United States · Est. 1965
Peavey
Reliable American amplifiers that defined the high gain sound of the 90s. The 5150, designed with Eddie Van Halen, is one of the most influential amplifiers in history.
About the brand
Peavey Electronics was founded in 1965 by Hartley Peavey in Meridian, Mississippi. Hartley built his first amplifier in his parents' garage with components bought with his savings. From that humble beginning, Peavey grew to become one of America's most important amplifier manufacturers, known for offering professional quality at fair prices.
Peavey's most influential amplifier is undoubtedly the 5150, designed in direct collaboration with Eddie Van Halen and launched in 1992. The 5150's high-gain channel defined the sound of American hard rock and metal in the 90s: dense, aggressive, with a sizzle in the highs that became the reference of the genre. Bands like Pantera, Fear Factory and Prong built their sound around the 5150.
When Eddie Van Halen left Peavey for Fender in 2004, Peavey renamed the model the 6505 and continued producing it. The 6505 and 6505+ remain reference amplifiers for metal and metalcore and are a common choice in recording studios and on stages worldwide.
Key facts
- Founded in 1965 by Hartley Peavey in Mississippi
- 5150 (1992): designed with Eddie Van Halen, defined American metal of the 90s
- Renamed 6505 in 2004, still in production and professional use
- Reference for price-to-performance ratio in the American market
Iconic models
5150
The amplifier created in collaboration with Eddie Van Halen that defined the metal sound of the 90s with its brutal high gain and fast attack response.
Classic 30
An affordable 30-watt valve combo that became the workhorse of countless country, rock and blues musicians for its reliability and versatility.
Triple XXX
A three-channel head with extreme high gain in the third channel, designed for metal guitarists who need cleans, crunch and high gain in a single amplifier.
Vypyr VIP
A versatile modelling amplifier that accepts electric guitar, acoustic and bass, with high-quality amplifier models and effects for practice and recording.