The VH4 was a letdown for me...

[the rossness]

After years of hype, I stumbled on a used Diezel VH4 at a GC, and I was let down a little. It didn't live up to everything I had heard over the years. Channel 1 had a surprising abount of spank. Channel 2 was JTM-45ish sounding. Channel 3 was good, but not as great as I had heard about and 4 was too dark. Overall, I felt it sounded kind of meh. It wasn't bad by any means, just kind of a letdown. I thought I'd share...

 

[racerevlon]

From what you're describing, either the amp had some problem, dead tubes, or was dialed in extremely poorly.

 

[cardinal]

What cab did you use? And some folks have definite preferences on the years that they like.

I think they are amazing amps for sure. Such a unique amp, it won't be for everybody.

 

[Tone Zone]

I drove a used ferrari once too, guy said it needed a tune up but I dont look at them the same way now..

 

[Ventura]

If it was the best amp in the world, everyone would be playing them. Personal preference is personal, and that's the beauty of it.

That said, the VH4 is an interesting beast - the tubes make a huge difference (preamps included), and the cab is key too. Lastly, they really shine with the right pups.

So depending if all these ingredients were properly aligned, it may just be an amp that's not for you. Totally cool.

 

[steve_k]

Two things....1) used, 2) GC. One would have to assume the worse.

But, they just aren't the amp of choice for some. Fair enough.

 

[the rossness]

What cab did you use? And some folks have definite preferences on the years that they like.

I think they are amazing amps for sure. Such a unique amp, it won't be for everybody.

It was plugged into a 4x12 marshall cab. I think it was a JVM cab, but I'm not sure.I also played the amp at pretty quiet volumes. I'm not sure if that was an issue or not. The "thump" on channel 3 was't present at all. I tried a few different EQ settings- Scooped, Mid and treble boosts, mid and bass boosts, BMT at noon and played around with the presence and density controls and they didn't seem to get that crushing thump I've heard in youtube videos. I once heard someone compare a VH4's tone to a SLO-100's and from my time with the vh4 (about half an hour) I didn't think they sounded similar at all. I've never been let down by a Soldano, but as I said, the vh4 just didn't do it for me.

As for a guitar, I was using an EVH Wolfgang USA.

 

[mmolteratx]

A 1960A? Unless it was old (or they were swapped), it had T75s in it, which are an absolutely horrible match for the VH4, IMO.

 

[James Lugo]

Two things....1) used, 2) GC. One would have to assume the worse.

But, they just aren't the amp of choice for some. Fair enough.

Yeah if it was at GC they most likely sold it to them or used it for trade, either way they took a major ass wippin. I would play a new one with a good cab before judging. People dump amps cheap when they are lemons or need tubes and don't want to throw in anymore money.

 

[Anonymous]

30 minutes? Not enough

But I, unlike some others, am not offended one bit if you don't like it

 

[glpg80]

Some people just do not like the voicing of diezel amplifiers. It's a pretty split road. I have only ever played one myself and heard a herbert live as well. Hard to make a judgement call on all of them based on a few bad experiences. But you know what you heard and played.

That is the great thing about variety. I have heard some killer tones from people who rock amplifiers that I just dont jive with. Nothing wrong with that at all - just personal preferences.

 

[cardinal]

What cab did you use? And some folks have definite preferences on the years that they like.

I think they are amazing amps for sure. Such a unique amp, it won't be for everybody.

It was plugged into a 4x12 marshall cab. I think it was a JVM cab, but I'm not sure.I also played the amp at pretty quiet volumes. I'm not sure if that was an issue or not. The "thump" on channel 3 was't present at all. I tried a few different EQ settings- Scooped, Mid and treble boosts, mid and bass boosts, BMT at noon and played around with the presence and density controls and they didn't seem to get that crushing thump I've heard in youtube videos. I once heard someone compare a VH4's tone to a SLO-100's and from my time with the vh4 (about half an hour) I didn't think they sounded similar at all. I've never been let down by a Soldano, but as I said, the vh4 just didn't do it for me.

As for a guitar, I was using an EVH Wolfgang USA.

I wouldn't think T75 speakers and the VH4 would be a good match. But again, VH4 isn't for everyone, but it sure as hell has a lot of thump. So either the VH4 was not health or they really don't like T75s.

Oh, and the VH4 is very much NOT like an SLO. It's hard for me to even describe how they are different because there are so few similarities, I don't know what reference to start with.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Some people just do not like the voicing of diezel amplifiers. It's a pretty split road. I have only ever played one myself and heard a herbert live as well. Hard to make a judgement call on all of them based on a few bad experiences. But you know what you heard and played.

That is the great thing about variety. I have heard some killer tones from people who rock amplifiers that I just dont jive with. Nothing wrong with that at all - just personal preferences.

I've heard that often but I though the Einstein was a turd but I liked the Herbert a lot. I can tell you that the Herbert sounded really really good on an old metal grill Mesa with 2 MC90's up top and a pair of the EV 200 watters on the bottom. It didn't sound great on an old 70's Marshall 4x12 with blackbacks. I think a LOT of amps sound like shit on a newer Marshall with 75's.

 

[supersonic]

What cab did you use? And some folks have definite preferences on the years that they like.

I think they are amazing amps for sure. Such a unique amp, it won't be for everybody.

