VH4 or Herbert? Opinions wanted!

[TheMagicEight]

I finally got to play through a VH4 and a Herbert today (saw them setting next to each other in the music store and nearly shed a tear at the beauty), and the tone of both is nothing short of incredible. I'm in college though, and the same can't be said of the price tag , but with a little hard work I should be able to afford one by hopefully the summer.

So now the dilemma of which one to get cones into play. First and foremost I am looking for reliability; I have no money to have one of these need repairs. The Herbert already had 2 LEDs out, so that makes me hesitate. I've heard other things about VH4s dying, so words of wisdom in this are are greatly appreciated.

As for tones, I think both are equally incredible to my ears, but what do you think? Especially if you've owned them for a while, I'd love to know what you've got to say.

Even if you have only played one, please feel free to comment! One of these days I could see owning both, but for right now, any input is greatly appreciated because I need to make a decision at some point!

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

So what style of music do you play even though all types of music can be achieved on any of the Diezel amps, they are extremely versatile. Also you should really consider the Einstein unless you need MIDI and all the extra features that come with the Herbert or VH4. The Einstein is quite a bit cheaper and sounds just as good as the big boys, i know i love mine.

 

[TheMagicEight]

I had an Einstein combo actually. Nice little amp; channel 1 was incredible, but never really loved 2. That's not to say I wouldn't like the head version, but I want a big amp. Also, I love the sounds out of the Herbert and VH4.

I want a big, tight, punchy distortion tone. The VH4 seems tighter with more mids, and the Herbert has that massive modern sound. Again though, I have made my mind up that I like each as much as the other, which is why I want to hear what other people have to say for their own styles.

Thanks!

 

[Duolos]

Get both. They are all reliable and sound great.

 

[TheMagicEight]

Haha, sure. I'll get both if someone wants to sell me two for the price of one!

 

[Szar]

Doesn't matter which you get first. You will end up with both VH4 and Herbert eventually.

 

[The Udo]

Hey man!

I know exactlly where you´re at in your mind right now! I started with the VH4, an amazing amp hands down! I mean, it has four independent channels wich all sounds great, plus all the extras like MIDI, mute button etc etc.
But some months ago I was seriously GAS'in for the Herbert. And I couldn´t afford them both so I had to sell my VH4
so I got the Herbert some days later and I was totally blown away! For me, the Herbert is the better amp if you´re playing detuned, heavy and modern metal/rock. The VH4 does it really well too, but with the Herbert you can kick it up another notch!!!
But what it all comes down to is what YOU like. I would love to own them both (which I´m planing on doing some day ) but for now you just have to make your own priorities, do you want a dryer more midrange sound or do you want a little more hang and modern sound?
I for one couldn´t get another amp than Diezel now...c´mon midcut AND two master levels AND Midi!?!? Nobel prize man!!

 

[Joeytpg]

I got an Einstein and a Vh4 and the Einstein being very similar in voicing as the Herbert, I really don't know what to say to you.

in MY case I'd rather have the Vh4 by a hair, since I'm more of a "tight" amp guy, plus the Vh4 just sounds MEAN. the herbert/einstein sound HUGE, but the vh4 sounds PISSED!

so I prefer it a little bit over the others.

 

[eddyrox]

Get both. They are all reliable and sound great.

+1000!

Both different IMHO, with the Herbert being the most versatile and usable due to it's increased headroom and functionality. However for the classic tones with a tighter, more articulate tone (as compared to my Marshalls), VH4's the pick. That said, they both mic differently (I've got AKG's, 57's, 609's, Audix I5's) and I've been able to get both modern and classic sounds from both heads. How's that for not answering the question!

 

[TheMagicEight]

Thanks guys! I think I'm going to go for the Herbert first. Does anyone know if revisions have been made since they first came out, or is any Herbert basically the same?

 

[Joeytpg]

the same, the only dif is the "newer" ones as in a couple of years have external bias pots which RULE. My Einstein has them and biasing the amp is a breeze!

I have to get the VH4 out of the headshell


The Vh4 has indeed been modified....the newer ones sound better and have more gain. I haven't played the newer ones, but a lot of ppl say it. PEter is "updating" my Vh4 so, I'll let everyone know the tonal change

 

[nbarts]

HERBERTO!

