Godin xtSA Multi Voice Electric Guitar (2020) - Review and Description

The Godin xtSA is an amazingly versatile instrument providing three separate outputs, with multiple output combinations. Three magnetic pickups, plus six individual under saddle Piezo pickups which can be used to emulate either acoustic guitar and/or provide a source for the 13 pin (GK3 style) synth output. All outputs are available at the same time, hence the tag 'Multi Voice'.

The base xtSA model has seen various incarnations over approximately years of production, which includes differing neck and fretboard materials. If purchasing a used instrument, it is worth checking the specifications provided with a particular guitar, to know exactly what it is that you are buying.

I came across the Godin synth capable guitars by accident really (though Godin had been suggested by a friend a few years earlier because of the Synth connectivity). I had actually been looking for another Maton electric (MS500 or similar) to which I could permanently attach a GK3 pickup.

However, the few sellers of used Maton guitars out there were (and still are) asking absurd amounts for even beaten-up old solid body Maton guitars. So that option just didn't appear to be practical or financially sensible. As many of those Maton rebuild options would have involved new frets and neck shaves - well, it all seemed way too much like hard work.

After purchasing a new La Patrie Concert, and later a used La Patrie Performance (both nylon string / classical guitars), I was very impressed by the craftsmanship and general build quality of Godin instruments.

When I came across a beaten up (and 13 year old) Godin xtSA for sale, at around AUD $1,500, I thought something like this might be a workable alternative. But definitely not an over-priced, previously hacked (upgraded?), well-used and worn out instrument with a bunch of missing parts.

The universe must have smiled upon me however, because far away in that strange land called Canada, there was a brand new Godin xtSA on sale for AUD $1,650 delivered (with GST and import duties, that came to just over AUD $1,900, arriving within 10 days!).

... So now, you get to read about it ;-)

Just FYI: The general RRP in Australia for a new Godin xtSA is generally close to $3K (at the time of writing), and that of course is assuming you can actually find one. These are not exactly a common guitar in Australia.

I should probably also mention that, if you are not into guitar synths, this instrument is quite possibly wasted.

The hex piezo pickups Godin implement are purportedly industry best when it comes to tracking accuracy. If you don't need that (and the very substantial additional electronics that comes with), then your money could most likely be better spent (or saved) on a different guitar and/or on other instrument features. There are many Godin models (of similar design) without the synth/MIDI related electronics. I can for example, recommend the Godin Freeway Classic (H-S-H) with similar sound and playablilty to the xtSA, but simple (normal) electronics.

The Godin xtSA is therefore very much a specialist instrument. It's for the guitarist who is looking for the guitar equivalent of a high-end swiss army knife.

So lets get down to evaluating the Godin xtSA Multi Voice Electric Guitar.



Playability and Useability (8/10):

Once again I will state that this is a particularly subjective topic, and that the neck on this guitar happens to suit my hand. For reference, other commentators liken the xtSA neck to that of a strat. The scale is 647.5mm (25½"), with a generous and almost flat neck radius of 406mm (16"). The nut width is a nominal 43mm (1-11/16").

This guitar comes out of the factory completely 'Ready To Go'. It would still be in ex-factory condition if I hadn't changed the strings from their standard Godin .010 set, to my preferred .009 set. While the change was insufficient to require a truss rod tweak, it did require adjusting (reducing) the tension of the floating bridge to restore the action.

On the subject of action - the floating bridge makes action tweaks fairly straight forward. Simply remove the back cover and adjust the two retaining screws to suit. An action down to 4mm can be had without string/fret buzz.. The instrument will need to be re-tuned several times throughout this process as the string tension changes with each tweak.

The Richlite fretboard (my first) did feel a little 'different' in the beginning. Godin have applied a highly polished finish which makes the fretboard almost slippery. This does aid string bends and sliding from note to note (some other guitar makers use slightly duller/coarser finishes).

For those who don't know. Richlite has the same hardness as ebony, but without the issues of grain, consistency and flaking when being refretted. Richlite also requires zero maintenance (now there's a plus!). It is synthetic (paper and resin), nonporous and impervious to water, humidity, perspiration and skin oils.


While on the subject of string bends; the floating, three spring, 'Fender-style' bridge also makes string bends (even radical ones) considerably easier on both the fingers and the strings. The 'whammy bar' works efficiently, but I have noticed slight sticking on the return to normal tuning, sometimes requiring a 'pull-up' to properly correct. That's annoying.

