help picking a diezel amp

[slaktarn]

Hello. My first post on this forum!

I play in a metal band in Sweden called This Haven.
We have just released our debut album and I want to celebrate this event by investing in more gear!

I currently use:
Peavey 5150
Boss GT-8
Randall 4*12 XL with v30:s
Ibanez JEM 77FP (tuned to B)
Schecter C-1 EX Baritone (tuned to A)

I use the 5150 just as a power amp and the GT-8 as a preamp for clean and distorted sounds and effects.
I bought the 5150 because I needed an amp with a "modern" sound and I like the distorstion in it but not the hiss and hum + the clean sound sucks.
I then bought the GT-8 because I intended to use the 4 cable method and use it as a preamp just for clean sounds and use the 5150:s distorsion and the effects from the GT-8, but I ended up using the 5150 just as a power amp because it was easy and sounded good enough.
I have used that rig for 2 or 3 years and have grown a bit tired of it.
The sounds in the GT-8 I use with my band:
*One clean sound with reverb
*One semi-clean sound with tremolo
*One distorted rythm sound
*One solo sound with delay and sometimes wah
*One harmonizer solo sound (solo sound + added fourth)

It feels like since I just use a fraction of all the features of the GT-8 I would be better off with an amp that can deliver the sounds I use very well instead of hundreds I dont use.
I dont really know why I got interested in Diezel, but there is something that appeals to me about these amps...

We recorded our record with a Mesa Boogie triple rectifier and a Mesa 4*12 (the large one) + some studio magic by Mr Dan Swano. I really like the sound on the record, but I feel that the Mesa sound is too loose and muddy in band practice (I know a tubescreamer would help but that feels wrong). I would like to have an amp that sounds like our record when you stand in front of it and feels good (not boomy and muddy) aswell.
Listen to two songs from our record at: http://www.myspace.com/thishaven
I think our sound has just the right amount of gain, not overly gainy - you can still hear individual notes in chords but at the same time not to dry, there is some chugga chugga to palm mutes.

Other guitar sounds I like is from the latest Slipknot record, Gojiras sound on the 'the way of all flesh'-album and (dont kill me for this) Morbid Angel. MA just for the sheer agression in Treys guitar...

What Diezel amp (or perhaps some other brand), in addition with a couple of effect pedals, do you think would fit me?


regards
/Tobbe

 

[van hellion]

i personally love herbert and einstein, but vh4 is a great amp as well. you cant go wrong with any of the 3 really.
peace
A Wood

 

[Joeytpg]

hmm interesting...can you play a Diezel somewhere? a store or something?

because, the Herber has an amazing sound, specially for modern stuff, which you're used to by listening to that Recto in your album. Now.... the Vh4 is THE amp when it comes to great tight in your face guitars, the Herbert can do it perfectly well too, but it's a tiny bit more loose (not as loose as the recto!), but compared to the Vh4 is a bit looser, but it's bigger sounding.

The Einstein is like a little Herbert with a bit less "bigness" but it's more ......"vintage" more modded marshall-esque. It's one hell of an amp. I own the Vh4 and the Einstein and I love them BOTH.

here are two clips of mine

Einstein:
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7061143

Vh4:
http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=26563


go to our clips sticky and listen to some clips, and in the Diezel website there are some great clips too. You'll be happy no matter what diezel you get.

 

[Duolos]

As was spoken earlier, you can not go wrong with any of them. The Einstein is the most organic and IMO has the most overtones. It can do metal and has amazing cleans. It is an incredible amp.

The Herbert would suit you very well as it is BIG sounding and also has a wetter sound to it. A little more sag and saturation then the VH4. The Herbert clean is outstanding as well. The Herbert is a very very good amp for ANYTHING. It is not only a metal amp by any means. It does great cleans and metal tones as I mentioned but the in between tones are wonderful as well.

