Peavey 6505 212 Combo

Not sure when the amp was made, but sometime within the last 4 years. It is plenty versatile for what I play, which is metal. 2 footswitchable channels, all tube, effects loop, shared eq, separate pre and post gain for each channel, global resonance and presence controls, built in reverb, crunch switch on the rhythm channel, 2 12 inch speakers, 60 watts. I am currently using this at home and at practices. Volume on 3 is deafening. Volume on 1 is loud enough to play with a drummer. Over 2 will drown one out. It has plenty of power. Not a lot of feature, but I am a KISS kind of guy, so its perfect for me.

I am using this with an ibanez sz720 and an esp/ltd ninja-600. Both have mustaine signature livewires from seymour duncan. This thing just eats, breathes, bleeds, and lives metal. Clean is good enough. Crunch is good for lower gain stuff, if you are into that. Put a boost on the crunch and you are in metal territory. Switch over to lead, and this is where this amp lives. Simply and utterly dominates almost all other amps. It is loud, punchy, mean, aggressive, in your face, pissed off, and just all out br00talz sounding. This is seriously the best metal amp that you can buy at this price point. Nothing can even come close to this sound and tone. Of course, it is pretty noisy at any volume, as with most high gain amps...get a noise gate. I can get some decent clean tones out of it, but this is NOT why people buy this amp....you buy it for the metal toanz. I havent really cranked the clean past 3, though thats plenty loud for most situations, and it stays clean that high. This is the absolute most brutal amp you can buy for this price.

This is a tried and true amp. I would depend on it without a backup, but I would of course have a fresh set of tubes handy....you never know with tubes. No issues with reliability other than tubes, and thats just general maintenance.

Peavey is great. They answers emails pretty quick, and with useful/helpful answers. Never had to do any repairs, but I have a warranty, and I am sure it would go smoothly if I needed to use it.

Overall, this thing gets a 10 for me. It is all I need and nothing I dont. I have been playing guitar for over 11 years. I have owned too much gear to even think about. Nothing has stuck around for more than 8 months. I think this amp will change that though. I have no intention of selling this...ever. Its simply incredible. You wont find this tone in anything else. I love the sound, the features. The only thing I do not like is the weight....its like 85 pounds. I got this for free off craigslist. It was "broken" (output jack was loose) but I was able to repair it and now its a fantastic piece of gear that I will never let go of. I wouldnt change anything about this amp. Thanks for an excellent product, Peavey.

Not sure when this amp was made, sometime within the last 4 years. This amp is plenty versatile for what I play, I play metal. 2 footswitchable all tube channels, footswitchable reverb, effects loop, crunch switch on the rhythm channel, sealed back 212, reverb you probably know the drill on this beast by now. I use all of the features this amp has, except maybe the effects loop. I dont think this amp needs anything else. It was made to be what it is. Very bare bones, basic amp. Pretty much all you need. I use this at home and at practice. 60 watts is plenty power for any one not playing stadiums.

There is a reason the Peavey 5150/6505 series is legendary for metal, and plain and simple, that reason is...TONE. This thing just drips tone. It is absolutely the most incredible sounding amp you can get at this price point for metal. People rag on the clean channel, but I find it actually quite good. Certainly not Fender clean, but very useable and very clean sounding if you set it up correctly. The crunch on the rhythm channel is a great little feature. You can get some pretty amazing tones out of it, but I dont use it too much. The lead channel is what I got this beast for. Loads and loads of searing metal distortion. With all amps I have played in the past, I have had to have the gain up to about 9 or 10. This amp, 6. Thats right, it has enough gain to melt your face at 6. Talk about loud as all hell too. There are simply NO bad things to say about the tone of this amp. I play metal, so obviously this thing fits the bill absolutely perfectly. Why do you think so many pros use this? Its cheap, reliable, and sounds simply incredible. I will say that it is very noisy. You will need a noise gate with this beast, and thats in any situation where you arent only playing clean. People complain about this amp not being versatile. They must not know how to use it. I can get any sound I want out of it. From blues and jazz clean, to light crunch distortion, to heavy crunch, to all out searing metal. I havent tested the clean channel at super high volumes, but it will probably start to break up pretty easily. The amp is LOUD even at volume 2...to the point where picture frames start rattling on my walls. The distortion on this thing is ABSOLUTELY BR00TALZ!!!!!