The cutaway depth on the Godin xtSA is quite substantial, very useful and allows playing right up to the 22^nd fret. That initially took some getting used to, along with muscle-memory retraining.

The Godin xtSA is well balanced and has a very nice ergonomic relief contour (upper back) making it a very comfortable guitar to wear. The weight is moderate (heavier than a strat, but not by that much and lighter than my Maton MS500). This reflects slightly in the brighter tone of this instrument (compared to the MS500).

While the controls (covered in more detail under 'Sound') are minimalist (which I like), I really don't understand why Godin have not provided a 'Blend' control for use with the Piezo and Magnetic Pickups, for when using the 'Mix Out' jack. Having to jump back and forth tweaking the individual volume levels of the two sound sources, is nothing short of stupid, given that the two signals end up being mixed together anyway.

The tuners / machine heads (branded as Godin) are sensitive, smooth and reliable, while the Graphtech Nut allows for tuning without noticeable 'sticking'. Lastly, but not least ... the xtSA features front-loaded Locking Tuners for easy string change and better intonation. Absolutely love them!!  I want them on all my guitars


Sound (9/10):

This is going to take a while ... but from the top I can say that the versatility of the Godin xtSA is really very impressive. Just F.Y.I., the SA in the model name is short for Synth Access.

There are three basic functional options for sound output on the Godin xtSA (available simultaneously), derived from either the three Godin custom magnetic pickups ([][] [] [][]), or the six individual under saddle Piezo pickups. (Note: there have been previous versions of the xtSA guitar model with Seymour Duncan pickups.)

Magnetic Pickups
The magnetic pickups offer a fairly standard Humbucker / Single Coil / Humbucker arrangement, combined with a similarly standard five position switch. The outputs from the Godin pickups are well matched, so there are no nasty level changes when switching through pickup options. Actual switching is typically quiet.

The magnetic pickups output via a single, and very smooth, volume and tone control set. If anything the magnetic pickups are somewhat on the bright side when compared to my Maton MS500, for example.

The output from the magnetic pickups is available via a dedicated 6mm (¼") jack (labeled Electric) for connection direct to FX and amp (battery not required) ... or via the Mix/Acoustic output (battery required).

Piezo Pickups
The six under saddle Piezo pickups (gold colour) serve a dual purpose. They provide the signal for the 13 pin hexaphonic (to guitar synth) output, and also the signal for the 'Acoustic' sound / voice.



The Acoustic Voice is processed via the separate Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass controls located just above the neck joint (see below).



How acoustic the Acoustic Voice actually sounds is probably a matter of opinion. With some judicious EQ'ing, an approximation is possible. Obviously, due to the position of the Piezo pickups, this guitar will sound similar to most guitars with an under saddle Piezo pickup. Though I would add, probably lacking some warmth in this case, given that the Piezo elements are sitting on a mechanically disconnected metal plate (floating bridge) ... and not a resonating wooden soundboard.

It's all moot really, because a true acoustic guitar sound is what you get when you stick a mic in front of an acoustic instrument - just my take.

The provided centre-indented Treble - Mid - Bass tone controls do allow for a useful range of cut and boost. When combined with the volume control, the Piezo output can slightly exceed the output form the magnetic pickups. That said, I have never noticed any distortion, even at full output.

Suffice to say the Acoustic Voice is an interesting option to have, and not without some practical uses. Personally, I think the implementation could been better with a Blend Control to mix the Magnetic and Piezo signals at the 6mm (¼") Mix/Acoustic output. It's already an active system, so while the circuitry change would be minimal, the improved useability would be massive.

Guitar Synth - Hexaphonic (13 Pin) Output
After going over the technicalities of building a Roland GK3 pickup into an existing guitar, and after much careful consideration (concluding with that I really didn't want to go there), the 13 pin output available on the Godin xtSA was in fact a significant reason for purchasing this guitar.

That the additional Piezo/13 Pin related electronics have zero impact on the traditional magnetic output, is also a real bonus. It's nice to know that if all else fails, you can always fall back to your standard guitar effects and an amp, and just go for it ;-)

I have read claims that the Godin 13 pin output system provides some of the best tracking on the market, essentially even better than the Roland GK3. This is a claim that is difficult (if not impossible) to objectively quantify without rigorous testing. The current generation of Roland/Boss devices (GR-55 / SY-1000) exhibit virtually zero noticeable latency and the SY-1000 delivers absolutely superb tracking with a GK3. The Godin xtSA matches that, and that's all I can meaningfully say here.

