Diezel VH4

The features have been said 50+ times. I will focus on the interaction. It is layed out so good, I can easily dial in tones... I mean more than one! I have the independent controls over each of the four channels and then I adjust the DEEP knob to fill out the low end after I get it where I want it. Man, this is the only amp I will ever need. 4 Channels and.... (see next section)

THEY ALL FU<KING ROCK! I was turned on to this amp by one of the producer's of my album, Kris Singh, and I will never turn back. It has more balls than any Marshall and it always maintains a clarity that can't be messed with. We used it on our recording sessions and we tried hard to beat it. We put up vintage Plexis, Bogners XTC and Ubershall, Engl, Soldano SLO, New Marshalls, Modded JCM 800s, we tried pedals, we tried everything. At the end of the day, NOTHING could touch the Diezel for our sound. We do range from classic Rock, Blues Rock to Classic Punk and Modern Heavy Metal. My band is "Stereo Transmitted Disease." You can hear the Diezel all over our songs at our myspace site:

http://www.myspace.com/stdthebanddotcom

We did not use any pedals for added distortion. All Diezel. Various channels though.


The Bogner Ecstasy was the second best amp for us and we used that a little too.

I had to buy a Diezel after the sessions and I don't regret it. It is my #1 amp! I wish I could rate it higher than "10"!!!

Took it on the road. No problems. It is solid as hell.

Never needed their support, that is the best kind ;-)

Best heavy rock amp I have ever used (and we tried a lot of the top ones next to it in the studio). Great for classic rock, clean, AC/DC on up. It can ever get you that Joe Walsh sound. Amazing. I cannot believe that many sounds are all in one box. My producer called it the swiss army knife of guitar tones. and it is. I am their biggest fan. They brought the sound out of my head, through my fingertips and out the speakers. What more can you ask for???

I hate to give all 10's but this amp earns it.

Mde in 2004. I bought it from someone and traded my brandnew Dual Recto in.
I play metal.
I use a Boss FC50 to switch between channels.
Mine has new JJ EL34L in it, and of course a bias job.

I don't know if the ESP Kamikaze guy was def or just jealous, what a bullsh*t review!!

I play a LTD EC1000 with JB and a Ibanez ICJ100WZ (EMG81, now JB).
Amps i've owned:
Marshall JCM800
Marshall 2550 Jubileum series
Crate Stealth
Mesa Boogie Mark III
Mesa Single Recto
Mesa Boogie Mark IV
Mesa Triple Recto
Engl Powerball
Mesa Dual Recto


I will not review channel 1 and 2, because i don't use them. I'm a redneck metalplayer, sorry.

Channel 3 is why i bought this amp.
The thing with Recto's is that i love the brutal sound, but it needs a tubescreamer/overdrive (with passive pickups)to be tight! And those pedals just eat low end and body. The VH4 is supertight WITHOUT pedals in front!! I now play with JB's cause i love the dynamics of it together with the VH4. Channel 3 has enough gain to be a solochannel.

Channel 4 has more gain, is different voiced and great for solo. It is still very tight and can be used as a rythmchannel. I've had tight palmmute sounds with a dark PAF-like pickup.

When i bought it used there was a single powertube broken. I just noticed this because a led at the back was on. You can still play this amp with one powertube!! Have had the VH4 now for 8 months, being used on stage and rehearsalroom. No problems.

Just check the Diezel forum!!!


You will love the owners.

