new member, new Diezel

[axeman81]

hello everyone!

greetings from Norway I've been lurking for a while on this board, much great info and insight here. I just recently bought my first Diezel, the Herbert #791. I couldn't afford brand new, but I happened to come across a well-treated studio used one in the classifieds so I decided to go for it!
I've been wanting a Herbie since I first tried it back in 2005, but I got myself an ENGL Blackmore with 4x12" V60 ENGL cab instead because of my economy then.
I tried every high gain Peavey, Mesa Rectifiers, Carvin, ENGL I could get my hands on, and the Herbert was by far the best sounding amp, with the Blackmore in a decent/different second.

So far the Herbert is not too happy with the V60 ENGL cab, lots of the Diezel "oomph" but the voice is too dark and "mid muddy" to my ears. I tried it with Orange 412 V30 in 2005 and that sounded -fantastic-. I will try and get a Diezel 412 (depending on Norwegian availability) or maybe a ENGL V30 cab. I think Orange only has the cheap Asian product line available here in Norway.

For now I have two questions:

1. I notice this version has 6x Ruby EL34 power tubes, would the voicing change if I went for a brand new set of Svetlana "winged C's", or was this change mostly due to poor reliabilty on Ruby tubes?

2. If yes to no.1, would it be a good idea to check if the bias is correct before I attempt a power tube swap? (maybe a wrong bias setting is colouring the sound bad, but I have not a lot of knowledge about tube amps..does the bias setting change with tube wear/life span? If not then I expect bias to be the same as from the factory.)

I assume the amp is 1-2 years old, the owner said he had 2 of them running in stereo and this one had not been used very much.

thanks! rock on

- Rune.

 

[nbarts]

I have Ruby EL34s in Herbert & they sound great. That said if your amp is 2 years old & it had been played regularly, it's probably time for a new set. I still don't think it should have that much impact though, usually they just start to sound more harsh or thin for the beginning in my experience.

 

[axeman81]

hi, thanks for the input I think a proper V30 cab and new SED =c= tubes with rebias will be the way for me to go, to make sure it's maximum Diezel performance!
cheers!

- Rune.

 

[scottph]

Preamp tubes will change your sound much more than poweramp tubes...

V30 fl is the way to go with the Herbert though..imo..

 

[axeman81]

hey Scott, thanks for chiming in I appreciate the suggestion, however I was following the assumption that power tubes are worn down (shorter lifespan than preamp tubes) and as a result the Herbert wasn't in the best of shape! I'll have to consider replacing them all though!

- Rune

 

[pcweidman]

Dude anytime you buy a new used amp replace the tubes.
A. They may crapp out on you in a show or time that you dont need em to cause you dont know how old they are.
B. They may not be the tone you want or what Diezel recommends.

Peter recommends winged C EL34s and chinese 12Ax7s. I have had good luck with Ruby Busters but some will tell you different. Call up Doug at http://www.dougstubes.com and tell him Chris and Drew from Alabama told you to hook you up with a great set for your Herbie!

Good Luck

 

[axeman81]

hey Chris, thanks for the hookup I've heard good things about Doug's store. I spent some more time tweaking the amp yesterday, and I think I was a bit quick to blame the tubes in regards to the dark tone..I was able to dial out a lot of the darkness in tone, added some mids and presence, and it sounded pretty awesome but it was still pretty dark! sounds pretty cool on its own, but I'm not sure how it would go along in a band setting but I'm pretty sure a V30 cab will solve the issue, and that the tubes will last me a while longer.
I'm sure these tubes are the original ones that came in the amp from factory. But anyhow I'll order a set of winged C's, and keep the Rubys for backup.

here she is

 

[Peter Diezel]

Welcome to the forum

I would try the E34L JJ. It´s a bright tube with
dynamic midrange honk.

We can mod Your Herbert into a brighter tone
if tubes doesn´t help.

 

[Bloodsong]

what would a mod like that cost Peter? can it be done in the US by Salwender?

 

[Peter Diezel]

I don´t know what they want to call for it,
but it´s only one resistor to replace.

 

[axeman81]

Hey Peter, thanks for the welcome! and thanks for building this great amp!!!
I don't want a drastic change in tone, and I have a suspicion that when I get a V30 cab it will sound the way I want (and at least as good as it did when I first tried it and fell in love with the amp )
so I will wait with changing tubes for now. (and the mod you suggested ) if I want midrange honk, I'll just buy a Marshall again

- Rune.