Help a new Diezel user ....choose a second Diezel!

[ccl117]

Greetings fellow Diezel appreciators, I recently purchased a used Diezel Einstein Combo (thanks to this forums help and recommendations!) and could not be a happier customer. It sounded great out of the box, but I replaced the stock V30 with a Scumback BM75 65W, and placed the V30 in a 3/4 closed Volt 1x12 cabinet to stack the combo on top of, and it sounded incredible. Additionally, I upgraded all the preamp and power tubes to Kaiser Peter's recommendations, and I was amazed at how much more the notes "pop" and are less compressed, plus the smoothness of the gain taper range on Channel 1 Setting 2 now sounds ridiculously good. Needless to say, it is a keeper, and I am a happy Diezel convert.


I have a really nice RedPlate AstroDustDuo 88 amp that I use with my MIDI driven W/D/W big rig (I use the Einstein with a small pre/post pedalboard for most gigs due to portability), and while I love that amp, I am jonesing for the famed Diezel OD channels to be available in that setup. I was initially looking very closely at a VH4 or VH4S, but recently have been trying to learn a lot more about the Schmidt, D-Moll, and Hagen models. What interested me in them were some of the reviews claiming they have more "open" sounding cleans relative to the VH4, something which if accurate I am a big fan of. I also like that they have 3-4 channels (as does the VH4), which is something I would use a lot in the MIDI controlled setup.

I play a wide mix of music, from blues (SRV, BB King), to classic rock (Zep, AC/DC, ZZ Top), to modern rock (GNR, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Russian Circle, Tool). I don't play metal. I guess what I am looking for in a new amp that I currently don't get from the Einstein is a third preamp section, so at minimum I could set Ch1 up as fairly spanky clean with some hair if desired (ie clean to blues), Ch2 as a classic Marshall mid-OD tone (ie Zep), and Ch3 for the higher gain stuff. A fourth channel is just gravy, but I've determined three channels with perhaps a boost option would nail my requirements. Definitely not opposed to four channels, just wanted to share my base line goals.

If I could have a 3-4 channel amp with the open (or more open) cleans of the Einstein on "Ch1", and the OD channel of the Einstein on "Ch3", I would be stoked (I don't take the Einstein's Ch2 gain knob over 50% for a overwhelming majority of what I play). Finding that classic Marshall-like sound (I say Marshall-like b/c Peter really nails his own tones) on a "in-between" channel would be the added functionality I am looking for. Pair that with more open sounding cleans, a second master for leads, and I think we'd have a winner

Does the forum have any recommendations based on their experiences for what I am looking for?
I should throw in the big caveat that my normal course of action would be to go to the local Diezel distributor and plug into everything, but there aren't any remotely close to where I live

Hoping the collective wisdom here will be able to compensate, thanks guys.

 

[HRC51]

I could set Ch1 up as fairly spanky clean with some hair if desired (ie clean to blues), Ch2 as a classic Marshall mid-OD tone (ie Zep), and Ch3 for the higher gain stuff. A fourth channel is just gravy

I think the Hagen fits this bill, because that's the way I use channels 1 &2. 3&4 are outstanding for the high gain. Wide range of tones available.

 

[ccl117]

Nice HRC, thanks for the comments. Have you had a chance to compare it to the Einstein? If so, how does it differ tonally? Thanks again

 

[GtarLover]

Einstein is a great amp. Love the sounds and since you have a combo, you have portability.

That said, I sold my Einstein when I got my Herbert. Just killer, period. Then, I had a VH4S which I also liked a lot. However, sold that when I got my Hagen. Like the Hagen's 4 channels more. A bit more "raw" and open compared to the VH4S. Although the stereo is very nice.

Now I have Herbert and Hagen...couldn't be happier. With these two, I have no reason to look any further, yet I have had the opportunity to try the others and kept the ones I liked best

I haven't had a chance to try the Dmoll, which to my understanding has some of the Herbert's characteristics and could also be very sweet. Anyway, good luck on your quest, there is NO wrong Diezel amp...they are ALL amazing.

 

[spanny]

I own a VH4 and its the best amp I've ever played / owned.

 

[borninwinter]

I play a wide mix of music, from blues (SRV, BB King), to classic rock (Zep, AC/DC, ZZ Top), to modern rock (GNR, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Russian Circle, Tool). I don't play metal.

I've got experience with all the Diezels except the D-Moll. The above says VH4 to me. For cleans, "open cleans" is one of those things I'm never sure what someone means, because I think everyone kinds of hears and defines it differently. Anyway, I have a 2008 VH4 and have played a 2011. I think the clean channels sounded great on both. From what I understand, the pre-2007 VH4s may have been more compressed in the cleans.

Agree with the statement that VH4 is the best I've ever owned/played. I've gone through more amps than I should have, and nothing else sounds like it.

 

[Ventura]

VH4 will offer the broad tonal palette of what it is you're seeking. It's a tight amp though, so touch will come into play fairly extensively.

Hagen is an "open" amp with KILLER clear, crisp, sparkling cleans. VH4 has more percussive cleans - piano like. Hagen opens up at MV at noon and starts grinding. VH4 open up as well, but becomes less compressed - literally "opens up".

Both rule. But the VH4 has been in more studios than any other Diezel - primarily due to its versatility and incredible breadth of tone. In your shoes? VH4.

 

[psbhachu]

Hagen is the amp! I know this because when testing the Hagen out all I played was AIC, PJ and SG through it and it definitely gets the 'Dirt' tone as well as all the tasty Seattle sounds!

Get the Hagen and I PROMISE YOU, you'll be glad you made the purchase!

 

[ccl117]

Thank you all, this is incredible advice. The VH4S is of big interest to me due to the fact that I also have a Eventide Eclipse and Lexicon PCM70; the thought of having a stereo split 4x12 cabinet to run those effects in the parallel loops of the VH4S has me drooling at the mouth.

Really appreciate the advice again guys, please keep it coming if anyone has thoughts to add, cheers!

 

[cardinal]

VH4S and its loops are beautiful and so well designed. Completely spoiled me and ruined all other effects loops for me.

 

[kahawe]

vh4 (or dmoll) since you are leaning more towards "rock" and not so much ultra modern metal.

 

[ccl117]

Sweet, thank you guys, huge help. Just wish there was a dealer in WDC!

 

[Ventura]

Personally I prefer the response of the VH4 over the VH4S, but as above, the loops are magic... That said, the loops are magic on the mono version just the same.

VH4 is a solid winner. I'm a Hagen fanboi so I'm trying to be as objective as possible.

Uncle Mo

 

[racerevlon]

Having played them all and owned some my recommendation is VH4, STEREO if you REALLY want it.

 

[stratjacket]

at minimum I could set Ch1 up as fairly spanky clean with some hair if desired (ie clean to blues), Ch2 as a classic Marshall mid-OD tone (ie Zep), and Ch3 for the higher gain stuff. A fourth channel is just gravy, but I've determined three channels with perhaps a boost option would nail my requirements. Definitely not opposed to four channels, just wanted to share my base line goals.

I have a Hagen and this sounds like the Hagen to me. I can't speak for the other models since I've never tried them, but I absolutely LOVE the Hagen. Just can't say enough good things about it.