Just got a used Herbert and need some help with a problem.

[steve_k]

Being the amateur I am and work by trial and error, it could be V1 or V3 since it is on Ch2 and Ch3 as V2 is just for Ch3 only. If you don't have any other tubes handy, pull V4 (leave it out) and put it in V1, turn the amp on and give it a whirl. If no change, then put the old V1 back in its place and use the V4 tube in the V3 spot. See what results you get.

Meanwhile, as Peter says, give Terry a call too at the Diezel USA HQ / 770-778-3456.

Steve

So I did exactly as you described, and I ended up with the volume on channel 3 not functioning at all. Same result with the V4 tube in the V1 V2 and the V3 slot. After the tubes got good and hot I started to get sound fluctuation, where it would almost drop out completely.

I am going to do a full re-tube just as soon as I can get some tubes delivered, since the local market here sucks completely.

Yep, sounds like a couple preamp tubes are bad. Even the one you were using as a test tube. Strange, as preamp tubes don't usually give up. Might as well hit the power tubes as well, then you will know you are fresh.

Steve

 

[Ventura]

I concur with Stevie_K (aka Butthead) and the rest of the nutters here mentioning a complete re-tube. Tubes are the only thing "dynamic" in an amp - they're the only things that live and breath so to speak... The rest is circuitry, which is pretty solid stuff - it's pretty binary - it either works or it doesn't. Sure, sure, OT can have variance and capacitors too, but for the MOST part, these parts are on/off based.

Tubes are the way to go - new preamps, new power section...and there have been OODLES of threads regarding the best tubes for each amp offered by Diezel. Check 'em out - miles of info

Good Luck...
V.

PS - not doggin' ya Steve, but yer sig makes me howl...hence the Butthead reference.

 

[steve_k]

I concur with Stevie_K (aka Butthead) and the rest of the nutters here mentioning a complete re-tube. Tubes are the only thing "dynamic" in an amp - they're the only things that live and breath so to speak... The rest is circuitry, which is pretty solid stuff - it's pretty binary - it either works or it doesn't. Sure, sure, OT can have variance and capacitors too, but for the MOST part, these parts are on/off based.

Tubes are the way to go - new preamps, new power section...and there have been OODLES of threads regarding the best tubes for each amp offered by Diezel. Check 'em out - miles of info

Good Luck...
V.

PS - not doggin' ya Steve, but yer sig makes me howl...hence the Butthead reference.

Not to worry brother........just not "Cornholio"

Steve

 

[PaulyPanacea]

Cornholio was Beavis......LOL!!

 

[steve_k]

Cornholio was Beavis......LOL!!

Need TP for my bunghole.........

Steve

 

[SwampDonkey]

Well, I've replaced all the tubes with new JJ's, pre and power amp, and I still have the same problem.

I am going to try and get Terry on the phone and see whats next. Not having good luck with this head so far.

 

[SwampDonkey]

No luck with the phone. I guess I am f'ed until next week.

Sorry about all the whining, but I am kinda miffed about trading a perfect ENGL SE for a broken amp. I have nothing to use for band practice, since the guy that lent me his triple rec had to take it back for a couple shows coming up. I am extremely frustrated, but to the guys credit that traded the amp to me he is paying to get it fixed, so at least he is a stand up guy to deal with.

I hope the Herbert is worth this much trouble and frustration. The customer service from Diezel is already leaps and bounds ahead of ENGL, so hopefully the amp will split some eardrums and light the whole neighborhood ablaze once it's up and running.

 

[studiojig]

Terry will get back in touch with you post haste, so no need to worry. Yes, the Herbert is MOST ASSUREDLY worth it. Who knows what the former owner did (whether purposely or accidentally) but once the issues are sorted it's gonna be well worth it!

 

[Rob Tahan]

My guess from the very beginning was that it was an output transformer. I tend to be pessimistic when it comes to amp issues. I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago. Was hoping it was just tubes but since it wasn't I go to my original hunch.

 

[Peter Diezel]

Have You already contacted Terry ?

 

[SwampDonkey]

Hi Peter!

I have indeed called Terry at Diezel USA and left a voice message. I am waiting to hear back from him, so I can get an address to post the amp to.

Brian

 

[steve_k]

Hi Peter!

I have indeed called Terry at Diezel USA and left a voice message. I am waiting to hear back from him, so I can get an address to post the amp to.

Brian

Brian - man that sucks that you got to send the amp in. Do you know how old it is? Odd to lose a transformer (if that is what it is) on a high end piece of kit like a Herbie. Do us all a favor and let us know what the verdict is on the repairs. I am curious to know.

