1798]

I have several Aria SB 2000 basses, very solid bass. He seemed to play a similar bass when he comes into a band. Usually because he is the touring bass player on most bands he joined and didn't play on a few of the albums. Seems like he plays the bass that the album player played. He did this when coming into Whitesnake as Neil Murray was an Aria Pro player. Sarzo did this again when joining Geoff Tates Queensrÿche, he switched to the Spector bass played by Eddie Jackson on the mindcrime album.

[@RodneyMcG]

Interesting observation. Thanks.

[@rudysarzo2449]

Hello Daniel Actually, I was playing Aria basses way before I joined Whitesnake. Also May I remind you I recorded on Quiet Riot’s Metal Health except for 2 songs and Condition Critical and Whiresnake’s Slip of the Tongue. Blessings and health, Rudy

[@RodneyMcG]

@@rudysarzo2449 Thanks for dropping in to tell us all the correct info, Rudy! Great to see you!

[@rudysarzo2449]

@@RodneyMcG thanks for the great job you do sharing your professional perspective. Blessings and health, Rudy 🙏🏻🎸🙏🏻

[@danieljohnston1798]

@@rudysarzo2449 Hey Rudy, thanks for that info. Yes, I knew you played on most of Metal Health and CC. Wasn't really trying to slight you. I did see you with Quiet Riot in 84 in tenn. Whitesnake open for you guys, then saw you a few year later in Atlanta when you played in Whitesnake. Anyway I am a bass player and love of the unique things like this. Have followed your playing and the basses you played all these years. I jave been to Musonia and hung out with Kelle Rhoads, have seen the rooms where you and Randy taught music. But I made the comment about the basses and Spector because of the interview you gave at Namm 2017 and talked about the Spector and how you wanted to sound like the record because the Spector was such a character on those albums. I followed Neil Murry's career too and knew he was an Aria Pro guy. I never knew you played Aria pro till you joined Whitesnake. The time between QR and Whitesnake, you were not as visible as there was no internet and not much information or photos. I know you had been a Washburn endorsee during the QR years so I never knew you had been playing an Aria Pro. Either way, I made that assumption on my own. My mistake if I was wrong in saying so. The Aria Pro is a great bass, still have two of them A burgundy one like you played, except it is fretless from the 12th fret up and a Black one. Now it is true though that the Peavey bass was designed after the Aria Pro, right? It pretty much has the same look and feel. Anyway, have enjoyed following your career and have read off the rails 10 times probably.

[@bassboyj468]

You should look at the fender jazz bass special. Sounds phenomenal.

[@RodneyMcG]

Got one!

[@danadane2501]

I've follwed your channel ever since I started my bass journey 2 years back and I know what kind of skill and feel you have. Yet I'm not hearing any tones from this bass that grab my attention. Perhaps when you swap the electronics and pickups out it's gonna sound amazing. However this is why I stick with the precision basses and one jazz squire jazz bass which I'll never let go. Those basses you know what you're gonna get (precision basses I mean) and they never let me down. Some of these more exotic basses don't deliver the sound I'm looking for. Yet other players may love this. It's all in the ears of the beholder.

[@StephenBecker]

Love the look of that axe!

[@andrewhosey3751]

I have a 92 first generation Sarzo, and a 91 first generation TL-5...both instruments are high quality. And in my eyes better than most that are being made now hat costs alot more. Kicking around on selling both (have too many ) Lol!

[@RodneyMcG]

Yeah, the tl 5 is a killer too. Let us know if you sell!

[@jamesjolley8697]

I have a Peavey R.S. bass violet edition for 20 yrs and I find it hard to replace. just had it set and new strings. The only thing I wish it had is 18v preamp instead of 9v. I am looking at a warwick rockbass NT Streamer now. I would really like a Cirrus, but Peavey only offers the Milestone bass series.

[@RodneyMcG]

If you keep an eye out, there's plenty of good used cirrus out there. Good luck.

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

I know that this was made for Rudy ( ROck), but Jazz/R &B /Gospel and Funk players all over America were playing the shit out of this bass. He's not "Thumping and Plucking aka Slapping. We were shocked that this was made for a Rock player.. When it's strengths lie in Thumping and Slapping this baby. This is a Killer Bass...!! IF you're looking for a P-Bass sound, this is not it. But, this is a boutique Bass made to be FUNKED up!! :) Brother @Rodney , You did do this bass any justice.. Bring up your funk /pop skills.