So i've owned some pretty good amps but would only buy another VH4 if it was stolen. No more pedals in front or recto's lacking tone.
I like Recto's, but the Diezel is just so much better. The Recto distortion is in the highfrequenties section, while the Diezel's is more in the midlow section. Recto's scream like a pig, Diezels bark like a big mad Danish Dog. (my 2 cents)

Mine is made in 2003 and i own it for about three years now, still on the original Ruby's (EL34). My other amps are a Marshall JCM800 2204 and a DSL100 head, which i will mainly be comparing it to in this review. I use a Mesa STD. 412 cab with V30's and Gibson LP's. It doesn't get any more versatile as this, you know the feature's. Parallel AND series loop AND seperate channel insert loops for each 4 channels. WOW. Instead of boring you with how fantastic this amp is (it really is!!!(;), i'll tell you about the things that i less like. First, you can only switch this amp with a MIDI floorboard. Beeing a big fan of analog pedals (and alot of them) it's a mess in front of me with everything connected. I'd wish Diezel would make a compact fitting footswitch for it like the Mesa Recto or Marshall TSL footswitches. Not everyone likes digital rack effects, to my ears they always sound thin and fake, even the real expensive ones. Also, the lack of a spring reverb really dissapoints me. No reverb sounds better as the ones built in Marshall or Fender amps. Therefore i knock 2 points off. (though i can't really justify that with all the other features this amp has)

Channel 1, clean. Reminds me of a Hiwatt 100. VERY clean, personally i prefer the "bell" like "under the bridge/Peppers" cleans of my JCM800 better. It's just a little TOO clean and open sounding for my tastes. But that's just me (:
Channel 2, raw. Great for that breakup sound that goes well with chording alternative/pop/rock music. or with chorus and delay, some pretty nice ambient sounds think U2 or (later)Pink Floyd. With the gain all the way up, it has about the same amount of distortion as a JCM800, the AC/DC territory.
Channel 3. The reason i bought this amp. The massive low end paired with tons of gain without getting brittle and muddy, like all main production high-gain amps do, just made the hairs in my neck rise when i first played it. I knew i had to own this. It "Thumps" like thunder with palm-muted riffs (also due to the deep control), >HINT< Don't place your bottle of beer on top of your amp or anywhere close, also don't play it out loud when you have diarrhea. Brown sound x 2! (;
Channel 4, lead. Great as a solo channel, again it has that "dark brown" vibe goin' on that doesn't pierce your eardrums like main production amps do on high notes. And it's great to have a seperate lead channel with it's own volume/gain control AND channel inserts for some delay/verb. Metal players would like this channel as a "rhytm channel" as it has even more gain as the third channel.

this amp isn't noisey at all compared to my Marshall's or any other amp i owned/played, even with everything past noon (don't try this at home, kiddies(:).
It has that "open, in your face" like vibe to it. That's great on the 3/4 channels, but not (though very good) on the first 2 channels. I like my cleans to be more "organic" (god i hate explaining sound in words) So i would rate channel one at 7, channel two at 9, channel three at 13, and four at 11. (:

I'm sure you can drop it from a 2 story building and it would still work...

BUT...

The metal parts on the housing (corners and handle) are showing rust-speckles. They did so since i hardly owned it a year. I clean all of my stuff reguarly and even my '84 JCM 800 looks brand new and i never even dusted it since the early 90's when i got "mature". Maybe has nothing to do with reliability but still for the price these things go for you might expect something better.

Never tried.

This amp is all about versatility. The third channel is the best crunch channel i have ever heard. I play alot of music varying from rock to grunge to alternative to pop to stoner. This amp delivers in every catagory. If i had it my way it would be a JCM800 as channel one, a Vox AC30 as channel 2, and the Diezel VH4's channels 3/4 for crunch/lead. I don't think i will come any closer to my ever illusive "perfect amp"

2002 model with every feature an amplifier could have. Multiple FX loops, independant channel controls, channel select buttons, mute, 7 Chinese 12AX7's, and TONS os power through 4 6L6's. I use this amp in medium to large venues, and tour with it 7 months out of the year. It's got everything you'd need, except a footswitch.

I use this amp with a variety of Les Pauls, and a Splawn 4x12 cabinet. I tour with a hard rock band, and do lots of studio work. I wanted to get one amp that would "do it all". This is about as close as you can get to the perfect all round amplifier. It is dead quiet on every channel.

Channel 1: Stiff, super clean sound. Almost impossible to break up. I find there is not enough low end on this channel, and it has a very bright tone even without the bright switch on. Sounds incredible with reverb and chorus on it, though.

