Diezel VH4

This is an ammendment to my review found below

The very next day after posting the below review, which was critical of th amp, I got an e-mail Peter Diezel himself. WOW! No that's outstanding support. I didn't even buy the amp, and he felt it necessary to modify the amp to my liking. I have purchased amps from Bogner, Soldano, and have tried almost all the other high end boutique amps...and spoken with the people who build them, and although have had great service from all of them, none like this. Peter reads the reviews, and listens. My review was based on my personal opinion and is totally subjective. Tone is subjective anyway...I now guys who think Marshalls are still the best...go figure. I didn't think I could be blown away by an amp guru's desire to serve the little guy, but Peter Diezel did it. I've had great service, but none like this. He is comming out with a new amp this year, and I will be sure to check it out.

As previously discussed, very versatille with lots of features. Great idea in theory. No footswitch for channel switching, need to buy a midi pedal for that ( how silly is that! ) This is ridiculous, so take away 3 points.

I'll go channel by channel:

Channel 1 - Clean alright, but no character and quite sterile. Both my Bogner Shiva's and Fenders have far more depth and warmth. I compare this channel to that of the Ecstacy, or Marshall JCM 2000. I'm a snob, so I say garbage. With effects, it could be ok.

Channel 2 - Like a Reissue Plexi, ok but nothing special.

Channel 3 - Killer. This channel rocks! Tons of harmonics and sustain. Reminds me of channel 3 of the Ecstacy. Outstanding.

Channel 4 - Over the top. Really good I guess, just something I wouldn't ever need. Like a Ubershall, or like a Dual Recto is supposed to sound like. Drop D, chest thumping power. As a novelty to piss off the neighbors, 10 Fantastic value...as a classic rock style musician, I'd never use it. But it is sure good at what it does.

Built like a tank with the best parts. No knocks here. Heavy as hell, good tubes, wired very well.

N/A

If you buy a midi pedal for channel switching and use digital effects, this amp could function as a one amp does all amp. I personally don't need to do a whole bunch of things at once, I like to go for just two great tones, clean and overdrive, which the Shiva does better for me. This amp has the compression of thew Bogner Ecstacy, and lacks the overall tonal complexity I like for a guitar into amp setup. Well built, quiet, very expensive for the sound it puts out in Channels 1 & 2. I tried it several times and wanted to buy it based on it's design, but I'd much rahter use a Shiva for gigging or recording. What it does it does way better.

4 channel amp, channel switching, lots of tubes, features discussed by other reviewers.

I'm using a variety of professional instruments with the amp

The amp is harsh and very solid state sounding. It's way over priced but is built very well. I play a variety of styles and am on the road and in the studio quite often being a professional guitar player. My producer got me this amp thinking I would like it. He had heard it was a great sounding amp. It has one clean channel that sounds just like an old Crate amp, so it's very clean and decent sounding, just not warm, rich and deep like an old Fender or even a Mesa.
The other channels are just not any different, just more the same, a bit britlle and harsh, but distorted. It's a very good amp for crunch, but it can't do any more than what a Crate SS amp can do and I can get those for $150 used

It worked just fine for when I had it, but it was unusable for the kind of money my producer paid for it. He was able to sell it to some rich hobby player who couldn't tell his ass form a hole in the ground and had the chops that fit with that take on him, and got his money back and a few hundred extra.

Never bothered to find out.

Way over priced. I've been a professional guitarist for 30 years. I own enough gear, all of it more usuable and more musical than this over-priced white elephant.

If it was stolen, I am sure Dave would have been happy to use the insurance money to take a long vacation in the tropics, I'd get along fine without it. I wish it had a really nice musical sound, but it's harsh and nasty.

1998, custom tolex, other preamp- and presence section than today`s VH4s.
4 channels, 8 ECCs, 4 EL34s, midi-built-in, four channel-inserts, 2 master-loops, 16, 8 and 4 Ohm outputs, individual fuses for each EL34, toggle switch for 6L6, 6550 and EL34s use, . . . .

ch1: sparkling clean, the bright switch adds even more. Mucho headroom, very very good
ch2: like an old non-MV Marshall. Same organic feeling with the Master set to >50%.
ch3: whow. better than any modded 800s Marshall I had.
ch4: forget Soldano. This is the sh*t - sustain for ages, smooth - the perfect lead sound of all time.

Never use a backup. Built like a tank, heavy as a tank (30 kilos).

the best customer`s support in the world. Just contact Peter and he helps - whereever you are . . .

This (old model) came without a bias-pot and Peter helped me to install one (on the phone). Excellent !!!!