I would take this thing anywhere without a backup. They have been the go to amp for metal guitarists for the past 15 years for a reason. This thing is built like a tank (and weighs about as much at 85 pounds). The build quality of these things is nothing less than stellar.

I have dealt with Peavey for schematics on other amps and I have always gotten timely, courteous, and helpful responses.

Overall, this amp is simply a fantastic deal. If you want fendery clean or marshally crunch or mesa distortion, get one of those amps and spend twice as much. If you want something for all out balls to the walls searing metal, with a clean on the side, then this amp is certainly for you. Built and sounds like a tank, pretty much. No one can steal this thing...its 85 freakin pounds...good luck lol, but if it were stolen, I would buy another one same day. I love everything about this amp. I would not change a thing. It is as simple as they come, and as full of tone as they come as well. I cannot say enough good things about it. I got this randomly for free from some one who said it was broken. I fixed it (some solder on the input jack) and now it works perfectly, so I wasnt really planning on getting it, and thus I didnt compare it to other amps. However, I have played the line 6 spider valve, Peavey JSX, and Peavey Triple XXX extensively, and this one certainly has more tone. If you need versatility, go with the JSX. If you need metal, maybe clean every now and then, get the 6505. I would recommend the combo over the head and cab as well. The stack does have the cool factor, but the head is biased MUCH lower, causing the clean to sound subpar and giving you more of a harsh sounding distortion. Or get the head and have it FJA modded.

the amp. was made in 2006; but bought it brand new from zzounds. you can play anything with it but, its primary use is for high gain operation! has 2 channels-rythem & lead-the rythem channel has a bright & crunch option-this can be used for your clean & rythem. also has 2 options for both channels high & low gain operation. the bright & crunch only can be used on the rythem channel. it has a eq & spring reverb, effects loop & line out. loud as hell!! hisses pretty good when really pushed-changing tubes is not the cure-the hiss is caused by extreme gain it provides & the amps. circutery.

it is perfect for my taste! i play a kramer baretta with a duncan 78 custom evh pick-up, rear loaded slanted-cts volume pot, real floyd rose tremblo-perfect amp. for this guitar and my playing style! i play live every weekend in venues for about 300 to 700 people-does not need to be miked-again its very loud& clear! if you play clean, push it too hard, it starts to break up; not too the point of a problem. plenty of natural distortation-the only pedals i use with it when needed are-crybaby with fasal, mxr evh phase 90, flanger,delay-sometimes super comp.

no fear of it breaking down-gig all the time without a back-up! i do also have a hughes&kettner switchblade-hardly ever use that anymore, very good amp.,but the 6505 smokes it!! probably would be a good idea to carry a extra set of tubes & fuses, but so far i have not & i push it very hard!!

it is a very heavy amp.-not for the fragile, back breaker! personally i had a flight case custom built for it for protection & mobility-casters installed on the glider part of case not on the amp. do not install casters on the amp!!!! dealt with peavey 1 time so far-the left carry strap cracked-they replaced it, but tried to get me for shipping! not too cool , the amp was 2 weeks old! i talked to a superviser, & it was waived. it has a pretty good warrenty-hope i don"t have to use it, seems like peavey tries to nickel& dime people!!

i"ve been playing for about 20 years on &off.too much gear to list. if it were lost or stolen i would buy another one-it exceeds my expectations! i researched for months on many, many amps.& played them before pulling the trigger on this beast-very satisified! i"m glad it does not have on-board effects-like using my own or none.

This amp was used.I don't know the year it was made.It reminds me of a JCM 800 on steriods.
It's more than versatile and PLENTY LOUD.Matter of fact most times I'm asked if I could turn it down.This amp has held it's own up against half stacks,loud pa systems and even LOUDER DRUMMERS!!!.I play Heavy Metal and this amp cuts through the mix.Period.
It's got two switchable channels,Reverb,Effects loop and a external speaker out.The lead channel sounds thin sometimes.

Excellent distortion sounds.Responsive EQ,good construction of cabinet.Yeah it's noisy.

