The Diezel VH4 (Model) Thread

[The other John Browne]

That’s fair! Which model do you felt got closest to your specific amp? Where did you feel most differences were? I’d imagine a lot of emulations are based on slightly older versions (either Blueface pre-2001 style circuit of the mid 2000's circuit. I think there was a big change around 2007 and maybe another 10-15 years later? For all I know there could be lots of small ones in between. Looking at the gut shots of this amp, there's so many components soldered off the board that are presumably tweaks that have evolved over time.


Big time relate to this. Im so conflicted because I want to love it but it just doesn't bring me the magic I want in an amp. At best, I think they are a distinctive tone that you can almost immediately hear as being a Diezel and nothing else. My issue is, most of the time, I dont think I really need that sound (kind of how I feel with a lot of Orange amps too!).

Both the VH4 and the D-Moll to me weren't love at first chug but the longer I've had them, the more I love them.
Funnily enough, I instantly bonded with both of my Diezel Herberts.

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

Both the VH4 and the D-Moll to me weren't love at first chug but the longer I've had them, the more I love them.
Funnily enough, I instantly bonded with both of my Diezel Herberts.

How would you describe their differences?

 

[GuitarJon]

That’s fair! Which model do you felt got closest to your specific amp? Where did you feel most differences were?

All will be revealed soon! A big portion were a let down for me though if I'm very honest. In terms of sounding big fat and "organic" like the real deal.

Btw I already know that some people will be annoyed by my comparisons, I'm prepared. "You should have done this, you should have done that!" Etc. The thing is, the real amp has such interesting dynamic behaviour that it was impossible to level match certain modelers to the real deal. The real amp gets louder across the entire spectrum with palm mutes and when you play loud open notes or chords, the sound "ducks" down in level. Almost none of the modelers could replicate that behaviour. One could though...

Also, the real amp has such nice clarity and string definition, but with a bunch of the modelers I couldn't get that and by trying to get that by opening up the presence or treble (or changing SIC's etc) the sound only got more fizzy or harsh. Stuff like that.

 

[yek]

FWIW, Fractal dropped the “Dizzy Blue” models in the list of models in the AM4. I don’t know why, maybe they don’t have the actual amp (anymore).

 

[MirrorProfiles]

The thing is, the real amp has such interesting dynamic behaviour that it was impossible to level match certain modelers to the real deal. The real amp gets louder across the entire spectrum with palm mutes and when you play loud open notes or chords, the sound "ducks" down in level. Almost none of the modelers could replicate that behaviour. One could though...

I’ve found this today, even with NAM and ToneX models; the input level is so critical otherwise the compression behaviour changes everything. A lot of models don’t really get the compression aspect right, I agree.

When you’ve posted your video, would you be open to sharing the DI’s and source amp tones? it would be cool to attempt matching. It seems like the amp I have is very much stock and the presence circuit values are something some older amps used.

 

[GTR37]

Any self respecting Adam Jones fan wants or wanted one of these at some point. Back in the early 2000s I got to play a blue one at their NAMM booth with Peter hanging out tweaking things as I was butchering Tool riffs.

I was surprised by how dry the amp was, but also its unusual mixture of girth and definition without being overly scooped.

I’m not sure if I’ll ever actually pursue one, but I recognize them as exceptional and love having an opportunity to learn more about them.

That’s actually a perfect description I felt same when i
Played one at a local music store to be honest after all the hype I was a bit disappointed
It was very dry not saturated but pretty dark and low mid focus
Also has a shit ton of compression
It was articulate but just had this huge low end resonance almost like a sub woofer but still had definition it was weird
And I left much preferring the XTC
SLO and Friedman HBE to be honest.

 

[[Nathan]]

Regardless of the outcomes and discoveries here, I love that these convos pop up from time to time. I’ve gone back to amphub and Borland to mess around with the vh4 through a different mindset. This is the side of modelling that I really appreciate. When I first use sims I’ll just goto the kind of tone that I like to play and the amp will get there to some varying degree. But going back and exploring the amps for what they are is like a second layer of appreciation.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Added a tweaked Helix bounce to the comparison just because it was so different from the others. It still is, but I cranked up the bass and depth so it fills out in a similar way. I also turned presence to 10, and turned treble up as much as I could before it started sounding weird.

All I can really deduce is that that VH4's vary a LOT. (Borland sounds brighter than both of Fractal's models, and all of these are brighter than Line 6's).

I do wonder slightly if Line 6 and Fractal not having the channel volume is doing something? Maybe they modelled the amps with the channel volume at 10 and thats affecting the tone in some way? The Line 6 one is also lighter on bass at comparable settings - sounds fine cranking them though.

EDIT: Looked at the photos of Line 6's amp vault and it looks more like a more recent one (Channel 2 bright switch, newer fonts on faceplate). Of course, they may have more than one VH4 in their possession, or it could simply be just a random spec one. Curious if any VH4 owners have one thats similar sounding to Line 6's.