One of the reasons for buying a new'ish 2020 model xtSA was that the electronics have undergone several revisions over the years. I decided that I would rather get a guitar with latest spec components, than rebuild/upgrade and older guitar - for which there are actually a few 'how-to' articles on the net.

The available controls are essentially the same as what you will find on a GK3 installation. There is a synth volume control and two switches.

• One switch provides the Bank/Patch change switching (depends on device) e.g. Next/Up or Back/Down, then returning to a centre-off position (effectively performing the functions of both SW1 and SW2 on the GK3 platform).
  
  
• The other switch (3 pos toggle) selects from [Instr] [instr + synth] [synth only] options. It is important to note that this outputs only through the 13-Pin synth cable and has for all practical purposes, become largely redundant due to (out of the box) changes made by Roland/Boss to their more recent synth units (GR-55 / SY-1000).
  
  The purpose of these changes by Roland are, I suspect, to discourage guitarists from using their own instrument's native sound through and/or with that of the synths' (which has probably caused no shortage of problems for Roland over time) and instead encouraging guitarists to use the vast array of inbuilt modelled guitar sound features (which mostly do not impress me).
  
  While this may seem like a great idea, it is not without its trade-offs. For example: when using a modelled guitar sound, to switch from neck pickup to bridge pickup via a synth requires a patch change. When done via guitar, there is no need for a patch change - and importantly, there is no likelihood of a sudden termination and/or reset of the current Synth sound and/or DSP effects that will very often, if not always, go with a patch change.
  
  While there are plenty of keyboard synths that have long ago overcome this kind of problem, it appears to be still a 'work in progress' for Roland/Boss guitar synths.
  
  Just FYI -The Fractal AXE-FX III Mk2, can do entire patch changes instantly and seamlessly. I also use the provided AXE-FX USB to drive MIDI-Guitar software, side-stepping the need for 13 pin connectors.

Much of the synth tracking functionality actually comes down to setting up the receiving devices (e.g. GR-55, SY-1000, etc.) to accept a guitar's 13 pin output (hint: select Piezo G - 'G' for Godin?). A complexity that I admit, I am still mastering. It is notable (and regrettable) that there is NO documentation specific to this process. A very serious over-sight all around from both manufacturers.


Build Quality (8/10):

The Godin xtSA looks and feels like a generous amount of quality workmanship has been invested into the build. A high level of attention to detail seems to be a feature of Godin guitars in general. That's not to say that it's perfect. This is a production instrument, not a hand made one.

That said, the general finish is excellent. The neck and frets are flawlessly smooth. The quality of the parts used is exceptional. Nearly everything attached to the guitar comes with a Godin logo, so they are obviously very proud to put their moniker out there.

The original action could have been a tad lower, but that's more a personal thing (and to be honest, may have changed in transit - it's a long haul from Quebec to Tasmania) ... and, I really don't get why anyone puts .010 - .046 gauge strings on anything as the default standard any more ;-)

Warning !!
The strap pin / holder at the neck end, should have been located further down and around the horn. If you play at a high angle and/or use a loose / standard strap, you may find your expensive Godin xtSA slapping the floor in the blink of an eye. The Strap Pins are for Guitar Strap Locks and are therefore on the small side (relative to a standard guitar strap hole) - You have been warned!!


Durability & Reliability (9/10):

Having owned the Godin xtSA Multi Voice Electric Guitar guitar for approximately years (purchased Dec. 2020), this instrument gets used daily, often for several hours. It has completely lived up to my expectations (based on build quality). As of December 2022, everything is still 100% functional ... and it is still my goto favourite instrument.

In November 2023 the neck pickup failed. Later inspection revealed one coil was open circuit. I've never had a pickup fail before, so never even considered that as a possibility. Since I had a screwdriver in my hand, I thought I might as well check the 9V battery as well. While the battery checked out fine, the lugs that hold the battery cover on came free. The lugs are merely a press fit into the Acoustic Voice circuit board. A poorly implemented design idea, requiring yet another fix with super glue.

After contacting Godin about purchasing a replacement and getting a reply within a couple of days, they referred me to their Australian distributor. Dynamic Music also responded promptly at first, but now I'm still waiting to hear from them to even order a replacement. After more than a month, a semi terse email was sent and copied to Godin in Canada ... I'm still waiting. Fortunately, I know someone who can rewind the pickup if needed ... but you know, I'd rather not go there.