The VH4 is a little quicker then the Herbert. It is tight but not stiff. It is articulate and crisp....very clear and very BIG sounding. It has plenty of gain but some people mistake saturation for gain. It has a wonderful dynamic of being heavy and at the same time clear. If you are a heavy handed down picker (like I am) the VH4 can be a wonderful work horse for you. It is in that aspect that I feel the amp really shines. It is incredibly versatile as is any of he other Diezel amps.

All of the amps take pedals well but in my experience, they don't need pedals. I feel pedals only worsen the Diezel's. The Diezel amps build quality and parts are the best there is so they are fine on their own if you learn the amp and let the amp work for you.

The NEW Diezel cabinets only make the amps that much better. I am VERY impressed with them. I encourage you to get one of the cabinets for the amp. It is worth it and makes everything that much better. The new cabinets will be arriving soon!!!

If you are desiring the saturation with the big sound I would invite you to try the Herbert. If you are desiring a little bit less saturation and want a full, clear gainy type of sound then the VH4. None of this is to say that the Herbert doesn't or can not sound BIG. All of the amps sound BIG and I own all three myself along with a plethora of the various cabs.

I hope this helps and if you have further questions, I will do my best to answer them and help you.

 

[Joeytpg]

listen to duolos, he knows what he's talking about!

you know terry, you are correct with the vh4 and saturation. I think most ppl are used to a hi gain amp being saturated and the vh4 is very clear so 'till you learn how it sounds and train your ear to its tone it can feel like it lacks gain...... but then you get used to it and it's amazing!


I feel the Vh4 is the perfect amp for a two guitarist band, because it cuts like a mofo!, It's imposible to get lost in the mix with a vh4.

 

[Duolos]

listen to duolos, he knows what he's talking about!

you know terry, you are correct with the vh4 and saturation. I think most ppl are used to a hi gain amp being saturated and the vh4 is very clear so 'till you learn how it sounds and train your ear to its tone it can feel like it lacks gain...... but then you get used to it and it's amazing!


I feel the Vh4 is the perfect amp for a two guitarist band, because it cuts like a mofo!, It's imposible to get lost in the mix with a vh4.

Well...., thanks for the kind words. All Diezel's are unique and if you are not used to them or understanding of them, you may not immediately notice their brilliance. Give them a minute and you will be convinced for sure. I can't see any of the Diezel amps getting lost in a mix. My opinion is if an amp is lost in the mix, it is probably dialed improperly or for bedroom playing and not true performing. There is no way these amps can get lost in the mix if they are used as designed and intended....at least that is my strong opinion. The more I play them the more I love them. Crank these amps up and let it rip!!! There is no musical ground that Diezel can not cover.....especially with the proper cabinet.

 

[Joeytpg]

I totally agree with you, they all rule.... I love my Einstein man, I mean, they don't get as much love and attention as the Herbie and vh4, but it's a beast!

I'm moving back to America next year, and even though I'm taking my little 2x12 Framus, I'll order one of the new Diezel 2x12 once I'm there!

 

[Duolos]

I am holding you to that cab order promise

LOL

 

[Anonymous]

I just listened to your two songs. I believe that if you cannot try out a Diezel amp, prior to purchasing one, let your wallet dictate which model you can afford of the three listed, VH4, Herbert, or Einstein.

My reasoning is that your music needs a heavy tone, which any of the Diezels will give. While the VH4 has a slightly tighter attack to it, the Herbert can give you a bit more sub-bass push, and the Einstein, while having a tad more vintage leaning vibe to it, is still able to re-create the sounds of your group, easily.

Since you are currently using a 3 year old 5150 and a GT-8, you are using an amp that does not have as much of anything that any of the above-named Diezels can offer you.

It simply gets down to your budget. For the heaviest tones with extreme flexibility, the Herbert will handle anything you can send it's way. The VH4 at 120 watts, still has the punch, but not quite the brutal sub-bass drive of the 180 Herbert, due to the extra steel in the tranny and wattage of the Herbert.
The Einstein 100 watt head has a sub-bass and to bring out the deepest nature of that head, it will depend on the cabs you use with it, as with any of the Diezels amps. You may prefer front-loaded cabs for the music you do as well.

