Peavey 400 Bass Head

$259.00 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (1)

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated May 15, 2026

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We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated May 15, 2026.

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3.0 (1)

$259.00 3 available Used

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Average Price: $259

Standard/Professional

$200

$801+

Price Tier

In the Bass Amplifier Heads category, Peavey 400 Bass Head is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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Experience the power and versatility of the Peavey 400 Bass Head, a staple in the world of bass amplification. Whether you're laying down the groove in a small club or driving a larger venue, this bass amplifier head offers the reliability and tonal flexibility that musicians crave. Designed for bassists who require robust, clear sound, the Peavey 400 is equipped with 400 watts of solid-state power, ensuring that your bass lines cut through the mix with authority.

This head is renowned for its ability to deliver exceptionally clean lows and crisp highs. Its preamp section provides a wide range of tonal possibilities, allowing you to shape your sound with precision. The intuitive control panel features a 9-band graphic EQ, which gives you detailed control over your frequency response, making it simple to dial in your perfect tone. A built-in compressor smooths out your dynamics, while the effects loop lets you integrate your favorite pedals seamlessly.

For those who like to experiment with sound, the Peavey 400 Bass Head includes a Bright switch to add presence and definition to your upper frequencies. Whether you're playing rock, jazz, or funk, this amplifier head is versatile enough to handle any genre with ease.

Key Features:

400 watts of solid-state power
9-band graphic EQ for detailed tone shaping
Built-in compressor for smooth dynamics
Effects loop for pedal integration
Bright switch for enhanced high-end presence
Rugged design for durability on the road

Product specs

Brand	Peavey
Model	400 Series Bass Head
Finish	Black
Year	1970s
Categories	Bass Heads
Color Family	Black
Direct Output	No Direct Output
Electronics	Solid State
Impedance	2 ohms
Number of Channels	2 Channels
Number of Inputs	4 Inputs
Output Power (Watts)	210
Power Tube Type	None

FAQs

How much power does the Peavey 400 Bass Head deliver?: The Peavey 400 Bass Head delivers 210 watts of solid-state power, making it suitable for small to medium-sized venues and practice settings.
What is the impedance rating of the Peavey 400 Bass Head?: The Peavey 400 Bass Head has an impedance rating of 2 ohms, which means it works best with speaker cabinets that can handle this low impedance.
Does the Peavey 400 Bass Head have a direct output for recording?: No, the Peavey 400 Bass Head does not feature a direct output, so you would need an external DI box for direct recording applications.
How many channels does the Peavey 400 Bass Head have?: The Peavey 400 Bass Head features two channels, allowing for a range of tonal options and flexibility in sound shaping.
How many inputs are available on the Peavey 400 Bass Head?: The Peavey 400 Bass Head comes with four inputs, providing ample connectivity for various configurations and setups.

Videos

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Johan Segeborn

This 200 Bucks Vintage Peavey Head is a World Class Guitar Amp!

Johan Segeborn

1974 Peavey 400 Series Bass Amp

johnnyangel69

Sovtek Mig 50 & Peavey Bass 400 Series

Readyourownbook

My Gear is Older than ME!!!!!!!! NAD Peavey 400 Series

Andy Bassist

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Peavey 400 Bass Head.

Build quality

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At 4 ohms, the amp delivers a loud 140 watts, whereas at 8 ohms, it provides a more moderate 80 watts, making it adaptable to various settings.
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Comparisons

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Owners find that musical instrument speakers, such as those used with the Peavey 400b, are more efficient than home audio speakers, enhancing its output capacity.
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Some users claim the Peavey 400 Bass Head sounds better than an Ampeg SVT, known for its iconic bass tone.
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Use cases and applications

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The amp can power configurations like a 2x15 or 4x12 cabinet setup, making it versatile for different rehearsal or performance environments.
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The amp is notably effective for genres like doom and Nola sludge, delivering powerful and consistent performance for these styles.
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Owners often experiment with jumping channels to explore the amp's tone versatility, which is highlighted as a unique feature.
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User experience

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Owners report the Peavey 400b mark III remains loud enough for rehearsals with an 8 ohm cabinet, even in setups with guitars and drums.
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Owners have experienced issues like blowing fuses when pushing the amp hard, indicating the need for cautious volume management.
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The amp is noted for its durability, with one owner using it trouble-free for over two years after a simple clean-up.
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Features and functionality

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The head features dual output jacks wired in parallel, allowing users to connect two 8 ohm cabinets for a combined 4 ohm load.
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The Peavey 400b mark III can effectively drive 8 ohm cabinets, maintaining substantial volume even when not operating at full power.
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The built-in drive/fuzz is insufficient for heavy metal but pairing with a Rat pedal can extend its range to cover hard rock and doom.
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Later 70's models have both series and parallel inputs, unlike early 70's models, allowing for unique tone shaping capabilities.
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With a 6-band EQ, the amp offers substantial tonal versatility, allowing for detailed sound shaping across different music genres.
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Plugging a pedal cable into series and parallel inputs offers different tonal and volume variations, providing more flexibility in sound customization.
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Other

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Transporting these amps can be challenging due to their substantial weight, making them less ideal for frequent gigging without assistance.
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Setup and maintenance

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Despite their durability, these amps require occasional maintenance, as Peavey no longer stocks parts, making preemptive care essential.
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Owners suggest that vintage models may require re-capping due to aging electrolytic capacitors, affecting sound quality and causing hum.
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Value and pricing

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Despite rising prices on vintage Peavey amps, deals around $100 are still accessible with some effort, such as checking Craigslist.
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Artist usage

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Mike Watt

Bassist

The Stooges

Verified via Photo

Mike Watt using a Peavey bass rig in 1979; the head is a solid state Peavey 400 bass amp and the cabinet is either a P.A. or bass cabinet by Peavey. This Peavey bass rig is almost excatly similar to what Greg Ginn used up until around 1982-83. Black Flag and Minutemen practically came from the same school (SST Records); it makes perfect sense that they would have strickingly similiar gear at one point. Mike Watt's bass tone while in the Minutemen was often defined by utilizing a significant amount of treble and mid-range sound as opposed to deep low-ends and bass-rich tones, he remains a versatile and incredibly talanted individual.

Richard Hell

Singer, Bassist

Television

Verified via Photo

In the provided image, Richard Hell is seen using a Peavey 400 Bass Head.

Shane Embury

Singer, Guitarist

Napalm Death

Verified via Photo

In this Instagram post on Napalm Deaths official page, if you you zoom in you can see the name on the amp. He specifically uses the 400G model in this photo with an Ampeg cabinet.