VH4 changes through the years?

  • Thread starter Thread starter johnpace2
  • Start date Start date
johnpace2

johnpace2

Well-known member
Hi All,

I'm sure this has been asked to death, but I'm evaluating a trade that includes a 2006 VH4. I thought there was a thread somewhere that describes the changes over the years and if someone could point me that way, or give me the run down, I'd greatly appreciated.

I thought I saw something recently where folks really love the newer ones over the old ones, but then plenty of folks chimed into to say that the differences were enough to go year chasing.

Thanks for your help!

John
 
I will dig into it for you a little, but from my knowledge (from reading into it a while back) and my experience, the 2006 and earlier changed very little between the years(kinda like little nuances), but 2007 and later have more "significant" changes. Notably, in 2007 and 2011.

I own a 2007 that was updated to the 2011 circuit by Diezel. This is when Peter "perfected" the VH4 circuit and I was toldby him that it is the last revision and the best sounding to his ears (I trust him; he is the mastermind).

In 2007, the circuit was changed to add more power amp thump, bottom end and gain (if I recall correctly).

You can also look at the thread on hear that is titled "serial number help on VH4" were I explained some things as well.
 
I heard in 2005 he made the changes and again in 2011.
 
He told me the last change was 2007.
I own a 08, and it should be the newest version (maybe he changed the standard tubes from El34 to KT77 in 2011? That´s just a guess why many people say he changed something in 2011...).
 
There is no secret but the internet is a place for different stories.

There was a demand for more presence and less compression
in 2007 and we did some minor changes. You can copy the mod
turning up the presence control and reduce gain to get a similar
sound.

Some people make a big deal of that knowing to replace the right
part. Send me an email and if you can deal with a solder pen you
don´t have to pay big money.

From 1994 to 2007 the schematics may be a bit different because
we didn´t get some components anymore but the result was always
the same.

Simply speaking the VH4´s before 2007 are less bright but are
ready to dial in enough presence. Of course always depending
on tubes, guitars and cabinets.

I have a lot of early VH4´s on my workbench for re tubing and
I like every single unit. Some customers like the "presence mod"
some not. Just use your ears and dial in the amp. If you are happy
there is no need to hunt for the latest version.

In 2011 we switched to KT77 because the quality of most EL34 types
went bad. Some techs call the KT77 a high grade EL34. That´s true
and not true. The construction of the KT77 is very different to the EL34
and the KT77 has higher ratings. In my opinion is the midrange of the
KT77 more similar to the SED "Winged C" EL34 as the Chinese EL34.
The KT77 has less aggressive response than a EL34 but it's possible
to compensate that with a higher load an the output transformer and/or
higher plate voltage.

Enough blabla .... I don´t remember talking that much on the internet :lol: :LOL:

Enjoy your VH4 as it is and spend more time in practicing as I have to do.

Cheers,
Peter
 
  • Like
Reactions: Me
Peter Diezel":l1yzwb9i said:
There is no secret but the internet is a place for different stories.

There was a demand for more presence and less compression
in 2007 and we did some minor changes. You can copy the mod
turning up the presence control and reduce gain to get a similar
sound.

Some people make a big deal of that knowing to replace the right
part. Send me an email and if you can deal with a solder pen you
don´t have to pay big money.

From 1994 to 2007 the schematics may be a bit different because
we didn´t get some components anymore but the result was always
the same.

Simply speaking the VH4´s before 2007 are less bright but are
ready to dial in enough presence. Of course always depending
on tubes, guitars and cabinets.

I have a lot of early VH4´s on my workbench for re tubing and
I like every single unit. Some customers like the "presence mod"
some not. Just use your ears and dial in the amp. If you are happy
there is no need to hunt for the latest version.

In 2011 we switched to KT77 because the quality of most EL34 types
went bad. Some techs call the KT77 a high grade EL34. That´s true
and not true. The construction of the KT77 is very different to the EL34
and the KT77 has higher ratings. In my opinion is the midrange of the
KT77 more similar to the SED "Winged C" EL34 as the Chinese EL34.
The KT77 has less aggressive response than a EL34 but it's possible
to compensate that with a higher load an the output transformer and/or
higher plate voltage.

Enough blabla .... I don´t remember talking that much on the internet :lol: :LOL:

Enjoy your VH4 as it is and spend more time in practicing as I have to do.

