O/D pedal, sounds barky with Freeloader in front of it?

Ian Sutton · From: San Francisco, CA

I typically use a light overdrive pedal with my rig for the more bluesy numbers. However, I recently purchased a Sarno Freeloader which makes my steel sound great, however it creates some really weird barky low frequency thing when used in conjunction with the O/D pedal.

Has anyone else encountered this and/or have any workarounds?
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Some gear.

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

You might try contacting Brad and ask his advice. He should know.
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Mike

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

This is strange.

How's the battery in the FreeLoader?

B

Ian Sutton · From: San Francisco, CA

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Brad, the battery only has about 5 or 6 hours on it. I will try swapping it out just for fun and see if that makes any difference.

I don't know a whole lot about electronics (enough to be dangerous) but perhaps the O/D pedal is trying to see a different load, impedance-wise and is playing havoc with the pedal?

FWIW here is the chain as of now: Steel > Freeloader > Tuner > O/D > Volume > Amp
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Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Try taking the tuner out of the signal chain.
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Ian Sutton · From: San Francisco, CA

I've removed the tuner -- no change. I have been able to isolate it to a relationship between the O/D pedal and the Freeloader. Additionally, it's a home-brew pedal a buddy built for me, if that matters.
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Ole Dantoft · From: Copenhagen, Denmark

Some O/D pedals react heavily to changes in the output impedance of whatever is in front of them (think the old FuzzFace for instance), while other pedals don't react to that at all (Think newer Boss or TubeScreamers).

When you put the FreeLoader between the guitar and the O/D I'm very sure that the impedance that the O/D "sees" is lowered a lot and that might well be the source of your problem. I would suggest that you talk to your buddy who built the pedal and discuss this with him, as it might be very easy for him to fix it.

Disclaimer: I don't know the actual circuitry of the FreeLoader, but my Electronics background tells me, that this will be the case.

Hope this helps!

Ole

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

A/B switching? That would fix the problem. Though I don't generally try to add something more to fix things, if fiddling the Freeloader knob doesn't fix it, they just don't like each other. I have gone over to modelers largely because when you hook three things in a row, somebody's always pitching a hissy fit. Crying or Very sad

Ian Sutton · From: San Francisco, CA

Thank you all for the insight and replies. I did have a chat with my buddy who built the pedal. Aside from being nonplussed with the scenario I presented him -- he concluded that the only solution he could build into that pedal was something to simulate the load of the pickup. Deeming that impractical, an A/B switch was also suggested by him.

I suppose I could try it in the effects loop of my Nashville 112, but that doesn't help when using my Twin Reverb.

I guess I'll try some other pedals -- I've read a lot of good things about the Earth Drive.

Thanks again everyone!
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Some gear.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Have you tried putting the Overdrive after the volume pedal ?
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