ChuggNorris
Well-known member
I only lost $1200 on the amp at the end of the day at 4k after resell so not bad.
I've had so many different flavor of amps, when i finally got a diezel I definitely liked what it did. And it mixes incredibly well with other amps. But when played alone.... just not one of my top 5 amps after extended periods of experimenting with said amps. The herbeert was fun and the mkiii was said to have been tweaked to be slightly more dynamic than the previous versions, and I appreciated that in it. It is delightfully responsive to pick attack and has a great bounce to it while also remaining stiff.
But the low mids are in a weird place and the overall sound is little bit processed almost artificial when I A/B it with others amps in the room. But it blends great and again does have a unique cool sound to it. Just not my favorite one it turns out.
I've read the hagen is little more open less compressed midwise.
Vh2 is basically a lil fokker heavy channel from what I've read. Which is probably a little more open than the herbert wants to be.
That being said, I'm curious of a mk1 herbert now
Smash
Hack
Are you saying cardboardy? @braintheory have we played the herbert? I need the cardboard expert on this oneI only lost $1200 on the amp at the end of the day at 4k after resell so not bad.
I've had so many different flavor of amps, when i finally got a diezel I definitely liked what it did. And it mixes incredibly well with other amps. But when played alone.... just not one of my top 5 amps after extended periods of experimenting with said amps. The herbeert was fun and the mkiii was said to have been tweaked to be slightly more dynamic than the previous versions, and I appreciated that in it. It is delightfully responsive to pick attack and has a great bounce to it while also remaining stiff.
But the low mids are in a weird place and the overall sound is little bit processed almost artificial when I A/B it with others amps in the room. But it blends great and again does have a unique cool sound to it. Just not my favorite one it turns out.
I've read the hagen is little more open less compressed midwise.
Vh2 is basically a lil fokker heavy channel from what I've read. Which is probably a little more open than the herbert wants to be.
That being said, I'm curious of a mk1 herbert now
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braintheory
Well-known member
Some threads are better for me to stay out of lol, but I’ll say I have tried all 3 versions of the Herbert. Other than a real Train Wreck there isn’t much I’ve haven’t tried by now
I’ll also say I didn’t find it cardboardy, not much like the UU, but I did find it in some ways a little sterile or processed sounding and a bit smooth for my taste
Smash
Hack
I understand what you are asking me to do
thegame
Well-known member
I found the Herbert to have more of a Saran Wrap plastic tone, which is even less organic than cardboard.
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braintheory
Well-known member
Nah you’re describing more now the EVH 5153’s
angelspade
Well-known member
The Herbert is an amazing amp. Very versatile high-gainer with absolutely stellar cleans. that said, the Diezel response and compression is not for everyone. Additionally there is a certain produced / polished sound to the Herbert that some love and others seem to detest. it's not a raw or mid-forward sounding amp at all...it's just not. Also, it sounds best to many with the mid-cut engaged which can lead to a bit of a "cutting through" struggle in the context of a two guitar mix. All of that said, selling my Herbery MK I was one of my all time biggest gear mistakes.
ChuggNorris
Well-known member
The herbert was the first time, out of maybe 20ish various high gain tube amps.... that I actually heard something that I'd consider "boxy" mids. That "congestion" is there... boxy, cardboard, cardboard boxes, yes maybe. They have a boxy quality to them that's tough to dial out. More of a congestion that 6l6 helped alleviate but didn't cure it from its core tone.
The mid cut was cool with different channel settings. Channel 2+ was fun and the herbert had the best clean channel I've ever heard on a high gain head beside a roadster. I'm not writing off diezel, just don't see why I'd get another mk iii herb though. I'd do a first version maybe on down the line. I think id prefer the channel 3 on those to the mkiii. The gain control to me was useless past 10oclock on channel 3. And those mids again to me sound thick but boxy.
But not like cube boxy.
Like rhombus boxy.
Very important to note that detail.
Processed for sure. Synthetic... and for an amp that's so thick... it actually ended up sounded less thick than a more open less process sound was right next to it. Smooth but also responded sharply to good pick attack with treble dialed in. It was very tight, yet still smooth somehow. I did like the way it felt but the tone eventually just sounded like something I could get from a modeler with a good power amp in a better form factor.
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PiggySmallz
Active member
Just popping in here to agree with Chug. The USA Archon is an absolute monster of an amp. I'm glad people don't buy them, keeps parts and replacement cheaper for me when I need them
Techdeth
RESIDENT ROCK PROFESSOR
I love the Herbert’s . They have a thing I love . I get them to be raw and open . It’s beastly .
ChuggNorris
Well-known member
That's where it become personal. Your raw and open is probably my spikey and annoying with a boost on top.
I think raw & open mean different things to different players for sure. 🕹
ChuggNorris
Well-known member
Top 3 for me.
Its crazy with e34L too... that grind is nasty yet organic. Feels great to play. It just went to show that an incredible sounding amp with classic tone transformers didn't have to rip your arm off and it absolutely hangs with every amp I've ever had.
nightlight
Well-known member
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PiggySmallz
Active member
Doesn't need a boost either. I still have 6L6s in mine and keep the bright switch engaged because it's a bit dark. It's been my number one for 10+ years. You'd probably really like the Ground Zero Hellion if you like the Archon.
ChuggNorris
Well-known member
I never boost an amp and definitely love it's natural voicing.
And I have not liked any hellion clips I've heard it sounds almost opposite of an archon to me lol.
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PiggySmallz
Active member
It's a really nice blend of Mesa and Marshall to me, which is kind of where I feel the Archon is. No mid honk. Nice and smooth with a ton of adjustability to dial in that last 10%.
ChuggNorris
Well-known member
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower
Well-known member
So, do any amps sound like an electric guitar instead of packaging materials? 
Techdeth
RESIDENT ROCK PROFESSOR
To me it’s when your pushing you amp loud and get get it to roar . Like using way less gain from the preamp . So you don’t have so much compression .let the power amp get you there