Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

[ksmith63]

Hey guys,

I am looking for something that has a convincing acoustic tone. Why not just buy an acoustic or acoustic/electric? Well, I have never been very good at micing acoustics and I want something I can also use live for good electric tones. I should also say that I have a secret thing for hollowbody tones. With that being said, Godins two guitars seem right up my alley.

Multiac Jazz opinions?

Montreal opinions?

Any other recommendations will be welcomed. I played a Godin maybe 10 years ago and was impressed. The brand doesn't seem to get much recognition so the used prices are quite low.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

I've played a Montreal and found it to be pretty comfortable. The piezos do a good job of reproducing an acoustic sound (they seem to work best if you run them through an acoustic amp or PA rather than your electric amp). Very versatile guitar, there are a ton of sounds kinking around in it. My only complaint is that they're surprisingly heavy guitars (like LP heavy), so you might want to get a decent strap if you're picking one up.

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

I've played a Montreal and found it to be pretty comfortable. The piezos do a good job of reproducing an acoustic sound (they seem to work best if you run them through an acoustic amp or PA rather than your electric amp). Very versatile guitar, there are a ton of sounds kinking around in it. My only complaint is that they're surprisingly heavy guitars (like LP heavy), so you might want to get a decent strap if you're picking one up.

I planned on running the piezo through a di and compressor. The electric pickups would go through my amp/mic.

Heavy is unfortunate but quite a few hollowbodies can be weighty. I may be crazy but the mass with these (hollow/semi, ect) guitars seems to be well distributed due to the large size of the bodies. Do you remember how rounded/comfortable the neck was?

 

[John_L]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

Personally I'm tempted by the Multiac Jazz, although that is more of an acoustic with a pickup rather than an electric with a piezo if you follow my meaning. They do complement each other. The weight isn't that much and the balance is really good.
The neck's are amazing Godin are light years ahead of any other company when it comes to necks. (Paul Reed Smith at the PRS Experence said his new necks were "Trying to catch up to Robert Godin's") The neck on the Jazz is a longer 25 1/2 scale and a little wider but really comfortable. A great neck that feels like you are at home. The Montreal has the shorter 24 3/4 scale and a slightly narrower nut. It feels the same as their electric necks and again is a great feeling neck which feels played in out of the box.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

I love Godin guitars. Those two models are no exception. Very distinct instruments, so play them first, but those who like them, really like them a lot.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

I planned on running the piezo through a di and compressor. The electric pickups would go through my amp/mic.

Heavy is unfortunate but quite a few hollowbodies can be weighty. I may be crazy but the mass with these (hollow/semi, ect) guitars seems to be well distributed due to the large size of the bodies. Do you remember how rounded/comfortable the neck was?

The neck definitely wasn't chunky, but it was full enough to sit comfortably in the hand for chording. It has the typical Godin shaved heel joint for good upper fret access which I'm a big fan of:

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

Thanks to everyone that has replied.

So... the Montreal is like a hollowbody with an acoustic pickup while the jazz is the acoustic with an electric pickup? Both with very nice rounded/comfortable necks.

Well it seems like I want one of each now lol.

 

[John_L]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

Yep one of each would cover a lot of ground. For me the problem is that it's easier to find hens teeth than Godins in London these days.

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

Yep one of each would cover a lot of ground. For me the problem is that it's easier to find hens teeth than Godins in London these days.

Same here. The only one I played was used and at a music store across the state. No chance in me playing either one.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

i'm a huge Fan of Godins in general!!! i do like these models

 

[grlundquist]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

I own a Montreal I own a lot of guitars and I truly love the Montreal! I love two two voice system where I can play a jazz number of a finger picking folk number with the piezo pickup then turn the knob and crank up the humbuckers for rock. Godin is the best guitars for the money out there!

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

5th Avenue, the plain model with a floating pickup, a piezo or contact pickup (or a Lavalier mic), and f hole plugs if needed on stage. Use a mic on a stand too for a more natural tone. I had one, and I sold it because I got an offer that was $100 more than I had paid for it. But it was a good guitar, and cheap (I paid $330 with a case). You can also get them with a P90 (and maybe with two), but I think the acoustic tone suffers a bit. They are gorgeous too. They come in black, plain, or honey burst.

The reason I would prefer one for what you are talking about is that they are a standalone acoustic guitar with an electric pickup as an afterthought, as opposed to an electric guitar that is trying to "fake" acoustic tones. I think that layout works best for getting decent acoustic and electric tones from the same instrument.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

Every Godin I've ever picked up felt like it was made of cast iron. The solid bodies seem to be designed to break rocks. I don't know why they're like this, but I'm not into getting shoulder surgery because of a guitar.

They are cool in every way except the weight.

 

[Guitarmonkey]

Re: Any opinions on Godin Montreal and Multiac Jazz?

Probably a little late on the scene, but I just picked up a jazz MULTIAC, and it has me excited. Not only does the acoustic tone really pop due to the semi hollow body design, and the mini humbucker offers another range of tone, but you still add one of Roland's guitar synths, and you get background strings and pads, too. Add to all that the ebony fretboard, which makes me a better guitar player by its smoothness, and the awesome looks of this natural colour guitar, and it's win win win.....