Peavey Firebass 700 User Manual

™

F I R E B A S S

7 0 0 Watt Bass Amplifi c a ti o n

7 0 0

O p e ra t ing Gu id e

Intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure
that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

Intended to alert the user of the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the product.

CAUTION: Risk of electrical shock – DO NOT OPEN!
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover. No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to

qualified service personnel.
WARNING: To prevent electrical shock or fire hazard, do not expose this appliance to rain or moisture. Before using this

appliance, read the operating guide for further warnings.

Este símbolo tiene el propósito de alertar al usuario de la presencia de "(voltaje) peligroso" que no tiene
aislamiento dentro de la caja del producto que puede tener una magnitud suficiente como para constituir riesgo de
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Este símbolo tiene el propósito de alertar al usario de la presencia de instruccones importantes sobre la operación
y mantenimiento en la literatura que viene con el producto.

PRECAUCION: Riesgo de corrientazo – No abra.
PRECAUCION: Para disminuír el riesgo de corrientazo, no abra la cubierta. No hay piezas adentro que el usario pueda

reparar. Deje todo mantenimiento a los técnicos calificados.
ADVERTENCIA: Para evitar corrientazos o peligro de incendio, no deje expuesto a la lluvia o humedad este aparato

Antes de usar este aparato, lea más advertencias en la guía de operación.

Ce symbole est utilisé pur indiquer à l'utilisateur la présence à l'intérieur de ce produit de tension non-isolée
dangereuse pouvant être d'intensité suffisante pour constituer un risque de choc électrique.

Ce symbole est utilisé pour indiquer à l'utilisateur qu'il ou qu'elle trouvera d'importantes instructions sur
l'utilisation et l'entretien (service) de l'appareil dans la littérature accompagnant le produit.

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ATTENTION: Afin de réduire le risque de choc électrique, ne pas enlever le couvercle. Il ne se trouve à l'intérieur

aucune pièce pouvant être réparée par l'utilisateur. Confier l'entretien à un personnel qualifié.
AVERTISSEMENT: Afin de prévenir les risques de décharge électrique ou de feu, n'exposez pas cet appareil à la pluie

ou à l'humidité. Avant d'utiliser cet appareil, lisez les avertissements supplémentaires situés dans le guide.

Dieses Symbol soll den Anwender vor unisolierten gefährlichen Spannungen innerhalb des Gehäuses warnen, die
von Ausreichender Stärke sind, um einen elektrischen Schlag verursachen zu können.

Dieses Symbol soll den Benutzer auf wichtige Instruktionen in der Bedienungsanleitung aufmerksam machen, die
Handhabung und Wartung des Produkts betreffen.

VORSICHT: Risiko – Elektrischer Schlag! Nicht öffnen!
VORSICHT: Um das Risiko eines elektrischen Schlages zu vermeiden, nicht die Abdeckung enfernen. Es befinden sich

keine Teile darin, die vom Anwender repariert werden könnten. Reparaturen nur von qualifiziertem Fachpersonal
durchführen lassen.

ACHTUNG: Um einen elektrischen Schlag oder Feuergefahr zu vermeiden, sollte dieses Gerät nicht dem Regen oder
Feuchtigkeit ausgesetzt werden. Vor Inbetriebnahme unbedingt die Bedienungsanleitung lesen.

2

FRONT PANEL

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1

E N G L I S H

22 23 11

26

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1921

Features:

• Top box design

• 700 watts into 2 Ω, 475 watts

into 4 Ω, 275 watts into 8 Ω

• 3-band active EQ with shiftable
mid-range control

• Contour control

• -10 dB Pad switch

• Active crossover with variable

frequency and balance controls

Congratulations on your purchase of the Peavey FireBass™ 700. The FireBass includes an easy to-use,
three-band active EQ with shiftable mid-range control, a contour control (for that smiley-face EQ curve),
and a bright switch. These tone controls are so versatile you should be able to quickly dial up your own
sound.

Also provided are a buffered tuner send jack, a transformer balanced XLR line out with its own level control,
pre-post EQ switch, and a ground lift switch. The XLR output is before the master volume control, so you can
adjust your stage volume without affecting the send to the main sound system.