Pretty reliable so far.I have blown a few fuses lately.Besides that I'm impressed to say the least.

I've been playing 20+ years and I' replace it if stolen.Love the tone hate the weight.

made in 2006
you know all the features

Love the tone, takes some tweaking to get it right. very reactive to level and tone adjustments on my les paul. A bit harsh with my strat, sounds a bit strained and not as smooth. Funny cause my strat is fat and smooth with my fender deville. Has decent clarity on chords.

Very poor for a peavey. I had a 5150 for about 5 years, it never gave me any problems, sold it and bought my deville, it is prefect, always. decided I really had not grown up and missed my 5150, bought my 6505, it let the smoke out in the first 20 minuits. 2 months getting fixed, brought it home, blew up again, 2 hours this time. It died when I turned the lead pre DOWN from 9 to 6, then just zork, and that was it again. No pedals, no external FX, stock les paul with a 490 and 498. This is the death nell for this amp with me, it is going back, and staying. I am going to try the XXX with a 1960 cab, guess I will see if peavey has just gone to crap, or if I just got a lemon. Would I gig with out a back up, no, would I trust this amp, no NEVER. Kind of pisses me off when my Fender has been ratbagged over and over again. Once I even found some old (like 30 years old) 6L6's, jammed them in the fender and cranked it with a tone bone hot british pedal, and played til the tubes actually melted inside, blew the fuse and the amp shut down. Put my stock tubes back in, changed the fuse, and off it went again.

guess we will see. dealer has been excellent(music center canada)

Anything else I wish it had? the ability to make noise on a regular basis.

this amp was made for one thing METAL if you dont like hard rock or metal dont buy it.it is very limited again (metal)clean is fair not fender clean.if u do buy this amp CHANGE THE TUBES!!!!!it will make a world of diff. yes it hisses again (metal)changing tubes will help this problem.this amp is crazy loud and heavy if you are looking for a apartment amp this ant it i rarely go past 1

this amp by far has the best distortion then ANY amp i have ever had and i had lots mesa rec, marshal,creat,krank,b52...and this amp beats them all in distortion.spend time tweeking to find your sound dont dime anything!

built to last forever never had a problem yea i gig with it takes 2 to carry it.just remmber to CHANGE THE TUBES what tubes you say..jj are good but can be alittle weak when pushed you will just have to try lots till your happy.

never dealt with peavey never had

been playing for 28 years i play a gibson lp custom, fender,peavey hp sig. usa. if it were stolen they would not get far 85lbs there back would brake.love the distortion dont hate any thing.if you are looking for crushing metal this is the amp you seek.if you are looking for a good clean amp look some were els.yes it is hissy change tubes or get a hush stomp box.yes its loud dont try to run a power brake it will kill the tone

This is a basic tube amp with standard controls for tone etc. The cabinet is closed so that the sound is deeper - like a cabinet.

The sound quality is what you'd expect for an amp modelled by EVH. Hey you like blues? DOnt buy the am. You like high gain leads? Buy it. Want a killer loud 2x12 combo? Buy it.

I've owned a few peaveys (still have my Solist Bandit 75 form 87 and its in perfect condition.

The 6505 is heavey, very solid.

Havent used them.

Overall this is a hard rcok - metal amp. It has the basic controls you'd expect - no effects onboard which I prefer. The cabinet is solid, controls are solid, lots of power and sounds good.

The amp is basically the"5150". It became the6505 in 2005. It is an all tube 2-channel combo with an enclosed back. The fat low end thump from this unit is comparable to that of a half stack. The gain is very high giving you plenty of distortion and sustain on the lead channel. The clean channel has a crunch switch on the amp control panel that gives a lighter gain for rhythm playing. Both channels have seperate E.Q. I only wish there was a third channel so I could switch between clean, dirty and high gain. But you can switch between the two channels with the footswitch. The clean will break up a little if you require a high stage volume. But the amp sounds great and is perfect for hard rock and metal. I use it on stage and it has more than enough power for me, even with hard hitting drummers. The low end is unbeatable in a combo amp!

I have only had the amp a few weeks but it's reputation as a solid workhorse is encouraging. I only use one amp on stage since my effects unit can run me direct in case of emergency. But I trust Peavey's products.

