Godin Multiac Nylon Fretless SA

Fretless nylong stringed guitar with piezo synth pickup.

A really interesting instrument. Running a GR-20 synth it produced a number of really tactile, fun-to-play sounds. Some really significant issues with tracking and sustain (see overall notes) limited my final acceptance of the guitar.

Well built and well finished. Dead neck?

I wanted to love this guitar, as it has so much potential for producing unique sounds. It had one crippling defect that forced me to return it: an almost complete lack of sustain. Notes died away so quickly that any sustaining voice on the synth would only work in the octave above middle C. Below C it tracked too slowly and in the octave above middle C notes died almost immediately. In addition, ANY C note died immediately, no matter what octave it was in.

I'd love to try another fretless Godin to see if it was just a mushy neck, but I believe nylon strings just don't have the sustain for the synth.

BTW, I have a fretless A5 and Multiac Classical that I love, so I'm not down on Godin in general.

A FRETLESS nylon string chambered body guitar made in Canada. It has a piezo pickup and is Synth ready. As the body is chambered, it is thicker than the solidbody ACS model. It is loud enough for home use without plugging into an amp (provided you live alone). It's scale is 25.5" but rather irrelevant as it is fretless. It comes with a rectangular had shell case. There are not many fretless nylon string guitar in the market, especially in this price range. As far as features go, being fretless and synth ready is really cool.

I am primarily a jazz player but I also like world music and ECM stuff. The guitar opens up a completely new world for me. I use my Roland GR1 or GR33 for the Synth sound. For amplification, I use an Acoustic Image Clarus 1R with a Raezer's Edge 6"+8" cabinet. The guitar sounds very 'acoustic' even when amplified. It has a very singing quality to it. With the synth, the possibility is only limited by one's imagination.

It has a very clean and elegant appearance. The action was very good when I got it in 2003. The guitar plays very well right out of the box. Because of weather changes, I have to adjust the neck slightly from time to time but it is no big deal. This is the third Godin guitar I bought, and like the other 2, it is beautifully made.

I haven't used this guitar much in gigs as it takes time to master such an instrument. Nevertheless, I don't see any problems if I use it on gigs. It won't be the only guiar I will bring to a gig (at least not until I can do a whole night of music with it) My guitar has the high gloss finish and it is quite durable.

I have never dealt with the company and as I am in Asia, the warranty does not apply any way. If I need any service, I will bring it to a local guitar tech.

I have been playing for a number of years and I own more guitars and gears than I can handle. I love archtop jazz guitars and classical guitars.

I ordered this gutiar through the dealer as they didn't think there will be any market for this model here so they haven't stocked it.

Godin is a company that is not afraid to try new ideas. I hope they'll come up with a double neck (fretless/fretted) Multiac SA. That'll be my dream gutiar.

Made 2003 purchased June 2003
No frets!
2 pickups, LR braggs acoustic and RMG with Roland out
Came with solid fitted case
Plays great acoustically, plays a dream through the Roland gear.

Well my stuff is slightly jazz based and this unit is off-the-wall avant garde.
Using it with a VG88 guitar modeller
It can make sounds you would not believe.
Likes - its a whole new world, being fretless.
Dislikes - would like pop up frets when the going gets tough

It was set up lovely, just a bit of internal vibration from a rogue cable that I cured pronto. Very nice tuning pegs. Maybe I'm rough handed but its easy to mark the finish.

Oh yes, this is set to run at full throttle.
Will withstand live playing and I can't afford a backup.

They don't reply to my e-mail, while this Gtr is fine I have another model from the same co. giving me gip. Not good response if you are in the UK, and I'm a fan. (My local shop is excellent, I know they will look after this)

I've been playing too many years, with loads of gear, going fretless has been an absolute sensation, I hate it because it is difficult, I love it because it frees you up to do a whole load of stuff you never imagined was possible. It was the only fretless I could find and it took three years of asking in shops (not counting internet) you need to try before you buy. If I lost it - yea I'd buy it again, I'm looking forward to my next fretless purchase.

I'm starting to feel a little uncomfortable because I've been bowled over by the fretless guitar concept. I'd hate to say "Go Buy IT" and you be dissapointed. I played for some time wondering if it was a mistake, but then one night it just clicked, the idea of frets melted away and when I took the instrument on its own merits, not relating it to fretted concepts - then it all made sense. Oh dear, I'm afraid I might be a little off the normal track, I've even set up a web site, next its T shirts, caps and who knows what else. Is it just me?