However, only trying them out will ultimately dictate your chosen desired model. And by trying them out, it would be best to do it at a rehearsal to really see, hear, and feel what each amp is going to give you.

If trying them in a live situation of some type is simply an impossibility, then remember that you cannot go wrong with any of these three heads, but the cab(s) you use with it will bring out the best of what each amp can offer you. Therefore you should definitely consider using only Diezel cabs. They are constructed with a new design that makes them more efficient and offers a sound transfer that will match well with the head you choose.

Anything less, and you are just playing with yourself. (Just a little humor here.)

 

[petereanima]

i just added you on myspace, cool stuff!

and due to lack of bandwith, i only listened to the first song, but that one just SCREAMS to me that you guys need aherbert in your sound!

serisously, as mentioned: any of the Diezels will satisfy you, i'm sure. but judging from the first song on myspace you like your guitar sound a little "bass-y" and for that, Herbert is just the ultimate weapon in the universe.

 

[slaktarn]

Hello guys, thanks for all the help!

I e-mailed Peter Stapfer with the same question and after listening to our songs on myspace he recommended the Herbert with a front loaded cab with either v30:s or g12k100. He recommended v30:s If I wanted a more scooped sound with a warmer bass, or the g12k100 if I wanted a more balanced sound.

I think I will go for a Herbert. The clips I've heard from VH-4 has not been "metal" enough for me, so It's hard to tell if I would be able to dial in "my" sound on that amp. I think there is too much money involved for buying an amp that I don't know if it will fit me. The reason I considered the VH4 was because it has 4 channels, and I use 4 sounds with different gain levels + the flexibility with the switching effects loops + that many people think its a great amp. But I think I will play it safe and buy the more modern sounding Herbert.

I dont know just how to set up my sounds on the Herbert.
A couple of options would be

* Clean - Channel 1
* Semi clean - Channel 2-
* Distorted rythm - Channel 3 with mid cut
* Distorted Solo - Channel3 without mid cut

or,

* Clean - Channel 1
* Semi clean - Channel 1 with an added OD-pedal
* Distorted rythm - Channel 2+ with or without mid cut
* Distorted Solo - Channel3 with or without mid cut

or,

* Clean - Channel 1
* Semi clean - Channel 2+ and lowering the guitar volume
* Distorted rythm - Channel 2+ with or without mid cut
* Distorted Solo - Channel3 with or without mid cut

I could use the switchable loop for a trem pedal and use my GT-8 in the parallel loop with the dry sound killed for delay, reverb and harmonizer.

Any suggestions?

Regards
/Tobbe

 

[slaktarn]

i just added you on myspace, cool stuff!

and due to lack of bandwith, i only listened to the first song, but that one just SCREAMS to me that you guys need aherbert in your sound!

serisously, as mentioned: any of the Diezels will satisfy you, i'm sure. but judging from the first song on myspace you like your guitar sound a little "bass-y" and for that, Herbert is just the ultimate weapon in the universe.

Thanks! Cool that you liked us!

If you want, you can order the Disc or buying a downloadable version via a couple of distributors. Please visit http://www.myspace.com/thishaven for links to distributors.
Our record company Vic Records has a deal with Soulfood http://www.soulfood-music.de/ for distribution in Germany and Austria, so perhaps our record is sold in stores in Austria as well!

Take care and thanks for adding us!

/Tobbe

 

[Duolos]

The VH4 CAN do metal very easily but the Herbert may be a safer bet if you can not compare them side by side. I myself would get the G12K100 front loaded cabinet with the Herbert for what you do. The amp itself provides enough "scooped" feel to it so you want a cabinet capable of he low end and over all clarity and balance of the other frequencies.

