VH4 Mid-Gain/Marshall-Flavor Tone

[The Hoff]

I've only had my Vh4 for a few weeks but I am absolutely in love with it. It really is a Swiss-Army knife of tones. However, I haven't been able to dial in a respectable Marshall flavored tone. I have channel 3 set up for my high-gain stuff and don't really want to mess with the dials (so perhaps channel 2 can accomplish these tones?).

Anyway...just want to know if any VH4 veterans have any pointers on dailing in that tone

I know I won't be able to get THAT marshall tone I want (think Friedman BE) but, I want to get as close as possible. I'm not really looking for settings to try out-just some "VH4 tricks of the trade."

 

[duesentrieb]

Which year was your VH4 built?

 

[JohnRageOn]

First of all, the majority of Marshall tones we're all having in our head has to do with the use of EL34 as power tubes.
Is your Diezel loaded with those?
Furthermore, have you searched what your favorite player(s) have as a setup.
For instance if you would like a 70's rock tone, it will be better to use channel 2 and use a clean boost for leads, rather than use channel 3 with mid gain settings which will sound more compressed.
The cab plays also a HUGE role, which we all tend to forget
And of course each players personal touch!

 

[philbag]

Channel 2 my friend

 

[The Hoff]

Which year was your VH4 built?

I'll have to check on that when I get off work-I honestly can't recall.

First of all, the majority of Marshall tones we're all having in our head has to do with the use of EL34 as power tubes.
Is your Diezel loaded with those?
Furthermore, have you searched what your favorite player(s) have as a setup.
For instance if you would like a 70's rock tone, it will be better to use channel 2 and use a clean boost for leads, rather than use channel 3 with mid gain settings which will sound more compressed.
The cab plays also a HUGE role, which we all tend to forget
And of course each players personal touch!

It is loaded with EL34s. I absolutely love my channel 3 settings. As for what I am going for with channel 2-more of a Led Zeppelin/overall classic rock sound.

I'm playing through a V30 cab. I know another speaker combination would probably get me closer but I have this amp primarily for my channel 3 tones which sound great through my cab.

 

[Bato]

Hempcone speakers!
Or some Greenbacks.

 

[duesentrieb]

If it is a post 2007 amp channel 2 cranked is IMO enough.

 

[King Crimson]

However, I haven't been able to dial in a respectable Marshall flavored tone.
Anyway...just want to know if any VH4 veterans have any pointers on dailing in that tone

It's simple buy a

 

[Ventura]

Ch.2, large on the MV, lower on the pre, high on the mids. No sweat.

If you don't wanna push the powertubes (or your hearing, ahem), the BB Pre kicks it just as Reza stated above.

Near deadringer (albeit better ), if that's your kinda thing.

V.

 

[The Hoff]

Ch.2, large on the MV, lower on the pre, high on the mids. No sweat.

If you don't wanna push the powertubes (or your hearing, ahem), the BB Pre kicks it just as Reza stated above.

Near deadringer (albeit better ), if that's your kinda thing.

V.

Nice, I'll try this tomorrow when I can crank it up!

 

[Nico]

Ch.2, large on the MV, lower on the pre, high on the mids. No sweat.

If you don't wanna push the powertubes (or your hearing, ahem), the BB Pre kicks it just as Reza stated above.

Near deadringer (albeit better ), if that's your kinda thing.

V.

Nice, I'll try this tomorrow when I can crank it up!

So Hoff did you manage to get classic rock tones out of the VH4?

 

[MrNixon]

However, I haven't been able to dial in a respectable Marshall flavored tone.
Anyway...just want to know if any VH4 veterans have any pointers on dailing in that tone

It's simple buy a

are you serious?

Diezels are so undeniably Marshall flavored, and you facetiously recommend him spend another $2k on a JCM800?

First of all, what kind of Marshall-flavor are you thinking? JTM45 or hot-rod Brown Sound?

Sadly, I too have yet to find a JTM styled tone with my Einstein (the overall tones are very similar to the VH4)... the closest i've gotten to that (using the Allman's Live @ Fillmore East and Hendrix as reference) is actually clean channel with an OD out front, namely my Keeley BD2 with the tone rolled down, volume a little shy of noon and the gain at around 7/8 o clock. If you need a cleaner JTM45 type vibe, try a compressor out front, but crank the shit out of it. It'll add a little grit (maybe a lot depending on your gain settings) and a little sag to your attack.

Diezels are a little Hi-Fi and defined... kind of not a good platform to go after the vintage Marshall tone, but it's worth the pursuit. keep experimenting!!!

 

[Kev]

imo the vh4 ch2 has a similar gainstructure and feel as what one is used to by marshall. to get a similar eq try:
turning back the mids
boost presence
lower treble
fool around with the bright-switch.

 

[MrNixon]

yes on dialing the mids and treble back and using the two extremities of the eq curve (deep and presence) to dial in more body and top end than using the traditional 3 band eq.

 

[Ventura]

Ch.2, large on the MV, lower on the pre, high on the mids. No sweat.

If you don't wanna push the powertubes (or your hearing, ahem), the BB Pre kicks it just as Reza stated above.

Near deadringer (albeit better ), if that's your kinda thing.

V.

Nice, I'll try this tomorrow when I can crank it up!

Was it the money or no dice??

Inquiring minds want to know

Peace,
Mo