I`m playing for more than 25 years now and this is amp is a dream, which came true fortunately. I got the matching cab (everything in blue leather tolex) too for a steal-price of 2.500 Euros, just changed the speakers to the famous "Uberschall" combination (G75T and V30s, X-pattern) and LOVE this rig.

Feel free to have a look at my website for even more infos, pics and details about this and other Diezel amps:

www.thinlizzy.de

Diezel VH4... assembled early/mid 2003. Same features as those listed below, but if still curious, here you go:

100w (mono) w/4 EL34s (electro harmonix); 4 channels (bass/mid/treble/volume/gain), master section: deep, presence, mix (loop send 2 - parallel), volume. 1 serial loop, 2nd loop is parallel (switchable). All midi, mute, channel inserts for each channel, store function, thru jack right next to input for direct feed to another unit (tuner, amp, etc.), midi channel selection (1-16 / omni, learn mode), phantom power for midi via 5-pin, ch1/ch2 bright switches, channel push buttons. Tube-fault bypass system relieves the faulty duet out of the chain via individual fuse per tube; allows you to finish the set with 2 tubes instead of no amp. Very clean cut, well-arranged, easy-to-use, can outfit absolutely any style, without question. Only debate would be that channels would have individual deep/presence knobs rather than the section, but the current arrangement keeps things in better balance and harmony.

Using a PRS Standard 24, no effects, amp run through Mesa Std. (tall) 4x12 w/V30s, very clean at low volumes, breathes nicely at stage levels, feel the air under your fingers, exposes flaws, forces growth in playing ability. Channels are very distinct, all very usable, sparkling clean ch1, ac/dc or rolling stones dirt/shine with ch2, even a fender/parallel tone chime, ch3 roars and rolls off clean very nicely, much more body than any old marshall, great dynamics, not compressed at all, ch4 gives singing leads, slightly compressed due to high gain nature, but very full and round, plenty of body, and can even roll off clean, very tasteful, can sound like a violin at low gain or shred like metal. Gains are never turned up all the way, always satisfying. It's no death metal amp, which is why the Herbert is here. Very quiet, no hum/buzz/clicking of any sort, even when turning on/off channel inserts/loops. Solid.

Follows the pricy side, but compare it to four $1000 amps in the US, and couple that with midi functionality, loops, mute, tube-fault bypass system, all in an attractive large head, and you really can't beat it. No need for a backup, German made, built better than a tank.

Friendly and resourceful relations with the Diezel company, US distributor, and retailer were made far before the purchase, all very informative, helpful, genuinely kind, and concerned people. Questions always answered in a prompt, detailed, and friendly manner.

Been playing under 10 years. I tell myself that I don't deserve to have this amp, but it will definitely be something to grow and learn with. As an upgrade from a Mesa/Boogie Tremoverb/Dual Rec., this amp has unmatched tone, great hi-fi character, very modern, all the clarity desired, very easy to dial-in sounds (all eq dials at noon = very playable), plenty of body, power, punch, life, and will always put a smile on your face. Do not create opinions based on clips and samples. Must play to own! Will be the sole touring amp of my future. 10 all the way, there is nothing better.

Probably the most versitile head around. 4 Channels each with its own effects insert (lots of routing possibilities here) and eq, serial and parallel master fx loops w/mix pot for the parallel, mute button (really cool), midi switchable and programable, a host of output jacks to accomodate any type of speaker configuration, bright switches on channels 1 and 2, power amp eq(bass, presense) a thru jack on the front panel for routing your signal elsewhere.... I mean how much can you ask from a head in terms of features?

I use the VH4 with a Warrior guitar (mahogany neck and body, maple top and ebony fretborad with gibson Iommy and Burstbucker pickups) and an Ibanez 7-string. I also use fx but who cares. My speaker is a 4X12 VHT cab. I've had the VH4 for about a year and a half now and have tried most tubes in it (6L6's, KT88's and El34's) having settled with the EL34's as my favorite. I'm basicly a metal-rock player but I love to experiment. As far as tone goes the VH4 is really a marvel. I'm not saying its the perfect amp, there is no such amp, but it realy realy realy is satisfying. Even if you tweak the knobs randomly you will still end up with a usable AND musical tone. All four channels sound extreemly good and they all have something different to offer. From beautiful, solid cleans (keep in mind though this is not a fender type clean), to blues crunch, to heavy rythm and ultra high gain leads. It realy doesn't sound like any other amp (why should any amp for that matter?.....anyone play a POD?). You could get a "brown sound" type thing if you want in channel 3 but it doesn't sound like an old marshall. That's because it's not, it's a modern amp made by Diezel. You can't get every sound you've ever wanted but it can sing like an angel and scream like the devil....convisingly. This is a very good amp indeed!