Good Luck

 

[The Udo]

i just added you on myspace, cool stuff!

and due to lack of bandwith, i only listened to the first song, but that one just SCREAMS to me that you guys need aherbert in your sound!

serisously, as mentioned: any of the Diezels will satisfy you, i'm sure. but judging from the first song on myspace you like your guitar sound a little "bass-y" and for that, Herbert is just the ultimate weapon in the universe.

Thanks! Cool that you liked us!

If you want, you can order the Disc or buying a downloadable version via a couple of distributors. Please visit http://www.myspace.com/thishaven for links to distributors.
Our record company Vic Records has a deal with Soulfood http://www.soulfood-music.de/ for distribution in Germany and Austria, so perhaps our record is sold in stores in Austria as well!

Take care and thanks for adding us!

/Tobbe

Tja man!

Jag har ju en Herbert med frontmatade nya lådan med G12K100 elementen. Vart bor du? Är det inte jättelångt kan du ju komma o testa min rigg? Jag har haft en VH4 också så jag kan ju hjälpa dig så gott det går.

Sorry guys, but we´re both swedes so I had to write in swedish

 

[Anonymous]

I think you made the best possible choice for your style of music.
Congradulations!
You will NOT be disapointed.
Stephen

 

[slaktarn]

Tja man!

Jag har ju en Herbert med frontmatade nya lådan med G12K100 elementen. Vart bor du? Är det inte jättelångt kan du ju komma o testa min rigg? Jag har haft en VH4 också så jag kan ju hjälpa dig så gott det går.

Sorry guys, but we´re both swedes so I had to write in swedish

Tjena!

Jag bor i Örebro, vart bor du någonstans? Hur upplever du lådan med dom elementen i? Bytte du till Herberten för att få ett mer aggroljud eller var det någon annan orsak?

Skicka gärna upp någon länk till nån inspelning du gjort!

Ha de gött!

/Tobbe

 

[diezel&gas]

Hello guys, thanks for all the help!

I e-mailed Peter Stapfer with the same question and after listening to our songs on myspace he recommended the Herbert with a front loaded cab with either v30:s or g12k100. He recommended v30:s If I wanted a more scooped sound with a warmer bass, or the g12k100 if I wanted a more balanced sound.

I think I will go for a Herbert. The clips I've heard from VH-4 has not been "metal" enough for me, so It's hard to tell if I would be able to dial in "my" sound on that amp. I think there is too much money involved for buying an amp that I don't know if it will fit me. The reason I considered the VH4 was because it has 4 channels, and I use 4 sounds with different gain levels + the flexibility with the switching effects loops + that many people think its a great amp. But I think I will play it safe and buy the more modern sounding Herbert.

I dont know just how to set up my sounds on the Herbert.
A couple of options would be

* Clean - Channel 1
* Semi clean - Channel 2-
* Distorted rythm - Channel 3 with mid cut
* Distorted Solo - Channel3 without mid cut

or,

* Clean - Channel 1
* Semi clean - Channel 1 with an added OD-pedal
* Distorted rythm - Channel 2+ with or without mid cut
* Distorted Solo - Channel3 with or without mid cut

or,

* Clean - Channel 1
* Semi clean - Channel 2+ and lowering the guitar volume
* Distorted rythm - Channel 2+ with or without mid cut
* Distorted Solo - Channel3 with or without mid cut

I could use the switchable loop for a trem pedal and use my GT-8 in the parallel loop with the dry sound killed for delay, reverb and harmonizer.

Any suggestions?

Regards
/Tobbe

remember you have either volume 2 on the herbert - great for solo sounds

 

[The Udo]

Tja man!

Jag har ju en Herbert med frontmatade nya lådan med G12K100 elementen. Vart bor du? Är det inte jättelångt kan du ju komma o testa min rigg? Jag har haft en VH4 också så jag kan ju hjälpa dig så gott det går.

Sorry guys, but we´re both swedes so I had to write in swedish

Tjena!

Jag bor i Örebro, vart bor du någonstans? Hur upplever du lådan med dom elementen i? Bytte du till Herberten för att få ett mer aggroljud eller var det någon annan orsak?

