Diezel Hagen Vs Herbert Vs D-Moll

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Krankenstein

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Hi guys,

I am thinking of buying myself a new amp for this Christmas and I am really confused with the Diezel amps as they all sound insanely amazing.

Can anyone who tried the above mentioned amps express an opinion about them and advise as to which one is the best option?

I mainly use my 7string Mayones (drop A) and 6sting Caparison(drop C) guitars with my band. Needless to say that we play progressive metal with a hint of Djent and metalcore. I am looking for a massive sound on stage and in the studio.

Any opinions are highly appreciated. I am currently using a Krank Revolution 1 (2 channel) along with the matching cabinet but the Krank does not have much to offer apart from the high gain distortion sound and the clean which I dont like. Dont get me wrong, it s a brilliant amp but i need something more. Something I can tweak the Mids and presence and get something completely different out of it. Krank has only two channels.

Thanks,
 
Krankenstein... This email could really stir the pot :lol: :LOL:

Ultimately it'll be up to you and your ears, but I get it, it's hard to have all three amps lined up side-by-side to really get a sense of what they can offer. I'll do my best on this following bit.

Herbert is reigning king in the popularity department for djent and chugga players (amongst many, many others...). Slightly looser than the VH4, 3 channels with mid cut and other options. A very popular amp, and very very powerful - 6 power tubes, all interchangeable in pairs, allows you to tailor your sound. Crushing amp. Needs to be matched with a crushing cab to truly deliver. I've had one. Drop tuners go Herbert historically, just sayin'....

Hagen. I own a Hagen and love it. It's an awesome amp that really feels "fun" to play. It does a lot of tones, a lot of styles, and feels really good under the fingers. Search the forum for the reviews on this amp. It's a winner for many, but several cats have pulled back saying it's either too loose or not the same Diezel tone that they've come to respect from the VH4 or Herbert. Hagen is a rich amp man....with some time at the EQ, it'll get you lots. If Drop Dead tuning is where it's at for you? Sure, it'll go there - but it's got more to it than this.

D-Moll, the consensus is still out on this amp Bro. Not enough have been delivered and fired up to get a true sense as to what it can do. This is Diezel's latest and greatest and there are a lot of peeps eagerly awaiting their package. It's got a host of great EQ shaping tools, MIDI, voiced for clean to mean, but it just hasn't been out long enough to get the masses input as to where it really shines...

Hope this helps.
Uncle Mo
 
Mo, I'd have to goto bat with you about Hagen's drop tuning. Sure it'll get there? I'm a vh4 player that goes toward the Hagen when it's drop tune time. The way the Fizz, mids and thick bass gel together in drop tunings on the Hagen is what makes the amp really stand out to me. Yes it does everything else amazingly with it's own vibe going on, but I'm from that camp that the VH4 is the best amp on the planet and I think Hagen notches it out when it comes to low tunings.
 
As an owner of both Hagen and Herbert, I'll make a couple of points that could help.

Hagen - more versatile than Herbert and can take all the detuning you wish and still stay focused (I mean no muddiness when I say this). Every note I play with my baritone is descernable and not flubby at all. 4 channels of fun. Truly an amp for all seasons.

Herbert - a shade less "clear" (but still not muddy), but the punch is undeniable. You can feel a cranked up Herbert in your chest like no other guitar amp I've EVER owned. To echo Uncle Mo, you need a cabinet that can handle it. I firmly believe a 4x12 is required (unless using 200 watt EVs). Delivers chunk in spades. Channel 2 alone is almost worth the price of admission. Both "+" and "-" modes in Channel 2 deliver the nicest range of overdriven/distorted tones. Truly incredible.

Can't comment on D-Moll yet...

In short, if you want ultimate detuned note definition and versatility, go Hagen.
If you want ultimate grind and CHUNK, go Herbert.

I won't let go of either one. You can't go wrong with a Diezel!!! :D
 
Gentlemen, agreed on ALL points! :thumbsup:

My opinion of the Herbert is based on historical precedent. It's been the "go to" low slinger for years. "Been the" being the operative term. Herbert has the punch and beef to melt faces in drop tunings, bar none. It's also exceptionally versatile outside of the chugga realm. Great amp - dedicated following.

Hagen was most certainly designed - to the best of my knowledge - to fill the arsenal gap of cats who dig lower tunings, and it certainly does this, and it does a hella lot more. Having not been out and available for as long as the Herbert, it's still growing in popularity and popular vote as to its strengths. I personally love the Hagen. It's off the hook for everything - its following growing steadily.

VH4, don't get me started :lol: :LOL: Talk about devout following :rock:

Uncle Mo
 
Thanks a lot for the information provided. I have a Krank 4x12 cab with Texas eminence. I m thinking to keep that one and buy an Orange or Diezel 4x12 as well. This way I will have a selection of two different speakers Vs and Eminence if I want to change my sound on various occasions. However, back to the main issue of the amp selection i think i will wait for the dmoll to arrive in the UK before deciding. From the sounds of it, the dmoll might be the best value for money Diezel. (plus it has the midcut knob as well.) I m really digging that Hagen though... I m so confused at the moment. I wanted to buy the axe fx2 but I've changed my mind completely as I am not a digital person. I prefer the real sound rather than something that tries to sound like the real thing. There are countless options with effects etc but my pedals will do just fine. Diezel is my priority and I need to decide ASAP as Christmas is coming down pretty quick.
I want to narrow it down to Hagen and Dmoll but the Herbert is playing games in my head.
Thanks everyone for trying to help. I appreciate it.
 