No problems so far. I use it mainly in the studio but have giged 30 or so times with no trouble. That includes the midi!

This is a very solidly constructed head (it's expensive and it's German!) It has killer tone, a bunch of features, is very versitile and looks awesome (whoever says eye candy isn't important is either a liar or shouldn't involve themselve in any art). Is it worth the price tag? Is it the right amp for you? You should ask these questions of the gear you already own anyway. I am usually very qucik to replace gear if I don't like it. I don't see myself selling this though. Check one out!

Cheers!

Too many to talk about.I am really amazed by all of the options this amp has,but there are a few thing that make me scratch my head.Why there is no footswitch is a mystery to me.Peter Deizel has said that channel switching circuits adds noise to the amp,but I'm sure that it is nominal and would be worth it(at least to me).Anyway with channel 4 cranked up you will hear noise like it or not.Now if Deizel had an easy to use footswitch you could hit the mute button on the floor and solve that noise problem between songs.I'm just not a fan of the Midi thing.Sorry I want to keep it a simple as possible(that's why I like tube amps.Right?).Also a reverb would have been nice.I personally will take a good spring reverb over an outboard unit anyday(it just sounds warmer to me).I know that I am a picky bas**rd,but I am sure that other Deziel owners can see my point.The owners manual is something they sould be ashamed of.Cheap looking photocopy with a staple in it.Not a whole lot of info in it either.Sorry, but If someone pays 4 grand for the thing,they shold get high class everything.Oh yeah speaker inputs in the back can be confusing until you get used to it.I would have prefered a simple ohms select switch like the one on my Dual Recto.Don't get me wrong I am very impressed with it just not "blown away"

I play mostly harder rockin stuff so the amp suites my needs very well.Channel one has an amazing clean sound.For sure the best I have heard.Channel two to me is useless.Sorry I just can't find a usefull sound on it,but that's me.Channel three is great for crunchy tones and Van Halenesque tones.,but it sounds different than a cranked Marshall.Putting in some high quality EL-34 tubes will greatly improve it's ability to cop Marshall tones.Now the legendary channel four.OH MY GOD!!! It is freakin amazing.Tight as a virgin.Thick as a brick and with some good 6550 power tubes will blow your head off your shoulders.Lets not kid each other this is what the amp was built for and what most guys are buying it for.The other channels are just a plesant surprize.Bottom line killer tones from this monster.

Have not had it long enough to know for sure,but I have kept it cranked for extended periods with no problem.Oh yeah,did I mention that channel four gets noisey what cranked.I have tried changing tubes and everything but it still makes the noise, maybe something is wrong with it and I just don't know.No biggie,comes with the territory I guess.

No opinion really.I think that the web site is no good.Not much information(kind of like the owners manual)It's in German and that's fine but I'm willing to bet that most of their customers are English speakers.So when in Rome!!!!

I have been playing for twenty years and own over 20 amp heads(I got em all)If I could go back in time I would do it again.It is awesome,but I am a little suprized at some of the reviews that sing only praises and dare not make mention of some of the amp obvious short comings.Almost as if they fear looking stupid by questioning the mighty Diezel.My favorite amp is my Bogner Ecstacy the Deziel being a close second place.Just my humble opinion.I hope this review has been helpful.Good luck. Happy amp hunting...

The specific amp was made in 2002. This amp perfectly suits my needs, for sure. My guitar playing style varies from classic rock to heavy metal, so I m considered as a rock guitarist. It has 4 channels, MIDI switchable, 4 individual serial loops one per channel and 1 master parallel loop with mix control on the front faceplate. I use all the features of this amp, and is extremely easy to use. I use this amp at home for the time being with its Diezel 4X12 (very masculin huh, ask my neighbors), and in the studio. It's all TUBE, mine came with 4 Electro-harmonix EL34s (excellent tube, although i love EL34 I ve never used an Electro-harmonix) and 7 Svetlanas 12AX7. Mine is the Mono head 100W, but there is a second version VH4S which is stereo 50W per side.

Kicks ass. The arsenal of Diezel players grows stronger every day. From Frankie Sullivan and Neal Schon to James Hetfield and Wes Borland. If rock/metal is your thing, Diezel is the dirty deed! I am leaning towards the Neil Schon style, but when I bought it something struck me and I started to become more agressive day by day.

Built like the Luftwaffe Aircrafts. If it has a broken tube an indicator lights up, the set of two goes out and you carry on your gig with the second pair. In other words it never stops!

It has a three year warranty and as we all know Peter Diezel is a very kind and helpful person and I ve never heard of someone being disapointed.

EVIL!!!!!!!!!!

