Peter, Hard Question for YOU. Which Amp Do YOU Like Best?

[hunter]

I owned an Einstein and played Schmidt, VH4 and Herbert at the Frankfurt booth this year. I liked the Schmidt most of all those.

 

[Little B]

If I may ask you, what was it that drew you more to the schmidt than those other amps?...( considering those other amps are all killer)..

 

[hunter]

If I may ask you, what was it that drew you more to the schmidt than those other amps?...( considering those other amps are all killer)..

Probably it was the sound booth (small room, sounding dead - Peter turning the amps up loud) but I failed to get any organic tones out of the other amps. They seemed cold and sterile to me. The Einstein 100 I used to have was also a bit analytic and clean but in a good way, like a more analytic amp among lively amps which tend to mush up.

The VH4 and Herbert seemed just analytic but lacked what usually draws me to tube amps in that situation. I didn't spend loads of time in there, maybe 15 minutes overall, 5 minutes on each amp, but I had the man himself turning the knobs.

The Schmidt however had that organic quality I was looking for, but was nonetheless fast and responsive as well as had great string definition, it could pull off 3D cleanish pads as well as downtuned metal riffing and all in between. Still sounded like a Diezel but more alive.

 

[AngryGoldfish]

Yeah, I found the VH4 and Herbert to be cold. But I love that about them. It's got this strange clash between vintage Marshall grind and futuristic depth. It sounds like it was made in 2038 in some far away space station by these German speaking aliens.

But I kinda prefer the idea of the more sublte and vintage flavours of the Einstein and Schmidt, to be honest. Even though I'm a metal guitarist, I kinda feel like the Schmidt will last me longer and offer more of what I REALLY want. We'll see.

 

[sombersoul]

Yeah, I found the VH4 and Herbert to be cold. But I love that about them. It's got this strange clash between vintage Marshall grind and futuristic depth. It sounds like it was made in 2038 in some far away space station by these German speaking aliens.

But I kinda prefer the idea of the more sublte and vintage flavours of the Einstein and Schmidt, to be honest. Even though I'm a metal guitarist, I kinda feel like the Schmidt will last me longer and offer more of what I REALLY want. We'll see.

Now that's really interesting, since I've been lusting after a Schmidt myself, even though I haven't really been a big clean/blues/classic rock player so far. Right now, I have to decide if I want to continue with my Einstein (great amp, of course) or go for a different setup. I really like organic tones with lots of definition. I'm also thinking that while the big Diezels are unarguably mighty amplifiers, I will probably prefer the more organic and dynamic tones of the 30W Class A Schmidt. Still, I should say that next to a superb clean channel and a nice overdriven one a good crunch/rock/metal rhythm sound is important for me. That's probably not really what the Schmidt is primarily intended for, but I've had great results with boosted Class A amps, and as I have paraphrased before, I enjoy a vintagey, organic tone to my crushing distortion. So, even though quite rationally, the Herbert or even VH-4 would probably fit my bill better, I still feel that I will be most comfortable playing a Schmidt and that it is also most definitely an amp to keep.

Hard choices! I see we're in a similar spot here...

The Schmidt however had that organic quality I was looking for, but was nonetheless fast and responsive as well as had great string definition, it could pull off 3D cleanish pads as well as downtuned metal riffing and all in between. Still sounded like a Diezel but more alive.

Reading this makes me believe that the Schmidt can do everything I want of it. Did you use any boosts in front of the amp? How about guitar and pickups? I play an SG with a Duncan Distortion and also a Les Paul with a Duncan Custom, so I've got hot output PUs to drive the amp a bit more. I don't need any technical shred tone, simply a good, fat and crunchy chugga palm mute. Is that at all possible with the Schmidt? Thanks!

 

[Gutmann]

Yeah, I found the VH4 and Herbert to be cold. But I love that about them. It's got this strange clash between vintage Marshall grind and futuristic depth. It sounds like it was made in 2038 in some far away space station by these German speaking aliens.

But I kinda prefer the idea of the more sublte and vintage flavours of the Einstein and Schmidt, to be honest. Even though I'm a metal guitarist, I kinda feel like the Schmidt will last me longer and offer more of what I REALLY want. We'll see.

Now that's really interesting, since I've been lusting after a Schmidt myself, even though I haven't really been a big clean/blues/classic rock player so far. Right now, I have to decide if I want to with my Einstein (great amp, of course) or go for a different setup. I really like organic tones with lots of definition. I'm also thinking that while the big Diezels are unarguably mighty amplifiers, I will probably prefer the more organic and dynamic tones of a the 30W Class A Schmidt. Still, I should say that next to a superb clean channel and a nice overdriven one a good crunch/rock/metal rhythm sound is important for me. That's not really what the Schmidt is intended for, but I've had great results with boosted Class A amps, and as I have paraphrased before, I enjoy a vintagey, organic tone to my crushing distortion. So, even though quite rationally, the Herbert or even VH-4 would probably fit my bill better, I still feel that I will be most comfortable playing a Schmidt, and that's also most definitely an amp to keep.

