Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .

Guitar Center
5.0 (1)
$1,699.99
Amazon
3.3 (8)
$999.99
Reverb
5.0 (6)
$4,765.84 2 available Used
Gear4Music
£1,218.00

Average Price: $2,489

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

The Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head is a titan in the world of rock and metal, offering a sonic experience that is both powerful and versatile. Crafted for those who crave the classic, raw tones of high-gain tube amplification, this amp head is a staple for professional musicians and enthusiasts alike. Its 120 watts of all-tube power deliver a sound that's both fierce and articulate, ensuring that every riff and solo cuts through the mix with clarity and precision. The Peavey 6505 is renowned for its dual-channel design, allowing players to switch seamlessly between rhythm and lead tones, while the presence and resonance controls provide additional shaping of your sound.

Beyond its formidable sound capabilities, the Peavey 6505 is built to withstand the rigors of both stage and studio. Its robust construction and intuitive layout make it a reliable choice for touring musicians. Whether you're playing intimate venues or massive arenas, this amp head is designed to meet the demands of any performance setting. Embrace the legacy of a sound that has defined genres and inspired countless artists with the Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head.

Key Features:

  • 120 watts of all-tube power
  • Dual-channel design for versatile tone switching
  • Presence and resonance controls for sound shaping
  • Durable construction for reliable performance
  • Classic high-gain tone ideal for rock and metal

Product specs

Brand Peavey
Model 6505 120-Watt Guitar Head
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Categories Guitar Heads
Color Family Black
Electronics Tube
Impedance 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 2 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 120
Power Tube Type 6L6
Powered Unpowered
Reverb None

FAQs

What kind of music is the Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head best suited for?

The Peavey 6505 is renowned for its high-gain tone, making it a favorite among rock, hardcore, and metal musicians. Its powerful distortion and robust sound are ideal for aggressive music styles.

How many channels does the Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head have?

The Peavey 6505 features two channels, allowing for versatile sound shaping. This setup provides a clean and a lead channel, each with its own distinct tone characteristics.

What type of tubes does the Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head use?

The Peavey 6505 is equipped with five 12AX7 preamp tubes and four 6L6GC power amp tubes, contributing to its powerful and dynamic sound output.

Is the Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head suitable for live performances?

Yes, with its 120-watt output, the Peavey 6505 is powerful enough for live performances, delivering the volume and presence needed for stage use.

Does the Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head have built-in reverb?

No, the Peavey 6505 does not include built-in reverb, focusing instead on delivering raw and powerful tone through its tube-driven design.

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

Peavey 6505 Mini Head - Devastating Tone.... said the Baboon!

Video thumbnail for Peavey 6505 Mini Head - Devastating Tone.... said the Baboon! by Rob Chapman

Peavey 6505 Mini Head - Devastating Tone.... said the Baboon!

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

Video thumbnail for Peavey 6505 Amps - The Big Ones! by Rob Chapman

Peavey 6505 Amps - The Big Ones!

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

Video thumbnail for Peavey 6505 Mini Head Guitar Amplifier Demo by Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

Peavey 6505 Mini Head Guitar Amplifier Demo by Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Peavey 6505 in-depth demo! (18 guitars) by Sonic Drive Studio

Peavey 6505 in-depth demo! (18 guitars)

Sonic Drive Studio

Sonic Drive Studio

Video thumbnail for Peavey 6505+ Guitar Amplifier Head - Peavey 6505 Plus by American Musical Supply

Peavey 6505+ Guitar Amplifier Head - Peavey 6505 Plus

American Musical Supply

American Musical Supply

Video thumbnail for Peavey 6505 Guitar Amplifier Head - Peavey 6505 by American Musical Supply

Peavey 6505 Guitar Amplifier Head - Peavey 6505

American Musical Supply

American Musical Supply

Reviews

PROS

  • Classic, powerful, beefy tone for brutal metal guitar

  • Ideal for metal genres with high gain settings

  • Suitable for studio and rehearsal spaces

  • Versatile from ODs to high gain settings

CONS

  • Not optimal for music requiring strong low end

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head.

Use cases and applications

  • Owners note that turning down the guitar's volume knob can unlock the amp's versatility, offering more tonal control.

    Source
  • Owners note that the 6505MH is often used at 5 watts for home play, suggesting it's more practical for smaller spaces than the full 120-watt version.

