VH4(S) versus Herbert - VERSATILITY!!

[Ventura]

I'm sure this will be a HOT debate, but I wanna know - I wanna know from the owners who have both, have had both, or who have one over the other because they tried the other. I know Pauly's in the mix, I know Bronz is in there, maybe ttosh, and I know Mailman is thrusting his groin against his postage slot waiting for that package to arrive...

But the deal here is - users of BOTH amps!! WHICH AMP IS THE MOST VERSATILE??

Versatility includes:
1. Cleans to mega gain while still sounding like a Diezel
2. Percussive ear shattering cleans, with sparkle and depth
3. Crunch, how do they compare
4. The gain zone, VH4's Channel 3 versus Herb's Channel 2+/-
5. The mega gain zone, V's Channel 4 versus Herb's Channel 3

Which amp is the most versatile, delivers the best range from clear cleans to face melting oomph, all the while sounding like the truest of Diezel signature tones and not some Mark V or PlexiPlexi soundalike (please do NOT mention the word "plexi" in any of your replies, for my own sanity).

Y'all know I'm lining up to pull the trigger on one of these, but I need to know, is it worth it. I hammered the tar outta my VH4S last night and can't imagine it getting much better, but hey, the Herbert's been giving me wood as of late (no offence Andy), and I need to know what the real deal is.

I appreciate your professional opinions here. I promise NOT to refer to ANY current Herbert owners as "bastards" or "rat bastards" as per my previous posts of such nature. I wanna know - given only ONE of the two, which is it and WHY.

Thank you in advance for your input.
V.

 

[Mailman1971]

....... I know Mailman is thrusting his groin against his postage slot waiting for that package to arrive...


V.

LMFAO!!
I spit out my drink when I read this!!

Have you been watching me??

I am drooling like a dog staring out the window!
My VH4S......was well...PERFECT.
Did it all. Not going to lie.
I just wanted something more HARDCORE I guess....
and the VH4 cant get into Herbert 'voiced' land....
I am just hoping that the Herbert can do the good ROCK sounds the VH4 did.
Everyone assures me so. And yes.......I have faith!

Delivery on Tuesday.........

 

[bronz79]

I'm sure this will be a HOT debate, but I wanna know - I wanna know from the owners who have both, have had both, or who have one over the other because they tried the other. I know Pauly's in the mix, I know Bronz is in there, maybe ttosh, and I know Mailman is thrusting his groin against his postage slot waiting for that package to arrive...

WHICH AMP IS THE MOST VERSATILE??

Versatility includes:
1. Cleans to mega gain while still sounding like a Diezel
2. Percussive ear shattering cleans, with sparkle and depth
3. Crunch, how do they compare
4. The gain zone, VH4's Channel 3 versus Herb's Channel 2+/-
5. The mega gain zone, V's Channel 4 versus Herb's Channel 3

Which amp is the most versatile, delivers the best range from clear cleans to face melting oomph, all the while sounding like the truest of Diezel signature tones and not some Mark V or PlexiPlexi soundalike (please do NOT mention the word "plexi" in any of your replies, for my own sanity).

Y'all know I'm lining up to pull the trigger on one of these, but I need to know, is it worth it. I hammered the tar outta my VH4S last night and can't imagine it getting much better, but hey, the Herbert's been giving me wood as of late (no offence Andy), and I need to know what the real deal is.

I appreciate your professional opinions here. I promise NOT to refer to ANY current Herbert owners as "bastards" or "rat bastards" as per my previous posts of such nature. I wanna know - given only ONE of the two, which is it and WHY.

Thank you in advance for your input.
V.

I've owned a 2008 Vh4 from mid 2008 till 2 weeks ago..2 weeks ago arrived the Herbert....

1:They are both Diezel sounding at all but different..a Ferrari 250 GTO is still a Ferrari like the new 458 Italia...two different masterpieces.
2:Herbert Ch1 is almost an unbraekable clean,it remains always clean,only with my ceramic miracleman at 12 m.volume a bit but a bit of iron hitting powerchords.
For sure Herbert Ch1 has more headroom and a voice that fit my needs 100% well; must important even without any fx.
3:To be honest i've not played the Herbert crunch too much..i've used Ch2- with my Eclipse..pure heaven!
4:i really think you can't obtain exactly Vh4 Ch3 voice on the Herbert,you can max the gain in - mode or gain at 2/3 without midcut.
5:Vh4 channel 4 for me is the lead channel..way too difficoult due to compression to reach a rythmic channel,Herbert Ch3 can be brutal or liquid.

-Is a fault thinking of the Vh4 as a metal monster so the same for the Herbert,both can do almost eveything with Diezel sound.
-Also in Ch2 gain at 2 with mid cut i've found a terrible modern tone..so Ch2 versatility is unbelivable...from clean to brootalz.
-Herbert is more modern in all channels,less compressed in the higain territory,more usable gain and of course more evil sounding.

So NO WINNER,it all depends on the tone you are looking for.

