Diezel Big MaX - wow

[Torgo2003]

Sweetwater had the Big MaX in stock and despite knowing next to nothing about this amp (very little information online outside of some relatively low quality YouTube demos and a 3 minute demo by the guys) I took a flyer. I've always loved single channel amps with wide gain sweeps and high touch sensitivity.

This thing is fucking incredible. Definitely more upper mid focus than the staples but I wouldn't go so far as to call it vintage - there's still that sinister Diezel thing in the mids. The real game-changer for me is the bass response. It's absolutely there (this amp includes the Deep knob as well) but doesn't have that trailing bass response on fast thrash chugs that I could just never dial out of the other Diezels I've owned (VHX and Herbert). A boost or EQ always worked but then I was losing some of the massive/wide/3-D famous Diezel sound on full chords which is what I love about these amps in the first place.

Oh yeah, this thing does high gain. I ignorantly thought it was just a clean pedal platform (which it can be) but it's way more than that.

The low sensitivity input goes from gorgeous cleans to classic rock. High sensitivity sounds like a typical CH3 circuit but with more vintage/upper mid voicing. Amp not nearly as dry as other Diezels I've played but still tight. Tons of versatility using the volume pot on the guitar (as you would expect with a single channel).

Peter knocked this one out of the park. It's easily my favorite Diezel and absolutely worth a look if you don't need multiple channels and like playing through a highly dynamic old school single channel design.

 

[spguitar]

I'm debating one as my next amp. Post some clips!

 

[Techdeth]

I'm debating one as my next amp. Post some clips!

On the latest Alter Bridge and his solo album check out Myles Kennedys parts . That’s what he used

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

congrats, i always wanted to try one as a big single channel guy myself. Never pulled the trigger. Glad you like it.

 

[Ventura]

Oh yeah, this thing does high gain. I ignorantly thought it was just a clean pedal platform (which it can be) but it's way more than that.

It's a fkn Diezel - of COURSE it'll do high gain ??

 

[shadow070]

Im on the look out for a Schmidt, im a Herbert owner.
Happy to hear that the Big Max might be one to look at for me.

Im looking for a second amp that is less compressed so i have a JVM combo for a week now, im verry happy with it, so yesterday night i played the Herbert again after a week and i immidiatly knew why a Diezel is a Diezel and i never will part with my Herbert!

Im more in to lower gain sounds and having played the Herbert for 12 or 13 years its time fore something new.

 

[hellzington]

I just made a demo of this amp showing off a bunch of its great tones. Check it out!

 

[merkaba]

I just made a demo of this amp showing off a bunch of its great tones. Check it out!

I just picked up a Diezel Big Max and I have to say your demo sold it to me.

It’s an incredible amp. Glad I found one!

 

[the_music]

The BigMax is very refreshing, indeed

 

[MontiCristo]

Just got mine yesterday and I'm digging it man. Really not sure why there isn't more out there about this amp. It's everything you would want in a Diezel if you've tried them and had issues. Mainly, it's more raw and open and less compressed. The Harmonic content is improved and it's bare bones / easy to operate / straightforward. I hope to post some sound clips later.

 

[RedB4Black]

I wonder if the Herbert (midcut off) or VH4 can cover the BM tones. I would think they could

 

[SonVolt]

Never heard of the Big Max so this has me interested. It sure is butt f'ing ugly tho.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I think all diezels are ugly. But they sound good

 

[SonVolt]

Maybe "Big Max" sounds cooler in German.

 

[ChuggNorris]

Maybe "Big Max" sounds cooler in German.

It's well known he names his shit human names and nicknames. You should know this by now ya Lil fokker. ?

 

[Philhouse]

Maybe "Big Max" sounds cooler in German.

It's named after his son 'Max'.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

This is like the prs thread all over again

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

I am interested in the Big Max. Main amps are GZ Hellion and Splawn Comp, but looking for something I can also gig with and cut in the mix with no issues.

I'm a single channel guy, dialing up mid-gain tones, and boosting for metal chuggs or rolling guitar volume down for cleans.

I've read descriptions that vary that it's still a 'dark' open and also that it's less compressed and more raw/JCM800-meets Diezel...Whatever it is, I like the form factor and am expecting it to be less modern and more punch that my KSR Orion, and likely keep up or compete with my Splawn Comp.

Also curious how drastic is the Hi vs. Lo input. My thinking is I'd use the Hi input, dial a mid-gain tone with gain between 10-12:00 and boost things from there. Or, would I use the Lo input, Gain around 2:00 and still get the same amount of depth/punch? ...I'd also consider using it as a pedal platform for OD and maybe try something like the SLO Pedal Plus in the Hi or Lo input.

Finding one to try is difficult... What say you dudes?

 

[hellzington]

The Big Max will definitely be different, although as you said there could be some overlap with the Splawn. The Big Max is a Diezel, so it's still on the darker, warmer, fuller side than a vintage Marshall; but, it captures more of that vibe than any other Diezel (IMO). You would almost certainly want to use the Hi input. The Lo is pretty much just a pedal platform. As for gain, I'm not 100% sure what kind of stuff you're playing and what the output of your pickups are, but I would guess you'll put the gain around 1:00 with the bright switch on. Don't be afraid to up the Presence to very high levels if you want to slice through the mix.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I am interested in the Big Max. Main amps are GZ Hellion and Splawn Comp, but looking for something I can also gig with and cut in the mix with no issues.

I'm a single channel guy, dialing up mid-gain tones, and boosting for metal chuggs or rolling guitar volume down for cleans.

I've read descriptions that vary that it's still a 'dark' open and also that it's less compressed and more raw/JCM800-meets Diezel...Whatever it is, I like the form factor and am expecting it to be less modern and more punch that my KSR Orion, and likely keep up or compete with my Splawn Comp.

Also curious how drastic is the Hi vs. Lo input. My thinking is I'd use the Hi input, dial a mid-gain tone with gain between 10-12:00 and boost things from there. Or, would I use the Lo input, Gain around 2:00 and still get the same amount of depth/punch? ...I'd also consider using it as a pedal platform for OD and maybe try something like the SLO Pedal Plus in the Hi or Lo input.

Finding one to try is difficult... What say you dudes?

Sorry but Diezel=putting lipstick on a pig for me. '22 VH4 was the best Diezel I had and if I had tons of expendable income it would have stayed just for the low end ezperience, but at the end of the day Hellion, JCM800, Splawn-enter a ton of other amps here-all have much better tightness and speed of attack over Diezel.

Grain of salt in the context of this thread because its about the BigMax which I've never played, but I've owned three Herberts, a Dmoll, and the VH4 and none were any I'd consider cutting or tight or fast responding like a Splawn, or the Hellion. That VH4 was closest but still not there and the rest, forget it, bloated, round, slow attack.

Diezel is Diezel and if its your jam its unique, but for me they just don't cut it.