Hard choices! I see we're in a similar spot here...

The Schmidt however had that organic quality I was looking for, but was nonetheless fast and responsive as well as had great string definition, it could pull off 3D cleanish pads as well as downtuned metal riffing and all in between. Still sounded like a Diezel but more alive.

Reading this, makes me believe that the Schmidt can do everything I want of it. Did you use any boosts in front of the amp? How about guitar and pickups? I play an SG with a Duncan Distortion and also a Les Paul with a Duncan Custom, so I've got hot output PUs to drive the amp a bit more. I don't need any technical shred tone, simply a good, fat and crunchy chugga palm mute. Is that at all possible with the Schmidt? Thanks!

Yes, definitely, check out sebastian wittmanns demos on youtube.

 

[sombersoul]

Yes, definitely, check out sebastian wittmanns demos on youtube.

If it's this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO0bnIMI9rg, I know it. I've read about 80-90% of all posts concerning Schmidt and certainly watched all videos. This was one of the clips that made me think the Schmidt can do all that I want.

 

[AngryGoldfish]

Yeah, I found the VH4 and Herbert to be cold. But I love that about them. It's got this strange clash between vintage Marshall grind and futuristic depth. It sounds like it was made in 2038 in some far away space station by these German speaking aliens.

But I kinda prefer the idea of the more sublte and vintage flavours of the Einstein and Schmidt, to be honest. Even though I'm a metal guitarist, I kinda feel like the Schmidt will last me longer and offer more of what I REALLY want. We'll see.

Now that's really interesting, since I've been lusting after a Schmidt myself, even though I haven't really been a big clean/blues/classic rock player so far. Right now, I have to decide if I want to continue with my Einstein (great amp, of course) or go for a different setup. I really like organic tones with lots of definition. I'm also thinking that while the big Diezels are unarguably mighty amplifiers, I will probably prefer the more organic and dynamic tones of the 30W Class A Schmidt. Still, I should say that next to a superb clean channel and a nice overdriven one a good crunch/rock/metal rhythm sound is important for me. That's probably not really what the Schmidt is primarily intended for, but I've had great results with boosted Class A amps, and as I have paraphrased before, I enjoy a vintagey, organic tone to my crushing distortion. So, even though quite rationally, the Herbert or even VH-4 would probably fit my bill better, I still feel that I will be most comfortable playing a Schmidt and that it is also most definitely an amp to keep.

Hard choices! I see we're in a similar spot here...

Reading this makes me believe that the Schmidt can do everything I want of it. Did you use any boosts in front of the amp? How about guitar and pickups? I play an SG with a Duncan Distortion and also a Les Paul with a Duncan Custom, so I've got hot output PUs to drive the amp a bit more. I don't need any technical shred tone, simply a good, fat and crunchy chugga palm mute. Is that at all possible with the Schmidt? Thanks!

We do indeed seem to be in a similar boat, especially seeing as I don't plan on buying the Schmidt for jazz or blues, like yourself.

I definitely sounds like it has enough gain for me, particularly considering the video above, which I've watched many times. But I can take a guess it takes pedals even better than the other Diezel amps - since it's Class A with 30 watts of clean headroom - so sticking an overdrive pedal into front could work wonders. I doubt I'll need one, but I might do the cliched thing and use a tube screamer during solos or heavier playing.

 

[sombersoul]

We do indeed seem to be in a similar boat, especially seeing as I don't plan on buying the Schmidt for jazz or blues, like yourself.

I definitely sounds like it has enough gain for me, particularly considering the video above, which I've watched many times. ) But I can take a guess it takes pedals even better than the other Diezel amps - since it's Class A with 30 watts of clean headroom - so sticking an overdrive pedal into front could work wonders. I doubt I'll need one, but I might do the cliched thing and use a tube screamer during solos or heavier playing.

Again, we're on similar terrain! I'm already using a Maxon OD 808 with my Einstein. Not that it would ever need a gain boost, but I enjoy the extra crunch and the more pronounced high mids as well as the extra bit of attack with a tighter bottom end (maybe I really want a Herbert with a V30 FL?!!? ) . So I've already imagined that the Schmidt would take the 808 similarly well. On the other hand, I also like the fact that the Einstein can get fairly heavy and crunchy all by itself. I exchanged a duet of 6550s recently (one of them had blown) with EL34s. It's somehow like I'm rediscovering the amp now. It sounds so much sweeter to my ears and the distortion channels seem to have gained some extra crunch in the mid regions. Anyway, the 30 Watts of the Schmidt seem so much more usable and I know I like Class A tone.

