Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $784
Standard/Professional
$300
$801+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Peavey 6505 Mini Head". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unveiling the Peavey 6505 Mini Head, a compact yet powerful embodiment of the iconic 6505 series. 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.
The 6505 Mini Head boasts two footswitchable channels that mirror the gain structure and voicing of its larger counterpart. You can effortlessly switch between a crisp clean channel and a high-gain lead channel, offering intense distortion ideal for metal and hard rock styles. The shared 3-band EQ, coupled with reverb and an effects loop, gives you full control over your sound. Push the pre-gain and post-gain knobs for saturated overdrive and soaring sustain.
Despite its compact size, the 6505 Mini Head comes packed with innovative features like Peavey's exclusive MSDI output for direct recording, a USB recording output, headphone output, and a speaker defeat switch for silent practice. The unique Tube Status Indication provides constant monitoring of your power tubes, keeping you informed about when it's time for replacement.
Weighing just over 15 pounds, this portable powerhouse is easy to transport, making it the ideal choice for gigs, jams, and studio sessions. It's versatile enough to drive your favorite 4x12 cab for full-size 6505 tone or pair it with a mini cab for lower-volume applications.
Key Features:
- Authentic tube-driven preamp and power amp
- Two footswitchable channels with the same gain structure and voicing as the full-size 6505
- 3-band EQ shared between channels
- Reverb and an effects loop
- Tube Status Indication for power tube monitoring
- MSDI output for direct recording
- USB recording output
- Headphone output
- Speaker defeat switch for silent practice
- Lightweight and portable design
Product specs
| Type | Tube |
| Number of Channels | 2 |
| Total Power | 20W/5W/1W |
| Preamp Tubes | 3 x 12AX7/ECC83 |
| Power Tubes | 2 x EL84 |
| Reverb | Yes |
| EQ | 3-band |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4" (speaker), 1 x XLR (mic simulated direct out) |
| Headphones | 1 x 1/8" |
| Effects Loop | Yes, Buffered |
| USB | 1 x Type B |
| Footswitch I/O | 2 x 1/4" (channel/crunch, reverb/loop) |
| Footswitch Included | Yes, 2-button footswitch |
| Computer Connectivity | USB |
| Construction Material | Black Tolex |
| Power Source | Standard IEC AC cable |
| Height | 7.25" |
| Width | 14" |
| Depth | 7.75" |
| Weight | 17 lbs. |
FAQs
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Peavey 6505 Mini Head?
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The Peavey 6505 Mini Head is renowned for its high-gain tones, making it ideal for rock and metal genres. It delivers the signature 6505 sound in a compact form, with powerful distortion and a tight low-end response.
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Is the Peavey 6505 Mini Head loud enough for live performances?
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Yes, the Peavey 6505 Mini Head offers 20 watts of power, which is suitable for small to medium-sized gigs. It also features power attenuation options (20W/5W/1W) for different performance settings, including home practice.
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Does the Peavey 6505 Mini Head have an effects loop?
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Yes, the Peavey 6505 Mini Head includes a buffered effects loop, allowing you to connect external effects pedals without compromising the amp's tone.
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Can I use the Peavey 6505 Mini Head for home recording?
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Absolutely, the Peavey 6505 Mini Head is equipped with a USB output for direct recording to your computer, making it a versatile choice for home studios.
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What are the connectivity options available on the Peavey 6505 Mini Head?
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The Peavey 6505 Mini Head features 1/4" speaker and XLR mic simulated direct out outputs, a 1/8" headphone jack, USB for computer connectivity, and footswitch I/O for channel and reverb control.
Videos
Rob Chapman
Peavey 6505 Mini Head - Devastating Tone.... said the Baboon!
Peavey 6505 Mini Head - Devastating Tone.... said the Baboon!
Rob Chapman
Peavey 6505 Mini Head Guitar Amplifier Demo by Sweetwater Sound
Sweetwater
Peavey 6505 MH - Metal | Pete Cottrell
Pete Cottrell
Peavey 6505 Mini Head Playthrough
BoyntonProAudio
Peavey 6505 MH 20 Watt Mini Head Demo at GAK
GAK
Peavey 6505 Mini Head - How Does It Hold Up?
High Impakt Audio
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional for metal with rich, adaptable tones
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Lightweight and portable for ease of transport
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Built-in reverb eliminates need for external unit
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Power scaling (1W, 5W, 20W) suits bedroom to stage volumes
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Handles pedals well for expanded sonic possibilities
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Maintains signature 6505 sound at lower volumes
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Direct out feature for easy recording or live use
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Versatile enough for genres beyond metal, including rock and blues
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Durable construction for reliability
CONS
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Clean channel and bright switch may not suit all preferences
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Some users report issues with the FX loop functionality
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Volume settings above half can risk damaging the amp
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High gain settings can overly color tone on lower wattage settings
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Footswitch feels cheap and plasticky
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Changing power amp tubes requires professional biasing, adding cost and inconvenience
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Sound quality may diminish over time, possibly due to tube wear
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Peavey 6505 Mini Head.
Build quality
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Some users are concerned about Peavey's quality assurance issues, citing past company practices and product reliability.
Source
User experience
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Swapping stock tubes for JJ tubes reportedly improves the amp's tone when paired with an open-back 1x12 cab with a V30 speaker.
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A user mentioned that, despite personal biases against Eddie Van Halen, the 6505+ is still their favorite amp, highlighting its strong performance.