 

[Ventura]

I'm sure this will be a HOT debate, but I wanna know - I wanna know from the owners who have both, have had both, or who have one over the other because they tried the other. I know Pauly's in the mix, I know Bronz is in there, maybe ttosh, and I know Mailman is thrusting his groin against his postage slot waiting for that package to arrive...

WHICH AMP IS THE MOST VERSATILE??

Versatility includes:
1. Cleans to mega gain while still sounding like a Diezel
2. Percussive ear shattering cleans, with sparkle and depth
3. Crunch, how do they compare
4. The gain zone, VH4's Channel 3 versus Herb's Channel 2+/-
5. The mega gain zone, V's Channel 4 versus Herb's Channel 3

Which amp is the most versatile, delivers the best range from clear cleans to face melting oomph, all the while sounding like the truest of Diezel signature tones and not some Mark V or PlexiPlexi soundalike (please do NOT mention the word "plexi" in any of your replies, for my own sanity).

Y'all know I'm lining up to pull the trigger on one of these, but I need to know, is it worth it. I hammered the tar outta my VH4S last night and can't imagine it getting much better, but hey, the Herbert's been giving me wood as of late (no offence Andy), and I need to know what the real deal is.

I appreciate your professional opinions here. I promise NOT to refer to ANY current Herbert owners as "bastards" or "rat bastards" as per my previous posts of such nature. I wanna know - given only ONE of the two, which is it and WHY.

Thank you in advance for your input.
V.

I've owned a 2008 Vh4 from mid 2008 till 2 weeks ago..2 weeks ago arrived the Herbert....

1:They are both Diezel sounding at all but different..a Ferrari 250 GTO is still a Ferrari like the new 458 Italia...two different masterpieces.
2:Herbert Ch1 is almost an unbraekable clean,it remains always clean,only with my ceramic miracleman at 12 m.volume a bit but a bit of iron hitting powerchords.
For sure Herbert Ch1 has more headroom and a voice that fit my needs 100% well; must important even without any fx.
3:To be honest i've not played the Herbert crunch too much..i've used Ch2- with my Eclipse..pure heaven!
4:i really think you can't obtain exactly Vh4 Ch3 voice on the Herbert,you can max the gain in - mode or gain at 2/3 without midcut.
5:Vh4 channel 4 for me is the lead channel..way too difficoult due to compression to reach a rythmic channel,Herbert Ch3 can be brutal or liquid.

-Is a fault thinking of the Vh4 as a metal monster so the same for the Herbert,both can do almost eveything with Diezel sound.
-Also in Ch2 gain at 2 with mid cut i've found a terrible modern tone..so Ch2 versatility is unbelivable...from clean to brootalz.
-Herbert is more modern in all channels,less compressed in the higain territory,more usable gain and of course more evil sounding.

So NO WINNER,it all depends on the tone you are looking for.

So far, that was an awesome reply - thanks Braddah... I see you're a fan of BKP's as well. Nicely done. I'm playing some RR's and a set of PK's. My next set is the quintessential NB's.

Peace,
V.

PS - by now, and seeing how the Mailman's sprayed all over this forum like a fat kid on a twinkie, I'm surprised he hasn't chimed in again yet. Poor sod's probably just horndoggin' it with a glossy pic of the Herb duct taped to a pillow. Just givin' er.

 

[nbarts]

You can get Plexi like tones out of Herbert.

 

[steve_k]

I think you will find several high end, high gain amps that replicate the Herbie. Its a great and versatile amp on its own, but it really has no organic tone that says this is a Diezel. I find the VH4 to be more representative and original in tone. All channels are usable and unique. I own both.

Steve

 

[DEWD]

VH4 w/o a doubt. I'd MAYBE pick a Herbert for modern hard rock and the VH4 for everything else. Both are better than a lot of amps out there but the VH4 is the all around better amp of the two IMO of course.

 

[bronz79]

You can get Plexi like tones out of Herbert.

Your review is far better than mine.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=30651&hilit=herbert+vs+vh4+vs+xtc

 

[Mailman1971]

-Herbert is more modern in all channels,less compressed in the higain territory,more usable gain and of course more evil sounding.

So NO WINNER,it all depends on the tone you are looking for.

So far, that was an awesome reply - thanks Braddah...

PS - by now, and seeing how the Mailman's sprayed all over this forum like a fat kid on a twinkie, I'm surprised he hasn't chimed in again yet. Poor sod's probably just horndoggin' it with a glossy pic of the Herb duct taped to a pillow. Just givin' er. [/quote]

Nah....just went to bed. Long week. Now...back to the review. What is said in the BOLD area.....is EXACTLY why I hunted down the Herbert. No other reason. Wasnt BETTER then the VH4S....but more aggressive.
And I used to throw DOWN on the VH4S. Love it. Just want the 'different metal' feel the Herbert has to offer.
Wish I could of kept both. Some day down the line I will grab a VH4 again. But I want the "older" Vh4 classic tone. A 2006 or older. I will be able to get all the Higher gain stuff from the Herbert.
Now.....back to my day dreams of the Herbert!

