Godin Multiac duet Ambiance

[AlainJazz]

Hi,

I'm in the market for a classical guitar that doesn't sound piezoy (is that a word?!) and that I can play at loud volumes in a band setting. I'll be using it mostly for brazilian bossa, samba etc. I stumbled upon the Godin Multiac duet Ambiance and it seems to fit the bill. Anyone else have one and can share their experience? I'm not sure if the regular one, or the grand concert model is the better choice. BTW, good to be back here.

Alain

[rpguitar]

They are very popular among the crowd that plays Brazilian styles and quasi-flamenco, not to mention gigging classical players. YouTube has tons of examples of famous people playing Godin nylon guitars.

The duet part refers to a secondary tonal component in the pre-amp that blends in microphone profiles. I find it nice in VERY small doses, as it makes the midrange denser, but it can sound muddy if cranked too high. Amplification makes a big difference with the piezo quality and smoothness of these guitars, but their intrinsic quality is very high.

These guitars have no limit in terms of one's technique - please witness Francesco Buzzurro:

I have the model he plays in that video, which is the duet grand concert. It's got a proper classical neck and nut width.

Also check out Sylvain Luc on YT.

[AlainJazz]

They are very popular among the crowd that plays Brazilian styles and quasi-flamenco, not to mention gigging classical players. YouTube has tons of examples of famous people playing Godin nylon guitars.

The duet part refers to a secondary tonal component in the pre-amp that blends in microphone profiles. I find it nice in VERY small doses, as it makes the midrange denser, but it can sound muddy if cranked too high. Amplification makes a big difference with the piezo quality and smoothness of these guitars, but their intrinsic quality is very high.

These guitars have no limit in terms of one's technique - please witness Francisco Buzzurro:

I have the model he plays in that video, which is the duet grand concert. It's got a proper classical neck and nut width.

Also check out Sylvain Luc on YT.

Holy cow, what an incredible player. Thanks for sharing that! When you say the amplification makes a big difference, do you mean on whether or not the duet thing sounds muddy? Do you have any amp recommendations. I'm new to this electro acoustic thing. I was first thinking about just going direct into the PA but I'd like to have an on-stage monitor and was now looking at the Fishman Loudbox Artist Pro. Any thoughts?

Alain

[mr. beaumont]

I have the duet ambiance grand concert model. I can get a good tone plugged into anything, but the most natural acoustic sounds are into a pa.

It's an absolutely great guitar. Sounds great and plays beautifully

[AlainJazz]

Thanks Jeff! Do you blend the Piezo with the "duet thing", or use either the Piezo, or the "duet" by itself mostly?

[mr. beaumont]

Blend, depends on room, never more than 50/50 to the mic imaging, usually just dial it in until the quack goes away (and it's not a quacky piezo in the first place)

You get 4 mic models, and a phase switch, so you have a LOT of tone shaping at your disposal.

Generally, I'm not using it as just an amplified acoustic, I kinda treat it as its own sound, but you can definitely get very believable acoustic sounds out of it.

Here's a example of a pretty nice acoustic sound with some ambient delay behind it. You can't see me, but I'm there

[DanielleOM]

Thanks Jeff! Do you blend the Piezo with the "duet thing", or use either the Piezo, or the "duet" by itself mostly?

I couldn't help but notice that in your original post you said you wanted to use it for "loud" stage volumes. I think all of these microphone (microphone blend systems) become more problematic as volumes increase. Perhaps some one familiar with the Duet is more familiar with loud applications. Is there a video in a loud stage setting?

I am happy with my Michael Kelly Rick Turner N6. I think newer piezo systems are better. I would call that sound a semi-hollow nylon sound. It certainly does not have the same dynamics of a normal nylon guitar. However, I find it's a predictable guitar, with no surprises when the volume increases.

[AlainJazz]

Blend, depends on room, never more than 50/50 to the mic imaging, usually just dial it in until the quack goes away (and it's not a quacky piezo in the first place)

You get 4 mic models, and a phase switch, so you have a LOT of tone shaping at your disposal.

Generally, I'm not using it as just an amplified acoustic, I kinda treat it as its own sound, but you can definitely get very believable acoustic sounds out of it.

Here's a example of a pretty nice acoustic sound with some ambient delay behind it. You can't see me, but I'm there

Sounds great and nice playing too!


