I'm a Diezel noob so bear with me please......

[NaturalBornBoy]

I'm kinda diggin' the vids of the VH4 that I've seen on YT.

I'd like to know more about the VH4.

What kinda tone can one expect from a VH4? More high-mid like a Marshall or more low-mid like a Bogner XTC?

Is it a stiff amp with uber tight low-end or does it have some sag to it?

I don't play modern, down-tuned, chugga-chugga, djent metal. Far from it.

I mainly play classic rock and old-school metal like Journey, Toto, Maiden and of course, 80's cock rock like Ratt and GnR.

Should I even be looking at the VH4 then?

 

[jonl]

Vh4 does it all....
Best way to know for sure is to play one.

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

That's just it though. I can't. Not a single Diezel dealer in my neck of the woods.

So if I do decide on buying one, it's gonna be blind and purely going off current VH4 user opinions.

 

[steve_k]

If you like your Journey......Neal has a couple VH4's in the rack.

I'm kinda diggin' the vids of the VH4 that I've seen on YT.

I'd like to know more about the VH4.

What kinda tone can one expect from a VH4? More high-mid like a Marshall or more low-mid like a Bogner XTC?

Is it a stiff amp with uber tight low-end or does it have some sag to it?

I don't play modern, down-tuned, chugga-chugga, djent metal. Far from it.

I mainly play classic rock and old-school metal like Journey, Toto, Maiden and of course, 80's cock rock like Ratt and GnR.

Should I even be looking at the VH4 then?

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

Hey Steve, you own a VH4 right?

So from what I mentioned in my first post, should I stay away from it?

 

[Ventura]

Diezel doesn't fall into any other manufacturer's category - it's not "like" a Marshall or "like" a Bogner.

It's "like" a Diezel.

Most unique amps to both play and hear - and all in a very very good way. The VH4 is the ultimate Diezel amp offering the signature tone that really have Diezel become world renowned amongst players and purists alike. They're incredible, they offer a lot of range, and they're superbly built. They highly respected in the world of musicians and studios alike.

The VH4 is a 4 channel head, swapped quad of power tubes, bias toggle to change types, awesome loops both parallel and serial; very cool "channel inserts", MIDI programmable, and built like a tank. The cleans are percussive and piano like - not chimey like a Vox. Ch.2 is crunchy. Ch.3 is DIEZEL. Ch.4 is blistering.

Takes pedals well - incredibly well - too. But you'll find less and less need to rely on pedals as you grow accustomed to playing the V.

Peace,
Uncle Mo

 

[Ventura]

I mainly play classic rock and old-school metal like Journey, Toto, Maiden and of course, 80's cock rock like Ratt and GnR.

Should I even be looking at the VH4 then?

FWIW, one of the most popular amps in recording studios worldwide - for a reason - HIGHLY adaptable and versatile.

I'd say go for it.

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

They come stock with KT77's right?

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

And as far as Diezel choices go, it's between the VH4 and the D-Moll.

Which one do you guys think would be better suited to my needs?

 

[jonl]

If you can afford the vh4 go for the vh4.
It's amazing!

I play a bunch of Tool covers and use a vintage superlead with it.
The vh4 can get you those old 80s sounds very well

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

Does the series loop on the VH4 take pedals well?

 

[steve_k]

Hey Steve, you own a VH4 right?

So from what I mentioned in my first post, should I stay away from it?

If you can swing it, get a VH4. I do have one and have owned several. Also own a D-Moll and a Herbert. VH4 is my preferred amp. The same basic tone is discernible on all Diezels. No, it doesn't sound like an XTC nor does it sound like a Marshall. It sounds like a Diezel.

Mo described things for you quite well, so I won't go into that. But, channel 2 will get you where you need to be to cover Marshall type tones. Channel 1 can be clean or have some raunchy blues break up. Channel 3 is next to God and Channel 4 is with Satan.

You have 3 choices of loop, series, parallel and channel inserts. Channel inserts and the switchable loop (parallel and/or series) are midi switchable. You can run all 3 at the same time with the parallel and serial mixed). The channel loops come first in the audio path. The makes the VH4 quite nice in the loop department.

New one's ship with KT77's and Ruby Chinese tubes. But, mine is set up with 6550's and unmarked Chinese 9's and is blistering amp.


