Has anyone tried modding channel 1 on the VH4?

[shampoch]

hey shampoch, care to compare the VH4's cleans to the Vibro King and the Soho ?

All three are very good and very different. The Vibro~King is Fender at its best IMO, I use it's reverb to it's benefits for this amp. The 65amps is more VOX like and much different than the Fender. For example my 12 string RIC sounds dull throught the Fender and wonderful through the 65amps. The Diezel has a more crisp clean and you got it..."piano like"! Love the Diezel cleans!

 

[johnnyjellybean]

So this morning I did some extensive experimentation with the pre tubes. First of all, I didn't realize it but the tube I have in V1 is not a JJ but the factory TAD. Here's news for you, They are exactly the same! I tried going back to the chinese tube in V4 and that helped the clean sound quite a bit but there was "rizz" in the top end of all 3 other channels. Then I tried a JJ in V4 which helped and was kind of a compromise between the other 2 tube types. In the end, i put the longplate back in V4 because channel 2,3,4 sound their best like that. So.... I 've resolved myself to trying a different cap on the brightswitch for channel 1 and I'll report back here once I get the chance to try it.

 

[nbarts]

I used to have an MXR EQ in front of it for cleans for more glassiness. You ca also use it in the loop.

 

[Peter Diezel]

Johnny,

which guitars and pickups You use ?

Also an other guitar cord could help a bit.

The most VH4s have a 68pF cap on the bright switch.
You can go to 100pF. 120pF or 150pF.

I am using a 58 Flying V replica with Seymour Antiquities. The guitar is quite bright for a humbucker guitar (brighter than any LP) and is nice and bright in the Wizard and even in the Bogner. Don't get me wrong, the VH4 is definitely not dull sounding but I would like to hear more glassyness in the top. I'm going to try your recommendation starting with 100uf. I'll let you know my results.
Thanx!

PS: I should mention that I am using NOS Telefunken long plate tubes (except for V1 which is a JJ) which have a larger low end and mid content than the chinese tubes so that may have something to do with it. The other 3 channels sound so good that I don't want to go back to the chinese tubes just for the sake of channel 1. I much prefer the other 3 channels with the Teles in there.

Not 100µF ..... it´s 100pF, no high voltage value necessary.

You get it at every Radio Shack

 

[johnnyjellybean]

So I did it. I tried 100pf and 120pf and stuck with the 120pf. It's perfect! Just what I wanted. Peter , I must compliment you on the build, fit and finish of your amps. Of the many amps I have owned in my lifetime, I have never had one where the chassis removes so smoothly and goes back in so easy. No fumbling with the screws or moving the chassis to find the hole. Slide it in and bolt it up! The whole mod from beginning to end took 10 minutes.
Thanx!

 

[Peter Diezel]

 

[Ventura]

Proof yet again that these cats KNOW amps...!!

Where else ya gonna find the owner/designer telling you to change one electronic piece and VOILA - get exactly what you're looking for!?!?!?! I'm constantly and continually amazed with the amps, the people, and ya, even this website!!

Awesome,
V.