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Owners report the Mini Head performs well for both gigging and bedroom volumes, providing versatility for different settings.
Source
Mods and upgrades
Comparisons
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A user chose the Peavey 6505 Mini Head over a Tiny Terror for its additional features and all-tube design, indicating its superior versatility.
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The Peavey 6505 Mini Head is noted for its attractive design compared to the Mesa Boogie, which some users find less appealing.
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The Peavey 6505 Mini Head uses diode phase inversion, unlike the Mesa Boogie, which affects the tonal characteristics in high-gain settings.
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The Mini Head uses EL84 tubes, while the 6505+ Combo uses 6L6 tubes, affecting the tonal preferences for high-gain metal.
Source
Use cases and applications
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Running the amp on 5 watts instead of 1 watt provides a fuller sound, making it a preferred setting for home use in apartments.
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For live performance and recording, using a Peavey 6505 Mini Head with a 2x12 cab is recommended for optimal sound against a drum set.
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The headphone out feature on the Mini Head is convenient for silent practice, although the sound quality is compromised.
Source
Features and functionality
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The amp's XLR out with cab simulation is practical but lacks high fidelity, making it suitable for utility rather than pristine recording.
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The Peavey 6505 Mini Head includes a built-in attenuator, allowing it to be used effectively at home without additional equipment.
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The Peavey 6505 Mini Head includes a USB option, enhancing its appeal for studio use.
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The Mini Head offers resonance and presence knobs to fine-tune low and high-end frequencies, enhancing tonal customization.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 7 Reviews and 36 Ratings
623
Affordable and Professional Face Melting Mayhem
UPDATE
As time has gone on, I’ve grown very disappointed with this amp. First off, the FX loop doesn’t work worth a damn. I’ve tried two different reverbs, a delay, and my 10-band EQ; and it doesn’t play nice with any of them. It’s almost like it overloads or something. I’m not an electrician, so I wouldn’t have the slightest idea where to start.
Second, the sound quality has diminished. It’s muddy, and I can’t seem to get my high end mids to make any sort of impact. Even though I run a Maxon OD-9 on the front; level 75%, drive 10%, and tone at 1 o’clock, it doesn’t seem to make much difference. I’ve tried every EQ setting I can think of on both channels: I’ve tried pushed mids, scooped, presence and resonance adjusted accordingly, and I just can’t get a good, sharp tone. I’m sure this is nothing more than a tube issue; I just can’t afford to replace them right now.
Furthermore, Musician’s Friend kinda screwed me on this because I found out they actually sent me a demo model, still charged me full price, and didn’t do anything about it. I’m assuming that some of my problems are related to this.
I’m hoping I can find someone who can help me with this sometime soon. Because of these issues, I can’t do better than 3 stars. I’ll update this again after I’ve had a chance to get it looked at by a professional.
I can’t say enough about this little 20W beast. I never believed it was possible to achieve truly professional tones on a bedroom setup until now. I’m thrilled that I have finally joined the 6505 club! Peavey somehow figured out a way to pack all the features (and a few more) of the 120w 6505 into a small package that can be utilized at lower volumes without sacrificing any tone quality, and has an affordable price tag. The bright switch creates clean tones that are way better than most people give it credit for; and the crunch voicing is seriously cool too. The lead channel is hotter than napalm when the gain is dialed in at 50%; but it is pure Armageddon when it’s dimed. This thing is the real deal and is very much a true 6505. I love the onboard attenuator; it really makes this thing amazing for home players like myself. It really pushes the EL84’s to the sweet spot. This thing truly is a fire breathing beast from hell!
87
perfect head for bedroom/studio/jam space/small venue metal
i only use the blue channel. eq in the loop. tube screamer and noise gate in front. i retired from chasing tone. now i just play. alot.
240
Pure metal
amazing metal tone sound just like it's big brother rich tone adjustable wattage. The speaker di is nice as well more factors then I'll list. Love it..
240
Pure metal
amazing metal tone sound just like it's big brother rich tone adjustable wattage. The speaker di is nice as well more factors then I'll list. Love it..
Artist usage
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"I’ve been waiting for this to arrive. I finally have it! mini 6505🤟🏼🎉😊 So cute, and solid!🤯"
In the "Studio Tour 2016" video by Riffs, Beards & Gear on YouTube, Fluff showcases the Peavey 6505 Mini Head, which was sent to him by Peavey.
In this post Gina can be seen using a peavey 6505 mini head. She used played peavey amps until joining baroness. She opts not to use this amp in baroness because it does not fit the sound baroness goes for
In the YouTube video titled "Brandon Ellis - Melodic Minor Scale Exercise," Brandon Ellis is seen using the Peavey 6505 Mini Head as his main amplifier.
Kai mentioned to Youngguitar.jp:
Peavey's 20W small head. The distortion sound is great, and he uses it mixed with Marshall sounds. This one was played with a Hughes & Kettner 2x12 cabinet.
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TJ was sent a 6505 mini head from the team at peavey
"Thank you @peaveyelectronics for sending me these awesome mini-amps! They took my home recording setup to the next level. #6505 #valveking #slamseason"
Cazqui has confirmed his use of the Peavey 6505 Mini Head for recording rhythm guitar tones by posting several images of this amp on his Instagram. He also mentions that he uses a Marshall amp for recording lead guitar tones.
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Peavey 6505 Mini Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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