Used POD GOs-Any Years To Stay Away From?

[Anvil_Jr]

I’m considering moving away from messy pedalboard and moving to a POD GO. There was some mention on a video that I saw about older models having some sort of issue…maybe? I can’t remember what that was. Any thoughts? Is see a few 2020 models on Reverb and was wondering if these perhaps are models to avoid and that’s why I’m seeing a fair amount of them for sale.

 

Thanks

[silverhead]

You’re right - there was a hardware issue with input impedance on the early units. I’m not sure when it was fixed in the manufacturing process but Line 6 has acknowledged the issue and is providing a lifetime warranty. I believe the only way to be sure is to contact Line 6 support and ask them about a specific serial number. They will be able to tell you if it was among the affected units, and if so whether or not it has been repaired, and if it is affected and hasn’t been repaired they will arrange for its repair at no cost to you.

[Anvil_Jr]

Thanks!

[WayTooOld]

Also, if the issue has been fixed, the owner will have been issued with a Fault Repair Report, which quotes the serial number of the unit that has had the fix applied, so the seller should be able to show you it.

[Anvil_Jr]

So, I did pick up a used unit from Guitar Center. Since it was all packaged up I was unable to see the serial number until I got home. Once there I contacted Line 6 as was suggested and sure enough this is one of those units with the hardware issue. Line 6 told me that I could send it in and they would fix it for free. Instead, I elected to return it and kick in some more bucks for a brand new unit. I didn’t want to deal with a repair right out of the gate. 
 

Thanks for the advice. Now I need to learn how to use it! I’m sure this forum will be a good resource.

[dnottis]

Its not about the year, its about the serial number.  This has been confirmed a few times and by Line 6 support.  I actually chatted with a rep because I was looking at a used one.  The Pod Go Serials start with PG51M.   You want one that is higher than PG51m7212xxxxxx anything after 7212 came from the factory "fixed".  

 

Now with that said..  go to GuitarCenter.com and search all the used ones.  If you put them into your cart and go to cart view some will show the serial number of the unit and from there you can shop for one already factory fixed.

 

So for example this one already shipped fixed from the factory:

 

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Line-6/POD-GO-Effect-Processor-120487043.gc

Serial: 21PG51M7250012737

 

I included a screenshot from the cart.

 

Good luck and happy hunting!  I bought a brand new one for $429 when they were on sale recently.  Called the store and made sure the serial was after 7217 and it sounds fantastic!  The price shows $296 because I had 3 of them in my cart to find one that showed you guys the serial number lol

 

 

[Anvil_Jr]

That is great information and totally checks out with my limited experience. The used unit that I had for an about a day had a SN below 7217 and needed the fix and the brand new one I have now is well above 7217.

 

Wow, $429! Great price! I have a gig in less than 2 weeks so I really wanted to get one in time for that. I have 45 days to keep an eye out for a price drop.

 

Thank you!

[grdGo33]

Btw, I wouldn't recommend anyone skip a used deal because of this issue.  The issue was subtle, took many many months before anyone noticed the issue, and even when comparing with and without, they're kinda hard to tell apart.  Not to mention that if you're running a pedal with a buffer in front of the Go, then the impedance issue completely goes away. 

 

I think the effect might vary too depending on the guitar, but the bottom line is, if you have a good deal for a used unit, likely worth getting.  I haven't bothered to get mine fixed, given I'm using a buffered pedal + as I said, really not a very significant issue!