VH4-2 Pedal

So this one, we didn't see it coming! Vaguely announced for several years by Peter Diezel, we can say that in Bad Steben we take our time! The first prototypes were visible at NAMM 2016, but it was at the end of the year that the first pedal in the range made its appearance. Designed in Germany by Peter and his team, the VH4 Pedal is made in sunny California under the direction of his great pal Dave Friedman. On the program, a pre-amp in an extraordinary pedal format which restores the main sound characteristics of the legendary channel 3 of the famous Diezel VH4 head. If you have never heard this anthology channel, listen to the right hand of Mr. James Hetfield for example, who has been using it for several decades, or even Alter Bridge and Matt Bellamy, who are all real users from head to the imposing black front grille. With the VH4, we have a part of the history of "big sound" underfoot. Pre-amp requires, the VH4 can therefore be used on a clean channel in a conventional manner, or directly in a power amp or other. Couldn't be more versatile.
Aesthetically, the pedal has a very nice brushed aluminum finish. It is more imposing than the classic formats but remains extremely light. To be the "VH4", of course, it needed the same controls and buttons as the head. We will therefore find the same "master" section as on the latter. Namely, Master, Presence (to adjust the top of the spectrum) and Deep which is a great classic of the brand, this one acting as a contour but with the possibility of controlling the "ommpff" factor in the attack, which contributes greatly to the Diezel sound signature. Next come the usual Treble, Middle, Bass and Gain controls. On this version 2 which is a "dual channel" we therefore have 1 Master and 1 dedicated Gain for each channel. A highly sympathetic detail, the pedal takes up the design of the perforated grid with "D", emblematic of the brand. On the front of the pedal (thanks to the jacks on the top, it's nice) there are In and Out and also a specific output to drive a power amp. It's beautiful, right down to the packaging (quality box, transformer and accessories provided)!

Come on, we plug it into a very dynamic pure clean channel, that of the Two-Rock Classic Reverb . ESP Custom Shop Explorer and Suhr Super Strat in hand, we attack with a flat EQ and a Gain at 09:00. Good... As much to tell you right away, already, with this setting, it picks up! The master is only at 08:30 and there is already a very nice compression and a "bulldozer" side that dangerously reminds us of the original head. By changing absolutely nothing, but just by raising the Gain to 12:00, the pedal gives you a monumental slap! It's simple, it's neither more nor less an amp channel. It's very rich, ultra dense, with an extremely fast response and a high midrange typical of the German brand. A kind of straighter and more compact Super Marshall, without the nasal side at the top of the spectrum. We are looking at the settings to stick as close as possible to the original head that we have a few centimeters away during the test. The friedman is everything at 12:00, the pedal, Master 9:00, we remove a little Presence, we boost the Deep a little at 13:00, the mids slightly scooped, the gain at 14:00... How tell you? It's simple, there are plenty of amps at a few thousand euros that are not half the colossal sound produced by the VH4 on our test configuration. The EQ is AMAZING, the pedal silent and responsive... We hit a chord and we're clearly there! If you are looking for THE metal pedal, this VH4 is a real slap in the face for its competitors. The palm mutes are enormous, the precision formidable, at no time does the VH4 sound "transo", this one proving massive and tuned to perfection for big sound. Few products can stand the comparison.

Top-notch manufacturing, an EQ of diabolical efficiency, a very wide gain range and above all a rendering in total adequacy with the original sound signature of the head, make the VH4-2 Pedal an absolute must-have. A formidable alternative to the Friedman BE-OD, Strymon Riverside and other Bogner... If you are looking for a pedal for big sound, with a low medium voicing, medium scooped and a very precise high end, this Diezel pre-amp is made for you! GR Award 2016! To try absolutely.