Diezel VH4 or VHX? Herbert?

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nightlight

nightlight

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Thinking about getting a Diezel amp again and just going through options.

I used to own a VH4 and loved it, but had to move it on due to other priorities. I now want another one, but the newer VHX seems really interesting to me, especially since it appears to have the DNA of a bunch of other Diezel amps' DNA in it.

The Herbert is another one I've been wanting to try, since it appears to be the most brutal of the lot.

Anyone have experience with any/all of them. I know @Techdeth has a collection.
 
Had Herbert and have VH4. I love the VH4. More than the Herbert. Haven’t tried the X though
 
I've owned a Herbert MRK I, a 2005 VH4 and a 2022 VH4. I have yet to try the VHX, and frankly am not particularly interested. While there can be different ideas of what a "brutal" tone represents, I feel if that's the primary objective; then go with the Herbert. If you want clean to metal and literally everything in between, then go back the VH4 (preferrably the latest revison). Or give the VHX a spin, I personally don't want my modelers crossbred with my tube amps.
 
These things are always tough because people hear things differently, we all play differently with different signal chains etc. I own a '22 VH4, '23 Herbert Mk3 and '21 VHX so I can give my quick impressions:

  • VH4 is the only one of the three I will never get rid of. People talk about the Herbert being more brutal but I just don't hear it. To my ears the VH4 has more bite, growl and more low-end than most players would ever need. It has this nasty low mid grind that is just evil AF. It's more directionally focused where the Herbert has this crazy wide spread thing going on (not that VH4 doesn't sound 3D because it absolutely does). The Herbert sounds more refined with a more balanced EQ. It's rounder. With the massive power section it stays cleaner and less saturated on chugs. Bigger low end but VH4 already has enough for me and is tight enough IMO. Another important consideration: I do not play extended range and I typically play in standard tuning. If you're down tuned Herbert might be the choice (it's why it was designed in the first place). If you're playing really modern metal and don't necessarily want that more old school chunk, probably Herbert.
  • I do think Herbert takes a boost way better than VH4. I use actives and those push the VH4 enough where I don't feel a boost is needed. To me, the Herbert needs a boost but takes it like a champ. Another consideration: if you care about cleans, Herbert stays dead ass clean and will get LOUD without breakup (piano like). VH4 can be dialed in to edge of breakup/light crunch on the clean channel. They are very different.
  • VHX: crazy piece of engineering. Sounds fantastic but doesn't really sound like VH4/Herbert to me (I'm sure others have dialed them in to be close). Has my favorite crunch sounds of the three amps and incredible cleans but I just can't quite get that classic VH4 channel 3 sound out of it or the massive 3D spread of the Herbert. Great jack of all trades but I prefer the original blueprints so to speak. I'm also a pedal addict so I never really use the onboard effects. Just not the right Diezel from a use case perspective for me but if you like an all in one solution with Diezel tones it's a great option
 
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Torgo2003 said:
  • VHX: crazy piece of engineering. Sounds fantastic but doesn't really sound like VH4/Herbert to me (I'm sure others have dialed them in to be close). Has my favorite crunch sounds of the three amps and incredible cleans but I just can't quite get that classic VH4 channel 3 sound out of it or the massive 3D spread of the Herbert. Great jack of all trades but I prefer the original blueprints so to speak. I'm also a pedal addict so I never really use the onboard effects. Just not the right Diezel from a use case perspective for me but if you like an all in one solution with Diezel tones it's a great option
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Does the VHX get as "big" sounding as the VH4? That was one thing that was making me hesitate on getting one at the time I got my Hagen.
 
Man, personal preference is so hard to offer opinion on.

I've tried all but the MkIII Herbert and the VHX. I never gelled with the earlier Herbert.

I own a couple VH4 (differing model years), Hagen, D-Moll. I fkn love the VH4 and Hagen.

If I had to get just ONE Diezel, it'd be the same answer I gave 10+ years ago: VH4

YMMV.
 
Mr. Chainsaw said:
Does the VHX get as "big" sounding as the VH4? That was one thing that was making me hesitate on getting one at the time I got my Hagen.
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I think it does. VHX is still a stout 100w power section and it's still analog - the digital brain of that amp doesn't impact things like bigness to my ear. I haven't run VH4 and VHX side by side with something like a switcher to be sure but VHX feels plenty powerful to me and doesn't sound neutered or digital (if that's ultimately what you're asking)
 
Owned all three. Own a mk3 Herbert and VHX.

Herbert: Massive, wall of sound that only a Herbert can do. Takes boosts well....IMO I would boost of going for ultra precise, fast staccato style metal. Definitely not as tight as the VH4, but easy to dial in and ya....sounds gigantic and holds together well with that power section.

VHX: Had it a couple years now. It is indeed a great jack of all trades Diezel an makes a great one and done rig setup. It can get the vibe of the other Diezel models, but is still kind of its own thing. If you want different flavors of Diezel and only one Diezel in your collection, it would absolutely be worth checking out. If you absolutely LOVE the tone/feel of a Herbert or VH4....get the real McCoy.

VH4: Did not like my old script VH4, but really really like the newer VH4's I have played: ch2 and ch4 are more usable/versatile IMO, great cleans and of course, the mighty ch3 still kills!
 
if you're not sure, the VHX is the obvious answer, since it will have at least one sound in there you like!

Still didn't sell my herbert, but i wish the channel 3 would be the "+" option (more like the VH4 4th channel(hardly use it)) and channel 2 - and + would have individual EQs.
so to me it's only a 2 channel amp (clean and dirty).

love the VHX. you can have super clean and a edge of breakup preset (or more) just with the green channel without knob twisting.
i have even more presets with the yellow channel. way better low gain sounds than with the herbert.
love the additional voicings, with are not really a representation of an actual Diezel.
 
I have a VH4 and a VHX. The VHX has more body than the VH4. You can't go wrong with the VHX, IMHO.
 
I used a VHX and VH4 back to back and the VHX sounded significantly worse- and that's coming from someone who already wasn't a vh4 fan. If you want the VH4 sound you want that, if you want the Herbert sound you should get that. but the VHX sounded super digital compared to the vh4. There's a reason why almost every time a VHX goes for sale they offer to trade it for a VH4.
 
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