Peavey International Series

I've been playing bass for ten years now and have played many many basses as a musician. The Peavey International Series Bass was one of the first basses I owned and it's never let me down since. I play in an energetic punk rock band and I need a demanding bass.

Upon visiting a friend at his flat he asked me if I'd like to try his 'rubbish' old bass. I agreed as I had nothing to lose. He brought in a flamed orange Peavey International Series Bass and it was love at first sight. Everything was prefect about it and I quickly bought it from him at �140. Shortly afterwards I bought one in black for �200 as a backup.

It's a good subby bass, not a million miles away from an Epiphone Thunderbird, and hints of a Musicman Stingray in there with both pickups together. Smooth and comfortable neck, always reliable. Solid enough to take a good thrashing without losing tuning which is always a must.

The only thing I can think of which I don't like about the International Series is the lack of high tone. The humbuckers crank out plenty of bottom end and throaty middle but the treble is sometimes lost if you're trying to cut over guitars. This is a minor flaw and not something I'd ever want to change, new strings and EQ can easily make it sound bright again.

I like the fact that you can choose to either have the strings mounted through the body or the bridge. This is one of the the qualities which attracted me to thie bass upon first glance. It's well built and the flamed (or quilted) top (I have both) is just another sign of how much you can buy for very little. The humbuckers are very quiet, the hardware is sleek and adds the perfect finishing touch.

This is a good sturdy bass, proving that you don't need to spend big bucks to get a great instrument. Peavey are a reliable make anyway as I have Peavey bass cabs and heads and none of them have ever let me down. I'd recommend this bass to everyone but I think they stopped making them a few years back. If you find one in good condition then pick one up, they're my best kept secret until now.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

this was my first bass that i purchased when i started to learn how to play, i payed £200

when i walked upto the basses hanging on the wall i was drawn to it straight away, its a transparent cherry red which allows you to see the grain of wood on the bass, with matt silver hardware, rosewood fretboard, firstly the bass is well balanced, low action very comfy neck and has a matching headstock,

the tonal range isnt great, its either punchy or smooth and jazzy, thats it, but i shouldnt realy complain about that considering it was only £200

very solid bass, bridge is very sturdy, stays in tune well, ive had it for about 5 years now and there is barely a scratch on it because the finish is so tough, i had a fender us jazz and currently have a musicman sterling but in all honesty the peavey is the most comfortable to play it has such a great neck

i'd recommend this bass to anyone starting out or looking for a budget bass to play, i have no intention of parting with it as i still enjoy playing it, my guitarist plays a fender us telecaster and thought the peavey cost me in the region of 4-500 quid because it has such a quality sound

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com