Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $225

Standard/Professional

$200

$801+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp is a legendary powerhouse designed for bassists who demand precision and reliability. Known for its robust build and impressive tonal versatility, this amplifier head is a staple in both practice spaces and live performance venues. With a reputation for exceptional reliability, the Mark IV Series 400 delivers a clean, powerful sound that can handle any stage or studio situation.

This amp head features a classic Peavey design with a focus on usability and durability, making it ideal for musicians who need an amp that can withstand the rigors of frequent gigs. Its graphic equalizer allows for easy and precise tone shaping, giving bassists the ability to tailor their sound to fit any genre or playing style. Whether you're laying down a solid groove or cutting through a dense mix, the Mark IV Series 400 has you covered.

Engineered to provide high headroom and dynamic response, the Peavey Mark IV Series 400 ensures your bass lines are delivered with clarity and punch. Its straightforward controls make it user-friendly, while the sturdy construction ensures it will be a reliable part of your gear setup for years to come.

Key Features:

  • Powerful solid-state amplifier head designed for bass
  • Extensive EQ controls for precise tone shaping
  • Renowned for exceptional reliability and durability
  • High headroom for clear, dynamic sound
  • Versatile for both live performance and studio use
R.O.T. Studios

R.O.T. Studios

Peavey Mark IV - New Bass Amp and Song Demonstration!

Video thumbnail for Peavey Mark IV - New Bass Amp and Song Demonstration! by R.O.T. Studios

Peavey Mark IV - New Bass Amp and Song Demonstration!

R.O.T. Studios

R.O.T. Studios

Video thumbnail for Peavey MarkIV Bass Amp Head for sale on Reverb by DeadKoby

Peavey MarkIV Bass Amp Head for sale on Reverb

DeadKoby

DeadKoby

Video thumbnail for 1980s Peavey Bass Mark IV 400BH Bass Amp Sound Demo by Caleb Andresen

1980s Peavey Bass Mark IV 400BH Bass Amp Sound Demo

Caleb Andresen

Caleb Andresen

Video thumbnail for Auction Find  Peavey Mark IV Bass 400   Does it even work? by DeadKoby

Auction Find Peavey Mark IV Bass 400 Does it even work?

DeadKoby

DeadKoby

Video thumbnail for Peavey MK IV 400 Bass Head Head Maiden Voyage by Jeff's Big Guitars

Peavey MK IV 400 Bass Head Head Maiden Voyage

Jeff's Big Guitars

Jeff's Big Guitars

Reviews

PROS

  • Extremely durable, "built like a tank"

  • Versatile tones, suitable for all music styles

  • Dual footswitchable channels for creative tone blending

  • Paramid knob for a wide range of sounds

  • High-quality built-in compressor

  • Can operate at 2 ohms, powerful on stage

  • Sensitive EQs for precise tone shaping

  • Supports both high and low gain inputs

  • Repairable design extends lifespan

CONS

  • Heavy, not easily portable

  • Lacks a cooling fan, can overheat at high performance

  • Large vent holes risk internal damage from debris

  • Specialized Peavey footswitch can be costly

Owner Insights

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

Build quality

  • The amp is described as extremely heavy and durable, likened to being "built like a tank," which can make transportation challenging.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • It outputs 130 watts at 8 ohms, 225 watts at 4 ohms, and 320 watts at 2 ohms, suitable for loud environments like metal band performances.

    Source
  • The Mark IV bass head offers a clean sound that can almost resemble plugging straight into a console, ideal for jazz or funk.

    Source
  • It responds well to pedals, providing flexibility for different musical styles.

    Source
  • The Mark IV's built-in compressor is noted as tricky, but it can be effectively utilized with added gain and an octave up for a "doom and zoom" sound.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Adding another 4-ohm cabinet can significantly increase volume, potentially to the point of triggering car alarms.

    Source
  • The amp is praised for its stiff and muscular response, making it suitable for heavy, tight guitar riffs and recording.

