VH4 or Herbert for my needs?

[Pirre81]

Hello Diezel owners and fans,

I know this topic has been discussed many times but I'm in situation that I cannot try or
compare those beasts here in Finland. So I probably need to buy a Diezel without trying any.
But I really trust Diezel's reputation and all feedbacks from satisfied Diezel owners. So which
one, VH4 or Herbert, would you recommend for me? I appreciate all your comments...

1) I want a crunch channel that kills! I mainly play metal/hard rock stuff (especially Metallica)

2) I also appreciate bright/chimey clean channel. I like lush chorusy tone for my cleans

3) I know Diezel need to be cranked to get really Diezel tone but which one works better in lower levels?

4) I use active EMG's, 81/60, in my guitars (Gibson LP Custom and custom Explorer)

5) This amp would be a long time investment for me so I also appreciate it's versatility


Thanks in advance for your tips/comments...

Sami

 

[diezel&gas]

I'd say Herbert.
I did it

 

[xmartx]

Hey Sami,
I'd say you can't go really wrong with either, and no matter which you choose you will always ask yourself if the other one wouldn't have been better even if your 110% happy with your tone I went with the Herbert without having played a VH4 and after trying a VH4 some time laster discovered it was the right decision for me. As I only tested the VH4 for a short period I will not comment on it, but imho the Herbert fits your demands pretty good. The distortion channels are great for any style of rock music from classic rock to death metal and the clean channel is the best I've heard in a high gain amp. Also it sounds great at lower volumes not only for a 180W amp. Of course you have to give it a bit of volume to shine but its one of the best low volume amps I tried and I think whatever is missing when playing at low volume is coming from the speakers and not from the amp.
I don't know where in Finland you guys are but you might wanna shoot the user nakedzen a pm. iirc he's from finland too and owns a Herbert, probably you can arrange sth

 

[Mailman1971]

I was in your same position a while back. Was leaning toward the Herbert myself.
We play alot of metal and hard rock. Ton of Metallica as well. My guitar has Emg's in it too (81/85)
Never heard either amp in person. Ended up getting a VH4 in a trade and I tell you what...
I cant be HAPPIER with this amp!
It can get LOW if you want. Not super scooped but hey...James Hetfield uses the VH4.

Here is a rough video I made with it. It sounds 10000% better in the same room but you get the idea.

Good luck on your tone quest!

Dan

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=65833

 

[Pirre81]

Thanks guys already for your comments! Dan, I checked your vid before and liked the tone... A LOT If I must choose just one channel I'd probably take VH4 ch3. But I think Herbie has better clean than VH4?

 

[Mailman1971]

I never heard the Herbert in person. But the clean on the VH4 is sparkling/chimey.
When playing channel 3 I just roll the volume back on the guitar to get it cleaned up for slower parts of songs.
My favorite channel is channel 4 with the gain at noon. Just dont get better than that.
Sounds like channel 3 with the gain cranked but a little 'meaner'.....

 

[RJF]

If you plan to buy used, which ever one pops up that is the best deal of the two.

 

[Mailman1971]

If you plan to buy used, which ever one pops up that is the best deal of the two.

EXACTLY!!!
I was looking for a Herbert.....but a good deal on the VH4S came up....
and I am super happy with it. Either amp...WIN/WIN I think.
And it seems from posts....that if you want to swap the VH4 for a Herbert....most guys are willing as well and I have seen it done quite often here.
Just stay in the family!

 

[Mizati20]

From what you just listed as your needs... the Herbert hands down...

 

[flownomis]

i would recommend the vh-4

but be aware of the fact that the herbie is a players amp, it forgives and you can hide mistakes better than with the vh-4

the vh-4 is so awesome because it represents the player the best. if your technique sucks, well then the overall sound will suck ,too.

you can hear and see this really good in some tube vids of a guy crazy for tallica stuff. no names here but hey, he´s happy and thats all that matters.


enjoy your diezel dude, you wont regret this !!!

 

[Mailman1971]

If you buy new.......I would think....Herbert...
but if you are getting used.....like mentioned in previous post......
what ever amp comes up 1st!!
My VH4 Kicks ASS!!!

