Mark V vs. Diezel Herbert

[Rezamatix]

Just played a Diezel Herbert today. So much heavier than my Mark V, immediately crunchy and powerful beyond my wildest dreams, thinking about selling my Mark V head, anyone want to make me feel better somehow? Or even recommend a pedal that will take my mark to that level of brutal distortion?

 

[Freefall]

I have not played a Mark V (I do have a IIC+), but I would guess that in Mesa-land a rectifier is a better comparison to a Herbert.

 

[Anonymous]

Just played a Diezel Herbert today. So much heavier than my Mark V, immediately crunchy and powerful beyond my wildest dreams, thinking about selling my Mark V head, anyone want to make me feel better somehow? Or even recommend a pedal that will take my mark to that level of brutal distortion?

I bought a Mark V last week and returned it a few days ago. Mine was defective - I think - but even on the others ones I played, I just don't think they're that good of amps. They sound pretty good, sure, but to me it seems like something significant is missing that I can't quite put my finger on.

I haven't heard of anyone who claims their Mark V sounds better than their IIC+. Compare that with the release of the Uberschall Twin Jet: all over the Bogner section of Rig Talk they are calling it easily the best Uber yet. I do believe tone is subjective, but I think the Mark V is flat out not as good as it could have been.

If you like the Herbert but like the way the Mark series is organic, then I strongly suggest you check out the Twin Jet or the Ecstasy 101b. Really anything made in the US with Bogner's name on it will sound amazing, IMO.

 

[Rezamatix]

I sold a bogner shiva to get the mark v, and I played the herbert yesterday, so much more brutal and tight than a bogner, destroys and rectifier. I have played alot of amps in my day, I have access to some of the best amps in the world living in Los Angeles , the mark v I have is still a good amp but you are right, what annoys me about it is the lack of effect the mid treble and bass knobs have, it's not like the herbert where the sweep is really pronounced and I can HEAR a difference when the knob is changed, not sure what's up with my mark v, maybe that's just the way they are. Don't get me wrong it gets a fantastic sound and I could live with it, just want to see if anyone can recommend a way to push it into diezel land....

 

[ryjan]

For more than double the cost I would hope the Herbert had something more than the V to offer. Like comparing a G-Major to an Evantide Eclipse.

 

[katsumura78]

I own a Mark 4 and there is not a chance in hell you will be able to get the same tone as a Diezel Herbert. The Herbert is the only amp I am gasing for right now but I doubt I'll get one anytime soon because of the price. I wouldn't sell my amp to help fund a Herbert though. The Mark has its own sound that I also wouldn't want to live without.

 

[DudewithFr0]

i personally did not like the herbert it was to fizzy for me...the mark V is a heck of alot smoother

 

[bradg]

I've had a couple Herberts and I like the Mark V better. To me, there is something missing with the tone of the Herbert. It's probably one of those grass is always greener on the other side things. Both are great amps (better than 95% of the amps out there) but I'd rather have a V.

 

[niilz]

Well, here in Germany the Diezel Herbert costs less than the Mark V - both are great Amps, but I prefer the Boogie since it reacts better to playing volumes and sounds more detailed...
Besides Peter (Diezel) and Peter (Stapfer) are really nice guys!

...still they do not built the right amps for me :wink:

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Personally, comparing the Herbert to the Mark V is like apples vs. oranges. People are going to prefer one over the other mostly due to preferences in tone. The Mark V is definitely more midrange heavy than the Herbert, hence the apparent lack of low end with the Mark V compared to the Herbert. Also, the Herbert does seem to be more compressed sounding, like most Diezels, compared to the Mark V...

Personally, at the end of the day, they are both great amps. What you decide upon would be what tones you want to get. With me, I personally thought the Mark V I played sounded great, but just wasn't voiced to be "my tone". I'll still get one in the distant future but. I'm pretty happy with my rigs now. Mesa wise, I'm using a Roadster head and a Stiletto Deuce II head, and a Mesa Stiletto 4X12 straight cab. Story of my life...

 

[barryathome]

This is not a fair comparison. The Diezel is a one trick pony that does that one trick very, very well. If that's what you need for your playing style then, sure go for it. The Mark V is like have 9 or more amps that are capable of amazing tone, each one of them are like a boutique amp.

 

[steve_k]

The Herbie and Mark V aren't even in the same league. I own them both. The Mark V tried to emulate it's predecessors and didn't do a very good job of it. It is just too thin. The Herbie is definitely not a one trick pony. Its 3 channels, with a couple of toggles, mid cut, and boost will go from mild to wilder than you can ever use. BUT..............having said that, I wouldn't trade my Mark III and Mark IV for one. I probably will dump the Mark V soon.