Haven't had to use a warranty repair.

I have been playing 26 years. I own some peavey P.A. gear and a boss Gt-6 processor. So far this is the best sounding amp I have owned. The crate tube amp I had before was unreliable and had a muddy lead channel. Before that was a peavey solid state amp. Other than adding a third channel, this amp doesn't need anything else. It makes it's presence known and you can't beat it for crunchy rhythms and crisp, separated highs. It sure is heavy. Use a dolly when possible. I would not install wheels on an enclosed cabinet.

New Peavey 6505 2x12 combo, all tube 60 watts. Overall, the amp is very basic. Has 2 channels, a rhythm and lead. There isn't a "clean" channel, considering this isn't what this amp was built for. The amp was built for one purpose - high gain distortion for leads, more geared towards the metal-head/death metal junky, however, I still think this particular amp has its downfalls. The fact that both channels share EQ...is almost a shame. For the price, it's really not that special in the features department.

First thing I noticed is that this amp is LOUD. I could chug right along at practice with the amp on 2-3. Do NOT worry about this amp not being loud enough. Don't even think it.

I found that this amp is pretty damned noisy at usable volumes. Likes to screech and wail, even with presence down.

The amp itself wasn't designed for cleans. Don't buy this amp expecting clean cleans. It wasn't built for this, HOWEVER, I think most people make it out to be worse than it is. The amp can acheive decent cleans on the rhythm channel, but gigging wise, the clean can become easily saturated, which is to be expected.

To be honest, there isn't much variety in the tonal options of this amp. I Eq'd mine for the longest time, and I couldn't get anything to cut through. Most of it was just muddy static. The presence was compeltely unresponsive to the rest of the amp. The amp was either completely muddy and lifeless or extremely shrill and grainy. I just found my amp to be lifeless and dull. There just wasn't anything to it to make it stand out.

Those who play extremely down-tuned, or death metal will enjoy this amp, they really will. It's got more than enough gain, and is very dark sounding. I find that these particular amps are good for that and that only.

Well, it is a Peavey. Mine was freaking solid as hell, considering it weighed a lot. It is a workhorse with proven reliability, thats for sure.

Won't comment. Never had to deal with them

I've been playing strong for a while now. I've been playing long enough to pick out good tone from bad, and my ear has strayed away from this particular amp. The amp is very basic and has no variability to it, and lacks any warmth or emotion. Mine couldn't cut through the mix at all. However, if you play in a death metal band and are looking for one particular sound, this amp just might be your everlasting ticket. The amp is dark and heavy, that is for sure!

Also, let it be known that this is the most pain in the ass amplifier to ever own. Honestly, probably one of the worst amps to ever buy. Everybody can agree with me on this one I'd think. The amp itself is so big, heavy, and awkward to move its almost ridiculous. If you buy the 6505 combo, be prepared to buy casters for it! If you aren't gigging every night with a nice trailor to roll this amp up into, it will be a pain. One of the biggest mistakes was making the 6505/5150's into combo versions. Do yourself a favor, and if you're looking into these kinds of amps, go ahead and spring for the halfstack, or a head and a 2x12 cabinet. Better yet, I'd still recommend the 5150 II's over these any day. I just wasn't impressed at all.

The amp was new at a store. It specializes in high gain sounds. man, this amp is really hot. I never heard an amp that sounds like this before. it has a clean channel, but I didn't even bother checking it out since the amp is supposed to be for heavy stuff.

this amp was designed by Eddie van halen to get the same saturated sound he got with is marshalls cranked all the way up, at low volumes. the sustain and compression you get from this thing is amazing. the amount of gain it has is over the top. one of the unique features of this amp is the resonace and presnece controls, these controls can really change the character of the sound by varying the range of the bass and treble frequencies. I like them relatively low for a tight sound. I also like the presence low so the sound isn't too abrasive to the ears. if you want a fatter and raspy sound, this amp can do it without a problem. turn up the resonance knob and you get gobs and gobs of bass response without and flubbyness.

For metal I think this one rules. just a bad ass amplifier coz it has an EXTREME amount of gain.

it costs 999 for this amp. pretty pricey but if you can find one on ebay for half the price, it would be an awesome deal. this amp is the shit for high gain stuff!