Cheers,
Peter
Click to expand...

What a great and special CEO to share such great information... thanks much Peter you rock!!
 
I bought a VH4S (2011) couple of months ago. I am still amazed at this amp. What a true masterpiece. Awe inspiring. Such sound !!! I play it almost every day. I also heard a 2005 VH4 recently and it was very similar and equally amazing. Kicks ass :)
 
Thanks Peter! I know you're busy and really appreciate your response. I happen to like darker amps so the 2006 will suit me just fine I think. Thanks again!!



Peter Diezel":rct2ago2 said:
There is no secret but the internet is a place for different stories.

There was a demand for more presence and less compression
in 2007 and we did some minor changes. You can copy the mod
turning up the presence control and reduce gain to get a similar
sound.

Some people make a big deal of that knowing to replace the right
part. Send me an email and if you can deal with a solder pen you
don´t have to pay big money.

From 1994 to 2007 the schematics may be a bit different because
we didn´t get some components anymore but the result was always
the same.

Simply speaking the VH4´s before 2007 are less bright but are
ready to dial in enough presence. Of course always depending
on tubes, guitars and cabinets.

I have a lot of early VH4´s on my workbench for re tubing and
I like every single unit. Some customers like the "presence mod"
some not. Just use your ears and dial in the amp. If you are happy
there is no need to hunt for the latest version.

In 2011 we switched to KT77 because the quality of most EL34 types
went bad. Some techs call the KT77 a high grade EL34. That´s true
and not true. The construction of the KT77 is very different to the EL34
and the KT77 has higher ratings. In my opinion is the midrange of the
KT77 more similar to the SED "Winged C" EL34 as the Chinese EL34.
The KT77 has less aggressive response than a EL34 but it's possible
to compensate that with a higher load an the output transformer and/or
higher plate voltage.

Enough blabla .... I don´t remember talking that much on the internet :lol: :LOL:

Enjoy your VH4 as it is and spend more time in practicing as I have to do.

Cheers,
Peter
Click to expand...
 
Cool, thanks a lot for sharing the info Peter, and to the OP for the thread. Very interesting!
 
Peter Diezel":malgb7zw said:
There is no secret but the internet is a place for different stories.

There was a demand for more presence and less compression
in 2007 and we did some minor changes. You can copy the mod
turning up the presence control and reduce gain to get a similar
sound.

Some people make a big deal of that knowing to replace the right
part. Send me an email and if you can deal with a solder pen you
don´t have to pay big money.

From 1994 to 2007 the schematics may be a bit different because
we didn´t get some components anymore but the result was always
the same.

Simply speaking the VH4´s before 2007 are less bright but are
ready to dial in enough presence. Of course always depending
on tubes, guitars and cabinets.

I have a lot of early VH4´s on my workbench for re tubing and
I like every single unit. Some customers like the "presence mod"
some not. Just use your ears and dial in the amp. If you are happy
there is no need to hunt for the latest version.

In 2011 we switched to KT77 because the quality of most EL34 types
went bad. Some techs call the KT77 a high grade EL34. That´s true
and not true. The construction of the KT77 is very different to the EL34
and the KT77 has higher ratings. In my opinion is the midrange of the
KT77 more similar to the SED "Winged C" EL34 as the Chinese EL34.
The KT77 has less aggressive response than a EL34 but it's possible
to compensate that with a higher load an the output transformer and/or
higher plate voltage.

Enough blabla .... I don´t remember talking that much on the internet :lol: :LOL:

Enjoy your VH4 as it is and spend more time in practicing as I have to do.

Cheers,
Peter
Click to expand...

Thank you for clearing this up, Papa!

I am wondering if maybe Jens did do the "Dekompression" mod when he had my amp in 2011. I kind of don't think so, though; he didn't say he did that.

Either that or my amp really had an issue before that was affecting its tone :'/ the guy who I bought it from lied to me about its life with him and I found out the hard way...

So, the changes I hear could be just from added presence? That would make sense as to why my cleans sound more sparkly and that I have more definition/transparency than before.

What about the bottom end? I remember reading that you said there was more bottom end added in I think 2007?
 
Peter Diezel":im5qapom said:
Sigma.Xiria":im5qapom said:
Peter Diezel":im5qapom said:
There is no secret but the internet is a place for different stories.

There was a demand for more presence and less compression
in 2007 and we did some minor changes. You can copy the mod
turning up the presence control and reduce gain to get a similar
sound.

