Meet the Makers: Diezel

The 1980s and ’90s saw an explosion in German electric guitar amplifier design. But none of those designers share the mystique and allure of Peter Diezel and Diezel Amplification. Like many guitarists of their day, Peter Diezel and Peter Stapher were not satisfied with the available amps, even after modifying them. They wanted to make a top-tier, high-powered amplifier with multiple voices accessible at the touch of a button, integrated MIDI capabilities, powerful effects-loop options, and more. Like how many amp designers get their start, they knew they’d have to build their own. Unlike other designers, what Diezel came up with is one of the most lauded guitar amplifiers in history, the VH-4.

The VH-4 was well ahead of its time. It would take until the mid-1990s for players to grasp the sheer versatility and tone of the VH-4. But the minute Tool’s Adam Jones and Metallica’s James Hetfield began nailing its tone to the airwaves, the new leader in high-gain emerged. The VH-4’s success also paved the way for more Diezel designs, like the Herbert, Hagen, Paul, and D-Moll. Each one of them is immaculately crafted, flexible, and devastating sounding, ensuring the legacy of Diezel amplification will live on for a long time to come.