• Buffered tuner send jack

• Footswitchable post-EQ effects loop

• Transformer balanced XLR jack

• Pre-/Post-EQ send switch for XLR jack

• Ground lift switch for XLR jack

• DDT™ power amp compression

with defeat switch

• Preamp out/power amp in jacks

A -10 dB input pad switch (active/passive), footswitchable post-EQ ef fects loop, adjustable active crossover controls
for both frequency and balance, preamp output/power amp input patch points, and the DDT™ enable/defeat switch
add to the list of professional features found in the FireBass 700.

For more information on operation and specifications we suggest that you spend a few minutes to look through
the manual. Enjoy!

3

FIREBASS™ 700

FRONT PANEL FEATURES
INPUT JACK (1)

This input will accept signals from all types of bass pickups.

INPUT PAD SWITCH (2)

Provided for instruments that have extremely high output, which can result in overdriving (distorting) the
input stage. Depressing the switch to its “in” or “active” position reduces the level of the input signal by
10 dB.

TUNER SEND JACK (3)

A 1/4" jack is provided for connecting an instrument tuner. This jack is buffered off the input jack so it is just
like plugging directly into the tuner.

BRIGHT SWITCH (4)

Provides a preset boost to treble frequencies. To activate, depress the switch to its “in” position.

PRE GAIN CONTROL (5)

Controls the input gain of the preamplifier.

CONTOUR CONTROL (6)

Provides a specially voiced EQ as the knob is rotated clockwise. When the knob is fully counterclockwise
(set to 0), there is no voicing added.

LOW CONTROL (7)

An active tone control (shelving type, ±15 dB) that varies the low frequency boost or cut.

MID CONTROL (8)

An active tone control (peak/notch, ±15 dB) that varies the mid frequency boost or cut.

MID SHIFT CONTROL (9)

Selects the frequency band that the mid control cuts or boosts.

HIGH CONTROL (10)

An active tone control (shelving type, ±15 dB) that varies the high frequency boost or cut.

VOLUME CONTROL (11)

Controls the overall volume level of the amplifier. The final level adjustment should be made after the de­sired sound has been achieved.

LINE OUT—XLR JACK (12)

Provides 600 ohm, transformer-balanced signal for patching into a sound reinforcement or recording
console.

LINE OUT LEVEL CONTROL (13)

Controls the output level of the balanced line level output (13).

PRE-/POST-EQ SELECT SWITCH (14)

Allows selection between a Pre-EQ (switch set to the “out” position) or a Post-EQ (switch set to the “in”
position) send to the XLR line out jack.

GROUND LIFT SWITCH (15)

Provided to lift the ground on the XLR jack when ground loops are encountered.

EFFECTS SEND JACK (16)

Output for supplying signals to external low-level effects or signal processing equipment.

4

EFFECTS RETURN JACK (17)

Input for returning signals from external low-level effects or signal processing equipment.

EFFECTS LOOP REMOTE SWITCH JACK (18)

This jack accommodates the remote footswitch (optional part number 00051000 ON/OFF single button
switch), which is used to remove the effects loop from the signal path. The remote footswitch essentially acts
as a bypass to punch in or punch out from your external effects.

™

COMPRESSION DEFEAT SWITCH (19)

DDT

™

DDT

compression is defeated when the push button is in the “in” position. We recommend that DDT be

enabled at all times to protect the speakers.

PREAMP OUT JACK (20)

This 1/4" jack is used to route the preamp signal to external inputs, such as the input of an additional power
amp. The signal is post volume control. Use of this jack does not defeat the signal to the FireBass 700 amp
(some volume difference may be noticed due to the impedance change experienced when adding an
external unit to the signal patch).

POWER AMP IN JACK (21)

This 1/4" jack is used to input an external signal to the power amp section of the FireBass 700. Using this
jack will disconnect any signal from the preamp section. Using this jack along with the preamp out jack
creates a possible second effects loop.

