Diezel VH2 Prototype Head

This is a follow up posting that I made for the VH2. I just went to LA and asked Uwe Salwender (the Distributior for Diezel) why they never put into production the VH2. He said the VH4 and VH2 are very expensive amps to produce. And Diezel didn't want to have "2" flagship heads competeing against each other in the market. So they decided that the VH4 was a bit more marketable to all age groups. And I found out there are only "2" VH2(s) in the whole world! Uwe said they made one smaller combo style Vh2 and one high watt Vh2 head (the one I have). That is it.

So clear and powerful.

Awesome so far.

Uwe is the man! If I could I'd give him an 11!

Sweet.

OK, I just bought this amp about two months ago through the grape vine of Diezel, it is a VH2 Prototype (the only one that exists in the world or at least outside the walls of the Diezel company that I know of).

Well this amp really surprised me because it's got a different feel and sound, say compared to a Diezel VH4, VH4s or Herbert.

The only thing I don't like (manily for a money stand point) is the head is mono. BUT I've heard several times it's actually more profession to use two mono heads (to get true stero seperation) than one Stero head. Also a mono head has higher more acurate sound quality because in a stereo head, right before the signal leaves heads the head, the signal is split and some small amount of sound quality is compromised.

For one it's smaller than a VH4, but probably the same weight, very heavy, about 50-55 lbs! It was made and signed my Peter Diezel and the serial number is "Proto BEST" It's loaded with the German 4 EL 34's "B". It's a 4 channel amp just like the VH4 but it has, if you can believe it, even more versatility, because there are special "boost" switches like the bright switch on the VH4, but this amp has one for each channel! And these switches make a huge difference in the tonal characteristic of each channel!!! It's almost like having eight channels! On top of that, this amp has 3 Volume controls which I just totally love! Each Channel has an individual volume knob, like the VH4 but in addition it has two completely different master volume channels. So you actually can switch back and forth for a "true" lead channel that cuts right through the band! This amp also comes with built in switchable """reverb""" which is awesome! Especially for the clean channels. The reverb is very subtle, until you turn up the volume then it's very apparent, smooth, organic and trails off perfectly. It looks to be 120 watts, and is extremely loud. All the other features are the same as a VH4. Midi in and thru, tube Fault Protection, point to point, serial and parallel loop, it also has a switchable loop that has an "x" on it. I was told it works but not the exactly way Peter wanted. Same with this weird "compensated out" option that I have no idea what that does. If I had to guess I'd say something for recording. That's all I know of, but I'm sure Diezel can tell you more about the finer points. Features wise, it has everything that lacks in the other models, so I give her a 10.

I think maybe because of all these really cool features is why Diezel is not producing her, it would probably be to costly! I've heard though the grape vine even though Diezels are so expensive the actual profit per amp is rather low due to the extremely high quality that goes into each and everyone. This was one of the main mitigating factor of the introduction of the Herbert, to more or less strip down a VH4s and leave the "rock" feel...which is it's main marketing audience. And intern pull more profit.

Sound, here is the big surprise! The amp is totally 180 degrees in the opposite direction as far as Diezel goes, well maybe that's to critical. But this amp is all about a wide range of clean tones! the first three channels are very unlike any other diezel amp channel. They all have a extremely authentic vintage vibe.

The First Channel is very shimmery, like a 64 Fender Twin Reverb with the boost switch on. With it off it has a very great smooth organic almost AC 30 like feel. But this channel can be pushed to a Plexi tone or Marshall Major like sound. Very cool, this amp has so many viables when you start to consider the reverb, second master volume and boosts. I've been playing with her settings and it's almost endless!!!

Channel 2 is still primarily a clean channel. "Kind-a" like channel one on a VH4s. Very percussive and booming, but I'd say better tone. It would be a great Radio Head or Emo like channel. The tone is hard to describe for this channel because it really sounds like no other guitar channel I've ever heard before, very...very signature. Clean crisp and full of character!

The 3rd channel is still, primary a clean channel but when pushed distorts very cool! It's a bit like channel 2 on a Diezel VH4, but cleaner and can distort much much more! This is a very hard channel to play off of, you have to be on your game because it so sensitive/ dynamic..., not for the beginner. With the boost on this channel (called XL+) wow, totally different. It starts to enter the realms of high gain. I'd say a bit more intense than channel 3 on a VH4. And if you set the second master volume high, it's a lot like channel 4 on a VH4. This channel is really versatile, and never get muddy.

The forth channel still yet is a cleaner channel! More like the 3rd channel. When you play normal to soft very classic mildly distorted awesomeness! BUT this channel can get really nasty...high gain! You can dial the gain even higher than a VH4s, right into completely unusable death! It sounds like the brown sound, you can dial it from that 60's brown to the 80's V.H. and way beyond! And when you introduce more and more bass to this channel is leaves the 80's and
moves into a more modern sound.

I don't know why, buy the amps seems to be even more responsive than a VH4 or Herbert. Maybe it's because of it's smaller size, less physical wiring distance to travel...?

I think the over all idea of this amp was to have 4 very different clean channels that when boosted you would have 4 very different gain channels.

Built like a tank, very heavy point to point hand wired.

Diezel is the best company to deal with period. They really go the extra mile for everyone and everything they do.

Overall I'd say this is amp really needs to be produced! I like all the features, they are well thought out. Ever sound this thing makes is very unique. It has all the mojo of the classic point to point amps and still retains it's raw authentic Diezel sprit. Over all I'd say this amp is for the more mature profession guitarist that is looking for his/her own totally original sound. The amp is more "useable" and versatile than any other Diezel Amp. It feels like it was made for the more intellectual side of music with it's vast array and combinations of clean to mildly distorted channels. This amp would be perfect for a vintage Stratocaster....maybe a Tele or Les Paul (when playing with some gain). This amp sounds great, but I'm going to give her a 10 mainly because of the individuality with her tone, over the top features and extreme rarity. I will include my email incase anyone wants to know more about this head, or see some pictures! BOjiggety@yahoo.com