    Source
  • The 6505+ is highly effective for aggressive sub-genres of punk, achieving a thrashier, ice-picky tone ideal for palm muting.

    Source
  • For achieving heavy, tight riffs in genres like metalcore and death metal, the 6505+ with a 4x12 cab is highly recommended by existing users.

    Source

User experience

  • A user reports trimming the bass can tighten the sound on the 6505, adding that running the tubes hot enhances warmth and tone.

    Source
  • Using a graphic EQ in the effects loop can help achieve a broader range of tones, providing more versatility for different styles.

    Source
  • The 120-watt Peavey 6505+ retains tight saturation at higher preamp levels, unlike the 60-watt version, which can become muddy.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The 6505's headroom at high volumes outperforms many amps under 50 watts, offering tighter, cleaner tones for metal genres.

    Source
  • The 6505+ pairs well with a Marshall 4x12 cab, which some users find enhances its clean tones significantly.

    Source
  • The 6505+ 112 combo connected to a 212 cabinet with Vintage 30 speakers offers significant tonal improvement, suggested by owners who upgraded from smaller setups.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Several users recommend using a power soak or attenuator to manage the 6505's volume for home use, though cost concerns are common.

    Source
  • Swapping "shit-field" speakers with Eminence in an X pattern drastically improves tone quality, as reported by users.

    Source
  • Upgrading the Peavey 6505+ tubes to EL34s can provide a more aggressive tone, according to owner experiences.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 6505 master volume has a decent taper, allowing for manageable sound levels even in smaller settings, despite its high wattage.

    Source
  • The bright switch on the 6505+ is effective on the crunch mode, adding more bite to the sound.

    Source
  • The Peavey 6505+ offers smoother volume control at low settings compared to some smaller amps, making it more manageable for bedroom use.

    Source
  • The Peavey 6505+ clean channel benefits significantly from adding a compressor, which enhances its usability and warmth.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Peavey 6505 1992 Original Review | GuitarPlayer

guitarplayer.com

The Peavey 6505 1992 Original is a powerhouse amp head that excels in delivering heavy, raw metal tones with ease. Praised for its simplicity and robust sound, it offers a massive gain range and a user-friendly control layout perfect for metal enthusiasts who appreciate straightforward, no-frills equipment. While it doesn't boast modern extras like multi-channel options or MIDI, its pure, unadulterated sound makes it a standout for those seeking maximum impact at high volumes. The review is overwhelmingly positive, with no significant drawbacks noted.

positive
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 41 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
koncha6

I like it

Previously, when I was recording in a studio in my city, there was this tube head with a cabinet .. and to be honest, it’s a very cool amplifier, although it wasn’t very suitable for the music I made because of its “low end”, but in my opinion it’s excellent for a studio or rehearsal space option !

chadwicktwofive

Metal Monster!!

I have the new 6505 1992 Original and it's a monster!!! Metal machine!!!

jordan_niedzielski

A machine made to kill.

What can I say? When it comes to brutal metal guitar tone, Peavey 6506 is an absolute classic and class for itself. The amonunt of powerful, beefy tone it generates could feed Africa for, like, a decade.

lucas_conforti

the Beast

You can go wrong with this head if you wanna from ODs to Hi hgain settings.

ron_kaulins

Metal Queen.

The Metal Queen of amps that are good for metal.

jimmarchi1

wait, is it good for playng metal?

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Pat Smear uses Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head

Pat Smear

Guitarist

Nirvana

...
Verified via Photo

Pat is seen in this image playing through a Peavey 6505.

See how Misha Mansoor uses Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head

Misha Mansoor

Guitarist, Drummer

Periphery

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Misha's gear is also shown to consist of a regular 6505 amp head.

See how Ola Englund uses Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head

Ola Englund

Guitarist, Podcasters & Streamers

Six Feet Under

...
Verified via YouTube

The amp can be seen on this video.

See how Matt Heafy uses Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head

Matt Heafy

Podcasters & Streamers, Guitarist

Trivium

...
Verified via Photo

Matt has a 6505 amp in his collection. He states that throughout trivium’s history, they have always used a 5150 style amp. Either a peavey 5150, evh 5150 III, or a Peavey 6505

See how Paul Gray (2) uses Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head

Paul Gray (2)

Singer, Bassist

Slipknot

...
Verified via Backstageauctions

According to this auction listing by backstagauctions.com, Paul Gray used a Peavey 6505.

