Diezel Herbert or Axe FX?

[VESmedic]

I'm GASin hard for a Herbert for some reason An amp I've always wanted to own. Contemplating selling my Deliverance 120 to fund the herbert, and have a dual amp rig between a VHT UL and a Herbert I'm sure it would sound insane. I would probably get the axe fx eventually, but it would definitely be awhile. I was planning to run the VHT UL 4CM with the axe fx, and the Deliverance as my dry signal, alternating between amp models and the VHT UL's core tone with effects. But the Herbert just crushes, and I think it would be a great contrast to the ultralead. Fully midi, and will give me that "polished" tone when I want it. Anyways, just would like to see what you guys think Thanks!

 

[ashesofphoenix]

I'd say get both because those are the 2 things I've wanted since I joined this forum.

Personally I'd go for the Axe FX if you're looking for an all in one machine. get a nice power amp and a GCP and you're set. Theres very little you can't do with that magic box...including sounding like you're playing thru a Herbert. IMHO

 

[Mailman1971]

Herbert for me.
That amp is INSANELY good....
But it really leans toward the Hardened metal tone. Even on the crunch channel.
The VH4 is more open sounding. Not sure what your looking for.
Love both them Diezels.
Cant say on the AXEFX...never heard or owned one. But the clips sound pretty decent.

 

[GtarLover]

Well, my philosophy has been, get all the best you can afford. Unfortunately, sometimes I overstep my "affordability." I have tried quite a few high end heads in the last year or two. Bottom line, Herbert is awesome, very distinctive tones. Don't know what else to say there. You already mentioned the midi, yet there is also mid-cut, 2 master volumes and programmability that is SOOOO convenient! Honestly, I am not so familiar with the VHT tones, I mean I have VHT power amps, but no heads so I can't really say how they might mix. Just will say, in my experience Herbert mixes well with any other heads I have tried, because of the place Herbert can sit in the mix. It gives that excellent Herbert sound and leaves room for others as well.

I just got my Herbert back from Jens in CA, thanks Jens!! I am in love with Herbert again

I also have an Axe Ultra and had been using it 4CM with Herbert as you suggested. It does sound absolutely crushing! The key for me has been not to overdo it on the effects. Herbert's tone is so amazing, yet it can be easy to muddy it or layer too much on. So, the tip here is, less is more...regardless, it is an excellent combination.

Good luck with you experimentation, it will be a blast, I'm sure!

-GtarLover

 

[VESmedic]

Yea, I'd definitely like to get both eventually but...I mean as of right now, I have 2 insanely awesome amps, and I found an axe fx standard for 1k. I think it will do more than enough of what I need. I could buy either or eventually, I guess at this point it's more of what I "need"...I don't think I'm at the point where I would use exclusively the axe fx and a poweramp....Although I hear alot of people say just that, and eventually do But for now, I am definitely not giving up my VHT's core tone, just wanted some added versility, and absolutely GREAT effects...

So the big question is...who can make an axe fx sound like a herbert?

 

[luther910]

Digital effects are good for studio work but can be a hassle in a band situation. Patches, programming, midi, volume differences etc. all comes with the territory. I have always found myself drawn towards the luxury of having access to all those amps and sounds, but in the end (i think) it can be difficult to master if you want to use it live. My 11R has very good sounds, but doesn't sound better than my Folkesson Marshall.

 

[RedB4Black]

So the big question is...who can make an axe fx sound like a herbert?

You can get close to the sound (I know from personal experience). But the feel and dimensionality of the Herbert will never be captured by the Axe....and after 2 Ultras and an Axe II, I'm finally convinced. The Axe is a killer piece of gear no doubt and if you want something that does it all, it's a good choice. IMO, if you want the best possible sound for high gain, I'd lean to a real tube head.

 

[ttosh]

I have had the Axe FX Standard and Ultra, owned 2 Herberts as well. The Axe with a power amp and 4x12 can come close to sounding like the Herbert, but the feel you get in the room is nowhere near the same. All depends on what you want, if I was debating on one of the two and effects were not part of the equation I would decide Herbert every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[Phrygian]

Herbert, hands down. And it sounds absolutely glorious paired up with the UL. I had both, but sold the UL a little while back.

 

[VESmedic]

Herbert, hands down. And it sounds absolutely glorious paired up with the UL. I had both, but sold the UL a little while back.

You sold the ul...say it isn't so! I keep hearing horror stories about the herbert cutting through the mix...meanwhile, my UL is the best live amp I've ever owned...I can't stop thinkin about how they will sound together in a stereo rig...INSANE!

 

[AnalogSound]

The Herbert will always be the Herbert, the axe fx will be a paper weight in a couple of years. That being said get the Hagen.

Herbert all the way ... Axe is just another computer with no soul and no feel (IMHO).

Best regards,
Gabriel Tudoran
Analog Sound

 

[VESmedic]

The Herbert will always be the Herbert, the axe fx will be a paper weight in a couple of years. That being said get the Hagen.

Herbert all the way ... Axe is just another computer with no soul and no feel (IMHO).

Best regards,
Gabriel Tudoran
Analog Sound

Oh boy...this thread is going to turn into a flamthrower for sure once the axe fx posse reads this entire thread....

