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Average Price: $198

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$801+

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Description

The Peavey 6505 Piranha is a compact powerhouse that brings legendary tone to your fingertips. Packed into a petite form, this micro guitar head is engineered for musicians who crave versatility without compromise. With a solid state power amp paired with a genuine 12AX7 tube preamp, the Piranha delivers a robust 20W of hybrid power, capable of producing everything from rich, melodic cleans to aggressive, overdriven growls.

Designed for the modern guitarist, the Piranha features switchable dual guitar voicings and a built-in effects loop, allowing for seamless integration with your pedalboard or studio setup. Its onboard equalization control offers precision tone sculpting, making it ideal for both practice sessions and recording projects. The compact size ensures it fits effortlessly into any space, while its intuitive interface makes dialing in your desired sound a breeze.

Whether you’re a bedroom rocker looking to keep things quiet or a seasoned pro in need of a reliable backup, the Peavey 6505 Piranha is your ticket to big sound in a small package.

Key Features:

  • 20W hybrid power with solid state power amp and 12AX7 tube preamp
  • Switchable dual guitar voicings
  • Onboard equalization control
  • Built-in effects loop for seamless pedal integration
  • Compact design for easy placement and portability

Product specs

Brand Peavey
Model 6505 Piranha Micro Guitar Head
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Categories Guitar Heads
Color Family Black
Electronics Hybrid
Impedance 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 1 Input
Output Power (Watts) 20
Power Tube Type None
Powered Unpowered
Reverb None

FAQs

What type of amplifier is the Peavey 6505 Piranha?

The Peavey 6505 Piranha is a micro guitar head amplifier with a hybrid design, combining solid-state and tube elements for versatile sound.

How much power does the Peavey 6505 Piranha output?

The Peavey 6505 Piranha delivers 20 watts of power, making it suitable for practice sessions and small gigs.

What are the impedance options for the Peavey 6505 Piranha?

The Peavey 6505 Piranha supports 16 ohms, 8 ohms, and 4 ohms impedance, offering flexibility with different speaker cabinets.

Does the Peavey 6505 Piranha have built-in reverb?

No, the Peavey 6505 Piranha does not have built-in reverb.

How many channels does the Peavey 6505 Piranha have?

The Peavey 6505 Piranha features two channels, allowing for a range of tones from clean to high-gain distortion.

Ola Englund

Ola Englund

WILL IT CHUG? - Peavey 6505 Piranha

Video thumbnail for WILL IT CHUG? - Peavey 6505 Piranha by Ola Englund

WILL IT CHUG? - Peavey 6505 Piranha

Ola Englund

Ola Englund

Video thumbnail for Orange Micro Dark vs Peavey 6505 Piranha - LETS FIGHT! by Rob Chapman

Orange Micro Dark vs Peavey 6505 Piranha - LETS FIGHT!

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

Video thumbnail for Peavey 6505 Piranha - Demo by Riffs, Beards & Gear

Peavey 6505 Piranha - Demo

Riffs, Beards & Gear

Riffs, Beards & Gear

Video thumbnail for Peavey 6505 Piranha Micro Head review by Guitar Nerds

Peavey 6505 Piranha Micro Head review

Guitar Nerds

Guitar Nerds

Video thumbnail for Peavey 6505 Piranha Micro Head Demo || The Cutest Hi-Gain Amp Head?? by Agufish

Peavey 6505 Piranha Micro Head Demo || The Cutest Hi-Gain Amp Head??

Agufish

Agufish

Video thumbnail for Peavey 6505 Piranha Micro Head - Metal Demo by Numbskull Audio Production

Peavey 6505 Piranha Micro Head - Metal Demo

Numbskull Audio Production

Numbskull Audio Production

Video thumbnail for Peavey 6505 Piranha Micro Head by Guitar World

Peavey 6505 Piranha Micro Head

Guitar World

Guitar World

Video thumbnail for Peavey 6505 Piranha - Demo & Review by BoyntonProAudio

Peavey 6505 Piranha - Demo & Review

BoyntonProAudio

BoyntonProAudio

Reviews

PROS

  • Packs serious power for a small amp, perfect for practice or small gigs

  • Distortion tone is well-suited for heavy metal, especially at higher volumes

  • Compact and portable, easy to transport and use in various settings

  • Easy tube swapping allows for experimentation with different sound "flavors"

  • Works well with effects pedals, enhancing its versatility

  • Buffered effects loop adds flexibility for additional effects

  • Offers the classic 5150 sound in a smaller package

  • Loud enough for full band practice despite its size

CONS

  • Lacks bass, making sound thinner in some settings

  • EQ options are limited, with "Full" side often too muddy

  • Only supports 4 ohm output, limiting speaker compatibility

  • Crunch channel less desirable than a clean channel for some users

  • Sounds flabby and muddy at low bedroom volumes without pushing the speaker

Owner Insights

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

Comparisons

  • The Peavey 6505 MH offers significantly more low-end punch than the Piranha, making it preferable for metal tones.

    Source
  • The Joyo Zombie is suggested as a cheaper alternative to the Piranha for those on a tight budget, offering better performance for heavy rock.

    Source
  • Unlike the Orange Micro Terrors, the Piranha offers two channels, which is highlighted as a beneficial feature for versatility in sound.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Piranha's gain is described as weak, providing a heavy crunch at best, which may not satisfy metal enthusiasts seeking high-gain tones.

    Source
  • Concerns about the Piranha's limited EQ control, having only a mid-sweep knob, are mentioned as potentially impacting tone customization.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Piranha is perceived as suitable for bedroom practice due to its size and price, yet its 20W power may be excessive for home use without attenuation.

    Source
  • Some users view the Piranha as a toy or secondary amp to complement larger, more powerful Peavey heads for fun experimentation.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Priced at $179, the Piranha is seen as a cost-effective option for those unable to afford larger amp heads, though not significantly cheaper than some micro heads.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Peavey 6505 Piranha review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Despite its small size, the Peavey 6505 Piranha packs a punch with impressive gain and tone, making it a solid choice for metal enthusiasts. The inclusion of an effects loop adds versatility, and the amp can handle small gigs with ease. However, its high hiss level might deter some home or recording users, and it comes at a higher price compared to the Orange Micro Dark. For those seeking clean tones, this isn't the ideal choice. Overall, the Piranha delivers signature 6505 metal tones, whether using humbuckers or single coils.

positive

4.0 out of 5

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