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[mr. beaumont]

I couldn't help but notice that in your original post you said you wanted to use it for "loud" stage volumes. I think all of these microphone (microphone blend systems) become more problematic as volumes increase. Perhaps some one familiar with the Duet is more familiar with loud applications. Is there a video in a loud stage setting?

I am happy with my Michael Kelly Rick Turner N6. I think newer piezo systems are better. I would call that sound a semi-hollow nylon sound. It certainly does not have the same dynamics of a normal nylon guitar. However, I find it's a predictable guitar, with no surprises when the volume increases.

The duet ambiance does not have a microphone, it's modelling.

[Papawooly]

Blend, depends on room, never more than 50/50 to the mic imaging, usually just dial it in until the quack goes away (and it's not a quacky piezo in the first place)

You get 4 mic models, and a phase switch, so you have a LOT of tone shaping at your disposal.

Generally, I'm not using it as just an amplified acoustic, I kinda treat it as its own sound, but you can definitely get very believable acoustic sounds out of it.

Here's a example of a pretty nice acoustic sound with some ambient delay behind it. You can't see me, but I'm there

Great tone Jeff! Was looking to get one of those when I was deep in Brazillian mode
but instead took a left turn at Archtop... WOW!!! very nice!

[rpguitar]

Agreed with Jeff about the PA or a nice acoustic amplifier being the best option. It's sensitive to EQ adjustments, which is a good thing because you have lots of room to tweak, but it does need your attention.

I also use this guitar as its own sound rather than an amplified acoustic classical. The cool thing is that this type of sound/vibe is very well established among performance-oriented musicians. It's a good thing if you accept it. I think the Godin is also an acceptable classical guitar as well, since it can be made to sound quite warm and soft (not quacky).

It is indeed a great playing guitar. I lowered the nut slots a tad, tweaked the truss rod, changed my G string to a composite, and that was it. I have only played it and changed strings ever since (rare for me as I'm a pathological tweaker). As a plus, it actually has a pleasant and reasonably loud acoustic sound. I play it unplugged quite a bit.

You have various other options, some of which may be arguably better, but the Godin Multiac nylon is a truly proven product line.

[Greentone]

The Multiac Duet is a seriously nice guitar. I have played one several times; came very close to purchasing it. What kept me from doing so was not that the guitar lacked anything--it didn't--but that I already have three classical guitars. The Godin is perfect for clubbing and playing "Dindi," "Wave," etc.

[rpjazzguitar]

Two things about the Godin.

I have the multiac nylon SA.

Fine instrument.

Short lower bout by the cutaway. Falls off my leg. Easier with a strap.

Very live top. So live that it was about as loud as some full body nylon guitars. But, that liveliness caused it to feedback. I eventually stuffed it with foam, muffling the acoustic sound drastically and eliminating the feedback problem. Sounds good amplified and terrible acoustically.

If I had it to do over, I'd look for the Yamaha AEX500N -- a short scale, thin neck, nylon

[Frank67]

I really liked the tone that Jeff got out of his (and the very nice lyrical playing was a pleasure to listen to!)

although the player in the black Orpheus clip was fantastic one also could her quite a bit of piezo nastiness IMHO. I had a Godin Nylon string (don't remember exactly which one, but it had a more e-guitar typical neck) and could not bond with it. Acoustically it was dead and amplified I was never happy with the tone. Way too much piezo quack that i did not manage to dial out. It also did feedback easily and I could not use it in louder band situations. Ended up selling it without regrets. But I'd love to have a nice sounding nylon string with amplification. That modeled sound of the duet sounded really nice.

[rpguitar]

Although the player in the Black Orpheus clip was fantastic one also could hear quite a bit of piezo nastiness IMHO.

When these acoustic-electric guitars (of nearly any stripe) are played aggressively, including both heavy picking and strumming techniques, this tends to happen - almost inevitably. Clearly, Buzzurro pretty much coaxes a maximum amount of performance from his Godin.

The Barbera transducer system is considered state of the art in nylon amplification. It can be installed into a traditional classical guitar for $300+, if you're willing to deal with that. Romero Lubambo uses one in his acoustic guitar, and the Sadowsky nylon string model also employs the Barbera as a stock component.

This being said, it's also easy to find examples of the Godin played where none of the piezo quality is evident. It's all in the player's touch and tonal settings.

[rpjazzguitar]

Thanks for that! What a player! I didn't think it was possible to do what he was doing.

