Brad Sarno Solutions

Greg Thompson · Post by **Greg Thompson** » 5 Jun 2019 10:12 pm

Advice please. SGBB or Freeloader.
What is the difference (effect wise) between the two.

Would you have one or both, or none.

If just one, which would you have

Tucker Jackson · Post by **Tucker Jackson** » 5 Jun 2019 10:59 pm

Black Box! It's the one with a tube for extra creaminess... and the Vari-Z knob is really great at tamping down any harsh peaks from your pickup. Note that it takes about 20 minutes of warm-up time for the unit to fully do its thing, so you won't get the full effect when you first plug it in. But once the tube reaches it's peak temp, you can start to hear a little tube compression and the highs become less ice-picky.

The Freeloader is also a fine buffer, but without the harmonic benefit of running through a high voltage tube. The difference between the two units is probably pretty subtle... and if you use a tube amp, the Freeloader might be all you need. But if you use a solid state amp, the Black Box is the better choice since it introduces a tube into the mix.

Greg Thompson · Post by **Greg Thompson** » 6 Jun 2019 12:51 am

Thanks Tucker. I use a Hilton pedal s/s and Rockit Amps s/s. The expensive choice with exchange rate etc.

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 6 Jun 2019 4:29 am

I have both and always use the black box with a solid state amp. When I am using a tube amp I find the Freeloader to give me what I need on gigs. Plus its smaller and easy to carry around. If I played primarily thru a solid state amp I would choose the Black Box. Honestly its nice to have both, the black box works great for direct recording also...

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 6 Jun 2019 6:44 am

Love my Black Box!

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 6 Jun 2019 7:13 am

Great answers above.

Billy Knowles · Post by **Billy Knowles** » 6 Jun 2019 8:09 am

Love my Black Box, Rod Dodd, who did all of Buddy Charleton's amp work, presently lives in Myrtle Beach and works on my amps, when he heard my Black Box, he had to have one. They really do the job.

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 6 Jun 2019 11:27 am

I think the new BB's have the Freeloader built in.

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 6 Jun 2019 12:09 pm

Pete Burak wrote:I think the new BB's have the Freeloader built in.

Sort of. You're probably referring to the variable-impedance tone control knob. The earliest Black Boxes didn't have that, but they have for a while now.

In that respect, the BB and FreeLoader are the same. Where they differ is that the FreeLoader's active circuit is a discrete JFET transistor powered by a 9v battery, and the Black Box is 2 stages of a single vacuum tube with a 300v B+ supply.

B

Steven Paris · Post by **Steven Paris** » 6 Jun 2019 5:50 pm

Brad Sarno wrote:......and the Black Box is 2 stages of a single vacuum tube with a 300v B+ supply.

Which type of tube?

Brad Sarno wrote:.... the FreeLoader's active circuit is a discrete JFET transistor

Which JFET transistor?

Curious minds.......

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 6 Jun 2019 7:15 pm

I have bought, sold and traded a ton of gear over the years. My two Black Boxes and my
Freeloader have never left my studio. Also, I have a Tonic Preamp that is always in my rotation. Great stuff!

Greg Thompson · Post by **Greg Thompson** » 6 Jun 2019 7:18 pm

Thanks for that Len. Darn exchange rates, work out about $700NZ here so saving pennies.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 6 Jun 2019 7:42 pm

I cannot and will not play without my FreeLoader.

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 7 Jun 2019 6:44 am

Steven Paris wrote:
Brad Sarno wrote:......and the Black Box is 2 stages of a single vacuum tube with a 300v B+ supply.
Which type of tube?
Brad Sarno wrote:.... the FreeLoader's active circuit is a discrete JFET transistor
Which JFET transistor?

Curious minds.......

12AX7 withOUT spiral filament. Important to NOT have a spiral filament because of the elevated heater/cathode voltage in the output driver (follower) stage. Any vintage tube is fine and among the modern tubes, we use the Shuguang 12AX7B as it's a good hi-fi, clean tube without spiral filament. Vintage RCA is my favourite, and right up there are the Sylvania, GE, and other respected vintage 12AX7's and 7025's.

Most FreeLoaders have a J201 JFET in there.

Brad

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 7 Jun 2019 11:49 am

Brad, any consideration for making a smaller, lighter BB? Sure would be nice to find it lighter, easier to transport. I've always wondered why they're in that large, heavy configuration. Must be reasons!

John Goux · Post by **John Goux** » 7 Jun 2019 5:04 pm

Another vote for a smaller more ergonomic Black Box.
I love the sound of this unit, even with a tube amp.
The BB can’t be mounted near the guitar pickup, or on top of an amp, because of hum issues.
Laying on the floor next to the volume pedal, you can’t see the knob.

A cube shape with knob on the top, easily reachable, would make a great unit easier to gig with. Jacks could be facing the volume pedal, Ac cable facing toward the amp.
And lighter would be welcome!

I use the Freeloader when I need EQ or buffer, but it doesn’t enhance your tone like a BB does.
John

Greg Thompson · Post by **Greg Thompson** » 7 Jun 2019 10:09 pm

How Guys Can I have my Topic back?

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 8 Jun 2019 12:47 am

Greg Thompson wrote:How Guys Can I have my Topic back?

What, you don't like related topic ramblings? That's a Forum specialty!

I would love to have a Black Box-mini. Quit using a loaner due to weight and awkwardness in many stage situations.

Greg Thompson · Post by **Greg Thompson** » 8 Jun 2019 2:15 am

Just trying to find out 'from the coalface' the merits or not, of the SGBB

1. It's a heavy sucker ... and?

Steve Spitz · Post by **Steve Spitz** » 8 Jun 2019 5:41 am

I had good luck hanging my black box on the right side of my steelseat. The knob was “face up” and I could quickly unplug the “in” cable, from my steel into my leg mounted tuner, with no noise and it kept my tuner out of the signal chain when not in use.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 9 Jun 2019 7:25 pm

Hi Greg
I had one of Brad's earlier BB's and I think with your setup you will get the most benefit from a Black Box !

It will make quite a difference in a very positive way, guitar out to the BB (so the first thing the pickup see's is the tube), then to the VP and out to the amp.

Greg Thompson · Post by **Greg Thompson** » 9 Jun 2019 7:48 pm

Thanks Paddy agree with you

Danny Letz · Post by **Danny Letz** » 10 Jun 2019 4:34 am

I have a very early Black Box and a many years later one. The later one IS much smaller. Maybe the dimensions are on the website for the current one.

Greg Thompson · Post by **Greg Thompson** » 10 Jun 2019 1:42 pm

8.5" x 4.5" x 1.75 inches

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 10 Jun 2019 3:58 pm

Buy a Revelation preamp !!....Have your black box w/bells and whistles !!