Confirmation about fuzzes and the line 6 pod go (physical ones, not the fuzzes in the POD GO)

[daveaphotopod]

If I have one that I want to use with the POD GO, it makes most sense to put it before the input of the POD GO itself, correct? As opposed to in the FX loop, even if it's at the beginning of the chain? 

And sort of a related question: Does this mean that the fuzzes in the POD GO never really sound as good as they could? Because there's actually a buffer at the beginning, plugging into the POD GO? (let me know if I am confused about any of this) 

I suspect that's not an oversight on their part, but then it just confuses me even more. Because if THAT doesn't matter.....then CAN we just add "physical" fuzzes into the FX loop then, without worrying about if a buffer makes them sound "wrong"? 

[silverhead]

In general yes, a buffer before a fuzz pedal can affect the dynamics. But maybe there’s something else going on….
 

The original manufacturing of the POD Go had a flaw regarding input impedance. This could affect things as well unless you have a Pod Go that has either been repaired (free lifetime warranty) or was manufactured after that flaw was fixed.  Contact Line 6 Support if you’re not sure about your specific POD Go.

[daveaphotopod]

On 6/5/2025 at 6:40 PM, silverhead said:

In general yes, a buffer before a fuzz pedal can affect the dynamics. But maybe there’s something else going on….
 

The original manufacturing of the POD Go had a flaw regarding input impedance. This could affect things as well unless you have a Pod Go that has either been repaired (free lifetime warranty) or was manufactured after that flaw was fixed.  Contact Line 6 Support if you’re not sure about your specific POD Go.

Ah good point, I should verify that (which I will do shortly by opening a ticket) 

Also I just realized that I may have worded that incorrectly. When you brought up the impedance, I was conflating that with a buffer (I know they're not the same, but I know buffers adjust the impedance. Which is probably where I connected the two in my head.) 

 

Having said all that, if it is one of the newer units, do I still need to feed my guitar directly into the fuzz? Or can I place it into the fx loop and put that first in the chain? The logic there being that I am not sure if the fuzz going into the POD GO is messing with THAT impedance, therefore messing everything else up down the line. Hope that makes sense. I guess my main question is if I have to plug my guitar cable into the analog fuzz, or the cable is fine going into the POD GO and will sound the same if placed in the FX loop. 

Also, I did see a video online, linked below regarding the second inquiry I have. The built in fuzzes do sound "good" because on Helix the impedance can be adjusted and the POD GO from what I read has auto impedance, so as long as the fuzz is at the beginning of the chain, that's what the POD GO refers to. 

 

 

[silverhead]

Let your own ears be your guide. There’s no right or wrong answer. You certainly won’t do any harm to the equipment by connecting things differently and experimenting. What sounds best to you?