New Herbert owner - version 1???

[savant421]

I recently became the owner of a Herbert and have some questions.

The Herbert I have looks different from other Herberts I've seen. It's backplate is only a thin piece of wood instead of the "Shark D" metal and the serial number is very low 004/004.

I've heard about version 1 Herberts and I believe this is what I have. My questions are:

How can you tell which version you have?
What's the difference between the versions? Able to update to new version?

Also looking for recommended power tube combinations. It was shipped to me with 4 x 6L6's and 2 x EL34s.

I've heard good things about 6550/EL34 combination.

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[shampoch]

any pics?

 

[savant421]

Here ya go! Mr. Peter? Can you advise?

 

[Jens Kruse]

The SN is actually 001/004 . In Germany the number 1 is written differently like the English 1. All Herberts start with 001 . To find out when exactly the amp was built, Diezel in Germany would have to look it up in their database. You might want to contact them anyways to register yourself as the new owner.

Your amp is a MK-1 . You can not upgrade to a MK-2 unless you get the circuit board swapped which would be expensive. Besides, you would get only the ch1 update (impedance change for a cleaner voicing) and not the new transformers the MK-2s are equipped with.

If you don't know how old the preamp and power tubes are I would at the least conduct a bias check on the existing tubes. Ideal would be a full re-tube as old tubes can cause trouble.

Important: Swap the glass power tube fuses with CERAMIC as ceramic ones do not blow up and create a big mess inside the fuse holders !

Any questions please feel free to ask

Best regards,

Jens

Jens Kruse

 

[savant421]

The SN is actually 001/004 . In Germany the number 1 is written differently like the English 1. All Herberts start with 001 . To find out when exactly the amp was built, Diezel in Germany would have to look it up in their database. You might want to contact them anyways to register yourself as the new owner.

Your amp is a MK-1 . You can not upgrade to a MK-2 unless you get the circuit board swapped which would be expensive. Besides, you would get only the ch1 update (impedance change for a cleaner voicing) and not the new transformers the MK-2s are equipped with.

If you don't know how old the preamp and power tubes are I would at the least conduct a bias check on the existing tubes. Ideal would be a full re-tube as old tubes can cause trouble.

Important: Swap the glass power tube fuses with CERAMIC as ceramic ones do not blow up and create a big mess inside the fuse holders !


Any questions please feel free to ask

Best regards,

Jens

Jens Kruse

Hey Jens....

Thanks for the reply. What the diff between the Mk1 and Mk2? Parts? Voicing? Is one more preferred over the other? Price difference?

Also, what combination of power tubes does Diezel recommend? Brand? Thanks in advance!

 

[Jens Kruse]

The difference between the MK1 and MK2 are the ch1 impedance and the transformers. Ch1 on the MK2 does not break up even with very high output PUs and is crystal clear. I just replaced a circuit board of an MK1 (old one broke) and installed an MK2 board. I was very impressed with the clean channel, so was the owner.
Due to the different transformers (MK2 has brand new improved ones from different supplier) the tonality changed slightly. I do not like to get into which one sounds better as it really is very subjective and depends on the guitars, PUs, tubes and play style.
I have played both versions and love both. If you like Diezel tone, either Herbert will deliver the goods !

We recommend the Ruby EL34-BHT or EL34-BG power tubes. The BHT have a bit more bottom end, the BGs have more harmonics and a nicer overall tone according to Peter Diezel. He prefers the BGs as all Diezel Amps have more than enough bottom end already. Peter feels the BGs improve the overall tonality.

I have tube sets available.

Also, please keep the preamp tubes in mind which are just as important in the equation. We get a special hand picked selection, especially for V1 and V2 (most important ones).

In terms of price difference: Diezel Gmbh only sells MK2 Herberts.

If you have more questions please feel free to ask.

Best regards,

Jens Kruse

 

[RJF]

US Support is referring to the very new MK2 amps, what you have is more of a prototype Herbert that isn't completely a MK1. Obviously the first difference is the grille, and supposedly those handful of amps sound a little tighter than the version to follow a couple of serial numbers later. Outside of that they are basically the same, including value.

 

[savant421]

So I guess my last question would be to Jens, can I send mine in to have the circuit board replaced and what would be the cost? Or could I buy a new circuit board and have it shipped?

I also wanted to say thanks to everyone who chimed in. Very cool group of peeps in here. Much appreciated!

 

[Jens Kruse]

So I guess my last question would be to Jens, can I send mine in to have the circuit board replaced and what would be the cost? Or could I buy a new circuit board and have it shipped?

I also wanted to say thanks to everyone who chimed in. Very cool group of peeps in here. Much appreciated!

I am waiting for the circuit board price. If you go for a replacement you'd have to ship the amp to me to get it done.

Jens

 

[savant421]

Just fyi that I took the Herbert back to GC (they were actually very cool about taking back such an expensive piece) and scored a newer version Herbert for just $100 difference. So is there a difference?

I absolutely think there is and I couldn't be happier. To me, the newer one just seems more alive and responsive, more pristine highs and crushing lows, plus the mid cut affect seems more "3D" on the new one. Maybe its all the placebo affect of having the "better" version.

My point to this is, when you start getting into the high end amps with the huge price tags, the amp you buy better f*@kin own and this one does. The first one, not so much. Maybe to someone else who doesn't know the diff, they wouldn't be able to tell but I've been playing since '87 and have gone thru Diezels, Bogners, Engls and Boogies all the way down to Line6 and Gorilla! If you shell out big money for gear (whatever you consider big money), GET WHAT YOU WANT DOWN TO THE LAST DETAIL or you'll end up not enjoying your big purchase.

Btw, the amp on top is a newly acquired Ceriatone Chupa. While it's not near the Herbert, it's a bad ass piece that smokes alot of higher end amps I've owned.

Rock out with your c*ck out

Weav

 

[Peter Diezel]

So I guess my last question would be to Jens, can I send mine in to have the circuit board replaced and what would be the cost? Or could I buy a new circuit board and have it shipped?

I also wanted to say thanks to everyone who chimed in. Very cool group of peeps in here. Much appreciated!

This is one of the first 20 Herbert (prototypes).
It´s not possible to replace the circuit board and
there is no need. Jens can mod the amp to have
bass and presence if there is a demand.

If You don´t like the amp, own it as a collector.