 

[King Crimson]

...I failed to get any organic tones out of the other amps. They seemed cold and sterile to me

I'll have to school you a bit - you simply did just that, FAILED.

The Einstein 100 I used to have was also a bit analytic...

WTF do Analytics have to do with the tone of a amp - Nothing!

The VH4 and Herbert seemed just analytic but lacked what usually draws me to tube amps in that situation. I didn't spend loads of time in there, maybe 15 minutes overall, 5 minutes on each amp...

Again, Analytic! WOW, you should work in the QA department. You'd really knock out a serious ROI.

 

[Peter Diezel]

Please calm down

 

[hunter]

Yeah, I found the VH4 and Herbert to be cold. But I love that about them. It's got this strange clash between vintage Marshall grind and futuristic depth. It sounds like it was made in 2038 in some far away space station by these German speaking aliens.

But I kinda prefer the idea of the more sublte and vintage flavours of the Einstein and Schmidt, to be honest. Even though I'm a metal guitarist, I kinda feel like the Schmidt will last me longer and offer more of what I REALLY want. We'll see.

Now that's really interesting, since I've been lusting after a Schmidt myself, even though I haven't really been a big clean/blues/classic rock player so far. Right now, I have to decide if I want to continue with my Einstein (great amp, of course) or go for a different setup. I really like organic tones with lots of definition. I'm also thinking that while the big Diezels are unarguably mighty amplifiers, I will probably prefer the more organic and dynamic tones of the 30W Class A Schmidt. Still, I should say that next to a superb clean channel and a nice overdriven one a good crunch/rock/metal rhythm sound is important for me. That's probably not really what the Schmidt is primarily intended for, but I've had great results with boosted Class A amps, and as I have paraphrased before, I enjoy a vintagey, organic tone to my crushing distortion. So, even though quite rationally, the Herbert or even VH-4 would probably fit my bill better, I still feel that I will be most comfortable playing a Schmidt and that it is also most definitely an amp to keep.

Hard choices! I see we're in a similar spot here...

The Schmidt however had that organic quality I was looking for, but was nonetheless fast and responsive as well as had great string definition, it could pull off 3D cleanish pads as well as downtuned metal riffing and all in between. Still sounded like a Diezel but more alive.

Reading this makes me believe that the Schmidt can do everything I want of it. Did you use any boosts in front of the amp? How about guitar and pickups? I play an SG with a Duncan Distortion and also a Les Paul with a Duncan Custom, so I've got hot output PUs to drive the amp a bit more. I don't need any technical shred tone, simply a good, fat and crunchy chugga palm mute. Is that at all possible with the Schmidt? Thanks!

In the end it's always best to try them. I liked the Einstein and I liked the Schmidt, so you might experience similar, but better try one before buying.

The guitar at Messe was a very highend custom job from (if I remember correct) German builder Tausch. Was like a beefed up Les Paul, amazing build and looks and played really well. I don't know what pickups there were in it.

 

[hunter]

...I failed to get any organic tones out of the other amps. They seemed cold and sterile to me

I'll have to school you a bit - you simply did just that, FAILED.

The Einstein 100 I used to have was also a bit analytic...

WTF do Analytics have to do with the tone of a amp - Nothing!

The VH4 and Herbert seemed just analytic but lacked what usually draws me to tube amps in that situation. I didn't spend loads of time in there, maybe 15 minutes overall, 5 minutes on each amp...

Again, Analytic! WOW, you should work in the QA department. You'd really knock out a serious ROI.

Dude take it easy. Analytic is a word people could use in German for this kind of thing, so sorry if my English is not up to par with what you would expect.

It means more or less that (in my opinion) the amp is very accurate and direct (as opposed to: organic). Maybe there's a better word for it, so I am always willing to learn.

In the end it's always a matter of taste, and to my taste the Schmidt and Eini are nicer amps than the Herbie or VH4. I like my Bogner, and it's just a different animal. I could imagine that you would describe the Ecstasy as "loose and mushy", but for me it's just full of depth and life.

All is fine. In the end having more amps to choose from is good for us, the consumer, so no complaints for sure.

 

[sombersoul]

In the end it's always best to try them. I liked the Einstein and I liked the Schmidt, so you might experience similar, but better try one before buying.

Easier said than done! The Schmidt seems to be rare these days. I was surprised to find out that only one of the major German music stores actually has a Schmidt listed (and actually has one in stock)! I also ordered my Einstein blindly, by the way, and I wasn't in the least bit disappointed, so I tend to trust this company.

I was meaning to ask how the Schmidt performs with a Diezel 2x12 RL V30. That's the cab I currently have. I know that everyone is raving about the Hempcones. I wonder whether I could simply pop one or two Tone Tubbies in there and convert it to open back with the extra backboard that came with the cab or are there any other differences between the two cabs that I'm not aware of?