The best way to know for yourself is to get a chance to sit in a place where there is all three of these together and play them, otherwise, you will play the "What if ...?" game of wondering which is the better amp for you.

They are all Diezel so you will get a high quality amp either way.

But they are definitely different from each other (I haven't heard the D Moll yet but I am sure it will be a quality tone).

I had a chance to play the Hagen for several hours at last years NAMM show and it had some things I really liked about the amp BUT it was missing some of my favorite things that are on the Herbie.

I have owned a version of every Diezel head except the Hagen (and D Moll) and my favorite for response to my playing and favored tone is the Herbie.

I wasn't a fan of the VH4 at all when I played it but I heard people sounding great on it.

The little Schmidt was very cool when I played on it at the NAMM last year but it had limited options.

The Einstein is a little beast as well but limited options as well.

I don't like the way the Hagen looks but I heard a few things there that make up for that issue with the amp.

You need to actually sit down and see which amp responds best to your playing.

Remember that these amps are very expensive so you want to be sure which one is the right one for you.

Make some friends here and see who would be willing to let you try their amp out that live near you (I would let you try my Herbie out here in CA but it's been twice modded so it will sound different (and better) than the stock Herbie and you will want the mods as well but find they are hard to come by and cost extra money for the work and shipping the amps).

And look around for used amps due to the high price of these amps if you are going to take a risk on one without hearing it and playing it first.
 
I echo all of the above points, but would point out that the Herbert is an exceptionally versatile amp as well. Its clean IMO is the best in the Diezel line (other than the Schmidt). It's just an exceptionally killer amp. If you play metal then, IMO, it's the best of the Diezel line.

You really should play a VH4 too before making any decision. Very versatile amp. Channel 3 alone is worth the money - probably the most versatile high gain channel ever made. Crank up the volume and listen to it roar. I regret selling mine every day, though I do (marginally) prefer the Herbie.

-C
 
Krankenstein, your "predicament" has been echoed by pretty well every Diezel fan who's ever graced the pages of this forum.

It's not an easy decision. The good news is, any Diezel will deliver - it's just a matter of fine tuning your wants, needs and wishes.

Break it down - what's your music, what guitars do you use (by the way, Diezels typically like lower to moderate output pups), do you close mic, do you gig, do you bedroom jam, etc. etc. etc.

Nice choice on the Axe-II as well. It's a great piece of kit, but there'll be better and better in the years to come. That's the problem with digital, it's not timeless (for the most part, there are some great pieces out there like the oldschool Eventide rack pieces). But get an amp that makes you shine? Your playing sing? Inspires you? It's priceless baby!

Hang in there.
Uncle Mo :thumbsup:
 
Popular wisdom says to try them before buying...but you could end up more confused ;-)

I own a Herbert and a Hagen...but, hell, I couldn't tell wich is my favorite !!! I love'em both !!!
They are brothers in tone but not twins...

Good luck for your choice... ;-)
 
Hey guys,

thanks for the advice.. I have tried all the Diezels available I have come to the conclusion that the best value for money is the new D moll.

It's very close to the Herbie and the Mid cut just rips it wide open.
The clean is very smooth and clear again very close to the Herbie. Channel can give you some really heavy tone especially on the drop tunings.
Of course I would love to buy the Herbert but I dont want to end up selling myself in the streets to finance it. I am also selling my Krank revolution cabinet 4x12 to raise some cash for a 2x12 (either a Diezel FL or a Zilla cab). I also bought a Columbus yesterday.
To sum up. In order to buy all the gear I want and upgrade my rig I thought the best sounding/value for money diezel is the D moll. I am also saving for a Blackmachine which is under construction so it was a bit impossible to go for a Herbert at this particular time of the year. Maybe next year I will add a Herbie to my collection but for the time being I am extremely happy with the D moll.
Thanks,
 
I also think the D-moll is great! Can I ask about your blackmachine, are they accepting any orders and how long did you have to wait for yours? How to contact them?
 
hi kahawe,
it is very hard to get a blackmachine at the moment. All you can do is email Doug and just wait for a reply.
it just happened to meet him in person and spend a whole afternoon together trying out Diezel amps,blackmachine guitars, chatting and drinking beers. That was like a dream come true. I got to play his own blackmachine and it s the best guitar I have ever played in my life. Smooth, thin, with a big tone and your fingers are flowing like Niagara falls.
It happened to be a neighbour of mine as well so you can understand. Saying that, I still have to wait for a long time to get my hands on a B2 as he is very particular with his guitars. He wont rush them out just to make the bucks like a lot of other luthiers do. He is honest and very professional. Thumbs up!!!
Just drop him an email saying what you want but you have to understand that it might take up to two-three years to get your hands on one. It s worth the wait though.
Hope it helps,
 
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