Peavey 6505 II the rebirth of that 1992 metal amp
Is the Peavey 6505 II too powerful?
4,3 / 5,0 | 
The Peavey 6505 II is a 120-watt all-tube metal machine and is available with an updated design for 2023. But does this 30-year-old amp design have an audience in the modern guitar world? Or is it just too loud?
Peavey 6505 II
The Peavey 6505 II is back! With six 12AX7 preamp tubes and four 6L6GC power amp tubes, it is a beast of an amp.
This now classic 30-year-old tube design had a bit of a revamp to give it an even better performance. Including a newly designed transformer and six preamp tubes when compared to the original 1992 model which had only five preamp tubes.
Twin Channels · Source: Peavey
Channels
It offers players two channels labelled Rhythm Channel and Clean Channel. The Rhythm Channel has a Crunch switch which is also foot-switchable and a Bright switch. This amp also has separate eq sections for both of the channels.
Tight Low Bottom
Then you have the power amp controls of Resonance and Presence for each channel. Along with Pre and Post Gain preamp controls for each channel as well. If you want a crushing amp drive, with a tight low end, then this amp is one to check out.
Peavey 6505 II rear · Source: Peavey
Connectivity
On the rear of the amp, you have an effects loop with a footswitch control and some very handy amp biasing points, for when you want to re-tube the power amp section. This amp can handle 16, 8, or 4-ohm speaker cabinets and will pummel your speakers if you let it.
There is a three-button footswitch included with this model and so you have plenty of control. It offers the ability to switch channels, engage the Crunch mode, and engage or bypass the effects loop.
MSRP – USD 1499
1992 · Source: Peavey
6505 1992
If you want a closer to the original version of the amp head, then Peavey also has the new 6505 1992 model available. This one has the standard five preamp tubes and it still has the modern updated transformer design for better consistency.
MSRP – USD 1299
Who is it for?
The real question for me though is who is using 120-watt all-tube amps in 2023? I get it if you are a touring musician filling large stages, or perhaps a recording studio that has a large live room/amp room. But for the rest of us, this amp may be a little too large for daily use.
I do really adore loud tube amps cooking and with all the controls dimed, and that’s why I have tinnitus in my right ear!
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5 responses to “Peavey 6505 II the rebirth of that 1992 metal amp”
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“I get it if you are a touring musician filling large stages”
Not really.. most of those people use Kempers and the like. You only need 120w if you’re not being amplified any further.
There are still a few that prefer large amps cranked. But I do agree with your comment.
For many Metalheads, this amp is just like a deliverance!
Redeem us from the Kemper scrap
just received the 6505 ii – already sending it back, the crunch channel was not working , no gain, preamp was also not working. additionally, the lead channel was less than impressive. a direct result from poor manufacturing with low grade/low quality parts. peavey lost there way a long time ago, but as we often do.. we try. moving on