Just got my first VH4

[Metalhead]

Just got this thing and started messing with it. Mine has the EL34's in it and is a 2007 model. Just for background my other amps are Engl SE, EVH 5150 III, Orange Rockerverb 50W & Splawn Quickrod. I love gain and metal, and for some reason, even with using the recommended settings I'm getting a "gong-gong" sound instead of a "chunk-chunck" sound like I can get out of my other amps. Any recommendations? Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

Post your settings.

 

[Metalhead]

Ch. 3

Gain - 5
Volume - 2
Treble - 3
Mid - 5
Bass - 5
Presence - 12
Deep - 1
MV - 10

 

[Metalhead]

Forgot Ch. 4

Gain - 3
Volume - 3
Treble - 3
Mid - 11
Bass -3
Presence - 1
Deep - 1
MV - 9

 

[Hey_bert_whtcha_doin_bert]

If these settings are in o'clock then your channel volumes are way to high, it will be dry as hell and probably why your getting a "gong" sound, you need power tube play to get a chunky fat sound, it will still be more than tight enough. If you like how loud it is just turn the master up and channel volume down. Try 11 o'clock on the volume, channel three, and around abouts that area for the rest. Turn the channel bass down to 2 o'clock and the deep up to 2 o'clock to get more of the power tube low end fatness. Gain at 2 o'clock I think is plenty but whatever you wish, it'll be compressed as heck though and much less punchy.

 

[steve_k]

Try this....

Steve

 

[Metalhead]

Thanks alot guys, I'll give it a shot. I also wondered if I should consider swapping to 6550's. I hear all the Diezels come with them now, and maybe that would get more of the tone I'm after. Ya think? If it turns out I don't like this one after trying it for awhile I will want to sell it and get an Einstein. I know for certain that I like that one. The only reason I got this was that I was told it would do everything the Einstein does and more, in the sense that it could achieve the same voicings plus. If y'all think I should go 6550's first I'll take your advice. Thanks again!

 

[Hey_bert_whtcha_doin_bert]

As long as you don't mind it being smooth then 6550's are definitely fatter then 34's.

 

[James Lugo]

Just got this thing and started messing with it. Mine has the EL34's in it and is a 2007 model. Just for background my other amps are Engl SE, EVH 5150 III, Orange Rockerverb 50W & Splawn Quickrod. I love gain and metal, and for some reason, even with using the recommended settings I'm getting a "gong-gong" sound instead of a "chunk-chunck" sound like I can get out of my other amps. Any recommendations? Thanks!

Did you buy it used without hearing it first? I bought 2 VH4's last month one was amazing, one was iffy at best. Dramatically different. I got an '02 and an '08 and the '08 rules but the '02 was bla sounding. It may need tubes because it should crunch like hell.

Here's my VH4 and '71 Marshall combined:
https://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=7811799

Here's my VH4 and '76 Marshall combined:
https://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=7811801

Here's my VH4 and Dual Rec:
https://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=7811821

That VH4 should be chunkin' like a mofo, I mean it's what Hetfield uses, the king of crunch.

Friedman set mine with bass and mids all the way up and use the deep and presence to dial in top end and low end, he said the Diezel's run great with bass and mid wide open. Then the high, gain and master at 1 o'clock. These clips are channel 3. I think deep was on about 11am and the presence maybe 1pm. But settings aside if you just turn everything to 12 o'clock the amp should sound good, if it doesn't then it may need tubes and bias.

I've never in my life set the knobs on any piece of gear to midway and have it sound bad and then any knob turning make it sound good. If it sounds bad in neutral position it sounds bad.

My 2 cents

Check out these threads
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=49998
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=50238

 

[merlop]

Hey man,

This is my old amp you own. I bought her new from matt's music center.
I debated for 2 years, to buy it back from rick.
I fucking love that amp. It is magical dude... Trust me Bro, you got a good one.
And don't swap out the EL-34's man.(You can though if you'd like cause it's yours) It makes it sound so mega marshall.
I could NAIL everything from TOOL to Opeth on it.
Never gigged ever. Rick bought it and I don't think he played it that much at all.
So, you got basically a brand new one. Give it time... The master vs. channel volume takes sometime to dial in. But believe me... That thing is EVIL!!!

Cabinet choice is important as well...

-Kyle

 

[steve_k]

Thanks alot guys, I'll give it a shot. I also wondered if I should consider swapping to 6550's. I hear all the Diezels come with them now, and maybe that would get more of the tone I'm after. Ya think? If it turns out I don't like this one after trying it for awhile I will want to sell it and get an Einstein. I know for certain that I like that one. The only reason I got this was that I was told it would do everything the Einstein does and more, in the sense that it could achieve the same voicings plus. If y'all think I should go 6550's first I'll take your advice. Thanks again!

What specific tone are you after? I probably run mine different than most (no mids, lots of treble and presence). If you are wanting something real chunky on some dropped tunings, then try this...

Channel 3:

Gain: 2:00
Vol: 10:00
Treb: 3:00
Mids: 7:00 (off)
Bass: 2:00

MV: to desired level
Pres: 3:00
Bass: 2:00


Steve

 

[duesentrieb]

How loud do you play?

At normal levels (say with a band) keep the channel volumes around noon and adjust with the master and yes, crank the presence.

If you play at lower volumes, drop the channel volumes and set the master a bit higher - then the amp sounds more "fresh"