My dream: A room with all the Diezel heads, various cabs and a guitar. Then I'd probably have a clearer picture which Diezel is the ultimate fit for me.

 

[AngryGoldfish]

In the end it's always best to try them. I liked the Einstein and I liked the Schmidt, so you might experience similar, but better try one before buying.

Easier said than done! The Schmidt seems to be rare these days. I was surprised to find out that only one of the major German music stores actually has a Schmidt listed (and actually has one in stock)! I also ordered my Einstein blindly, by the way, and I wasn't in the least bit disappointed, so I tend to trust this company.

I was meaning to ask how the Schmidt performs with a Diezel 2x12 RL V30. That's the cab I currently have. I know that everyone is raving about the Hempcones. I wonder whether I could simply pop one or two Tone Tubbies in there and convert it to open back with the extra backboard that came with the cab or are there any other differences between the two cabs that I'm not aware of?

My dream: A room with all the Diezel heads, various cabs and a guitar. Then I'd probably have a clearer picture which Diezel is the ultimate fit for me.

Yeah, I know how you feel. I live in Ireland and it's even hard to find an ENGL or an Orange amp here, let alone a Diezel Schmidt. I'll have to travel to the UK to try one out.

I'm sure you could sell the Diezel cab for a tidy amount where you are, and then buy the official Schmidt cabinet brand-new. It might end up being the same price as if you were to replace the speakers yourself, considering the amount of additional effort that could be required.

And I doubt the V30's will sound bad with the Schmidt. There are few amps that don't suit a V30 in one way or another. Even the super low wattage ones sometimes work.

 

[Heritage Softail]

I did some digging on YT on the Schmidt since it was mentioned in reply. Pretty amazing variety from this one amp. I did find a few things from Andy Wood. His Diezel rig demo was amazing. He covered rock/country/metal... Aside of being a most excellent player, the country sound was solid.

 

[Gutmann]

In the end it's always best to try them. I liked the Einstein and I liked the Schmidt, so you might experience similar, but better try one before buying.

Easier said than done! The Schmidt seems to be rare these days. I was surprised to find out that only one of the major German music stores actually has a Schmidt listed (and actually has one in stock)! I also ordered my Einstein blindly, by the way, and I wasn't in the least bit disappointed, so I tend to trust this company.

I was meaning to ask how the Schmidt performs with a Diezel 2x12 RL V30. That's the cab I currently have. I know that everyone is raving about the Hempcones. I wonder whether I could simply pop one or two Tone Tubbies in there and convert it to open back with the extra backboard that came with the cab or are there any other differences between the two cabs that I'm not aware of?

My dream: A room with all the Diezel heads, various cabs and a guitar. Then I'd probably have a clearer picture which Diezel is the ultimate fit for me.

I did compare the 2x12 Hempcone open back to the 2x12 V30 closed back - it is the same construction. It was hard to decide, which cab is better - they both sound fantastic with the Schmidt. The v30 might be more cutting and handles chugga-tones as it has a tighter bass sound. For my taste, I went with the hc, I do prefer blooming notes with clean and lowgain sounds but it does provide a nice, singing leadsound too.
So to speak, the v30 cab is more modern sounding, the hc has more mojo tone

I do have another old cab (no Diezel) loaded with 2 v30 and I do play them both. For the Schmidt, in your case, I'd keep the V30 cab and get a second one with HempCones - both combined is insane

 

[sombersoul]

I do have another old cab (no Diezel) loaded with 2 v30 and I do play them both. For the Schmidt, in your case, I'd keep the V30 cab and get a second one with HempCones - both combined is insane

When I asked about cabs, I knew this would be the eventual conclusion.
Maybe I'll try a mix first to see if I like the overall tone of the Hempcone. I'm not sure I need another RL cab. I'd rather get a frontloaded then (plus a Herbert ) to have some variety. I think it's great that the Diezel RL can be converted to half-open if required!

Wait, I don't even have a Schmidt yet!

 

[AngryGoldfish]

I do have another old cab (no Diezel) loaded with 2 v30 and I do play them both. For the Schmidt, in your case, I'd keep the V30 cab and get a second one with HempCones - both combined is insane

When I asked about cabs, I knew this would be the eventual conclusion.
Maybe I'll try a mix first to see if I like the overall tone of the Hempcone. I'm not sure I need another RL cab. I'd rather get a frontloaded then (plus a Herbert ) to have some variety. I think it's great that the Diezel RL can be converted to half-open if required!

Wait, I don't even have a Schmidt yet!

It's fun to plan either way.

 

[Little B]

I actually just picked up a schmidt today!....But I think im taking the road less traveled than the few before( who like the amp for rocking/blues etc)....I am looking to mate it w/ my custom shop Badcat and Shiva for pop/rock and modern hot country tones.