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The 6534+ takes the same concept as the metal-favourite the 6505+, adds some EL34s and gives it a more Marshall-like flavour.

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So all this started with Edward Van Halen and the 5150 amp back in 1991, designed for no-compromise, full-on heavy rock.

Short story: EVH went elsewhere in 2004, so Peavey evolved the 5150 amps into what we now know as the 6505 range the following year. They remain hugely popular among the hard rock and metal fraternity, thanks in no small part - in the 6505+'s case - to the seemingly endless gain you can squeeze from the six 12AX7 valves in the preamp.

This new variant offers an alternative on that theme via a quartet of EL34 power valves instead of the 6505's 6L6es. EL34s are what you'd associate with the tighter bottom-end, crunching midrange, British-derived rock tones of Marshall fame. Be assured, though - this is no Marshall clone.

Now, Peavey describes the 6534+ as a metal amp primarily, but as the company's product development general manager Fred Poole tells us, the clean side has been re-evaluated, too.

"The EL34s are what you'd associate with the tighter bottom-end, British-derived rock tones of Marshall fame."

"The idea for the 6534+ really came from a mod that was popular with some of the engineers that work here. It was the most popular after-market 6505+ modification too, so we just decided to offer it to our customers right out of the gate," he says.

"The mod, which is only applicable to the rhythm channel, allows that channel to clean up a little better as it has less 'grit' at more substantial preamp volumes. The mod also increases the rhythm channel's low end."

The 6534+ front panel is the same as the 6505+: two channels, each with independent three-band EQs plus pre and post (master volume and gain) controls. In addition, each channel features separate resonance and presence pots and the rhythm channel also boasts its own bright switch.