Choosing a Diezel Amp

[SynFactory]

Hi, guys Paolo from Italy here. Finally after some lurking here my first post!
By the way I write you here because I would like to have advice from you Diezel Gurus.
After ten years of playing I just want to buy an amp that satisfies me.
I was never really interested in "tone", I've always had this attitude that everything that can amplify my guitar at the moment was ok, but now that I'm older I just want to buy a real amp.
And the quest finish here.

So let me explain what I like and what I have.
I have a Gibson SG (drop d ) and a PRS Singlecut (d standard). Both guitars with Bareknuckle Pickups.
As For Fx I have the Eventide Time Factor and Space pedals and a Crybaby 535Q. I don't need anything else.

I play in two bands.
One hardcore/nu-metal oriented: https://www.myspace.com/mustywig
the other one more electronic/prog/heavy rock: http://waitingroom.bandcamp.com/

I really like Jerry Cantrell, Adam Jones, Munky from Korn and Billy Howerdel as far for tones.
So I would like to have your advice on which Diezel Amp will be for me.
Einstein, Herbert or Hagen?
Just want to have an head that can cover various genres, that have or that can mount EL34 in it, and that is Tight in the low end and with a dark and smooth voicing. By the the way the two other guitarists uses a Peavey 5150 and a Peavey 6505+ (quite the same amp.)

I know that I have to try it, especially in this price range, but I would like to have some advice from you and then maybe make a 550 km trip to try these amps in person...

Well...sorry about the long post and thanks for your help!

Paolo

 

[JohnRageOn]

My answer may be cynical, but you have to listen to the whole product line by yourself and experiment a bit.
All of them share some common tonal characteristics but each one has its own vibe.
All can do metal and can handle the lower frequencies pretty well. Also, their construction is top notch.

BTW - 'Tight in the low end and with a dark and smooth voicing' = VH4 (especially if you experiment a bit with the preamp tubes and a rear loaded cab)

 

[Nico]

Don't know, I can tell you though that the Einstein can do all those tones and then some. Its the least expensive of the bunch which is a plus...

They say its the most vintage voiced, but this thing can do the drop tunnings for the heavier stuff while staying super tight too with ease...

You can get them new for around 1800 Euro, try thommann cyberstore, they have the best prices.

By the way the 50W version is incredible!

 

[just42dave]

Hi Paolo~!!!!!!!!!!! Its terri an David from the states that sell you tubes all the time..WelcomE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PaulyPanacea]

VH4

 

[stoni]

einstein 50w...definitly a good choice

 

[Joeytpg]

yeah, it sounds like you might be happy with a Vh4, but I haven't played the new Hagen.

 

[SynFactory]

Thanks for the reply and for the welcome guys

My answer may be cynical, but you have to listen to the whole product line by yourself and experiment a bit.
All of them share some common tonal characteristics but each one has its own vibe.
All can do metal and can handle the lower frequencies pretty well. Also, their construction is top notch.

BTW - 'Tight in the low end and with a dark and smooth voicing' = VH4 (especially if you experiment a bit with the preamp tubes and a rear loaded cab)

Absolutely, I will have to try these amps in person, but I also wanted to know how they perform in the recording studio and in band/live situations. Have you recorded something with the VH4 John? Do you like it?

Nico, thanks for the link, I will contact them in case I will decide for the Einstein.
I must say that I can have a killer deal on an used one, the 100W version, and I may be really tempted for the cost and weight.
I'm absolutely sure that it's "modern", I've heard some clips online that are more than "modern" for my tastes.

So 2 votes for the Einstein and 4 for the VH4. Why not the Herbert? Is it so different?

 

[bwgintegra]

Vh4 would make you very happy, almost as happy as a Hagen....

I also have a Hagen and VH4, I have been putting in some hours on both of them this week. I am only able to keep one of them and having a hard timing choosing one.