 

[FZRJunkie]

FINALLY.

I've been waiting for someone to ask this question.

...for the 1000th time.

My idea is this, as soon as this thread hits page 2, I'm gonna start a new thread called "Herbert or VH4 - help!" just to be different. See, in mine, the amps are reversed.

I am just so sorry. But try the search.

Sincerely,
Some forum newb who is already sick of seeing this same exact thread reincarnate every 3 days with same answers over and over.

 

[Rob Tahan]

Haha this thread is posted every week. ...but its all good.
Again for ME personally i definitely had to go with the Herbert. I love ch.4 on the vh4 but every channel of the herbert owns. Just do a search and see. I played both of them side by side in the music store before making my decision btw.

 

[Rob Tahan]

Get both. They are all reliable and sound great.

+1000!

Both different IMHO, with the Herbert being the most versatile and usable due to it's increased headroom and functionality. However for the classic tones with a tighter, more articulate tone (as compared to my Marshalls), VH4's the pick. That said, they both mic differently (I've got AKG's, 57's, 609's, Audix I5's) and I've been able to get both modern and classic sounds from both heads. How's that for not answering the question!

Dude.. You live in New Port beach? Nice. im pretty sure i surfed there a few times and had a blast. Thats near el porto right? ...man i miss Cali

 

[TheMagicEight]

FINALLY.

I've been waiting for someone to ask this question.

...for the 1000th time.

My idea is this, as soon as this thread hits page 2, I'm gonna start a new thread called "Herbert or VH4 - help!" just to be different. See, in mine, the amps are reversed.

I am just so sorry. But try the search.

Sincerely,
Some forum newb who is already sick of seeing this same exact thread reincarnate every 3 days with same answers over and over.

See, if you've read my original post, you'd see that I don't need or want "help" as much as opinions. I want to know what other people think, not post about my style and ask for advice.

However, even if I were asking for advice, maybe we can think of a reason this thread keeps coming up? Hmm..... Oh! I know! Different people play differently and have different styles! Therefore, they will require different sounds - hence the reason for the two amps existing instead of just one.

What you may not realize is I've been coming here daily for months. I don't post things I have seen before.

Thanks for your advice though; I appreciate all that I can get.

 

[FZRJunkie]

See, if you've read my original post, you'd see that I don't need or want "help" as much as opinions.

same diff, same responses, same thread

I can lay down the stats for ya based on results culled from a superbadass computer program run from a super-conducting, liquid nitrogen-cooled mainframe in Helsinki that read all the other 9000 threads exactly like this one for me. It's about 66% Herbie, 33% VH4, with an extra bloke or two chiming in with a vote for the Einstein despite each thread only pertaining to the first two amps. In threads where models aren't specified for the requested opinions ie "which Diezel should I get?" the polling breaks down similarly: 50% Herb, 25% VH4, 15% Einie. The other 10% own both or all three.

Since no one ever says what kind of music they play ("I'm in a Tool cover band," "I can nail the Death Magnetic sound with..."), dropping only ambiguous phrases like, "Ch. X on the <whatever amp> really brings the brootz!" or like my favorite, "I've yet to hear an amp that sounds this good || it blew the other one away," and the same vague adjectives get tossed around all the time and are interchangeable from player to player between the two models asked about most frequently, and they all all seem to be metalheads (nothing wrong with that, I am one of you), meh, yer better off with using the statistical data, in which case the Herbert is the clear winner. Better yet, go play the fuckers. In a private room where ya can crank 'em, and with your #1 or #2 axe. Use a couple of yer fave effects, too; hell, get jiggy with this. Really test 'em out while you save up.

Then do us all a favor and write a nice, descriptive report of your findings per yer applications. Like the guy who wrote the thorough comparison between the two Diezels and the 2 Bogners. I would dearly love to read it, all sarcasm and smart-assery aside.

