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Average Price: $1,300
High-end/Boutique
$300
$801+
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Description
The Peavey 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head is a beast in the world of guitar amplifiers. Known for its raw, hard-hitting tone and rock-solid reliability, it's a favorite among hardcore and metal musicians. This amp head owes its robust and powerful sound to the 6 - 12AX7s in the preamp. The rhythm channel is versatile, offering pre/post gain and bright/crunch switches, while the lead channel focuses on pre/post gain controls.
This amp head isn't just about power — it's about control. The 3-band EQ, resonance, and presence controls on each channel allow you to tailor your sound with precision. Whether you're looking for a clean tone or a heavy crunch, the Peavey 6505+ has you covered.
A tribute to Peavey's first 40 years in the industry, this amp is more than a piece of equipment — it's a piece of musical history. So, if you're ready to make some noise, the Peavey 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head is ready for you.
Key Features:
- 6 - 12AX7s in the preamp for powerful, punchy sound
- Footswitchable lead/rhythm channel select and FX loop
- 3-band EQ, Resonance, and Presence controls on each channel
- Rhythm channel includes pre/post gain and bright/crunch switches
- Lead channel includes pre/post gain controls
- Preamp output
- Footswitch included
- Compatible with 4, 8, or 16 ohms
- 120 Watts RMS into 16, 8, or 4 Ohm cabinets
- 4 x 6L6GC power amp tubes
- Named in celebration of Peavey's first 40 years (1965-2005)
Product specs
| Brand | Peavey |
| Model | 6505+ 120-Watt 2-Channel Guitar Head |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2010s |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Color Family | Black |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 120 |
| Power Tube Type | 6L6 |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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What are the core tonal characteristics of the Peavey 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head?
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The Peavey 6505+ amp head is renowned for its aggressive, high-gain tone, making it ideal for rock and metal genres. It delivers a tight low end, pronounced midrange, and cutting high frequencies, perfect for achieving a powerful and articulate sound.
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Is the Peavey 6505+ suitable for live performances and gigging?
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Yes, with its 120-watt power output, the Peavey 6505+ is more than capable of handling live performances, providing ample volume and headroom for larger venues and band settings.
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Does the Peavey 6505+ work well with guitar pedals?
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The Peavey 6505+ is known for taking pedals well, especially in the effects loop. It pairs effectively with overdrive, delay, and modulation pedals, enhancing its versatility in shaping your tone.
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What is the difference between the Peavey 6505 and 6505+ models?
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The 6505+ features an additional preamp tube compared to the 6505, allowing for more gain and tonal flexibility. This makes the 6505+ more suitable for players seeking maximum distortion and sustain.
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How many channels does the Peavey 6505+ have and what are their uses?
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The Peavey 6505+ has two channels: a rhythm channel for clean to crunch tones and a lead channel for high-gain, saturated sounds. This dual-channel configuration provides versatility for different playing styles.
Videos
Rob Chapman
Peavey 6505 Amps - The Big Ones!
Peavey 6505 Amps - The Big Ones!
Rob Chapman
Peavey 6505+ Guitar Amplifier Head - Peavey 6505 Plus
American Musical Supply
Peavey 6505 Guitar Amplifier Head - Peavey 6505
American Musical Supply
Peavey Invective .120 - 120-watt Tube Head Review
Sweetwater
![Video thumbnail for I just bought a Peavey 6505+ [120 watt head] by Doug Steele](https://img.youtube.com/vi/l297y6WtiNM/mqdefault.jpg)
I just bought a Peavey 6505+ [120 watt head]
Doug Steele
zZounds.com: Peavey 6505 Plus Guitar Amplifier Head
zZounds
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional distortion and crunch tones, ideal for metal and hardcore
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Surprisingly versatile, capable of producing clean to gritty blues tones
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High gain channel provides clarity, even at extreme settings
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Separate EQ for clean/crunch and gain channels enhances tone shaping
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Durably built, likely to last through years of use
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Extremely loud, suitable for any size venue
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Presence and resonance controls add to tonal flexibility
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Works well with a variety of guitars and effects
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Good value for its price, especially compared to higher-priced amps
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Can achieve great tones without needing additional distortion pedals
CONS
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Some users find the clean channel lacking compared to other amps
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Clean channel quality diminishes at higher volumes
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Lacks built-in reverb, requiring an external pedal for those who want it
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Can be too powerful for home or small spaces without an attenuator
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High gain settings may necessitate a noise gate to manage hiss/hum
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Not originally made in the USA, raising questions about price justification for some
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Peavey 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head.
Setup and maintenance
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Pulling two power tubes can reduce the output to 60 watts, allowing for earlier breakup and potentially more manageable volume levels.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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The JHS Little Black Amp Box in the effects loop offers precise volume control, allowing users to achieve good tone at lower volumes.