Steve

 

[fishyfishfish]

There is no pedal that will make the V sound like the Herbie. Sorry. On the plus side of owning a V, if something goes bad you can have it serviced at Hollywood store under warranty, unlike the Herbert.

 

[Jacko123]

Sure I'll make you feel better. I'll buy it off of you. Do you ship to CAnada?

I make it a point to never try something I can't afford. That includes women.

 

[ryjan]

Sure I'll make you feel better. I'll buy it off of you. Do you ship to CAnada?

I make it a point to never try something I can't afford. That includes women.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Rezamatix]

Got the VH4, awesomness..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DAlmQmlsLA

 

[Scary]

I sold a bogner shiva to get the mark v, and I played the herbert yesterday, so much more brutal and tight than a bogner, destroys and rectifier. I have played alot of amps in my day, I have access to some of the best amps in the world living in Los Angeles , the mark v I have is still a good amp but you are right, what annoys me about it is the lack of effect the mid treble and bass knobs have, it's not like the herbert where the sweep is really pronounced and I can HEAR a difference when the knob is changed, not sure what's up with my mark v, maybe that's just the way they are. Don't get me wrong it gets a fantastic sound and I could live with it, just want to see if anyone can recommend a way to push it into diezel land....

I can definetly hear a sweep in mine, without a doubt.. it's drastic. However, it's my opinion that the preamp tone controls are for the body and attack. Then the EQ comes in for final shaping.

 

[Hendog]

The Herbie and Mark V aren't even in the same league. I own them both. The Mark V tried to emulate it's predecessors and didn't do a very good job of it. It is just too thin. The Herbie is definitely not a one trick pony. Its 3 channels, with a couple of toggles, mid cut, and boost will go from mild to wilder than you can ever use. BUT..............having said that, I wouldn't trade my Mark III and Mark IV for one. I probably will dump the Mark V soon.

Steve

Is the Mark V "too thin" in Extreme mode?

 

[giorikas81]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44r9-kGuHxE

I don't hear thin here.

The bass mid treble controls are pre distortion and do not affect the tone as much as diezel's controls. They do affect the feel, and the amount of content per band that will be distorted (like mini gain controls for bass mid treble connected serially...?). Actually, the treble control above 7 used to add a whole crazy amount of gain. The other controls depend on the treble control to get some signal so with that dimed, they are more subtle. The whole thing is anorthodox but works in a way that no other high gain amp will ever work. I find great that you can adjust the feel of the amp to your prefferences.

Where the herbert has bass mid treble, the mark has the graphic. End of discussion actually. The voicing gain characteristics are selected through channel and switches...

If you expect a comparable to the herbert amp, trey recto/5150/SLO and such...
If you won't the mark effect, well no other amp has it nailed down actually. The VH4 is supposed to be tight and dry but though hetfield uses it, it doesn't sound like a mark...Great sound though.

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44r9-kGuHxE

I don't hear thin here.

The bass mid treble controls are pre distortion and do not affect the tone as much as diezel's controls. They do affect the feel, and the amount of content per band that will be distorted (like mini gain controls for bass mid treble connected serially...?). Actually, the treble control above 7 used to add a whole crazy amount of gain. The other controls depend on the treble control to get some signal so with that dimed, they are more subtle. The whole thing is anorthodox but works in a way that no other high gain amp will ever work. I find great that you can adjust the feel of the amp to your prefferences.

Where the herbert has bass mid treble, the mark has the graphic. End of discussion actually. The voicing gain characteristics are selected through channel and switches...

If you expect a comparable to the herbert amp, trey recto/5150/SLO and such...
If you won't the mark effect, well no other amp has it nailed down actually. The VH4 is supposed to be tight and dry but though hetfield uses it, it doesn't sound like a mark...Great sound though.

If the Mark V I owned a few months ago sounded like that, I probably wouldn't have returned it. It seems like Mesa's quality control is - unfortunately - lacking. Some people are blown away by the amp and others like me are very underwhelmed. My Studio Preamp sounds awesome and could get a great tone like that, but the V - no matter how I set it up - sounded like a deaf person designed it. The thing is, when I was trying out the V, I was pretty impressed by it; it was just the one I ended up with that changed my mind.

Anyway, I wouldn't buy another V without first trying it out.