Thought I'd put this here...

I've noticed that almost every time I see anyone using a Godin Multiac-style guitar (super thin acoustic), it's always the nylon string version.

Is this because the steel string version stinks?
Or just isn't as good?
Or only jazz/classical types like Godin?
Or the nylons are so nice to play the steel players convert?

What's up? I'd like to get one and thought I'd pick the brains of those of you who already own one (or used to)...

When I was looking for the steel string there just wasn't any... nylons were everywhere... so I bought on to try (with 13 pin as I have a Roland guitar synth)... it is a nice guitar for sure but I didn't need and sold it after I finally found a used steel string (not 13 pin). The guy I sold it to loves it...

Tres,

I think they're both good. I own the nylon one myself.

Tom

quote:

I think they're both good. I own the nylon one myself.

Exactly - everybody owns a nylon version. Just wondering why...

With the hand pain I'm dealing with, a nylon version might be better, and they sound great. But they still sound like a nylon. There are some songs that just don't sound right unless it's on a steel string, and I'm a little afraid to go nylon. But I need a thin "acoustic" and the Godins seem as good or better, and cheaper, than most other high end stuff.

I'm also asking because no stores seem to carry any of the steel versions, and I may have to end up ordering one, sight unseen (and unplayed).

I already had several good steel strings & was more interested in an easy-playing
nylon at the time. I think the nylon was the only one with the midi controller that I
knew of as well. I found out more about the steel string version later.

Tres, you might look at a Line 6 Variax. I find mine very easy to play with light gauge strings. I also enjoy the different sounding guitars that it models. It sometimes re-focuses the audience toward me when it suddenly sounds different.

Respect,
Col. Andy

Thanks, guys, I appreciate the input.

There are many aspects of the Variax I find appealing, but I think the price would be much more than the Godin (non-Multiac model). But it's something to look into. I especially like the movable capo function (changing the tuning without actually moving a capo). Also the twelve-string is much more real.

Hey Col.Andy,

I checked out the Variax online and have a question.

I saw someone use one a few years ago, and he was plugged into a small box (like the T1 about), and I believe it was a Line6 device. I don't remember, because I wasn't looking into that at the time. I just assumed it went with the guitar.

I find nothing online like that, and it appears the Variax can work by itself into an amp. Am I right? Any idea what that other box would have been?

Hi Tres. The Variax can be powered by on board double A batteries (6), or a 9V, or if you plug into the "box", with the provided TRS cord, it acts like phantom power on a mic. I haven't noticed any difference in the two. I use the "box" most times to save batteries and it is more dependable at gigs.

Line 6 makes a foot pedal of some kind (I haven't researched it), that lets you access the features of the guitar in the middle of a song etc.. It may also provide the phantom power. My feet are already too busy with Porchboard, harmonizer, and the foot switch that controls page up/down on my laptop, to give them another chore.

Respect,
Col. Andy

Thanks Andy, I remember seeing that now on the website.

I didn't know about the footswitch, that would be very good for me. (I was wishing you could do that!)

quote:

Line 6 makes a foot pedal of some kind (I haven't researched it), that lets you access the features of the guitar in the middle of a song etc.. It may also provide the phantom power. My feet are already too busy with Porchboard, harmonizer, and the foot switch that controls page up/down on my laptop, to give them another chore.

I'm not sure they do. The only thing I can find is the footswitch that comes with the Variax guitar, and it's only an A/B footswitch - I haven't found anything that remotely controls the onboard sounds. Too bad, that would be cool...

quote:

Originally posted by Col. Andy:
Tres, you might look at a Line 6 Variax...the different sounding guitars that it models...sometimes re-focuses the audience toward me when it suddenly sounds different.

I'll vouch for that!
At the St Louis Gathering, it really caught my attention when switched to an unexpected sound.
Andy is also quite good at being *unexpected* vocally, so it's a great combination.

I use the Variax Acoustic and the Lin6 Pod Xt Live pedal board.
Connected with a Cat5 cable, I'm able to change my "guitars" with my feet during the songs instead of having to do it with the rotary knob on the guitar.

Rain,

Well that could be. I was looking for an "accessory" to the Variax, not another device. This will be more bucks, but I should look into it. That would also give me effects and such, although I have all that with the T1. But something to keep in mind, though...

Thanks for the kind words Pete.

Tres the Lin6 Pod Xt Live that Rain mentioned is what I was thinking of.

Respect,
Col. Andy

Snagged mine on eBay.. the orig. XtLive.
Was cheaper than the new one.

Easy to operate and has settings for pairing it with the Bose if Im not mistaken.

GREAT to have the effects too. Where else would I have thought to put a wah pedal on a Gibson J45?
HAHA!

I played the Godin fretless at the Frankfurt messe last month and loved it. I order the one with frets though because I thought the fretless was more of a novelty and the sound is more damped. Does anyone have input as which they prefer? I am expecting my Godin grand concert any time now. It takes longer for me since I am stationed in Germany.

On that note, I could not oreder my L1 Model II from bose because they do not ship to APO's. That sucks!

Hi lapiz15,

Any chance you could have it shipped to a friend or relative in the US, who could ship it to your APO?

Yes, but then bose charged tax for that state and could not lower the price to brake even. So I ordered it from musicians friend and they sent it to my APO. I love it I got the LI model II with the tone match and double bass. And today I got a godin grand concert and can't seem to stop playing. I will probably get very little sleep toninght!

Any one out there knows of good settings of downloads for the Godin guitars?

lapiz15,

Glad to see it all worked out. Post us an update next week, after you've played for 3 days and then slept for 3!