Please note this is not so much directed at you (entirely) as it is aimed at all future posters of this same thread ad nauseum and the folks who will respond to those instances of this same exact thread. Make it good, make it entertaining, make it a sticky. It gets old wading through the same tired answers like "Ch.X on this one is yummy, but I like Ch. Y on that one a little better," and ultimately learning not all that much about why and how. There is nothing to differentiate the answers or the threads from one another. I've obviously read them, I'm obviously interested, too.

 

[FZRJunkie]

in MY case I'd rather have the Vh4 by a hair, since I'm more of a "tight" amp guy, plus the Vh4 just sounds MEAN. the herbert/einstein sound HUGE, but the vh4 sounds PISSED!

actually, just to downplay my previous a bit, I rather enjoyed this confessional. Gives me a pretty good idea I suppose.

I wish folks would mention cabs/speakers, guitars, tunings that are used more often when answering. Rhythm/lead styles would help also.

And what, are y'all a bunch of drug-dealing gangsters to be able to afford all these $$$$$$ amps?

 

[BigR]

I haven't had the chance to play a VH4 yet (and my bank acct is scared for me to even try), but do own a Herbert, as well as an Ecstasy (which I noticed from your sig that you own as well). To me, the Herbert really compliments the XTC, and vice versa, both when running them together, or when recording. They're voiced so differently that, expecially when recording and mixing tracks, they both find their own place in the mix. The VH4 is tighter than the Herbert, but the Herbert is by no means loose, and is way tighter than the XTC. I think I've read (I may be wrong) that the VH4 is more 'Marshally' than the Herbert, and you already have that in the XTC. So I can't give a direct comparison between VH4 and Herbert, but I've been VERY happy with the combination of Herbert and XTC.

 

[Joeytpg]

in MY case I'd rather have the Vh4 by a hair, since I'm more of a "tight" amp guy, plus the Vh4 just sounds MEAN. the herbert/einstein sound HUGE, but the vh4 sounds PISSED!

actually, just to downplay my previous a bit, I rather enjoyed this confessional. Gives me a pretty good idea I suppose.

I wish folks would mention cabs/speakers, guitars, tunings that are used more often when answering. Rhythm/lead styles would help also.

And what, are y'all a bunch of drug-dealing gangsters to be able to afford all these $$$$$$ amps?

We're far from being ganstas but I'm sure there are a few members of the Corleone fam. in here!


now, in my particular case, I play pretty much every type of music, from blues to metal. Now, I don't really play death metal or anything like that, my "metal" stays within the metallica - megadeth realm mostly. I play A LOT of pop rock, so I've used the clean and texas/ch.2 in the Einstein/Vh4 extensively.

any of the three amps will do the fast palm mutting thing incredibly well....it's just up to the "tonal" characteristics of each amp that'll be the deal breaker. Are you more into the modern sounds? then Herbert's for you, are you more into a heavy mids, tight mean tone, then the Vh4 is your pal. Are you into a modern tone with a slight vintage vibe then the Einstein is your amp, feel me daug?

Now, I'm NOT the right person to compare speakers and cabs..... I was a combo guy for maaany years and have only owned one cab so far, and it's a cheap Framus 2x12 with v30s. But guys like Duolos, Duesentrieb, nbarts are VERY knowledgable on cabs and speaker combination, so ask them. But from what seems like a general consensus all diezels REALLY get along with V30s, SPECIALLY the Vh4. The new cabs being made in Germany are supposed to be from out of this world too.

Tuning:

95% of the time I'm in E, there are some songs I use drop d, and from time to time I set my Edwards to Eb or drop C#, and it's a lor of fun. That Vh4 sounds fucking HUGEEE with a drop C#. I don't like to go lower than that since I prefer tightness/clarity over hugeness. But it DOES sound huge.

Guitars:

ANY guitar will sound good through it man! haha, the vh4 even has the "bright" switch in channel 1 and two that REALLY helps when you go from a Strat to a Les Paul type of guitar......since Strats are way brighter than L.P. with only a flip of a switch you're still in tone-heaven and not one knob was moved!

Now, pickups is another thing...... I have EMGs and passives, although I ain't got hi output passives yet, and you can really tell Diezels sound better with passive pickups because they don't overdrive the amp that much, but I do like EMGs still......they're tight, silent and heavy.


hope that helps a bit more.