[Max405]

Jeff you can make a pile of dog shit sound great. I mean it.
Your Godin sounds amazing. My particular Godin didn't sound like yours. Mine was a quackfest. I always wondered if my multiac disappointed me because my action was too low.
Yours? Killer bro. Killer.
Joe D

Blend, depends on room, never more than 50/50 to the mic imaging, usually just dial it in until the quack goes away (and it's not a quacky piezo in the first place)

You get 4 mic models, and a phase switch, so you have a LOT of tone shaping at your disposal.

Generally, I'm not using it as just an amplified acoustic, I kinda treat it as its own sound, but you can definitely get very believable acoustic sounds out of it.

Here's a example of a pretty nice acoustic sound with some ambient delay behind it. You can't see me, but I'm there

[mr. beaumont]

Thanks brother!

It's important to mention the duet ambiance pickup is not the pickup used in the multiacs, which in my opinion are really meant to be paired with a synth.

[AlainJazz]

Thanks brother!

It's important to mention the duet ambiance pickup is not the pickup used in the multiacs, which in my opinion are really meant to be paired with a synth.

That's exactly why I'm looking at the duet. It sounds great on your video. I have also used the Yamaha that someone mentioned above. Unfortunately, it was just awful. Nasal piezoness from hell.


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[AlainJazz]

I bought it. I'm really happy with this guitar. It sounds and plays fantastic and was perfectly set up. Thanks for all the help and advice.


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[2bornot2bop]

I bought it. I'm really happy with this guitar. It sounds and plays fantastic and was perfectly set up. Thanks for all the help and advice.

Congratulations AlainJazz! Can't wait to hear more input from you as you've spent more time with that fine looking guitar!

[mr. beaumont]

I bought it. I'm really happy with this guitar. It sounds and plays fantastic and was perfectly set up. Thanks for all the help and advice.


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What a beauty! Enjoy it!

[AlainJazz]

Wow, I'm pretty dissapointed.

I haven't played the guitar through an amp since buying it because it sounds just great acoustically and I didn't have an acoustic amp. I bought a Schertler Jam which I just got, and I plugged in the Godin but unfortunately, I'm not getting any output out of the guitar. I've changed the battery, tried different cables, plugged it into another amp. No matter what I do, there's no output. I have no idea how it could've broke since I've really babied it. :-(

[rpjazzguitar]

Sorry to hear this.

If you're getting absolutely no sound, not even buzz or hum, there could be something simple going on.

I'd suggest checking the battery by putting your tongue (no joke) on the two terminals of the 9 volt battery. You should get a mild shock, nothing painful. If you don't feel anything, the battery is dead.

Then, I'd suggest unscrewing the various plates and looking for a wire that isn't connected to anything (but should be). Don't forget the output jack plate, if there is one on that guitar. Maybe the wires leading to the battery holder.

Connect the guitar to an amp and try gently wiggling whatever wires you see. I use the eraser of a pencil to avoid shorting anything out. On my Godin it's mostly PC boards, not wires. Maybe yours is different.

Generally speaking, the most likely culprit in a guitar or amp is the component with the most mechanical stress put on it. On a Godin, that's probably the output jack.

[AlainJazz]

Sorry to hear this.

If you're getting absolutely no sound, not even buzz or hum, there could be something simple going on.

I'd suggest checking the battery by putting your tongue (no joke) on the two terminals of the 9 volt battery. You should get a mild shock, nothing painful. If you don't feel anything, the battery is dead.

Then, I'd suggest unscrewing the various plates and looking for a wire that isn't connected to anything (but should be). Don't forget the output jack plate, if there is one on that guitar. Maybe the wires leading to the battery holder.

Connect the guitar to an amp and try gently wiggling whatever wires you see. I use the eraser of a pencil to avoid shorting anything out. On my Godin it's mostly PC boards, not wires. Maybe yours is different.

Generally speaking, the most likely culprit in a guitar or amp is the component with the most mechanical stress put on it. On a Godin, that's probably the output jack.

Thanks for the quick response rp. Yup, there's no sound at all, no buzzing either. I've opened up all of the various plates and looked for anything obvious. It all looks ok. Touching the wires doesn't make a difference. The output jack looks good too. It seems to me that it is generally working because, I put a battery that I know was almost dead in and the red led on the control panel (under one of the grates) started blinking. With a fully charged battery, when I remove the jack, the red LED goes on briefly just for a second or so.

I also noticed the following, if I pull the jack about a quarter of the way out, and raise and lower the volume, I can hear it doing something but still no sound coming from the strings.