Just got a VH4.

  • Thread starter Thread starter James Lugo
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James Lugo

James Lugo

Active member
Just grabbed a VH4:
vh4.jpg


Has some JJ EL34's I think. It doesn't sound as good as the one I used this weekend. Not sure what was in the one I used, I'm inquiring. It lacks the low end and the hi fi sparkle, it sounds more English.

What's the best tubes for the VH4?
 
I like the Ruby (chinese) el34s. Also, what year is that one you got. I think the newer models ('07s and later) sound alot better than earlier models I've played.
 
yeah, that's A VERY big thing...... the 07 + VH4 have more "mojo" and more gain. Sound huge


check the serial, if the first two digits are 07 or up you're good to go. If not (say 05) then it's 2005
 
Yeah that's a "sparkle face" you need to see about having it updated if you liked Dave's, his was newer(his was a brushed finish and the newer lettering for the VH4, which means his was the new hotness, haha). The JJ E34L's are actually pretty good... not the standard jj el34's though.


Nick
 
JJ E34Ls are actually pretty good in it if you want the EL34 thing, but you need to crank the crapola out of them to get that coolness that I dug. Knowing that you have a Herbert I'd say go for a set of 88s or 77s in your VH4.

Congrats on a great amp for recording BTW, the VH4 sounds amazing with pretty much any amp you mix it with.

BTW don't rule out changing V1 & V2. That may be a big eye opener.
 
Hey_bert_whtcha_doin_bert":wispwzwi said:
Yeah that's a "sparkle face" you need to see about having it updated if you liked Dave's, his was newer(his was a brushed finish and the newer lettering for the VH4, which means his was the new hotness, haha). The JJ E34L's are actually pretty good... not the standard jj el34's though.


Nick
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What's the update? It definitely sounded less everything then Dave's. Can I make it sound like a new one?
 
You'd have to ask big Pete. But yes, they have a mod for it. If you mean what does it change, then it's mainly a difference in the third channel and I think two, don't qoute me on the two part. I know it affects the third channel alot, I've played both.
 
Also look to make sure the preamp tubes are something close to stock. All chinese for more grind and two jj ecc83's in v1 and v2 for more punch/thump.
 
Hey_bert_whtcha_doin_bert":2fadaiy5 said:
You'd have to ask big Pete. But yes, they have a mod for it. If you mean what does it change, then it's mainly a difference in the third channel and I think two, don't qoute me on the two part. I know it affects the third channel alot, I've played both.
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I can't find a way to email or PM Peter through the site. Am I missing something?
 
Hey_bert_whtcha_doin_bert":2u6la2yi said:
peterdiezel@diezelamplification.com or P.M. Duolos(Terry) he's the rep in the USA.
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Man thanks for the help.

James
 
Hey_bert_whtcha_doin_bert":1jlhrne7 said:
:thumbsup: No prob buddy.
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I just PM'ed Terry.

Do you think I should dump the used one and cut my losses and get a new one?
 
Also to consider is the newest Diezels come with 6550 tubes. That might be a place to start. I believe yours can be upgraded to the newer specs. Probably by a Diezel tech.

BTW: James, I loved the Amp shootout.. I tried pming Friedman about getting a 78' JMP 50watt modded no reply yet though. Have you ever considered flying out and doing a clinic? My dad owns a music store and we'd love to be sponges for a few days and soak up anything you could teach us.
 
I just PM'ed Terry.

Do you think I should dump the used one and cut my losses and get a new one?
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Other than the warranty(which may come in handy, never know) and stimulating the economy I don't really see why? But on the other hand if you aren't happy with an older model and would like a new one, as well as have the means, why not. You get what you want plus a warranty. It's also not like it's a rarity, they still make them. They could make the one you have sound just like a new one though, ya know? Diezel's a really good company, they really like to make you happy.
 
:D Yo congrats Dude!!

I'm reading the thread and I see you just got this VH4 and now you're considering "dumping it" to buy anew and "cut your losses". Bro, all I can say is that this is a beautiful, powerful, super amp!! Regardless of the year. I believe if you ask the Enlightened Ones (Peter, Peter and Duolos), they'll say the circuitry is the same as when it was released back in the 90's. So here's my input for what it's worth...

Tubes: Get the SED 6550's in there and bias them to 100mA per pair (50mA each if there's 2 OTs). Make sure the switch is on 6L6 when you do this. This will almost double your power output from the current EL34's in there (25w per tube to up to 45w). No kidding this makes a HUGE difference...first hand knowledge right here!! If you HAVE to keep with the EL34 sound, then dump the tubes you have and go with either the SED Winged "C" EL34 or the Tung Sol EL34 tubesets. I have kept a head loaded with the Winged C's and it's incredible....BUT!!!!!!!!!

In order to really make either of the above tubesets shine - replace all 7 of your preamp tubes. Ruby and Groove Tubes are, IMHO lower end. They're basically rebranded Chinese generics. Get with some Tung Sol 12AX7's or even the gold tipped puppies. If you notice, I am a huge fan of high end Tung Sol and thus far, albeit expensive, they have not let me down - and the sound difference in the upper half of the volume spectrum was outrageously awesome!!!!

Try it before you dump it and buy it again... Just my humble words of advice as I went through a month of re-tubing and re-biasing and trying all sorts of variations out.
V.
 
:doh: Oh ya, you may also wanna consider the cab you're pumpin' it through.

Peace,
V.
 
Well I'm sorry man, and I'm not looking to start a shit storm or anything, but the old VH4 have less gain and are less "tight" than the current ones.


I don't know why that is, I don't know if it's a mod, or a cap, o a circuit re-design, or a revision, I seriously don't know, but I sent my VH4 to PEter to get fixed (has a problem with channel 3) and to "update to current specs" and the amp came back with more gain, sounding tighter and better overall.

in channel 3 before Peter working on it I had to DIME the gain almost to 5:00 to get a nice metal tone, now at 2:00 it's already screaming.

same with channel 2. With the gain cranked, it sounded like a fender with a TS-808 infront (gain wise, not tonally), and now I crank the gain and it's into hodroded marshall territory.

so, I understand what JAmes says. It kind of happened to me too when I bought my VH4......
 
:no: Definitely NOT going to brew up a shitstorm... I believe what you and several others say, I was just going on my feedback received from Terry/Peter in reference to a couple older model VH's I had over the last little while.

But before our friend goes ahead and dumps the amp for something probably close to 2x as much, at least try the tubes... Could be the clincher :D Just my $0.02 worth...

:salute: V.
 
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