Channel 2: Nice broken up clean to JCM 800 territory. Sounds great with an overdrive in front. Not my favorite, but very good.

Channel 3: Big, FAT, rhythm sound. Lots of gain, but like channel 1, it feels a bit stiff. I also have a Splawn Quick Rod, and a EL34 modded 5150. Harmonics explode off the fretboard easily with both of those amps, but I just can't get that feeling from this channel. It is great for doing rhythm work, and complex chording, but for super tight "chugging", I prefer the Splawn head.

Channel 4: This channel is incredible. Violin like sustain, and lots of punch. It reminds me of my old Mesa MK-2C+, but way beyond. The gain does not need to go past 11:00 for any reason. I tends to squish a bit past that. This is a tighter channel than channel 3 in my opinion. I like this channel better for tight rhythm work.

I plan on switching the tubes to Ruby EL34B-STR's very soon. I've messed with SEVERAL preamp tubes and combinations, but the stock Chinese 9th generation 12AX7's seem to work the best so far. I grew up playing Marshalls, so I'm used to that tight upper midrange EL34 sound. The 6L6's don't really do it for me, but I've been trying to give them a chance.

One of two Diezel amps I own. They are incredibly well built, and HEAVY. Only problem I've had was a burned out preamp tube. Very dependable.

Salweinder company has been incredibly helpful. The warranty is a bit of a joke to me. A $4000+ amp should have a lifetime warranty. My Soldano SLO has a lifetime transferable warranty. I'd think Diezel could do better than a one year warranty. I've never heard one bad thing about the company's service, and have never heard of any problems with the amps. Hopefully I won't ever need the warranty.

I've been playing for over 20 years, and own MANY boutique amps as well as run of the mill Peaveys, Marshalls, etc. Every amp does something different for me. I can't say one is better than the other, but there are attributes of each one that I prefer. My Splawn and my Diezel Einstein are the ones I enjoy playing the most. The VH4 is a great "all round" amp that does everything very well. I like to use it on the road for that reason, and that it is MIDI controllable. I don't feel that this amp is as "open" sounding as the Einstein, but is close. The Einstein is incredible!

Born in 2006:
This is the amp I have dreamt about having all my life.
It has four channels of diversified flexability and TONE./
No reverb but a Quality pedal should solve this.
I use this amp @ home for practice and gigs.
More than enough power and gain for anyone
Individual channel inserts
Needs to have an external bias adjustment for changing tubes without taking in for service

Clean channel is PRISTINE. The amp harmonicaly changes with tubes used and the variety is outstanding for a tube head. Four channels . Spin the knobs get different characteristics and tones that I could never get with any other head . The gain is unreal , Mad defined and bad to the bone. I have never heard any other amps make this type of growl without the use of effects. No need for a distortion pedals @ all to get high gain . DEFINITION and CLARITY is incredible .Thumbs up for this config. of an amp.I play Gibson les pauls with 12-52's and it is a killer combo. Gibson Gothic

Seems like it is built extremely well and I do gig without a backup.Mine has the ruby red el 34's.

I called Salawender in Cali. and was amazed they had time to talk to me and answer my Questions. I am very satisfied that I was treated so well. You guys are great!!!!!!!!!!!!!A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+

I have been playing for over 20 years and finally decided that it was worth the money to buy this piece of gear. I have had Mesa boogie triple rec solo, Marshall Tsl 100, Peaveys ,Fender. I play alvarez acoustics and mainly Gibson Les Pauls. I wanted an amp that could do it all this is the one. I mainly play alternative rock but this amp will do them all. If someone stold it I would have them on camera @ my house and would handle it myself when I found them. not big on thieves or cheaters. I wish the amp had an external bias so I could change tubes whenever I felt like it . It is very nice to have the best sound out there .Thanks Diezel you rock!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a public service announcement: the Randall 4-button MIDI footswitch (#180290) works great with the Diezel. It is pretty basic (4 channels only), but it is very solid. MF has them for $50; I bought two.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Randall-4Button-MIDI-Footswitch?sku=180290

I use the on my VH4-S, but I have friends who use them on the regular VH4.