THE DESISION OF BUING THIS HEAD WASN'T DIFFICULT.THIS TANK WAS THE DREAM THAT CAME REAL AFTER 2 YEARS.I'M THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS AMP.MY FRIEND FLOUROS PROPABLY LOST HIS MIND WHEN SOLD IT TO ME.BUT I'M HAPPY ANYWAY.FULL MIDI, FOUR CHANNELS(CLEAN,CRUNCH,RHYTHM,LEAD) ALL TUBE AND READY TO ROCK THE PLACE OUT.MY MAIN GUITARS IS A CHARVEL 650 SOLOIST DELUXE(DIMARZIO TONE ZONE AND TEXAS SPECIAL) AND A CHARVEL 6(JACKSON PICKUPS).THE REST OF MY GEAR IS A TC ELECTRONIC G-MAJOR AND BBE SONIC MAXIMIZER.I KEEP IT ON A FRIEND STUDIO.THE PEOPLE THERE GET INSANE WITH HIS POWER AND GAIN.

MY MAIN GUITARS IS A CHARVEL 650 SOLOIST DELUXE(DIMARZIO TONE ZONE AND TEXAS SPECIAL) AND A CHARVEL 6(JACKSON PICKUPS).ALSO USING IT WITH A GIBSON EXPLORER AND SOME OLD KRAMERS.I PLAY FROM 70'S ROCK TO HEAVY ROCK/PROGRESSIVE METAL.VERY QUIET AND COMFORTABLE WHEN THE VOLUME TURN UP.NOT NOISY AT ALL IN ANY DIFFICULT SITUATION ON STAGE.EXPEPT WHEN I USE IT WITH HIGH OUTPOUT PICKUPS I GET SOME HUM NOICE.FAT RHYTHM SOYND WITH RICH HARMONICS AND AMAZING STRING DEFINITION ON 3RD CHANNEL,STANDS UP ANY CHALLENGE.NICE MIDLLES WITH BALANCED BASS, GIVES EXACTLY WHAT I NEED:POWER AND TONES OF SUSTAIN.4RTH CHANNEL BRINGS THE HELL ON EARTH!TONES OF GAIN GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE SCREAMING LEADS AND POWERFULL SOLOS.A TRUE DYNAMITE ON YOUR HANDS.2ND CHANNEL GIVES YOU THE CLASSIC CRUNCH SOUND ALA AC/DC/RAYWAHN.NICE WORK I THINK THAT 2ND CHANNEL MAKES THIS AMP UNIQUE AND GIVES HIM THE 1ST PLACE IN HIS GATEGORY.THE 1ST CHANNEL GIVES YOU A RICH AND FULL OF TONE,CLEAN SOUND.NICE WORK GUYS

NO PROBLEM HERE.BUILT LIKE A TANK AND RELIABLE LIKE MY DOG STATHIS.

NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH THEM.

I OWNED A ATTAX 100 HEAD(HUGHES & KETTNER)THE SAME TIME WHEN I BUY IT.NO COMMENTS.AT FIRT PLACE I FELT THE NEED TO SMASH IT (THE ATTAX).I SOLD IT AFTER ONE MONTH AND I'M REALLY HAPPY ABOUT IT.A REALLY GOOD INVESTMENT WHICH WORTH THE MONEY I SPEND FOR IT.A STATE OF ART.

This is a follow-up review of the Diezel VH4 after having owned and played it for almost a year.

I gave a reivew of this amp in November of 2001. I heard manny nay-sayers tell me tat I couldn't have heard all the tones in it after having it only a few days.
Well, I'm hear to say that this amp is the most amazing amp I have ever played in my 47 years of playing! I have come to appreciate and love the amp more every time I use it. No words can describe accurately just how much I have come to appreciate the versatility, quality of tone, build and all that it delivers with ease!
It is so powerful with EL-34's in it that I have purchased a set of Smicz TADS to add to 2 of the EL-34's to tame it down a bit to 52 watts from 100 watts with the 4 EL-34's in it. What this has done is allow me to open up te amp a bit more, still getting insane power and volume, but now releasing even more of what the amp can deliver!

I have since sold all my other amps and am going to get a VH2 as a companion amp which I will use for the smaller gigs where the 4 channel VH4 would be wasted on the crowd.

I find that this amp plays any style of music, makes any guitar sound just the best it can sound and does it all effortlessly. It loves effects and can handle anything plugged into the effects loop, bringing out the best of the tone the effect can put forth.

I have read on the forum where other players have purchased what they have thought was the amp of their dreams only to sell it off later on due to finding that it does not deliver the goods as they wanted to hear them delivered. My only reply would be to try a Diezel amp, as you have tried everything else and have been dissappointed. Move up to the last amp you will ever need, unless you like them so much that you cannot resist having more then one Diezel!