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The Bugera PS1 power soak attenuator is recommended for achieving whisper-quiet volumes without sacrificing tone.
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Upgrading the tubes to EL34s on a 6505+ results in a more aggressive tone, appealing to those seeking a heavier sound profile.
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Owners suggest using a power soak or attenuator for home use to manage the amp's volume without losing tonal quality, though they note it can be expensive.
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It's recommended to run the tubes hotter for a warmer sound, though this may reduce tube lifespan slightly.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The amp can be played quietly by keeping master volume low, but achieving power tube distortion at bedroom levels typically requires an attenuator.
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The 6505+ has been effectively used in heavy genres like metalcore and death metal, and is noted for maintaining clarity and presence in a mix.
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The Peavey 6505+ is recommended for those gigging or practicing with a drummer due to its high headroom and ability to maintain clarity at show volumes.
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Some owners have found success in trimming the bass and adjusting the presence when using Vintage 30 speakers for a tighter sound profile.
Source
Features and functionality
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The amp's master volume control is sensitive, with just a small adjustment leading to significant volume changes, making fine tuning essential for home use.
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The 6505+ head retains tight sound even with high preamp settings, unlike the 60-watt combo which can get muddy, particularly in heavier music styles.
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The amp has a decent master volume taper, allowing for good sound at lower volumes, making it possible to use at home despite high wattage.
Source
Comparisons
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The Peavey 6505+ is preferred by some over the 6505MH for its full-sized features like real 6L6 tubes and a 12AX7 phase inverter, despite the minimal 6dB volume difference.
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Some players prefer the 6505+ head with a 4x12 cabinet over the 1x12 combo for its superior clarity and tightness, especially when playing heavy riffs.
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The Peavey 6505+ offers more headroom and better low-end tightness than 50-watt amps, making it preferable for metal shows over smaller wattage amps which can sound compressed.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 11 Reviews and 59 Ratings
115
A great amp if you can find one under $500
What can I say, it's the modern 5150. Compared to the EVH and older Peavey 5150's it sounds less scooped in comparison with all the knobs at noon. The added presence and resonance controls are a great bonus.
Having both a series and a parallel FX Send may be confusing for some users, but it's a nice touch nonetheless.
Beware however, as these amplifiers are no longer made in the United States. As such, I find myself questioning whether or not they justify the $1k price tag. I managed to snag mine in excellent condition with the footswitch for $500 before shipping. I think it was a great deal, but I really wouldn't have wanted to pay much more for it.
378
Metal Monster!!
Amazing tone and extremely loud! It's a staple in the metal community and in studios.
My 100% go to amp. more versatile than people say!
You know how it is. You're always looking for 'that tone'. Well for thousands of people including myself this amp is that tone and it's an absolute monster!
Used by the likes of A Day To Remember, Bullet For My Valentine, Architects, Parkway Drive and many more it's quite obvious that they are perfect for 'that metal tone'.
The important part of the review. Now a lot of people say it's not got a good clean channel and where as I partly agree with that if you dial the right settings in and put a little bit of reverb on too it actually has a pretty decent clean tone. If you want an amp that has a dirty channel at the quality of this and a really amazing clean then you're going to be looking at spending a lot more money; at least double!
I genuinely would recommend this amp to anyone.
Cons: It's a noisy bugger so grab yourself a noise reduction pedal. (ISP Decimator). Like any high gain amp though, it's best to get a noise reduction pedal.
107
Powerful
The 6505+ head is very loud, unbelievably so, in a bedroom setting or in an apartment dont expect to even bring volume to 1. Overall it has a nice crisp sound for the cleans, has a good amount of tube breakup with the pre amp pushed on the clean channel, even more so with the crunch. The red channel is great with the gain pre at 5 being pushed with an overdrive pedal. Overall a good solid investment with a mind for budget.
160
Incredible
For the price, you can’t beat it. If you know how to dial it in, this amp has so much tone to offer. It’s also loud enough for any size venue, and again, it just sounds so damn good.
Workhorse!
With the array of guitars that I use, this amp can do it all. It's a workhorse and it really puts up with my abuse. Highly suggest doing a re-tube shortly after purchasing to get the real effects of what this amp can do. The EQ is really user friendly and I can easily get the tone I want. Only quarrels I have with this amp is the fact that it IS high gain, so it WILL hiss and hum with your higher output pickups. I have a NS-2 but I think I will be getting an ISP Decimator soon to alleviate that issue.
170
Peavey 6505+ Head
These have a great metal sound that is raw and powerful but, a bit noisy. I add a Tube Screamer TS-808 and find it gives it a tighter/brighter sound. A good noise reduction pedal is recommended.