 

[Hard&Heavy]

Herby

 

[Mizati20]

the vh-4 is so awesome because it represents the player the best. if your technique sucks, well then the overall sound will suck ,too.

I honestly don't understand when people say this... the VH-4 is the absolute most compressed amp I have ever heard... it most definitely DOES hide your mistakes... its too compressed not too... It's definitely an acquired taste so to speak, but for playing live the compression is a god send for me... but it most definitely 100% covers up your mistakes.... you obviously haven't played an SLO or an older Marshall, now THAT is unforgiving...

 

[gbsmusic]

I gotta say Herbert as well! I dont have a VH4 though. Herbert is by far the best amp I've ever heard/played!!

 

[Ventura]

See, the problem with getting "suggestions" to this "question" of yours is that it opens up the WHOLE debate about the WHOLE Herbert versus VH4 versus Herbert versus VH4 argument.

This topic has been ping ponged around this forum probably longer than the chicken and the egg argument. I can't help you. I'm not even going to bother suggesting one over the other. The BIGGEST problem with going with either is that you'll always wonder about the one you didn't get. So, here's something to consider - I like the idea of getting the 1st decent one that pops up on Craigs or ePay (heh heh) - whichever it will be, it will be a bloody awesome amp. Both are incredible. Both will rip your sound and tone a new *sshole. Both will command respect in a jam or live environ. And both are Diezels - end of story.

But I can guarantee you...it'll be like that dirty little thought in your mind like staring at the babysitter...or maybe a blow up doll (what?!?! this is getting weird...don't mind me, people are used to this from me)...but you'll ALWAYS wanna know what the other one's like to play with, test drive, crank, or just fiddle with

Good Luck
V.

 

[Mailman1971]

the vh-4 is so awesome because it represents the player the best. if your technique sucks, well then the overall sound will suck ,too.

I honestly don't understand when people say this... the VH-4 is the absolute most compressed amp I have ever heard... ...

You never played the ENGL FIREBALL 100 have you.....

 

[Pirre81]

Thanks for your comments so far! This is just what I expected, both of them would be god like for sure. And I'm going to buy this amp as a new so It'll be even harder to decide

I must say that also concidered Mark V but I don't like all the issues MV5 owners have had with their babies. One thing is sure, I'll be a part of this Diezel family soon...

 

[diezel&gas]

i read Mark V in not as good as many would expect. good amp ok but nothing smashing.
and it's way so far from old & good mark IIc+ sounds if yuu wnat to get them on the mark V modes.

buy Diezel seriously they're the right and long lasting choice

last but not least, what do you like the most soundwise?

afai play much Metallica i've chosen the Herbert over the VH4 because i liked the more its sound and features, although all we know Hetfield uses also a VH4.
i wanted my amp! ..then you could play quite everything.

 

[flownomis]

... you obviously haven't played an SLO or an older Marshall, now THAT is unforgiving...

i played a marshall jmp ,i think a 75 version, for 6 years, trust me i know what unforgivingness is. at the moment i´m playing a jcm 800

the vh-4 in my opinion is unforgiving , like mailman said, have you ever played an engl ?

the vh-4 is so awesome because it represents the player the best. if your technique sucks, well then the overall sound will suck ,too.

I honestly don't understand when people say this... the VH-4 is the absolute most compressed amp I have ever heard... ...

You never played the ENGL FIREBALL 100 have you.....

you nailed it, dude

 

[Mailman1971]

2 months ago if you asked me what amp I would buy new between a Herbert and the VH4.
I would of chose the Herbert.
If you asked me today after playing my VH4....
I would take the VH4.
I always assumed if you wanted Diezel METAL tone...it had to be Herbert.
How wrong I was!
The VH4 is so damn verstile. Channel 3 is the SHIT!!!
I was bouncing back and forth between 3 and 4 last nite.
That amp didnt let me down for 1 second.
Best I have heard....played....in my life. And I have owned a ton of gear.
My VH4 is the Stereo head...sounds MASSIVE with the two 4X12's I am pushing.
But I still think its a WIN WIN for either amp.