[@RodneyMcG]

Explains a lot about why the short lived Verdine White signature was just this bass with a slightly different finish

[@NB-oi4uc]

Ha !!! i heard this bass a Year ago, with the video of the great Verdine White: Rhythm of the Earth, it blew me off my feet, what a mighty great sound. immediately went into detective mode. one Year later, thanks to my great cousin in Rochester N.Y. i got my Peavey Rudy Sarzo. its definitely a R& B - Funk - BASS !!! niki / Vienna / Austria ( schwarzenegger not da kangaroo . . . )

[@wallacea-nyc.4300]

Thank you Sir. For shedding some light about this " GREAT BASS. ". 👍🎼🎵🎸🎶

[@SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior]

Yeah, definitely a Peavey version of the magnificent Aria Pro SB Elite II/R80/RSZ. I would love to try one. Thanks for this cool video, man.🥂

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for checking it out.

[@karolzmaczynski9681]

This series probably gonna be my favourite! Great idea and can't wait for the next episodes!

[@RodneyMcG]

Coming soon!

[@tigerscott2966]

The bass builder world is laden with greed too... I bought an inexpensive bass on Amazon that was supposed to have a maple fingerboard... Turns out it is really birch wood - what's used to make Popsicle sticks...

[@michaelb.42112]

TREASURE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tigerscott2966]

Great video...thanks.

[@t.dehart4691]

schaller 3D bridge not gotoh , great video

[@greatwhite61967]

I enjoyed this review & input about a bass guitar that you can clearly see is an Aria Clone & though informative there were next to no playing of the various sounds this type of bass guitar... .....

[@davidlovellbass4761]

My SB1000 has that honk. I’m not a fan but the bass itself is an absolute peach, even at 10lbs

[@RodneyMcG]

Love the b series. I need to get one again.

[@davidlovellbass4761]

@@RodneyMcG I’d sell you mine if the postage wouldn’t possibly kill it, and they’re so much cheaper from Japan

[@RodneyMcG]

@@davidlovellbass4761 Funny, Prices over there have started to go up. And yeah, shipping is a bitch. I've found a little work around to help. If you are in need, drop me a line and i'll help you out.

[@paganjay1085]

I like it but then I bought a Cirrus. I still have my Rudy and it still gets work at open mics and basement jams. Kicks ass too

[@RodneyMcG]

The Cirrus are beasts as well. I just picked up a 6 string.

[@russellzauner]

@@RodneyMcG well I know where they are going now and why they've gone through the roof. Some of the Cirrus are just gorgeous in sound and appearance. The best I'll be able to do is maybe pick up a 2nd gen TL5 to go with my first gen, and if I like those tones then I'll keep both. :-) No idea why Peavey killed the Super Ferrite models. One of those things filed under, "Damn Shame". I think as far as my GAS for T40 - I think the Apocalypse 5 actually covers that configuration and the construction looks like it will feel good in my hands. I already gave up on T60 for my tone library because it finally sunk in after being pointed out a BILLION times that there's what I now call "The Icepick Switch" and you don't EVER want to use that setting directly at a club. I like the config on the mystic - Hartley figured out a few things. The "goes to single coil at tone knob 7" is pretty brilliant, in practice. It keeps all the great stuff about the T60 tone selection but condenses it as well as removes the one setting from the user that the user should probably not even have on there in the first place. The electronics was *all* Hartley tho - he recruited a furniture/cabinet maker, as so many great guitar companies do, to help with the wood work. I forget his name but it was also pretty much one guy easily googled. I seem to recall murmur about Hartley liking what they did with Rudy but acknowledging the tones aren't really accessible unless you're looking for period specific Rudy timbres.

[@russellzauner]

The relevance being that the T40 was also a tone "chameleon" (the T series started off being for the user who wanted *many* tones...maybe that's what T stood for lol) but for some reason that one setting on the T60 was dangerous if one got handsy with the tone control. Hartley did some crazy stuff with circuits and probably 95% was innovative/killer af/both, in guitars and amps - his hit rate was unreal with laying new crap on the public and it somehow being just the thing for the artist at any given time as well as flexibility/construction/tones not found or easily found elsewhere.

[@Flying_turnip187]

I bought a used one about 20 years ago when I lived in Georgia. I really liked the feel and look, the truss rod was stripped ( Great customer service!) and the preamp was meh. If the truss rod was good I would have kept and gutted the preamp. Overall an excellent bass.

[@RodneyMcG]

Bummer

[@russthompson7994]

I sold a bunch of them when working at music stores. I never got one back. :) I do have a Cirrus!