It was plugged into a 4x12 marshall cab. I think it was a JVM cab, but I'm not sure.I also played the amp at pretty quiet volumes. I'm not sure if that was an issue or not. The "thump" on channel 3 was't present at all. I tried a few different EQ settings- Scooped, Mid and treble boosts, mid and bass boosts, BMT at noon and played around with the presence and density controls and they didn't seem to get that crushing thump I've heard in youtube videos. I once heard someone compare a VH4's tone to a SLO-100's and from my time with the vh4 (about half an hour) I didn't think they sounded similar at all. I've never been let down by a Soldano, but as I said, the vh4 just didn't do it for me.

As for a guitar, I was using an EVH Wolfgang USA.

I wouldn't think T75 speakers and the VH4 would be a good match. But again, VH4 isn't for everyone, but it sure as hell has a lot of thump. So either the VH4 was not health or they really don't like T75s.

Oh, and the VH4 is very much NOT like an SLO. It's hard for me to even describe how they are different because there are so few similarities, I don't know what reference to start with.

The Herbert is closer to a SLO.

 

[glpg80]

I've heard that often but I though the Einstein was a turd but I liked the Herbert a lot. I can tell you that the Herbert sounded really really good on an old metal grill Mesa with 2 MC90's up top and a pair of the EV 200 watters on the bottom. It didn't sound great on an old 70's Marshall 4x12 with blackbacks. I think a LOT of amps sound like shit on a newer Marshall with 75's.

When I played the VH4 I generally liked it, but after I came home back to my own setup I just found things I much preferred in my own setup more. The herbert I never had a chance to get to use or play, but if I had the money to own one just as a studio amplifier I would. I love the way they sound on record (Evergrey) but really disliked what I heard live. There are many variables involving amplifiers it is unreal.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I've heard that often but I though the Einstein was a turd but I liked the Herbert a lot. I can tell you that the Herbert sounded really really good on an old metal grill Mesa with 2 MC90's up top and a pair of the EV 200 watters on the bottom. It didn't sound great on an old 70's Marshall 4x12 with blackbacks. I think a LOT of amps sound like shit on a newer Marshall with 75's.

When I played the VH4 I generally liked it, but after I came home back to my own setup I just found things I much preferred in my own setup more. The herbert I never had a chance to get to use or play, but if I had the money to own one just as a studio amplifier I would. I love the way they sound on record (Evergrey) but really disliked what I heard live. There are many variables involving amplifiers it is unreal.

I thought Evergrey used 5150's ?

 

[glpg80]

I've heard that often but I though the Einstein was a turd but I liked the Herbert a lot. I can tell you that the Herbert sounded really really good on an old metal grill Mesa with 2 MC90's up top and a pair of the EV 200 watters on the bottom. It didn't sound great on an old 70's Marshall 4x12 with blackbacks. I think a LOT of amps sound like shit on a newer Marshall with 75's.

When I played the VH4 I generally liked it, but after I came home back to my own setup I just found things I much preferred in my own setup more. The herbert I never had a chance to get to use or play, but if I had the money to own one just as a studio amplifier I would. I love the way they sound on record (Evergrey) but really disliked what I heard live. There are many variables involving amplifiers it is unreal.

I thought Evergrey used 5150's ?

Nope the album is Herbert

At least from my knowledge. I believe I read it on a discography? I came across a live small town club video by accident on youtube where one of the guitarists was playing through one on stage as well. If they also play 5150's that is cool

 

[mesa50w]

A 1960A? Unless it was old (or they were swapped), it had T75s in it, which are an absolutely horrible match for the VH4, IMO.

ive never like those speakers for any amp

 

[JimmyBlind]

I've got my VH4 singing the way I want it, namely with reverb, delay, compression & overdrive.

On its own, the VH4 is pretty dry. I think that's what makes it a great platform though. I struggle to describe the VH4's sound if i'm honest.

Cab & Speakers definitely makes a huge difference & 4 channels, 2 bright switches, presence & depth power amp settings all give a pretty vast spectrum of sounds. Combine that with tube experimentation as well.

I've met several people who didn't like the VH4 for various reasons. It doesn't do a lot to hide your mistakes so is pretty unforgiving in that respect. I find that pretty rewarding though.
It's a high gain amp, but it doesn't deliver those saturated sounds straight out of the box like a Nitro or an SE+ does.
Kids on the net aren't happy unless an amp immediately sounds like a pro-tooled-to-fuck Killswitch Engage record.

I've owned two VH4's. I used to use Ch1, 3 & 4 primarily. Nowadays i'm playing through either Ch1 or Ch2. Ch3 & 4 almost sound too compressed. This is testimony that my playing & my ears have matured. Kinda sacrilegious, as the VH4 Ch3 is the amp's signature sound.
Even having been playing Diezels for years now, I fall in & out of love for certain sounds & settings.

 

[steve_k]

If its close by, go and turn it on again and leave it on for 15 minutes. While thats happening, find a guitar with low(er) output humbuckers. Try and find a high quality cab like a mesa 4x12 or something with v30s. put it on CH3. and turn the gain up to about 1-3 o'clock. turn the channel master to 11-1 o'clock , then turn the MASTER up to about 10 o'clock. then write back, if its STILL not moving the air properly and chunkin your face right off, then its not the amp for you.

proper settings....