Steve

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

What footswitch do I use to switch channels on the VH4? Do I have to buy the Columbus?

 

[steve_k]

What footswitch do I use to switch channels on the VH4? Do I have to buy the Columbus?

No, you can use most manufacturers MIDI switchers. Ground Control Pro is a good one and easy to use. Depends also on what you want to switch. If it is just 4 channels, then something like a Randall 4 button switch will do. But, if you want channel insert control, loop control, mute and combinations of all that, you are going to need something a bit more robust.

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

What footswitch do I use to switch channels on the VH4? Do I have to buy the Columbus?

No, you can use most manufacturers MIDI switchers. Ground Control Pro is a good one and easy to use. Depends also on what you want to switch. If it is just 4 channels, then something like a Randall 4 button switch will do. But, if you want channel insert control, loop control, mute and combinations of all that, you are going to need something a bit more robust.

I already own a Roland FC300. Will this work just to switch channels?

 

[i.ak]

All MIDI-controllers that are capable of sending Program Change -messages should be perfectly fine. Based on quick look in Internet, FC300 should meet this requirement. Also, programming of any Diezel is extremely straightforwarded process.

As a owner of VH4, a VH4 would be my recommendation for you in relation to the description of sounds you mentioned to be looking for. It truly is a wonderful amp - and definitely not "metal-only" amp. What I like the most is its versatility due four independent channels wich all having independent EQ. It also responds to pick-attack / player dynamics very well. The beforementioned also translates to different guitars sounding different whereas some amps do not project any or only little difference between different guitars (too compressed gain structure perhaps?). Personally I love the clean tones of VH4, but have read some complaints on it (never understood them though).

I also own a Herbert, but despite it being very nice amp, from these two animals my vote would go to VH4. This is mainly due to the independent EQs per channel and a little bit more focused tone with a slightly more traditional vibe in it. To me Herbert sounds more sterile... I do not say it sounds sterile, but more sterile than VH4 that has that tight mid-range 'snap' in the tone. Somehowe I think that Herbert sounds more "preamp-oriented" in the tones which makes VH4 to sound more traditional (not vintage) in comparison.

And now before any fanatic Herbert fan-boy jumps in I must highlight that these comments are my personal opinions and are based on the comparison of the two individual amps I have. They are also only a comparison between those two amps and not between any other manufacturer's amps.

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

Thanks for all the help, guys

One more question, if I were to use a midi footswitch like the Tech 21 Midi Moose, will the VH4 phantom power it? Do I just use a standard 5-pin midi cable?

 

[steve_k]

Thanks for all the help, guys

One more question, if I were to use a midi footswitch like the Tech 21 Midi Moose, will the VH4 phantom power it? Do I just use a standard 5-pin midi cable?

Yes, the T21 MM will work. The 5 pin DIN cable needs to have pins 1 and 3 wired hot. The pedal cannot exceed 12V @ 800mA draw. Otherwise, you will pop the fuse on the MIDI board in the amp.

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

Thanks for all the help, guys

One more question, if I were to use a midi footswitch like the Tech 21 Midi Moose, will the VH4 phantom power it? Do I just use a standard 5-pin midi cable?

Yes, the T21 MM will work. The 5 pin DIN cable needs to have pins 1 and 3 wired hot. The pedal cannot exceed 12V @ 800mA draw. Otherwise, you will pop the fuse on the MIDI board in the amp.

Ok so how do I know if pins 1 and 3 are wired hot?

Is it something I have to do myself or do they sell them this way?

 

[steve_k]

Thanks for all the help, guys

One more question, if I were to use a midi footswitch like the Tech 21 Midi Moose, will the VH4 phantom power it? Do I just use a standard 5-pin midi cable?

Yes, the T21 MM will work. The 5 pin DIN cable needs to have pins 1 and 3 wired hot. The pedal cannot exceed 12V @ 800mA draw. Otherwise, you will pop the fuse on the MIDI board in the amp.

Ok so how do I know if pins 1 and 3 are wired hot?

Is it something I have to do myself or do they sell them this way?

Some of them will say so on the specs online. HOSA midi cables work. Monster does not. You can change the pin outs yourself, but they are a bitch to resolder. Like working on a watch. Another option is to get a cable manufacturer like Best-Tronics or Lava to make you one. It will be heavy duty too.