[@RodneyMcG]

Ooof. They are out there if you look. I actually just bought a stripped 6 string Cirrus i'll be showing off. American Peavey are just killers!

[@Bassocity]

Good review! Although I have a lot of so-called exotic basses, like pre-CBS fenders, vintage Alembics, Tobias’s, etc. I am not a boutique snob. I have a late 70s early Peavey T-40 that I love. In response to the Rudy Sarzo Model I agree it looks like a beautiful bass, but I’d have to disagree with one point and that is I think it sounds absolutely great just how it is. Just my personal opinion.

[@RodneyMcG]

It does sound great for a certain style. Just not my tone in particular. It's great that there are options for everyone and we can all find something that is "ours".

[@Bassocity]

Absolutely. My only Peavey bass is the early T-40 I mentioned but I do also have a really clean SB1000 and TSB-650 Aria that I love too.

[@RodneyMcG]

I do alove a sb1000

[@Bassocity]

@@RodneyMcGyes! I think the SB1000 is a real sweet bass. Had my first one in 1979 while doing some endorsement and demo work for Aria but they called that one back and ended up giving me the TSB-650. Always wanted to replace that SB1000 and then finally did after all these years just several years ago. It’s about the same vintage as the first one.

[@jamesbridges1107]

Not a Gotoh bridge. It is a Schaller 3d4

[@brentheathersimons7042]

This is awesome Rodney! :) I had a Peavey Dyna Bass back in the late 80s that had the same preamp, knobs, etc. Probably shouldn't have sold it! :( I have a USA Cirrus now which is tremendous! Take care- Brent P.S. Is that an ADA MB-1 I see in your rack back there? :) I hope you do a review/demo! Keep up the great content! :)

[@RodneyMcG]

Yeah, the Dyna was kind of the template for the others. A killer bass. My rack is the guitar model - mp-1. I'd love to come across a MB-1 at some point. Funny you should say Cirrus, I just picked u a unfinished 6 string i'm putting together. Still deciding on the stain/ color. Should be a fun project!

[@brentheathersimons7042]

@@RodneyMcG You should have plugged into the MP-1 when you did the Les Claypool EMG's! ;) Good luck with the Cirrus! A very underrated beast!-Brent

[@RodneyMcG]

I thought of dressing the sound a bit, but it was also for EMG so the straight sound seemed like the better idea. Plus, then everyone screams that the sound is too colored. Can't keep anyone happy on the internet ;) !

[@Naniamania3]

Rodney - thank you for all of the work you do to elevate the bass community. I'm looking for some recommendations on compressors. What are your thoughts? I have an Ashly SC-50 I love but do not want to lug around a rack unit to gigs. I have a Demeter Opto Compulator which I like but it's better in studio situations than in live situations, and a TC SpectraComp which I love as a one-knob solution but does not provide great ability to change things on the fly on tour. Would love to know your thoughts. Many thanks!

[@RodneyMcG]

I usually go for a decent compressor inside of a multi unit - like compressor, eq, gate, speaker sim, etc. A bit more bang for your buck and gives you presets for different uses at different times. I'm currently using the AMT Pangea Ultima that has about everything i would ever need, and is no more expensive than a decent compressor on it's own. Hope that helps.

[@a_wretch_like_me9665]

Fully agree with this review. Not crazy about the pickups, but i just love the feel of this bass. What kind of pickups would you change to upgrade?

[@RodneyMcG]

I already swapped them out for EMG PX set

[@davidgotteri]

Change the pups??? Sacrilege!

[@geeush]

I own a TL-5. Bought it a few months ago. Love the feel and the playability of it. The superferrites in passive mode produce pretty average or even lower output, but the active mode brings things to life. I never use HF to full - sounds too crispy for me. Also, I agree that mid frequency knob is almost useless. As for the low-end booster, I normally have it between neutral and 3/4, never more. All in all I feel much respect for the quality and the character of the instrument. Don’t think I’ll ever gonna trade or sell it. I’ve been considering if I should change electronics some day, but then my concern is whether it be worth it. I would appreciate any practical opinions and advice on that matter.

[@RodneyMcG]

I swapped out some of my TL basses for EMGs. I prefer them, but it comes down to personal taste.

[@robinpetersen7404]

I used to own the sarzo extended neck 36 frets cirrus series bass. It had fine tuning knobs on top of the pre-amp knobs. It was stolen ages ago and I want to own it again. Best bass I've ever played. Anyone know what that model was called? Please help.

[@russellzauner]

0:00 I have a first gen TL5 (super ferrites) and I love the hell out of it.

