I just got home from a 5 hour stint at Guitar Center, where they had a VH4 and a Herbert. I played them side-by-side for a very long time. I brought in three guitars with me: '79 Les Paul Custom, PRS Singlecut and a gutted Jackson Dinky with EMG 85/81, tuned down a step. Both amps were played thru the same Mesa 2x12 cab with V30's in the store's loud room.
I got to crank both of these amps up and ran them thru the gamut of sounds. Without going into too much detail, the Herbert has a better clean channel. It is slightly less tight than the VH4's and a little warmer. It is like a cross between the bell-like chime of a Vox and the crystal twang of a Fender. Channel 2 (-) and Channel 2 of the VH4 are similar, but again the Herbert is a little less tight and the VH4 is more compressed. Gain structure is similar and both can cop equally nice low-gain to mid-gain sounds. Channel 3 on the VH4 is just... well... it's probably the best high-gain sound I've ever heard in my life. It's tight, punchy, mid-heavy, slightly more compressed than the Herbert and just has balls, balls, balls. The Herbert in Channel 2 (+) is equally awesome, but it is a bit more open sounding and slightly more scooped in its voicing, even with the mids cranked to 3:00. For the most part, I played both amps with the EQ flat (Set to 12:00 across the board), except for the mid control, which I tended to crank. Herbert Channel 2 (+) is great for pretty much any high-gain sound, but would tend to shine for modern metal. VH4 Channel 3 is great for metal as well, but has a unique sound and feel which you tend not to hear in modern metal music. It's great for the stuff that I play (progressive rock and metal).
Channel 3 of the Herbert and Channel 4 of the VH4 are both way-over-the-top gain and compression. They are totally useable for leads as well as insane rhythm if need be. But, I didn't spend much time with these channels compared to the others. I'd say my home was channel 3 of the VH4 and channel 2 (+) of the Herbert. The Herbert's mid cut feature is nice for playing at low volumes during practice and such, but I don't see it being used live because it will decrease the amp's ability to cut in the mix. On recordings, it's totally useable.
I also tried both amps out with a Boss DD-3 in the FX loops. The Herbert has three (yes, three) different types of loops: serial, parallel, and switchable. I didn't really spend a lot of time tweaking the amp on each FX loop, though. I tried it in all three, but briefly. The loops are good, but I THINK
my Framus Dragon had a better loop. But, I can't be sure until I test it out more. The VH4 has a series, a parallel and individual channel inserts. I don't think the VH4 has a switchable loop? I don't see anything on the amp that would indicate that it does. To my ears, the VH4 has a better loop.
I'm pretty sure I sat there for a good hour trying to decide on which amp to get, after I had packed up my guitars. Initially, I decided to go with the Herbert. But, as the manager was packing it up for me, I felt an urge to go with the VH4 instead.
I only wish I could take them both. They are both very similar, yet very different at the same time. It's unnerving.
I decided to go with the VH4 because it is a more simple amp (I'll spend less time tweaking and more time playing), channel 3 is just incredible and the Herbert sounded like it may have an issue with preamp tubes (a slight metallic ping/squeal sometimes) or some other problem and since used amps don't have a warranty, I decided to play it safe and go with the VH4. It may not have been a problem at all, though. I couldn't be certain either way. Because I wasn't 100% sure the Herbert was working correctly, I went with the VH4. Although, I do have a 90 day period to play with the VH4 with the option of swapping it out for the Herbert at no penalty (Herbert was also number 1 of 450). So, that's where I'm at right now.
I am now the proud owner of a VH4 and a new Mesa 2x12. Goodbye Bad Cat!
On a side note, the manager told me these amps are indeed covered under Manufacturer warranty because they were brought in by Terry, himself, but marked as "used." But, could not get a hold of Terry to confirm.
When the guy who bought my Bad Cat was jamming out, the amp sounded great!
Oh, and I need a new avatar.