Warranty Information (as per Godin's web site)

• Warranty claims are handled by individual authorised dealers. The customer should contact the dealer/original point of purchase for warranty work. Instruments purchased from unauthorised dealers (some are listed on the Godin web site) will not be covered.
  
  
• All Godin guitars are covered by a limited lifetime warranty. Electronics and parts are covered for one year only.
  
  
• The warranty is honourable for the original owner only (ed. - any remaining warranty is not transferable upon resale, which is fairly standard practice).

All modern warranties are at best somewhat questionable, with the list of caveats usually so long that they often become largely useless. I have been unable to find an actual warranty statement on the Godin web site, other than the FAQ material paraphrased above. Given that I ordered my Godin xtSA from a store in Quebec, Canada, a warranty claim would probably be somewhat ... well, impractical ;-)

If you consider the line: "All Godin guitars are covered by a limited lifetime warranty. Electronics and parts are covered for one year only." The reality is, that like every one else's instruments, Godin guitars have the for now standard 12 month warranty!

Spare Parts
Godin do have a comprehensive selection of spare parts, repair/replacement kits, including preamps and wired electronics shown on their web site. These should be adequate for most fixes. Accessing said spare parts will be another issue entirely as they are only available through the Australian distributor (Dynamic Music ).


Available Documentation and Support (5/10)

The provided single page PDF specification sheet hasn't been updated for a while and the specifications therein can't be trusted (e.g. there is no mention of the Richlite fretboard). The user manual is similarly out-of-date, being from around 2005 ;-)

I find that kind of thing both disappointing and annoying, given that this instrument is much more than just a standard electric guitar.

 

     (and what that actually means ;-)

 

Value for Money (7/10):

This is always a challenging decision, given that we'd all like to have the very best gear for the least expenditure. For the flexibility, build quality, playability and sturdiness versus financial outlay, I'm inclined to go for a 7 out of 10.

Godin guitars are by no means cheap or 'low budget' instruments. However, from a buyer's perspective, they benefit from several factors. Firstly, they don't have the 'brand recognition' or market penetration that allows them to get away with charging absurdly high prices (yet). Though many Godin guitars are quite high tech, they are generally affordable and many Godin designs are also quirky enough to 'stand out' from the crowd.

Due to the production techniques and automation involved, I wouldn't exactly call Godin guitars 'hand-made', though they are absolutely 'well crafted' and still involve considerable human intervention, particularly for finishing.

Godin guitars are certainly not mass produced by comparison to Chinese made instruments. Being wholly constructed in Canada and the Northern USA, does imbue these guitars with a greater sense of integrity and transparency. We know, for example, that the people who are making these guitars are actually being paid a 'real' wage to do so. There are also YouTube videos showing the Godin factories' operations and the various production processes. While this is really just 'feel good' candy, it is nice to see how your treasured stuff is made.

The Godin xtSA comes standard with the Godin soft case (bag), which (now that I've seen a couple) I believe to be utterly inadequate to properly protect this instrument. Had I known better, I would have purchased the xtSA with a hard case, regardless of the extra cost. A hard case will be acquired at some point.

And lastly, there is resale value. When well maintained, most Godin guitars seem to hold their value exceptionally well, particularly the classical guitars.

I look forward to seeing how the Godin xtSA continues to shape up over the next few years.


Possible Improvements for the Godin xtSA:

• Blend Control knob or slider to mix Magnetic/Piezo (Acoustic) output signals.
• Strap holder pin (neck) needs to be moved just a little further around the horn to prevent accidental release (and possible resulting heart attack). I had this thing let go from both ends - fortunately I had a firm grip on the neck - absolutely scary! Had Godin provided the necessary two Strap Locks (for a few extra dollars) this problem could have been prevented.
• Switch to allow both Humbucker PUs together, possibly also with Phase switching. A simple DPDT will do it. Could be incorporated with the volume and tone knobs.
• Should ship with a proper hard case. Worth too much to risk the guitar in a mere bag (regardless of who's logo is on the bag).

Summary (Overall 7 / 10 - Lowered in Jan 2024):

An exceptional guitar, for the right guitarist. The Godin xtSA has remained my go-to instrument.

Probably more suited to the studio than the stage. For example, you could have three separate leads coming out of this guitar at the same time. If you need or regularly use a GK3 PU or otherwise need a 13Pin synth output, then this is a great package to get. A well made, sonically flexible instrument, that covers many bases and also plays very well. Beautifully set up and presented, right out of the box.