 

[Ventura]

You can get Plexi like tones out of Herbert.

I'm comin' to find you Kevin... That did it - SNAP

AWESOME review that was linked in one of the replies above - thank you. And as for the rest of the feedback, excellent stuff to ponder. Thanks gents!!

V.

 

[Mailman1971]

I have read every review posted........listened to every clip I can find on the web....
But NOTHING compares to when I plugged into one the other day!!

V.....dont even 2nd guess it.

Seriously.....just has this 'feel' that cant be explained.
If you love the VH4.....you will love the Herbert if your looking for that Diezel METAL zone tone.
Yes...it can play Rock as well!
Not sure if I would say "plexi"........

just my 2 cents.

Danno

 

[Ventura]

I have read every review posted........listened to every clip I can find on the web....
But NOTHING compares to when I plugged into one the other day!!

V.....dont even 2nd guess it.

Seriously.....just has this 'feel' that cant be explained.
If you love the VH4.....you will love the Herbert if your looking for that Diezel METAL zone tone.
Yes...it can play Rock as well!
Not sure if I would say "plexi"........

just my 2 cents.

Danno

Thanks Guys!! Don't get me wrong, I know it's a good amp, I'm just wondering if I "need" another bomber head to my arsenal... I fully concur that from the clips I've heard and checked out, as well as the ability to mix and match power valves, I'm all over the Herbert. But I'm not a nu-metal guy whatsoever, hence the reason I dumped the UberTJ. I have a new 20thA XTC with cab arriving any day now, so I think I may sort that rig out - and if I feel I need to find a more aggressive complement to it, outside of the VH4S, then I'll pull the trigger on the Herbster. If not, I'll have to see. But ya, it's a matter of GAS fo'shizzle. I'm into the sound, into the tubes, into what seemingly is an awesome EQ, and into the power. A lot of good things going for it.

As for that blasphemous term "plexi" I am so over hearing about it, I just wanna shoot myself in the face when I read reviews going off about the 'plexi' capability of an amp. Buy a f*ckin' Marshall if that's what you want - I'm buying today's amps so I can afford tomorrow's tones. How's that for poetic justice

Peace Y'All... Off to work,
V.

 

[Mailman1971]

Well you have such a KICK ASS Arsenal....I can see why you are asking if you need to add another?

I have limited myself to owning just ONE amp....(Unlike the good old days where multiple was fine)

So I wanted to get the Heaviest tones.....yet play the classic rock.
The VH4 is awesome! I love it!

But After playing the Herbert....even for a couple hours....I KNEW THIS WAS FOR ME!
I will 'sacrifice' a little if it cant get the mids the way the VH4 does.
Since the VH4 cannot get the MEANESS I heard from the Herbert.
So......all that said..... We play more heavy stuff so this amp suits me better.
But once again......I am trying to choose between keeping my right or left hand!
Both amps freaking RULE!!

 

[ttosh]

I have not heard the VH4 so I cannot really give any examples.

I will say last night finally after tweaking the Diezel for hours upon hours I got some really nice Plexi tones out of her finally to play some Hendrix. The sole reason I sold all my other amps was this was supposed to be the high gainer that had that Plexi tones in it. Channel 2- can really hit this. We went through a lot of 70s music with the Herbert.

Now that I finally got this covered and figured out I wonder if it can do anything heavier???

Good luck V......

 

[Mailman1971]

Its funny.........when I got a chance to play the Herbert........
I went in straight for the KILL!
Channel 3....
and it was all I IMAGINED!!
Flicked over to channel 2 to check my "AC/DC......KISS" Soundcheck......and it sounded REALLY GOOD.
True test is with the Band......but I know what "I" am looking for....and the Herbert DELIVERS!

Going to have to really play it thru my guitar....and my Cabs.....but I know it will pass with FLYING COLORS!

 

[stefvorcide]

Dan, you'll have to tell others that Herbie DOES CUT like a hot knife thru butter in the mix

 

[Mailman1971]

Dan, you'll have to tell others that Herbie DOES CUT like a hot knife thru butter in the mix

I know it does.......if they dont think.......
TURN IT LOUDER.......or CRANK THE MIDS!!
It cuts better then my ENGLS did!!

 

[Ventura]

I have not heard the VH4 so I cannot really give any examples.

I will say last night finally after tweaking the Diezel for hours upon hours I got some really nice Plexi tones out of her finally to play some Hendrix. The sole reason I sold all my other amps was this was supposed to be the high gainer that had that Plexi tones in it. Channel 2- can really hit this. We went through a lot of 70s music with the Herbert.

Now that I finally got this covered and figured out I wonder if it can do anything heavier???

Good luck V......

Thank you EVER so much for that WONDERFULLY tongue-in-cheek reply... Don't think I didn't SMELL the sarcasm a mile away.

Plexi....bloody damn plexi plexi...!!

V.

 

[Mailman1971]

........plexi...

 

[Ventura]

........plexi...

'plexi'


V.