Skicka gärna upp någon länk till nån inspelning du gjort!

Ha de gött!

/Tobbe

Okok, ja jag bor nere i Varberg. Det är precis nedanför Göteborg.
Jag fick precis lådan så har bara repat med den en gång, men det intrycket jag fick är att den är väldigt tight och stadig i ljudet. Den är klar och jämn men fortfarande fet liksom. GIllar den som fan. Jag spelar i B så man behöver ju lite tighthet där nere.

Anledningen till att jag sålde VH4:an vara att även fast den kunde levera bra distade ljud så var den som sagt inte tillräckligt aggro och "modern" i karaktären. Jag pressade den så gott det gick för att få det där riktigt gotta. Men Herberten var det absolut inga problem. Den är ganska mkt skönare i ljudet och inte lika torr som VH4:an. Med tanke på den musik du spelar så hade jag lätt satsat på en Herbert före en VH4. VH4:an är mer old school enligt mig.

//Uffe

 

[slaktarn]

Tja man!

Jag har ju en Herbert med frontmatade nya lådan med G12K100 elementen. Vart bor du? Är det inte jättelångt kan du ju komma o testa min rigg? Jag har haft en VH4 också så jag kan ju hjälpa dig så gott det går.

Sorry guys, but we´re both swedes so I had to write in swedish

Tjena!

Jag bor i Örebro, vart bor du någonstans? Hur upplever du lådan med dom elementen i? Bytte du till Herberten för att få ett mer aggroljud eller var det någon annan orsak?

Skicka gärna upp någon länk till nån inspelning du gjort!

Ha de gött!

/Tobbe

Okok, ja jag bor nere i Varberg. Det är precis nedanför Göteborg.
Jag fick precis lådan så har bara repat med den en gång, men det intrycket jag fick är att den är väldigt tight och stadig i ljudet. Den är klar och jämn men fortfarande fet liksom. GIllar den som fan. Jag spelar i B så man behöver ju lite tighthet där nere.

Anledningen till att jag sålde VH4:an vara att även fast den kunde levera bra distade ljud så var den som sagt inte tillräckligt aggro och "modern" i karaktären. Jag pressade den så gott det gick för att få det där riktigt gotta. Men Herberten var det absolut inga problem. Den är ganska mkt skönare i ljudet och inte lika torr som VH4:an. Med tanke på den musik du spelar så hade jag lätt satsat på en Herbert före en VH4. VH4:an är mer old school enligt mig.

//Uffe

Tja
Då spelar du Göteborgsmetal med andra ord eller?
Vi ska spela med ett gäng göteborgare nästnästa helg, Evergrey, i Västerås. Ska bli skitkul! Hoppas det leder till fler förbandsgig och att det kan fortsätta rulla på efteråt.
Tror inte jag orkar åka så långt för att provspela, jag chansar på att jag kommer tycka om den också.
Ha det bra!

/Tobbe

 

[The Udo]

Tja
Då spelar du Göteborgsmetal med andra ord eller?
Vi ska spela med ett gäng göteborgare nästnästa helg, Evergrey, i Västerås. Ska bli skitkul! Hoppas det leder till fler förbandsgig och att det kan fortsätta rulla på efteråt.
Tror inte jag orkar åka så långt för att provspela, jag chansar på att jag kommer tycka om den också.
Ha det bra!

/Tobbe[/quote]

Ja och nej får det väl bli Vi spelar en blandning av typ slipknot, metallica och in flames. Så modern hårdrock brukar vi säg

Nej fattar att de blir lökigt att åka så långt bara för att spela. Men min ärliga åsikt är att Herbert är helt enkelt bättre. Du kommer ÄLSKA midcut funktionen. Herbert kan nästan täcka vad VH4:an gör, men VH4:an kan inte täcka det Herbert gör, Herbert känns helt enkelt som en fortsättning på VH4 =)

Lycka till!