    Source
  • The Mark IV delivers a nice grit for guitar when paired with additional gain, appealing to users seeking a diverse tonal palette for recording.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A price of $250 for both the head and cabinet is considered reasonable if both components are fully functional.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • It's advised to check both 15-inch speakers in the cabinet for functionality and potential damage by removing the grill and inspecting them visually and audibly.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Considered second only to the Ampeg SVT by some users for bass applications, highlighting its strong reputation.

    Source
  • The Mark III 400 GH, intended for guitar, also excels with bass, offering gritty tones but lacks the crossover and compressor of the Mark IV.

    Source
  • The Mark III Centurion's EQ isn't as flexible as the Mark IV for bass, but it's versatile for guitar, excelling in clean or heavy, wooly fuzzstortion tones.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Cliff Burton uses Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp

Cliff Burton

Bassist

Metallica

...
Verified via Photo

A Peavey Mark IV Bass Amp Head can be seen in the upper right hand corner of this photo of Cliff Burton.

See how Peter Steele uses Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp

Peter Steele

Singer, Bassist

Type O Negative

...
Verified via YouTube

According to a video by Circle of Tone, when the album "Bloody Kisses" was being recorded, Pete used a Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass head in the studio.

See how Billy Gould uses Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp

Billy Gould

Bassist

Faith No More

...
Verified via BassPlayer.com

Billy used this amp amongst other Peavey amps for years in Faith No More. From the early days from We Care A Lot to the present.

See how Steven Severin uses Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp

Steven Severin

Bassist, Composer

Siouxsie & the Banshees

...
Verified via Flickr

In this photo, Steven Severin is seen using a Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp head, paired with what appears to be a Peavey 2x15 cabinet, during a performance with The Cure on BBC2's Riverside. The image is credited to Herschell Hershey on Flickr.

See how Dan Lilker uses Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp

Dan Lilker

Singer, Bassist

Anthrax

...
Verified via Photo

In a photo from Revolvermag, Dan Lilker is shown using a Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp during a performance at Club Pizazz in Philadelphia on December 21, 1986.

See how Ian Peres uses Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp

Ian Peres

Bassist, Keyboardist

Wolfmother

...
Verified via Photo

In this rig photo by Peres, the Peavey Mark IV bass amplifier is visible.

See how Tony Choy uses Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp

Tony Choy

Bassist

Cynic

...
Verified via YouTube

In the back we see a peavey mark , 4 or 3 cant really tell one or another with this quality , might be atheist 's first bassist patterson gear

See how Greg Norton uses Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp

Greg Norton

Bassist, Composer

Hüsker Dü

...
Verified via Thirdav

In 1985 Greg was using a Peavey Mark IV Series III head and an Ampeg V2 4 X 12 bottom. By 1987 this had been replaced by a Peavey Megabass digital bass head along with a Urei L-2 (DLA 48). These were both fed into an SVT cabinet fitted with 8 X 10"speakers and a custom-built Batson cabinet equipped with two 15" speakers.

See how David González (Berri Txarrak) uses Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp

David González (Berri Txarrak)

Bassist

...
Verified via Facebook

David González of Berri Txarrak uses the Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp as a secondary amplifier, as seen in a photo posted on Facebook.

See how Taylor Allen uses Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp

Taylor Allen

Singer, Bassist

SeeYouSpaceCowboy

...
Verified via Photo

In this post Taylor can be seen using a peavey mark IV bass head

See how Nick Cageao uses Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp

Nick Cageao

Bassist

Mutoid Man

...
Verified via Premierguitar

"which I sometimes swap out for a Peavey Mark IV, and use strictly for clean low end through a 2x15 cab."

See how Scott Martinez uses Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp

Scott Martinez

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via audiocaverecording

Used in '80's band Autumn Cathedral and now sometimes in studio and reherasals

Album Usage

The Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Peavey Mark IV Series 400 Bass Amp, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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pfeffi_burton

pfeffi_burton

Gear IQ 167

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