I've been offered a Herbert... Should I take it?

[tripstan]

listen to this guy

 

[Docster]

I have owned a Mark IV, Roadster and the Herbert at the same time. I did sell off the Roadster and the Mark and kept the Herbert (still have it). My impressions are:

Clean channel - Like the Lonestar you were playing, I think the Roadster has a beautiful clean tone. It has a wonderful brilliance to it that rivals a Fender Clean. If I were keeping one of these three amps based on the clean channel, the Roadster would have been it. The Herbert is really capable with lots of headroom, but it doesn't have that clean brilliance that the Roadster has. The Mark IV clean is so-so.

Rhythm channel - All three are really good. I like the Herbert best here as it is less dry than the Mark, and less buzzy than the Roadster. Again, all are really good!

Lead channel - This is where the Mark excels. The Herbert is good, but not better than the Mark. The Roadster is behind the Herbert here as well. In my opinion, lead tones are the most subjective. If you like the Mark lead tone, you may be disappointed with the Herbert.

Like it's been said many times on the forums, the Herbert is very versatile, records really well, and sounds great at low volumes. It doesn't get thin like the Roadster and Mark do when dialed back.

So, based on what I like to play (Rock/Hard Rock), channel 2 is where its at on the Herbert. That's why I have it.

For your situation I'm not going to recommend getting the Diezel. The fact that you love the Mark's lead channel (and will be heading off to school soon), I'd take the $3500 and run!

 

[Burn]

All channels:

Great clips, man! I don't care so much about the super heavy stuff, but the last video was very useful to me.

BTW, how do you like the Herbert with the oversized Recto cab (I assume it's the OS, at least)? I have an oversized 4x12 and the 2x12 compact. Most people didn't seem to like Herberts with the OS cab, but I'm not sure if the small 2x12 can handle the massive power this thing has.

 

[Burn]

listen to this guy

Hahahaha, I love that movie! I can almost hear him saying it

I have owned a Mark IV, Roadster and the Herbert at the same time. I did sell off the Roadster and the Mark and kept the Herbert (still have it). My impressions are:

Clean channel - Like the Lonestar you were playing, I think the Roadster has a beautiful clean tone. It has a wonderful brilliance to it that rivals a Fender Clean. If I were keeping one of these three amps based on the clean channel, the Roadster would have been it. The Herbert is really capable with lots of headroom, but it doesn't have that clean brilliance that the Roadster has. The Mark IV clean is so-so.

Rhythm channel - All three are really good. I like the Herbert best here as it is less dry than the Mark, and less buzzy than the Roadster. Again, all are really good!

Lead channel - This is where the Mark excels. The Herbert is good, but not better than the Mark. The Roadster is behind the Herbert here as well. In my opinion, lead tones are the most subjective. If you like the Mark lead tone, you may be disappointed with the Herbert.

Like it's been said many times on the forums, the Herbert is very versatile, records really well, and sounds great at low volumes. It doesn't get thin like the Roadster and Mark do when dialed back.

So, based on what I like to play (Rock/Hard Rock), channel 2 is where its at on the Herbert. That's why I have it.

For your situation I'm not going to recommend getting the Diezel. The fact that you love the Mark's lead channel (and will be heading off to school soon), I'd take the $3500 and run!

Thanks for the honest review. I still have the Lonestar actually. It is one amp I will never sell, and IMO the best amp that Mesa builds. It has "the tone" as far as cleans are concerned. I don't think the Roadster compares, but it definitely has a similar vibe, and is extremely usable for clean stuff.

I like the Roadster better than the Mark, actually. It does a lot of things very well, and I find myself playing it way more. The Mark, however, has a beautiful lead tone on IIC+ mode.

I guess I'll still give it a shot, but you have a point. Just checked the prices in the UK, and a new Herbert is actually much cheaper than this one. Plus, I might be even more interested in the Einstein or the Bogner XTC. I guess I should wait a few more months. I'll need an amp when I get there anyways.