FM3/FM9/AXE-FX III Patch based on Diezel VH4 Silverface

FM3/FM9/AXE-FX III Patch based on Diezel VH4 Silverface

The Diezel VH4, especially in its striking silver faceplate version, stands as a monument to precision, brutality, and tonal flexibility. Hailing from Germany and the workshop of amp designer Peter Diezel, this 4-channel titan has become a go-to amplifier for players who want their tone to hit like a freight train but remain articulate and musical—even under the most extreme gain settings.

The Silverface variant isn’t just a cosmetic refresh—it marks an era of refined construction and rock-solid reliability that has earned it a place in the rigs of touring professionals and tone chasers worldwide.

The VH4 is best known for its four completely independent channels, each offering its own unique voice. Whether you're dialing in sparkling cleans, classic crunch, or thunderous high-gain tones, the VH4 handles it all with studio-grade detail and road-ready muscle.

Channel 1 – Clean & Chimey

Despite Diezel’s high-gain reputation, the clean channel of the VH4 is stunningly rich and detailed. It's pristine, with just a hint of warmth—perfect for ambient textures, funk rhythms, or jazz chords. It takes pedals exceptionally well, making it a flexible base for players who build their sound from the ground up.

Channel 2 – Edge of Crunch

The second channel lives in that magical space between clean and dirty. It can deliver mild breakup or a British-style rock crunch, depending on how hard you push it. Excellent for dynamic picking and vintage-flavored riffs.

Channel 3 – The VH4 Legend

This is where the legend is made. Channel 3 is what made the VH4 famous, especially in the hands of players like Adam Jones (Tool). Tight, percussive, and fiercely aggressive, this channel delivers complex harmonic content even under extreme gain. It’s a dream for drop-tuned modern metal, palm-muted riffs, and fluid soloing.

Channel 4 – Saturated and Singing

Channel 4 offers even more gain than Channel 3, but with a slightly smoother voice. It’s perfect for saturated leads, big chords with long sustain, or layered studio parts. It’s still tight, but with a slightly more compressed feel—ideal for soaring solos or thick modern rhythm tones.

The Diezel VH4 has been seen in the rigs of some of the most respected names in modern music:

• Adam Jones (Tool) – Channel 3 is integral to his haunting, heavy tones.
• James Hetfield (Metallica) – Used in the studio for its tight, crushing rhythm tone.
• Matt Bellamy (Muse) – For experimental tones and tight gain.
• Misha Mansoor (Periphery) – Known to favor its percussive clarity for modern progressive metal.

Scene 1: DZL Silver 2 (channel 2 Crunch)
Scene 2: DZL Silver 3 (channel 3 Mega)
Scene 3: DZL Silver 4 (channel 4 lead)

Effects : phaser, flanger, chorus, delay, reverb