[@russellzauner]

Also, the Sarzo Peavey basses are NOT cheap.

[@russellzauner]

8:15 damn glad I made the choice I did. I also have a 4 string Unity PJ that's fun to play but the electronics on it ended up being a bit hot and noisy so it's def not a subtle instrument.

[@russellzauner]

10:00 TIL that G&L actually sells their L2000 preamp and the L buckers separate from their instruments and they're quite reasonably priced. I'm thinking about trying them in something but I'm not sure what - solution looking for a problem, right? LOL

[@RodneyMcG]

You can find a deal on the Sarzo if you're patient. I'm looking to check those G&L out. I hear good things.

[@warrenlewis9883]

Hi. Nice article. Thanks for posting. I have one of these bases. I brought it maybe over 20years ago and was my go-to bass for many a gig despite also having a 77 Precision in the arsenal. This was mainly, as you so rightly say, its fabulous playability. Most of the time, I used the passive selection and that worked fine as I had a huge Marshal stack which gave me the sound I wanted. Peavey UK (when there was one) dated my instrument as 1980, one of the early ones. Ive still got it but need some spares. The battery cover has broken, any ideas anyone?

[@myfavoritesith]

That bass sure does have the Rudy sound. It's a good bass. but it seems configured for pretty much his sound.

[@RodneyMcG]

Yeah, it's totally worth getting and swapping pickups.

[@erikalbertson7483]

I had one with a Peavey case and all the paperwork. Supposedly signed by Sarzo himself. I traded a '73 Dodge charger to get it. Sold it like an idiot !

[@1956willys4x4]

I always wanted this bass but I never got my hands on one.

[@RodneyMcG]

They pop up once in a while. Keep your eyes peeled.

[@chandude3]

What's your opinion on the SX basses that come with US swamp ash bodies? Most of the stuff on the bass is somewhat cheap excluding the wood they use, so its a great bass to use as kind of a modding platform

[@RodneyMcG]

Can't really say as I haven't played them, but haven't heard anything bad either. Ash can be a great body wood.

[@NoChi4240]

Peavey Grind in a future episode?

[@RodneyMcG]

Youth never know. Peavey tl is next

[@tolstoy21]

Did you wind up swapping out the pickups? I'm interested in what you replaced them with.

[@RodneyMcG]

I did. Emg p and j set

[@robinpetersen7404]

Any thoughts on the custom Sarzo cirrus bass with the extended neck?

[@RodneyMcG]

Never seen one

[@stumblecat]

Call me crazy, but isn’t that a Schaller bridge?

[@RodneyMcG]

Good eye. Around that time, Gotoh was making unbranded copies of those models as Schaller was more expensive. Rumor is, peavey were using them. If you look at series 2 of the TL they went to a completely different bridge. My guess is they got into some issues with it.

[@stumblecat]

@@RodneyMcG Well I guess I learned something new today. Cheers, Rodney:)

[@richshields6692]

Sounds a little like an Alembic. Get rid of the preamp. Maybe the pickups. Great bass though. To get the same features, it would be real money.

[@RodneyMcG]

Yeah, I've heard them back to back. They were definitely going for that tone, but this one feels a little more thin to me. As I said, not unusable, but not quite on target.

[@dougoeltjen5531]

Did you end up changing the pre amp ? Is that possible ? Of so what did you go to ?

[@RodneyMcG]

I removed all the electronics and went with EMGs, but you can swap the preamp and keep the original pickups as well.

[@maxogesten6928]

Did you change the electronics? New pickiups? New preamp? What did you use?

[@RodneyMcG]

I put 2 emg p 35s in it, no preamp

[@maxogesten6928]

@@RodneyMcG Are you happy with the mod? Are the pickups the right size?

[@RodneyMcG]

It's the same set i always use, so it's my sound. It's not an exact fit, but I made some custom pickup rings and it looks good

[@johnpaul5664]

Wait a minute cause I just bought a Rudy Sarzo signature bass in Nov. 2020 from Spector!!! So what's the BULL-SHIT???

[@RodneyMcG]

😂😂😂

[@mason3872]

Do a version of this with metal bass guitars and call it, “Trash or Thrash” lol

[@RodneyMcG]

😂😂😂

[@jmsmikey]

Rodney ~ what state are you in?

[@RodneyMcG]

Michigan

[@rockereivanivan]

Dude what happened to your finger? Too much shredding I assume XD

[@RodneyMcG]

Power tools are a bitch!

[@RoadWorn2012]

Is it US made?

[@RodneyMcG]

Yes