The more time I spend with the Godin xtSA, the more I like it. I'm impressed and that takes some doing ;-)

For those who might be interested - Since 2007 Daryl Stuermer (Genesis / Phil Collins) has been making use of the very similar Godin LGXT electric guitar, including on stage.


Godin xtSA Specifications:

Availability: Approximately 2005 to Present (2023) in Canada
      Still a current model in Australia (@ AUD $3,399 from Godin Aus - ouch!).
Body: Silver Leaf Maple Center w Poplar Wings
Top: Premium grade veneer of Figured Maple
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Richlite

Fingerboard Radius: 406.4 mm  (16")
Scale Length: 647.7 mm  (25.5")
Nut Width: 42.86 mm  (1.68")
Nut Type: Graphtech
Frets: 22 - Medium Jumbo
Machine Head Ratio: 18:1
String Set ex-factory: E10 - .010 .013 .017 .026 .036 .046

Neck Pickup: Godin Custom N Humbucker
Middle Pickup: Godin Single Coil
Bridge Pickup: Godin Custom B Humbucker

Bridge and Tailpiece: Floating Tremolo Bridge
Bridge Electronics: acoustic output on
Tremolo Bridge with RMC transducer saddles and circuitry for 13-pin output

Outputs Including 3 Control Sets:

• Electric (6mm TS) 5 Position Switch with Volume & Tone
• Mix (6mm TS) - Acoustic (Custom Pre-amp with 3-band EQ)
  this output mixed with Electric Signal
• Synth (13 pin GK3 compatible)
    Volume & Mini Patch + / - Switch
• Switch (Mini 3 Pos)
    [ Acoustic & Electric ][ Acoustic & Electric + Synth ][ Synth ]

H.D.R. Feature - Not Available

Colour: Translucent (Trans) Black Flame (Several Colours Available)
Finish: High Gloss
Default Supplied Case: Gig Bag
Weight: 3.7 kg  (8.0 lbs)

Ships with: Guitar, Gig Bag, Tremolo Arm.

Review Ratings:

• Playability - 8 / 10
• Sound - 9 / 10
• Build Quality - 8 / 10
• Durability & Reliability - 9 / 10
• Documentation and Support - 5 /10
  
• Value for Money - 7 /10 (somewhat specific usage)
  
  
• Overall Average Score ... 7 / 10

Your comments and contributions are greatly appreciated!

Your Comments:


221202 - (Excellent) - I have my XTSA since 2012 and I'm also very satisfied. I use it with a Roland GR55.  Your comments are absolutely true. It is overall a fantastic guitar. :-) Many thanks for your review.

Editor's Note: Cheers and thanks!


221022 - (Excellent) - Fantastic review! I recently purchased one of these second hand and just love playing it compared to my other dozen guitars. However, Godin's lack of information/support on how to correctly setup and configure the guitar with a Roland GR-55 or other synth is somewhat disappointing. Must be a French thing I guess. I agree about having the option to split each humbucker for a more Strat sound and also a parallel switch to connect the two humbuckers together for that classic LP sound would have been really good additions.

Editor's Note: Hopefully you caught my note above "(hint: select Piezo G - 'G' for Godin?)" (in GR-55 and SY1000 Setup), which seems to be a best fit for hooking up the Godin to Roland synth devices. My primary reason for ending up with the GR-55 and SY1000 was to ultimately have my MIDI signal shuffled off to more sophisticated hardware, specifically the Roland Integra7 and Korg Kronos. Mostly for elaborate pads and some sexy lead tones. I really do enjoy playing slow strings, sax, trumpet and violin on guitar.


210322 - (Excellent) - Thanks for the excellent review.
I just opened mine up today, after letting it acclimate for the required 24 (agonizing) hours. I agree about the strings and will probably put a set of 9's on it tomorrow, thanks for the tip on resetting the tremolo springs.

Editor's Note: Wonderful - send a note when you've messed with it for a while and let me know what you think.


210322 - (Excellent) - Excellent info!
Only thing I can't find about the xtSA is the factory string height and relief settings. I have one I'd like to reset. Loved the in depth review, full specs, and the possible improvements section.

Editor's Note: It is somewhat bemusing that a company that obviously takes great pride in building high quality musical instruments cant' get its shit together to produce an up to date spec sheet for one of their products.  


210322 - (Excellent) - Very useful, considering this guitar due to its versatility.

Editor's Note: Stay well, stay happy  



Incept Date: Wizard - 201222
Last Update: Wizard - 240118