Difference between the various Herbert year models?

[Hansen]

Are there any functional differences, options, etc?

Soundwise?

ANy models considered more worth?

 

[SpicedMuffin]

the only differences in the herbert were external bias points first then peter put fault
LED's on the back as well i dont think there is much for sound other i have read on here
that maybe newer ones have a little more presence and the only models i think that
would worth anything are the proto-type ones but dont quote me on that

 

[Hansen]

What do you mean? Some of the older ones the bias is not 100%? Which models is recommended? the new ones?

 

[bognerluv]

What do you mean? Some of the older ones the bias is not 100%? Which models is recommended? the new ones?

I think he means on the older Herberts you had to pull the chassis to adjust the bias. The newer Herberts have bias points and trim pots that are external on the back of the chassis that allow you to test/adjust the bias without removing the chassis from the head shell.

Have a look at this link. http://diezel.typo3.inpublica.de/tech-corner.3.0.html It covers the biasing procedure for both old and new Herberts.

 

[steve_k]

What do you mean? Some of the older ones the bias is not 100%? Which models is recommended? the new ones?

I think he means on the older Herberts you had to pull the chassis to adjust the bias. The newer Herberts have bias points and trim pots that are external on the back of the chassis that allow you to test/adjust the bias without removing the chassis from the head shell.

Have a look at this link. http://diezel.typo3.inpublica.de/tech-corner.3.0.html It covers the biasing procedure for both old and new Herberts.

And, this is Peter's best move - putting external bias points and adjustment on the Herbie. If there is one thing I hate about the VH4, it is having to pull the chassis for tube changes and biasing, especially when I get in one of those tube experimenting moods!

Steve

 

[PaulyPanacea]

wish my Herbie had the external bias points. Oh well. still rattles teeth!!

i think u will find more differences in the Herberts just by changing tubes, guitars, the persons hands. My Herbert will sound totally different with me playing Les Paul thru it then if Steve_K played thru it with his Tele. This debate of "which year head is better" can go on forever...it all depends on the player & the other gear you are using (cabinets effects etc) so go enjoy yourself!!! Minute changes may have been made...but the amp is still a monster no matter if its a 2003 , 2009 or a 1929!!

 

[Duolos]

Sadly, for a lot of people the external bias points end up causing them more trouble then we originally intended. The original intent was when your tubes go bad and it is time for a replacement, the tech can easily do the labor work. What has happened is everybody thinks they are a tech and immediately begin swapping out tubes without ever even knowing how the amp really works long term based off of how we built it. We get calls all the time about customers needing help because they got in over their head and fear they messed something up. IMO, the external bias is misused 90% of the time for the wrong reasons based off our design intentions.

If you have the amp, play the amp and enjoy it. It is a fantastic amp. Wondering what year or which is better solves nothing because you still have "your" amp.

Play it, enjoy it, and learn the amp before you go chasing things that probably do not exist.

This is my free rant for the day

 

[bognerluv]

Sadly, for a lot of people the external bias points end up causing them more trouble then we originally intended. The original intent was when your tubes go bad and it is time for a replacement, the tech can easily do the labor work. What has happened is everybody thinks they are a tech and immediately begin swapping out tubes without ever even knowing how the amp really works long term based off of how we built it. We get calls all the time about customers needing help because they got in over their head and fear they messed something up. IMO, the external bias is misused 90% of the time for the wrong reasons based off our design intentions.

If you have the amp, play the amp and enjoy it. It is a fantastic amp. Wondering what year or which is better solves nothing because you still have "your" amp.

Play it, enjoy it, and learn the amp before you go chasing things that probably do not exist.

This is my free rant for the day

+1000. My Herbert does not have the external bias points and it sounds awesome. Even without the external bias the amp is easier to bias than quite a few I have had as there are test points you can use rather than needing a bias rite or other contraption. Since I am not a "tube swapper" I only plan to have to pull the chassis and re-bias when I replace the tubes as needed.