See how Max Cavalera uses Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head

Max Cavalera

Singer, Guitarist

Sepultura

...
Verified via Photo

This image shows the equipment used by Max for the band Cavalera Conspiracy. The rig includes a Peavey 6505 head. Source.

See how Matthew Tuck uses Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head

Matthew Tuck

Singer, Guitarist

Bullet for My Valentine

...
Verified via YouTube

Peavey 6505 at 3:33

See how Varg Vikernes uses Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head

Varg Vikernes

Guitarist, Bassist

Mayhem

...
Verified via Photo

Varg Vikernes is shown using the Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head in a photo from Burzum, highlighting its role in his music creation.

See how Michael Paget uses Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head

Michael Paget

Guitarist

Bullet for My Valentine

...
Verified via YouTube

Peavey 6505 at 3:17

See how Robb Flynn uses Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head

Robb Flynn

Singer, Guitarist

Machine Head

...
Verified via Photo

According to a Peavey article from April 2012 celebrating 20 years of the 6505 amp, Robb Flynn is a longtime user of it:

"Machine Head’s Robb Flynn has used the amp since the recording sessions for his band’s debut, Burn My Eyes, in the early ‘90s. “We were trying to get a modern, heavy tone,” he said. “And when we came across [the 6505], it was crushing. It’s got a really incredible midrange growl that works so well.”"

See how Ted Nugent uses Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head

Ted Nugent

Guitarist, Singer

Damn Yankees

...
Verified via YouTube

Today, Ted Nugent uses Peavey 6505 heads onstage. According to Nugent at (15:40), he experimented with Peavy 5150s while playing with his band the Damn Yankees, “just as an experiment…It sounded awesome. And so I stuck with it and today I’m using 6505s.”

See how Corey Beaulieu uses Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head

Corey Beaulieu

Guitarist

Trivium

...
Verified via Guitargeek

"A detailed gear diagram of Corey Beaulieu's Trivium stage setup that traces the signal flow of the equipment in his 2010 guitar rig. Corey was interview for this guitar rig."

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 Guitar Amp Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

6 alternative and related items for Peavey 6505 Guitar Amp Head, curated by the Equipboard community.

Peavey 6505+ 120-Watt Tube Guitar Amp Head

$599.00 - $1,999.99

similar sound

6505+ has a higher gain lead channel and a lower gain clean channel for clean (plus a crunch switch to make the clean channel high gain also)

Peavey 6505 Mini Head

$599.00 - $899.99

newer similar sound cheaper alternative

This mini marvel is a testament to Peavey's expert craftsmanship, delivering the much-loved tones of the legendary series in a portable package. The 6505 Mini Head is a tube guitar amplifier that offers a potent blend of classic crunch and modern versatility, making it the perfect companion for musicians on the go.

Laney Ironheart IRT120H

$979.00 - $1,779.00

similar sound cheaper alternative

Laney tends to be excellent at manufacturing mid-priced clones of famous amplifiers.

Peavey 6505+ 112

$418.28 - $799.99

similar sound cheaper alternative

Peavey 6505+ but in combo amp format. 60 watts and 1 12” speaker.

Peavey 6505 II 120-Watt Tube Head

$1,518.84 - $1,999.99

newer similar sound

Peavey's 6505 II marks the 30th anniversary of one of metal's most iconic guitar amplifiers. Armed with six 12AX7 preamp tubes, a 6L6GC-fueled power section, and a custom-built output transformer, this 120-watt behemoth is true to form, both cosmetically and sonically, to the original 6505 — right down to the plexiglass on its front. This footswitchable 2-channel tube head includes a 3-band EQ, plus Resonance and Presence knobs, on each channel. You also get per-channel Pre gain and Post gain controls. What's more, a footswitchable Crunch boost and Bright switch on the Rhythm channel propel you from spanking cleans to a full-blown pyroclastic surge without missing a beat. A Preamp Out jack and an effects loop round out the 6505 II's arena-ready features. If you want to harness the sound of modern metal, the 6505 II is the latest iteration of the amp that originally defined it.

Peavey 6505 1992 Original 120-watt Tube Head

$1,380.68 - $1,699.99

newer similar sound

Armed with five 12AX7 preamp tubes, a 6L6GC-fueled power section, and a custom-built output transformer, this 120-watt fire-breather is a spot-on re-creation of the early-'90s classic.

More Peavey Guitar Amplifier Heads

Community setups

Gear Guides

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