Are you liking the Hagen better? What do you like better about each one? I like the openness of the Hagen but like the smoothness of the VH4. I mostly have been comparing channel 3 on each of them as that's where I spend most of my time. The Hagen has a more aggressive tone and almost seems to have a slight buzz to it that I dislike, do you hear this at all. Also do you think the Hagen is a bit more noisier. Give me your opinion I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[spirit7]

The Herbert is different, but I can tell you that you absolutely cannot go wrong with it for heavy music. Try one and you WILL fall in love with it

That said, I cannot bear to sell my VH4 either...they're so complimentary. Gun to my head, I'd keep the Herbert, though.

-C

 

[steve_k]

Keep your VH4's. They are going to be one of the icons of the amp industry.....up there with a Super Lead, XTC, Mark IIC+, etc.

Steve

 

[spguitar]

For those tones you like: Herbert
Adam Jones and Munky both blend the VH4 with other amps for their tones. The Herbert is just balls to the wall and imo doesn't need another amp to layer. Even on recordings i find myself using just the Herbert after recording blending tracks of other amps.

 

[Ventura]

Keep your VH4's. They are going to be one of the icons of the amp industry.....up there with a Super Lead, XTC, Mark IIC+, etc.

Steve

Agreed.

 

[slyvren]

Keep your VH4's. They are going to be one of the icons of the amp industry.....up there with a Super Lead, XTC, Mark IIC+, etc.

Steve

Agreed.

I thought they already were...

 

[steve_k]

For those tones you like: Herbert
Adam Jones and Munky both blend the VH4 with other amps for their tones. The Herbert is just balls to the wall and imo doesn't need another amp to layer. Even on recordings i find myself using just the Herbert after recording blending tracks of other amps.

Nothing wrong with a Herbie. Had one for a couple years and it is an excellent stand-alone amp with a lot of grunt. Like all things Diezel, it is the clever design, quality, the switching, the loop, parallel/series options, etc. that Peter builds into all his amps that put them all over the top.

Steve

 

[bwgintegra]

Vh4 would make you very happy, almost as happy as a Hagen....

I also have a Hagen and VH4, I have been putting in some hours on both of them this week. I am only able to keep one of them and having a hard timing choosing one.

Are you liking the Hagen better? What do you like better about each one? I like the openness of the Hagen but like the smoothness of the VH4. I mostly have been comparing channel 3 on each of them as that's where I spend most of my time. The Hagen has a more aggressive tone and almost seems to have a slight buzz to it that I dislike, do you hear this at all. Also do you think the Hagen is a bit more noisier. Give me your opinion I would greatly appreciate it.

Mine is not noisier or buzzy...interesting...what guitar ? And what tubes are you running in the vh4?
I'm keeping both vh4 and Hagen. I don't care...I can't part with the vh4 right now. It's always a iconic and keeper amp. The Hagen is awesome and I like the aggressive factor.

I think I may have a micro phonic preamp tube, gonna swap out today. Does anybody know the layout of the preamp tubes, what goes to what?

 

[Tone Monster]

My Hagen is dead quiet with zero buzz. It can cop the VH4 tones but not vice versa IMO of course. My VH4 is for sale.

To you guys that are keeping both. Please tell me what your VH4 can do that your Hagen can't?.?.?.?

 

[Tone Monster]

I'm surely not saying everyone should sell! I just said I am.

 

[angelspade]

My Hagen is dead quiet with zero buzz. It can cop the VH4 tones but not vice versa IMO of course. My VH4 is for sale.

To you guys that are keeping both. Please tell me what your VH4 can do that your Hagen can't?.?.?.?

I'm just keeping it. Why sell it. It's a classic. It's not going to be in production anymore (if I understood what papa said on another thread). It will always be a monster. The Hagen is amazing and has taken 1st position in my live rig, I have retired the VH4 to a case and hidden it away. One day it will come out and we will all smile again at it's roaring tones...until then the beast sleeps...

So I take it that after a week or so of ownership you consider the Hagen to be a superior amplifier over the VH4? Could you decribe what it is that you favor with the Hagen? ...I really like my VH4 (but the clips and vids of the Hagen sound amazing...More aggressive and "rounder" in nature)

...I'm curious, as I am a VH4 and Herbert owner, and will likey be purchasing a Hagen as well.

 

[angelspade]

I'm surely not saying everyone should sell! I just said I am.

What is it that you like so much better with the Hagen (as compared to your VH4)?

...Just curious.