703
Not my favorite.
I absolutely HATED Peavey 6506+ at first because of the way some metal guitarists use it. A friend of mine bought this amp and I've spent a few hours at it. The clean channel is horrendous and the distortion sounds scooped to me. I understand why some people like it, but I wouldn't spend a 1000 on a tube amp that sounds like a solid state.
41029
100% agreed... if you want some great hard rock channel switching look at a soldano hotrod 50 or 100+ or for a more vintage sound their Lucky13 model.... not much more than 1k used... not my thing but I was blown away by both when I tried them, they are some of the best fully featured modern amps for folks who find vintage-styles too limiting on stage
Artist usage
Add artist
At the 2:05 mark in the YouTube video titled "JINJER Guitar Rig" by Ukrainian Metal Bands, Roman Ibramkhalilov is shown using the Peavey 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head.
In the "Motionless In White When Love Met Destruction Studio Update 2" video, Chris Motionless is seen using the Peavey 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head to track guitars, alongside a triple rectifier, as demonstrated in the studio. This video is provided by Motionless In White on their official YouTube channel.
Taken from this article which also discusses rig used by Marc:
I’m not interested in using anything else. It’s the best metal tone out there. I just keep it on the lead channel. It’s loud. I don’t really go any louder than four, or five. These Peavey heads are incredible. I wouldn’t change a thing. I don’t think anyone will ever top the Peavey. They’re workhorses. They never go on us . . . Knock on wood. We go all over the world with these and we never have problems... never blow tubes.
The Peavey 6505+. How I get my tone... I get a lot of questions about the Peavey 6505 amps… Which channels and settings I use, and really about how I get my tone. People are often wondering whether they should be using the rhythm or the lead channel for their heavy riffing… and I have to say that I totally understand the confusion! Here's one way to look at it… Let's say a band has two guitar players and one is the "rhythm" player, and the other is the "lead" player. It isn't crazy to assume that one might unknowingly look at these channels and think to assign them to their respective roles… This guy is the rhythm player and he only plays rhythm type stuff so he should play on the rhythm channel. And this guy plays solos and lead type stuff, so he should rip on the lead channel. There's nothing wrong with that way of thinking, but if you're primarily playing heavy music, the heaviest stuff comes from the lead channel.
I use the lead channel for all of my heavy riffing, soloing, melodies, wah stuff, etc. I use the rhythm channel for any clean or crunch type tones. I think of the rhythm channel as my "clean" channel. And when I need something in between, I'll apply the crunch. So here's how I set it up...
LEAD section: PRE- 8 LOW- 6 MID- 8 HIGH- 7 POST- 2.5
LEAD RESONANCE- 8 LEAD PRESENCE- 8
The PRE, controls the amount of distortion for this channel, and is set relatively high. The LOW is set around 6, and adds a nice amount of bass for the Mesa 4x12's I use. You may need more or less bass depending on what type of cabinet you're using, but I caution using too much bass. Let the bass player do his job in the low end department, and let the guitars cut and scream in the mid range. Works for Slayer! That being said we've got a nice boost in the MID's with them around 8, and the HIGH's are up there too around 7. The high's bring clarity and presence to the tone, and help it cut through the mix. But too many high's tend to show off the imperfections in your playing, and definitely increase your chances for unwanted feedback. So adjust them with care. And finally the POST, which you can think of as that channels volume control, works best around 2.5 for me. That's kind of the sweet spot I've found that works well both on stage and in the rehearsal space, as well as in the studio. I think of the RESONANCE as a subtle depth or fullness that you can add to your tone, and I like the way it sounds up around 8. The same goes for the PRESENCE… I like to be present, so I keep it around 8 as well.
On Peavey’s official Instagram, Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir and Chrome Division is pictured with his Peavey 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head.
In the live performance of "It Was Written In Blood" at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards 2008, Curtis Ward is visibly using a Peavey 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head on stage right. This performance was broadcasted on MTV2 and is available on YouTube, uploaded by Koi No Yokan.
Matsuri is confirmed to use the Peavey 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head during the Japan tour on December 28, 2024, as evidenced by a post on Instagram by @mtr_hanabie, featuring a photo from the Gorilla Hall Osaka performance.
During this interview Miyako's reveals that her main tone comes from the Peavey 6505+ through a Orange PPC212OB [Open Back Vintage 30] Cabinets.
In the "Gear Masters" episode by Digital Tour Bus, Kevin "Thrasher" Gruft demonstrates the Peavey 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head, stating it was sent to him by Peavey after his previous amp had broken.
Album Usage
The Peavey 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head 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 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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