Some people make a big deal of that knowing to replace the right
part. Send me an email and if you can deal with a solder pen you
don´t have to pay big money.

From 1994 to 2007 the schematics may be a bit different because
we didn´t get some components anymore but the result was always
the same.

Simply speaking the VH4´s before 2007 are less bright but are
ready to dial in enough presence. Of course always depending
on tubes, guitars and cabinets.

I have a lot of early VH4´s on my workbench for re tubing and
I like every single unit. Some customers like the "presence mod"
some not. Just use your ears and dial in the amp. If you are happy
there is no need to hunt for the latest version.

In 2011 we switched to KT77 because the quality of most EL34 types
went bad. Some techs call the KT77 a high grade EL34. That´s true
and not true. The construction of the KT77 is very different to the EL34
and the KT77 has higher ratings. In my opinion is the midrange of the
KT77 more similar to the SED "Winged C" EL34 as the Chinese EL34.
The KT77 has less aggressive response than a EL34 but it's possible
to compensate that with a higher load an the output transformer and/or
higher plate voltage.

Enough blabla .... I don´t remember talking that much on the internet :lol: :LOL:

Enjoy your VH4 as it is and spend more time in practicing as I have to do.

Cheers,
Peter
Click to expand...

Thank you for clearing this up, Papa!

I am wondering if maybe Jens did do the "Dekompression" mod when he had my amp in 2011. I kind of don't think so, though; he didn't say he did that.

Either that or my amp really had an issue before that was affecting its tone :'/ the guy who I bought it from lied to me about its life with him and I found out the hard way...

So, the changes I hear could be just from added presence? That would make sense as to why my cleans sound more sparkly and that I have more definition/transparency than before.

What about the bottom end? I remember reading that you said there was more bottom end added in I think 2007?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Yes, I forgot it to mention. We added a bit bottom end but I guess there
is no need for more lows on the Diezels :)
 
Peter Diezel":gq4qhouj said:
Sigma.Xiria":gq4qhouj said:
Peter Diezel":gq4qhouj said:
There is no secret but the internet is a place for different stories.

There was a demand for more presence and less compression
in 2007 and we did some minor changes. You can copy the mod
turning up the presence control and reduce gain to get a similar
sound.

Some people make a big deal of that knowing to replace the right
part. Send me an email and if you can deal with a solder pen you
don´t have to pay big money.

From 1994 to 2007 the schematics may be a bit different because
we didn´t get some components anymore but the result was always
the same.

Simply speaking the VH4´s before 2007 are less bright but are
ready to dial in enough presence. Of course always depending
on tubes, guitars and cabinets.

I have a lot of early VH4´s on my workbench for re tubing and
I like every single unit. Some customers like the "presence mod"
some not. Just use your ears and dial in the amp. If you are happy
there is no need to hunt for the latest version.

In 2011 we switched to KT77 because the quality of most EL34 types
went bad. Some techs call the KT77 a high grade EL34. That´s true
and not true. The construction of the KT77 is very different to the EL34
and the KT77 has higher ratings. In my opinion is the midrange of the
KT77 more similar to the SED "Winged C" EL34 as the Chinese EL34.
The KT77 has less aggressive response than a EL34 but it's possible
to compensate that with a higher load an the output transformer and/or
higher plate voltage.

Enough blabla .... I don´t remember talking that much on the internet :lol: :LOL:

Enjoy your VH4 as it is and spend more time in practicing as I have to do.

Cheers,
Peter
Click to expand...

Thank you for clearing this up, Papa!

I am wondering if maybe Jens did do the "Dekompression" mod when he had my amp in 2011. I kind of don't think so, though; he didn't say he did that.

Either that or my amp really had an issue before that was affecting its tone :'/ the guy who I bought it from lied to me about its life with him and I found out the hard way...

So, the changes I hear could be just from added presence? That would make sense as to why my cleans sound more sparkly and that I have more definition/transparency than before.

What about the bottom end? I remember reading that you said there was more bottom end added in I think 2007?
Click to expand...

Yes, I forgot it to mention. We added a bit bottom end but I think there
is no need for more lows on the Diezels :)
Click to expand...

Oh, Papa! No need to say that; I love my girls with a nice big bottom (I think that is a Spinal Tap song haha) :lol: :LOL:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top