 

[Phrygian]

Herbert, hands down. And it sounds absolutely glorious paired up with the UL. I had both, but sold the UL a little while back.

You sold the ul...say it isn't so! I keep hearing horror stories about the herbert cutting through the mix...meanwhile, my UL is the best live amp I've ever owned...I can't stop thinkin about how they will sound together in a stereo rig...INSANE!

The UL was a great amp, and it cuts through anything with sheer ferocity, but the Herbert makes me happier. There was always something I couldn't dial out of the UL that held me back from being in love with it. I did everything to try and fix that. Different power and pre tubes (I did a lot of swapping, mix and matching), EQ'ing and so on. I had it sounding great, but it still wasn't 100% for me. Close, but no cigar. It was nice and versatile, but not as versatile as the Herbert.

I'll tell you though, the Herbert and UL together was magical. I still would have kept the UL but I've been selling shitloads of gear for the last year to fund my studio build. Got rid of 3 PRS's, my UL, my Uberschall, my 5150, Carvin Legacy, two of my Mesa's, my Vintage Modern, my Gibson Explorer, one of my SG's, some strats, my Ravelle, rack gear, pedals, the list goes on and on!

The Herbert sounds great stacked with most amps though. Sounded great with the Uber and also with my Vintage Modern.

Jesus Christ I just realized I sold a lot...more than I cared to remember. Eff! lol

 

[ashesofphoenix]

Axe is just another computer with no soul and no feel (IMHO).

Thats probobly what the acoustic guitar players said about the tube amp when it first came out.

I think Periphery and Scale the Summit (to name a couple) sound pretty amazing running the Axe in the studio and live. Where you see a souless computer, I see a magical box with an unbeleivable amount of sound combinations that can be controlled with the touch of a button. I love my tube head don't get me wrong, but the Axe is an amazing tool.

If you plan on buying the Axe just to mimic a Herbert than buy a Herbert, but if you want to mimic a Herbert and take advantage of everything else it does, then to me I'd rather spend $1,000 bucks on the Axe and have all those options, then spend $2,500+ and not have all the options. IMHO

 

[VESmedic]

Herbert, hands down. And it sounds absolutely glorious paired up with the UL. I had both, but sold the UL a little while back.

You sold the ul...say it isn't so! I keep hearing horror stories about the herbert cutting through the mix...meanwhile, my UL is the best live amp I've ever owned...I can't stop thinkin about how they will sound together in a stereo rig...INSANE!

The UL was a great amp, and it cuts through anything with sheer ferocity, but the Herbert makes me happier. There was always something I couldn't dial out of the UL that held me back from being in love with it. I did everything to try and fix that. Different power and pre tubes (I did a lot of swapping, mix and matching), EQ'ing and so on. I had it sounding great, but it still wasn't 100% for me. Close, but no cigar. It was nice and versatile, but not as versatile as the Herbert.

I'll tell you though, the Herbert and UL together was magical. I still would have kept the UL but I've been selling shitloads of gear for the last year to fund my studio build. Got rid of 3 PRS's, my UL, my Uberschall, my 5150, Carvin Legacy, two of my Mesa's, my Vintage Modern, my Gibson Explorer, one of my SG's, some strats, my Ravelle, rack gear, pedals, the list goes on and on!

The Herbert sounds great stacked with most amps though. Sounded great with the Uber and also with my Vintage Modern.

Jesus Christ I just realized I sold a lot...more than I cared to remember. Eff! lol

Good stuff...The UL is my favorite amp of all time period. How well the UL cuts through is really what is scaring me if I was to run it with the herbert. I feel it would get lossed, and would basically be a 3000 dollar bass amp there ARE stories of the herbert having issues cutting through live, but like I said, I won't have that issue because of the UL running with it....

 

[cml694]

I'd go with the Herbert. The VH4 could work as well.

 

[killertone]

Gotta go with Herbert here. Owned a Herbert and spent some time with an AFX Ultra and there is no comparison, IMO.

 

[VESmedic]

Gotta go with Herbert here. Owned a Herbert and spent some time with an AFX Ultra and there is no comparison, IMO.

What do you think about the cutting through issues with the herbie jason? Lotsa stories floating around out there about this issue...

 

[VESmedic]

Lots of people
Don't know shit about EQ either.

I hear ya, I really do. But there are lots of stories about the Herbert not cutting through on the internet. You will probably not find ONE story about the UL not cutting through, see what I mean? Theres gotta be atleast something to it....Trust me, I don't want to believe it. Just want something to counteract it.

 

[AnalogSound]

Sorry for this, it was a little bit missunderstood regarding Axe Vs. Tube Amp, this is more like comparing apples and pears. If you think about in terms of portability and things like ... you don't have to load and unload rig then AxeFx is the answer - i just heard it at a friend of mine didn't spend time to tweek it but i'm more of an old fashion guy, but to quote a collegue: if you buy Axe to have a Herbert sound then go with Herbert, if you are looking for many sounds and presets then go with the Axe. And i'm very sure that is a hell of a equipment. Again sorry if i was missunderstood.