Godin Multiac Jazz SA Lighburst with OHSC, strap

I bought this guitar many years ago with an eye toward getting a Pat Metheny jazz sound alongside the ability to drive a guitar synth with his famous GR-300 solo sound AND the ability to generate an acoustic guitar sound at the same time. The Multiac Jazz delivered everything I wanted in that regard. It plays great, it gives you a great jazz sound from the mini-humbucker at the neck, the acoustic sound is quite good (and is effective layered in alongside the darker electric jazz sound as well as on its own), the RMC pickup into a Roland synth works just as expected, and it plays great. I’ve used it onstage as well as noodling at home.

Right now I also have a Heritage H-535 (a 335 built at Gibson’s original factory in Michigan) and a GK-1 pickup into a vintage GR-300 so I don’t really need both guitars. I hate to let the Multiac go, but I have an LGX-SA as well as a Nylon Multiac so I have to make a tough choice as I don’t play synth guitar all that often.

The guitar is in perfect shape in terms of pickups and electronics. There are some small scratches (hard to pick up on camera), pick marks, and some tarnish on the brass volume knob as I constantly adjust volume while playing. While doing this listing I discovered it was B-stock from the factory—the only flaw I can see is the lacquer inside the F-holes isn’t as clean as it could be but everything else is flawless so let’s chalk that up to Godin having exacting standards for their high-end models at the top of the line. The guitar currently has D’Addario half round (or flatwounds, not completely sure what I used last as I use both) strings on it for a warm, smooth sound that sounds great when sliding between frets. 

The YouTube video gives a good overview of its three output functions. It starts out with jazz playing with neck pickup, about 1:45 switches to piezo, and around 3:25 switches to an old GR-30 for synth output. As with most RMC synth output guitars, all Roland units up to the GR-55 track well with it. The GR-55, however, is fussy unless you equip an aftermarket RMC OPT-01 subsonic filter board on your GR-55 to filter out the lows that can interfere with tracking. I will point out that since there’s no bridge pickup it’s very easy to mount a GK-3 (or a GK-1 for that matter) so you can drive, say, a VG-88 AND a GR-55 at the same time for hex-fuzz (VG-88) and GR-300 sound (GR-55) for the total GR-300 experience without the hassles of an old analog unit like the GR-300. But I can’t bear to stick another pickup on this elegant lady as it’s too pretty in its factory form. 

This guitar model is no longer available from Godin. They streeted for over $1900 and this was B-stock from the factory which made it about 100 cheaper. I'm including a deluxe Blue Note padded strap that helps take the weight off as well as a jazz pick that sounds perfect with the Godin for that clear, yet rounded jazzy sound. Guitar will ship in the original Godin box. Any questions? Ask away and I’ll give you an answer.

Manufacturer Description:
This is one model that transcends both the Multiac and Signature series of Godin guitars. At first glance the Jazz has a familiar look with its single cutaway chambered body adorned with traditional F-holes and the Godin GJN1 humbucker at the top of the fingerboard. However the slotted headstock and the preamp controls on the upper bout may be the first clues towards discovering that this isn't your average jazz guitar. The standard Jazz comes with a triple-A-grade flame maple top.

Although capable of producing classic jazz guitar sounds courtesy of the Godin GJN1 humbucking pickup, the Jazz has the power to take you far beyond traditional jazz guitar sounds. Each saddle in the bridge is actually an independent transducer, which is supported by an on-board preamp and graphic EQ. Designed specifically for the Jazz, this system opens up a world of new sonic possibilities for all players. The crystalline sounds produced by this system can be used on their own, or very effectively in combination with the neck position pickup. A small dose of the bridge output can be combined with the mellow sound of the GJN1 to produce added note definition so often missing in traditional archtop guitar sounds. The Multiac Jazz also includes hexaphonic output from a 13-pin connector, which provides direct access to Roland GR-Series synthesizers, and the various V-Guitar products that Roland has developed around the same 13-pin interface. 

Specs

* Silverleaf maple neck

* Ebony fingerboard
* 25 ½" scale
* 1 11/16" nut width
* 16" fingerboard radius
* Body - Silverleaf maple center with Poplar wings
* 'AAA' grade Flame Maple Top
* Custom RMC electronics with 13-pin connector for direct control of Roland GR Series and Axon AX100 guitar synths
* Lightburst High-Gloss (note: this is darker than you’d expect for something called ‘lightburst’)
* Around 8.5 pounds (note: heavier than you think looking at this guitar; the stability gives you better synth tracking but this is more akin to a Les Paul in weight)
* Assembled in the USA from parts made in Canada.