CROSSOVER FREQUENCY CONTROL (22)

Determines the crossover frequency of the internal electronic crossover. Adjusting this control will set the
frequency range of the signals found at the high out and low out jacks. The crossover frequency can be
adjusted from 100 Hz (.1K) to 1000 Hz (1K).

CROSSOVER BALANCE CONTROL (23)

Balances the amount of low and high signals found at the low and high out jacks. Use care with this control,
especially when using separate cabinets for lows and highs. Since different cabinets often do not share the
same sensitivity characteristics (some cabinets are naturally louder than others) this control can be used to
compensate in order to “balance” the two.

LOW OUT (24)

This 1/4" jack supplies the low frequency signal determined by the crossover frequency control and the
crossover balance control. Use this jack to route the signal to an external power amp or to the power amp
input of the FireBass 700 when signal separation is desired. Use of this jack does not defeat the low
frequency signal going to the power amp section.

HIGH OUT (25)

This 1/4" jack supplies the high frequency signal determined by the crossover frequency control and the
crossover balance control. Use this jack to route the signal to an external power amp or to the power amp
input of the FireBass 700 when signal separation is desired. Use of this jack does not defeat the high
frequency signal going to the power amp section.

STATUS/POWER LED (26)

The LED is green when the power switch is in the “on” position. During normal operation, the LED also acts
as a DDT indicator. The LED illuminates red when DDT power amp compression is taking place. When DDT
is defeated, the LED will illuminate red when clipping occurs.

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REAR PANEL

27

28

31

32

31

29

REAR PANEL FEATURES
GROUND POLARITY SWITCH (27)

Three position, rocker-type switch, which for most applications should be operated in the center (zero)
position. If hum or noise is present with the ground switch in the center position, place the ground polarity
switch to positive or negative (+ or -) to minimize hum; should a problem continue, consult your authorized
Peavey dealer, the Peavey factory, or a qualified service technician. Note: The ground switch is not func­tional on 220/240 volt models.

RESET/CIRCUIT BREAKER SWITCH (28)

Use this switch to restore power to your unit when the internal breaker is tripped. The proper
method is to turn the power switch to the “off” position before resetting the breaker. To reset, push
the reset button in and release it. Turn the unit back on and confirm that the power LED is on. If
the breaker is tripped again upon power-up, consult your authorized Peavey dealer, the Peavey
factory, or a qualified service technician.

POWER SWITCH (29)

This switch is used to turn the FireBass 700 on or off. To turn the unit on, flip the switch to the “on” position.

IEC CONNECTOR/DETACHABLE LINE CORD (30)

For your safety, we have incorporated a detachable, three-wire line (mains) cord with proper
grounding facilities. It is not advisable to remove the ground pin under any circumstances. If it is
necessary to use the amp without proper grounding facilities, suitable grounding adaptors should
be used. Greatly reduced shock hazard exists when the unit is operated with properly grounded
receptacles. Connect the IEC plug of your cord to the IEC socket on the rear of your unit. Refer to
the back of your unit for the proper voltage required before connecting to a power receptacle.

30

POWER CORD RETAINERS (31)

Use the Power Cord Retainers to wrap and store your cable while storing or transporting your FireBass 700.
It is best to disconnect the cord from the unit before wrapping.

SPEAKER OUTPUT JACKS (32)

These two 1/4" jacks provide the powered signal from the amplifier. Each connector is electrically the same

(in parallel). Use one of the jacks to connect your speaker cabinet and the other to add a second
speaker cabinet in parallel. The minimum speaker load impedance is 2 ohms (or two 4 ohm speak­ers in parallel).
Warning: To prevent the amplifier from overheating, the front fan and rear-located vents should
always remain clear of obstructions.