Steve

 

[SwampDonkey]

Best I can tell it's a 2002 or 2003 model. The serial is 001/178, and after combing through the threads here asking to date an amp, mine seems to fall into that range as far as I can tell.

I will most certainly keep you guys informed on what's going on with the amp.

Thanks to everyone for the help and advise.

Brian

 

[steve_k]

Best I can tell it's a 2002 or 2003 model. The serial is 001/178, and after combing through the threads here asking to date an amp, that seems to fall into that range as far as I can tell.

I will most certainly keep you guys informed on what's going on with the amp.

Thanks to everyone for the help and advise.

Brian

Herr Diezel can tell you real quick how old the amp is, if his memory hasn't started going yet

Steve

 

[studiojig]

Hi Peter!

I have indeed called Terry at Diezel USA and left a voice message. I am waiting to hear back from him, so I can get an address to post the amp to.

Brian

Just curious - and I'm sure that you did - but, did you leave a message with Terry? Also, do you know that you'll have to send the amp in for sure?

 

[SwampDonkey]

Just curious - and I'm sure that you did - but, did you leave a message with Terry? Also, do you know that you'll have to send the amp in for sure?

Yes, I left a message. It's the weekend, so I am not expecting him to get back to me immediately. I hope he will at least see this and post the address so I can get it boxed up and ready to ship first thing Monday. Maybe I should shoot him a PM.

To answer the other question, I really think sending it to him will be my only option at this point, since Terry will have no way to properly diagnose the problem(s) with the amp unless it is in front of him.

 

[studiojig]

Just curious - and I'm sure that you did - but, did you leave a message with Terry? Also, do you know that you'll have to send the amp in for sure?

Yes, I left a message. It's the weekend, so I am not expecting him to get back to me immediately. I hope he will at least see this and post the address so I can get it boxed up and ready to ship first thing Monday. Maybe I should shoot him a PM.

To answer the other question, I really think sending it to him will be my only option at this point, since Terry will have no way to properly diagnose the problem(s) with the amp unless it is in front of him.

Something's odd then because weekend or not he'd get back in touch with you if for no other reason than to acknowledge your call (at the very least). Maybe call again and if necessary leave another message. He's in the process of moving the company headquarters from GA to TN so I'm sure that's occupying him but he always responds to calls no matter what.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Something's odd then because weekend or not he'd get back in touch with you if for no other reason than to acknowledge your call (at the very least). Maybe call again and if necessary leave another message. He's in the process of moving the company headquarters from GA to TN so I'm sure that's occupying him but he always responds to calls no matter what.

I don't know. I have sent a PM, and left a voice message, so I don't know what else to do. I just need an address so I can get it shipped in the morning. Maybe since it's a used Herbert it's not as high a priority as the ones that have been purchased new.

I am becoming very disheartened about the whole deal. I may get it fixed and just sell it, and get something I know I can count on. It's been 2 weeks now since I have had an amp, and who knows how long it will take to get this one back, especially considering how busy Terry obviously is, it's likely to take far longer than I can wait to have a working amplifier. We are laying drum tracks in the studio this week for 3 new songs, and I need to start getting my guitar tracks down shortly after.

Terry or Peter, if you could please just get me an address so I can ship the amp tomorrow morning before I have to work, it would help me greatly. Sorry if I seem pushy, but I am desperate at this point to have working equipment.

 

[Duolos]

Something's odd then because weekend or not he'd get back in touch with you if for no other reason than to acknowledge your call (at the very least). Maybe call again and if necessary leave another message. He's in the process of moving the company headquarters from GA to TN so I'm sure that's occupying him but he always responds to calls no matter what.

I don't know. I have sent a PM, and left a voice message, so I don't know what else to do. I just need an address so I can get it shipped in the morning. Maybe since it's a used Herbert it's not as high a priority as the ones that have been purchased new.

I am becoming very disheartened about the whole deal. I may get it fixed and just sell it, and get something I know I can count on. It's been 2 weeks now since I have had an amp, and who knows how long it will take to get this one back, especially considering how busy Terry obviously is, it's likely to take far longer than I can wait to have a working amplifier. We are laying drum tracks in the studio this week for 3 new songs, and I need to start getting my guitar tracks down shortly after.

Terry or Peter, if you could please just get me an address so I can ship the amp tomorrow morning before I have to work, it would help me greatly. Sorry if I seem pushy, but I am desperate at this point to have working equipment.

PM sent. Will get you sorted my friend. Please no worries.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Thank you Terry. The amp was shipped this morning via FedEx and will be there either tomorrow or Wed.