All the "nuts and bolts" have been covered already, I think...this head more than easily covers all of the "essential" sounds anyone would want to ever attain from any live rig...scoops out of the head like ice cream...

Ibanez w/buckers
Tele w/ single coils
It fits EVERY- and ANY- THING, just spin the knobs - if there's a bad tone, you need to dig for it. I still haven't found one.
Surprisingly quiet, even on high gain, channel 4.
Overall, it's very smooth. You might wanna pair it with a Marshall cab to sharpen it up. It's SOOOO thick, like a milkshake...damn right, it's better than yours...

I can't imagine that I'll eveer have a mechanical problem with this amp - it's built like a tank! I wish it was slightly smaller and lighter - but I'm willing to trade that for the heavy-duty-quality!

The warranty is 5 years, as far as I can tell. I bought it from Chuck Levin's Washington Music in Wheaton, Maryland, and although the salesman (Bill) treated me quite fine, I kind of expected a a little more service considerering I bought the VH4 off the floor, no box, no warranty, no manual. I carried it out in a Hefty trash bag, which is kind of disgraceful, considering what I paid for it.

I need to add that plugging into this head has been like fucking the prom queen every night since I picked it up, even without effects...it is indeed the shiznit...

Been playing for almost 30 yrs
I've insured it (duh), so I'll never, EVER be without one ever again - it's that good. Don't be afraid - it's the last amp you'll ever need - no need to eff around...
I LOVE that it's tone is 3-dimensional...it's got EVERYTHING (and fellow players will hate you for the tone you have that they can't cop - THICK)
Tried a mess of other heads - Bogner Uber, Shiva (which is great, just diff), Hughes, Duo and Tri-, various Mesa Rectifier dealies, etc...the VH4 is the SHIT. I didn't want to spend this much on an amp head, but I wanted the best I could find - this head was it. Period.

A lot of nice features which you can read about in other reviews posted below or above - so
I'm not gonna bother you......
I got this about 3 weeks ago and I still can't believe how good this amp sounds. I've never really liked these multi channel amps - not because I don't like the concept but because I never really tried a multi channel amp that blew me away on all channels!.....but to my ears this is the best one made so far. That's way I have almost always gone for 1 good basic sound in my amps having a lot a pedals in front them - but I don't need all those pedals anymore. The VH4 does it all!

I play rock n'roll, Rn'B, Blues, Pop, Jazz, Heavy metal etc. - I have owned a lot of high end and vintage stuff like:

1. Fender 1974 deluxe reverb
2. Fender 1965 super reverb
3. Fender blackface 1966 bassman top
4. Fender pro junior
5. Fender tonemaster top
6. Marshall 200 watt KT88 Major 1969
7. Marshall JTM-45 1965 top with kt-66 tubes
8. Marshall acoustic amp
9. Orange OR-80 with matching cab
10. Bogner Metropolis combo
11. SWR California Blonde
12. Mesa Boogie mark IV with matching cab
13. Hugh and Kettner ? Zentera amp
14. Laney 100 watt top
15. Laney 50 watt top

Well....The diezel VH4 has totally blown me away. It does it all very very good. I play in many different bands and this amp simply covers all my needs. Sounds fantastic with the 212 matching diezel cab. Go get it if you want the world most versatile and best sounding amp!

No problems yet. Built like a tank!

I've talked with Peter Stapher quite a few times and he has always been very friendly with me taking his time to answer my questions etc. Probably the best customer support I've tried so far.

I've been playing for over 15 years and I'm very picky about my gear - I want the best and in the Diezel I've found my dream amp!!!
If it was lost I'd had to get another one.

Every feature you'd ever need in an amp, except for a footswitch. That is my only complaint about this amp. At $4200.00, a simple footswitch would be nice. This amp can cover every style of music perfectly, and accomidate every type of pedal or effects unit with excellent clarity. There is tons of volume and headroom in this amp. Cool feature is the individual tube fuses that will keep your amp working if a tube goes out during a show.

