Hartley Peavey  founded Peavey Electronics in 1965 after building his first amplifier in 1957. Since its foundation, Peavey Guitars has been privately owned, and has grown massively from their humble beginnings in Hartley's basement in 1950s.

The company maintains a museum featuring memorabilia related to Peavey Guitars and its notable users which include Eddie Van Halen and the Taylor brothers from Duran Duran.