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FIREBASS™ 700 SPECIFICATIONS

POWER AMPLIFIER SECTION
Rated Power and Load:

700W RMS into 2 ohms
475W RMS into 4 ohms
275W RMS into 8 ohms

Power @ Clipping (Typically):

(1 kHz, 120 VAC line)
490W RMS into 4 ohms @
1% THD
550W RMS into 4 ohms @
5% THD

Frequency Response:

-1 dB, 20 Hz to 30 kHz @ 400W
RMS into 4 ohms

Total Harmonic Distortion:

Less than 0.25%, 100 mW to
450W RMS, 20 Hz to 10 kHz,
4 ohms (typically below 0.1%)

™

DDT

Dynamic Range:

Greater than 20 dB

DDT™ Maximum THD:

Below 0.5% THD for 3 dB
overload
Below 1% THD for 13 dB
overload

Hum and Noise:

Greater than 90 dB below
rated power

Power Consumption:

1,200W @ 120 VAC 50/60 Hz

PREAMP SECTION:

The following specs are measured @
1 kHz with the Low, Mid & High EQ @
0 dB; Contour @ 0; Mid Shift @ 1 kHz;
Input Pad & Bright switch out (off);
Post Gain @ 10; Nominal levels are
with Pre Gain @ 5; Minimum levels are
with Pre Gain @ 10.

Passive Preamp Input (Input Pad
switch “out”):

Impedance:

High Z, 220k ohms

Nominal Input Level:

-27 dBV, 45 mV RMS

Minimum Input Level:

-48 dBV, 4 mV RMS

Maximum Input Level:

+10 dBV, 3V RMS

Active Preamp Input (Input Pad
switch “in”):

Impedance:

High Z, 68k ohms

Nominal Input Level:

-17 dBV, 135 mV RMS

Minimum Input Level:

-38 dBV, 12 mV RMS

Maximum Input Level:

+20 dBV, 10V RMS

Preamp Output:

Load Impedance:

1k ohms or greater

Nominal Output Level:

0 dBV, 1V RMS

Maximum Output Level:

+20 dBV, 10V RMS

Power Amp Input:

Impedance:

High Z, 22k ohms

Designed Input Level:

0 dBV, 1V RMS
(Switching jack providing preamp
output to power amp input connection
when not used)

System Hum and Noise @
Nominal Input Level:

(20 Hz to 20 kHz unweighted)
Greater than 75 dB below rated
power

Equalization:

Low and High:

+/-15 dB @ 40 Hz and 7 kHz,
shelving

Mid:

+/-15 dB @ Mid Shift setting

Mid Shift:

Variable from 200 Hz to 2 kHz

Contour:

Special EQ voicing

Push Bright:

+8 dB @ 8 kHz

Variable Crossover:

Frequency Range:

100 Hz to 1 kHz

Slope:

12 dB per octave

Crossover Low Output:

Load Impedance:

1k ohms or greater

Nominal Output Level:

0 dBV, 1V RMS

Maximum Output Level:

+20 dBV, 10V RMS

Crossover High Output:

Load Impedance:

1k ohms or greater

Nominal Output Level:

0 dBV, 1V RMS

Maximum Output Level:

+20 dBV, 10V RMS

Effects Loop:

Send Level:

-10 dBV, 315 mV RMS

Send Load Impedance:

1k ohms or greater

Return Level:

-10 dBV, 315 mV RMS

Return Input Impedance:

220k ohms

Tuner Send:

Level:

Buffered off the Input jack;
Dependent on instrument level

Load Impedance:

1k ohms or greater

Low Z Balanced Line Out:

(600 ohm transformer balanced;
Nominal levels with Pre Gain & Line
Out Level @ 5; Maximum levels with
Pre Gain & Line Out Level @ 10)

Nominal Pre-EQ Output Level:

-20 dBV, 100 mV RMS

Nominal Post-EQ Output Level:

-26 dBV, 50 mV RMS

Maximum Pre-EQ Output Level:

+20 dBV, 10V RMS

Maximum Post-EQ Output Level:

+10 dBV, 3V RMS

Weight:

50.9 lbs.

Dimensions: (W x H x D)

23.375" W x 8.250" H x 12.875" D

TM

®

Due to our efforts for constant improvements,

features and specifications listed herein are subject to change without notice.

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8

Firebass™ 700 Recommended Settings

Rock Setting

Slap Setting

OUT

IN

your preference

your preference

doesn't matter when Mid is set to 0

your preference

your preference

Blues/Country Setting

OUT

your preference

NOTE: DDT™ should be utilized for maximum speaker protection

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your preference