I use Les Paul Standards, and PRS Custom 24's through this amp.

Ch. 1- The most magical clean I've ever heard in 20 years of guitar playing. It has exceptional feel, and is so rich that pedals and reverbs are not necessary.

Ch. 2- This can cover blues to 80's hair metal. I use this channel exclusively. I've got it dimed with the bright switch on, and it's more gain than most rockers will ever need. After all that, it cleans up better than most amp's clean channels.

Ch. 3- Massive 3D sound. This amp is VERY bass heavy, and I never turn the bass past 11:00 ever. Gain is insane at 12:00, yet still very refined with excellent harmonics and overtones.

Ch. 4- Almost too much gain. I don't know why anyone will ever need this much gain, but you can hold notes as if you were using an Ebow. Maybe some people like that, but it's not for me. It is not easy to tame this channel. At 10:00, there is already too much going on.

Diezel. German made. Long lasting Ruby tubes. Super sturdy chassis. Tube failure feature. To me, all of these features equal reliability.

Some of the best in the entire amplifier business.

In 20 years of playing, and being an amplifier freak, I think this is in my top 10 of amps. My '79 Plexi is on the top of that list. I also own a Splawn Quick Rod which I think is one of the best sounding amplifiers I've ever heard as far as being a rock/metal amp. The Diezel is definitely a one trick pony that can be used for any type of music, but it's price is the only holdback. Is it worth the $4250? I'd say no, but if you have the cash to burn, and you're a working musician that's playing a variety of music styles, go for it.

4 independent channels, all tube, midi-switchable, each power tube fuse protected, handcrafted, built-like-a-tank amphead. 100 Watts.

There isn't any other head on the market with these features - and its sound ;-)

I'm using all kinds of guitars, LPs, Strats, heavy Strats . . . my style is classic rock - old school heavy metal. Playing over 25 years now.

The amphead fits those styles perfectly.

Ch1: either bright sparkling or fat Hiwattish cleans. The bright switch and the 3 band eq makes it pretty easy to find your sound.

Ch2: a super organic nice - either warm or crisp - full sounding channel, which goes from a light break-up to good crunchy amounts of gain. It makes your style breathe like very few amps out there.

Ch3: the Diezel trademark channel. You need a ultra fat overdriven heavy crunch? Use this. Bites, kicks your belly, shakes the wall. Set the pots to noon and enjoy. A masterpiece, unavailable in other amps. Nothing comes close to this. A neo-classical channel - and the standard for crunch of the new millenium IMO.

Ch4: does either more (DM like) super heavy rythms (dime the gain to 10 o'clock) or creamy singing leads. Think a perfect not oversizzling and unfuzzy SLO ;-). Very adorable IMO.

Its a Diezel. Built like a tank, excellent features to protect the amp and player in all situations . . . never failed of course. I'm running mine with EL34s of course.

Again: its a Diezel. Just contact one of the Diezels (Peter or Peter) via mail or telephone - they will respond or even help you on the fly. Uwe Salwender also is a class act when it comes to service, support and customer relations. The Diezel company is known for their outstanding customer support.

To the previous poster:

If you came here to bash Diezel and recommend your favoured company all I can say that it is childish and ridiculous. It seems that the huge majority of reviewers is seeing things obviously completely different than you and I'm under the impression that "us" are not the guys who are deaf, but you. If you are unable to dial in the right amounts of presence you've either forgot to hook a cab to the amp - or you are deaf and/or dumb.
A simple phone call to Peter would have solved your problem (although I doubt that you ever owned a Diezel, you probably just looked at it in a shop).

My overall rating is pretty simple: One of the best ampheads on the markets, a neo-classic already. Unbeatable when it comes to versatility and options/features, unbeatable when it comes to rock/hard rock sounds. Diezels other heads, Herbert and Einstein, are focussing on different styles and players, but all three share one common thing: very very hard to beat :-)