VH4 not cutting thru with 6L6

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animusofabbas

animusofabbas

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Hey guys im having a problem i bought a vh4 about 6 months ago with a front loaded cab to match. My vh4 has 6l6 tubes. Is anyone having problems breaking through the mix? The amp doesnt come through. I have to crank the shit outta my mids pres and treb to come through then the sound is thin. I just recorded an album and the producer even said this thing it useless. I cant figure out the problem. The clean sounds killer but for heavy de-tuned things its not working. My voodoo modded 5150 kills it. Im like in a tough situation hear? any suggest? different tubes? it would be a shame to mod a 4k brand new head. Im not a kid i have been playing in a band for 15 years with countless tours under my belt. I need somthing that is going to produce. I tune to c# and drop b. use dime buckers, and emg pickups. Have diezel cabs, boogie, and marshall. Ive tried every guitar and cab combo there is.
 
+1 on the EL34s.

The Herbert, with its mid-cut, is probably a better fit for that type of sound.

I also think when playing live that it's difficult in general to get a good cutting tone out of a guitar tuned that low. Even at drop C and using heavy strings to get the same tension as normal tuning, I find the live tone just lacks definition, regardless of the amp or guitar I use. Of course, YMMV.
 
I'm pretty skeptical when someone claims a 5150 cuts better than a Diezel. Even if it's a mooded 5150.
 
Im even talking about in the studio. There is alot of buzzynes that gets eaten up. The stock 5150 is worse. Im talking about after the mod. Do you think el34s are better then 6l6? What about 6550? I hear there should be good. I aggree live wiht lower tuning is tough but not when theres a mic with a sound guy and things of that nature.

Hey peter can you do some fixes for me? Is there a number i can call? That would be awsome?
 
What are your settings, that'd probably help a little bit. 6L6's Have more true high end so they will have more sizzle when not modded to chop those frequencies out, as well as more over all scooped mids which is why they're an excellent clean tube. I tried 6l6's in my Herbie and had a very slight problem cutting, went back to the stock EL34's and now we have a problem getting the other guitar player to cut... live anyway, haven't tried recording. This is with straight front standard Bogner's which are rear loaded and to me are a slighty "hollow", angled ones being slighty more mid-rangey. Being as you have a front loaded cab which according to Diezel is linear, there shouldn't be a problem cutting. HOWEVER, you may want Pete to Mod that to get a thicker mean sound out of it for de-tuned stuff, I don't think the VH4 was the best choice for that kinda stuff, that's more Herbie territory especially if you want it THICK as far as Diezel's go out of the box, but it seems apparent that if you aren't happy, Peter is willing to help.

Laters,

-Nick

P.S. If you end up not jiving with this set up I have a straight Bogner I'll trade you for the front loaded Diezel I'd like to try one out, if you'd be interested? That is if your in the USA.

Edit: Sorry, didn't see the post above where you asked Peter for a way to get ahold of him.
 
I think im going to have peter mod it if he can. El34 maybe my answer. I was told to buy the vh4 because its a tighter amp so for my detuned fast riffing it would be better. The diezel cab has been the standard for myself and my buddy joeyz from L.O.A for recording. IT sounds killer just not the head lol. Weve used that cab a ton of times u know. thanks though.
 
A $4K amp and you need to get it modded to cut through a mix? :confused:
 
I just think in needs some tweeking. Maybe the conjuction of my playing style and down tuned riffs is not suiting very well for me.
 
First try EL34 tubes.
And make sure it gets a biasjob. My EL34 equiped VH4 cuts trough so very well, it's just annoying :lol: :LOL:

But serieus....
I 've had a Dual Recto with 6L6 and had the same problem. Lots of highs and lows, but no definition or tone. Changed the 6L6 to EL34 and the sound got more balanced, more mids and less annoying sizzle.

Stick to your Diezel, you are close to sounding like 4K.
 
I would replace the tubes with EL34-SED and 12AX7-C.
Maybe we can replace a resistor.

Where are You located ?

What´s the serial number on the amp ?

You can email me at peterdiezel (at) diezelamplification.com
 
I don't want to hijack this thread, but my questions are kind of related to the very same matter.

I was wondering that does EL34's cut through the mix better than KT88s? (I was using the stock EL34s and currently I am using KT88s and my opinion is rather divided into favor of both alternatives)

Does anyone have any experience about 6CA7 tubes (i.e. new production, such as EH) in VH4 or Diezels in genral? Especially a comparison to EL34s would be enlighting.
 
No prob email me when you get a min. I guess ill hold off on the sale lol. Just let me know where i have to send it. And what options of available to me. Thanks dude

you rock.
 
I´m in Germany, so please contact:

mike (at) 65amps.com

If You send the amp top LA, we are ready to "open it up"

Thanks,

Peter
 
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