Herbert or VH4 for lead / shred playing, whats your opinion?

[Jim86]

I'm curious to know others opinions on the VH4 vs The Herbert. I currently have a Herbert.
I am mostly into lead playing, guitarists such as Vinnie Moore, Micheal Romeo, Paul Gilbert, Guthrie Govan, neo classical / shred instrumentals etc etc... any of those guys from the Mike Varney / Shrapnel record label.

Is there anybody who have both or played both and whats your opinion, from shred to melodic lead playing.......which one is better for this style of playing?

Thanks

Jim

 

[bananaladonpcp]

VH4 is said to be tighter and channel 4 on the vh4 is said to have more compression then channel 3 on the herbert. I am also curious on this topic and if anyone has any experience with using the VH4 on a down tuned guitar. Say... Drop A or using a 8 string?

 

[Jim86]

Hey Alex, thanks for the input. I have a friend who has both so when I get a chance we
will have to put them side by side which leads to the next question.... what is "the cab"
to put the VH4 through?

I have heard different opinions on what cab to put the Herbert through, I have all rear loaded,
but at least I can get an idea. I have a Peavey VTM or Butcher series 4x12 straight bottom from the 80s which have the Celestion 85s which are the same as the K100s. Celestion just renamed them when they discovered they could take 100w. Its the closest thing to a Diezel K100 cab without
the price, not to mention the Diezel German made front loaded cabs are hard to find. Its night and day between those and vintage 30s. The 100s have a bit of fuzzyness to them but they sound "woody and organic".........more natural maybe?

Anyone else feel free to chime in.

Jim

 

[bananaladonpcp]

Hey Jim,

I am very interested in how they compare. Please let me know!

As for the cab... From what I've been told. Diezel cabs are best with the heads and just about any other head sounds amazing with the cabs as well. As for me and my experience Front loaded cabs are the best for lead playing and just about everything else when you're playing technical stuff. Much tighter, more defined, more responsive. You really feel the amp with a front load. The rear load is loose and kind of feels like its lagging a bit. I have two engl cabs that I use with my herbert. A standard with celestion v60s and a XXL with v30s. They are front loaded and sound amazing with the herbert. I want a front load diezel cab though. I dislike mis-matched gear lol.

Alex

 

[Jim86]

Hey Alex,

I know the feeling when it comes to mis-matched gear....... it's gotta look good to LOL.
As soon as I get a chance to do a comparison, I will give my full review. You could say
I'm on this amp/cab quest and I want to get it "settled" not too mention I feel like I am
beating myself in the head

When you got your Herbert did you compare it to anything else?

Jim

 

[RJF]

The first thing you need to address is your cab situation. The speaker combo is the ONLY thing your Peavey cab as in common with a Diezel. What you want is a front loaded Diezel cab, with some V30's IMHO. There is a night and day difference between the cab you are using and a german FL cab.

I would worry about that cab issue long before Herbert vs VH4. IMHO, I'd keep the Herbert anyway.

 

[spirit7]

I own both and, for lead playing, it's seriously hard to choose. They're both phenomenal. Channel 4 of the VH4 is more compressed than Channel 3 of the Herbert, but both are great for shred.

For melodic playing, I cannot get enough of Channel 2+ of the Herbert with a bit of delay in the loop and no mid cut. Truly sings with a Les Paul!

If I was a lead player only, gun to my head I'd probably choose the VH4, purely because of Channel 4. But as an all-round amp I'd take the Herbert.

Conclusion: It's a Diezel, you cannot go wrong.

-C

 

[bananaladonpcp]

The first thing you need to address is your cab situation. The speaker combo is the ONLY thing your Peavey cab as in common with a Diezel.

Yeah the Peavey cab is going to hinder you're experience a bit. You should either get a better cab (Something front loaded, or a Diezel FL cab), or see if you know someone who has a better one that will let you use it.

I did compare my herbert to a few amps. I have a Engl Fireball 100 that I compared it to and they are voiced VERY differently but the diezel won lol. I also threw it in the ring with a engl powerball II, engl savage, VHT/Fryette Deliverance 120, and a VHT/Fryette Pitbull Ultra lead. The herbert beat the piss out of all of them in just about everything from clean to distortion to response and feel and clarity. Though I do have to hand it to the Engl Fireball. It is pleasantly dark sounding with lots of clarity and the bass response of no other amp I have played including the Herbert.


Alex