REVIEW: Godin Grand Concert Ambiance (full vid)
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- This is the full 20-minute version of my 2010 review of the Godin Grand Concert Ambiance guitar. The shorter version received quite a few comments and questions, and now that I can go over ten minutes on a YT vid, I thought I should upload the whole enchilada.
This guitar will appeal especially to the hardcore nylon-string player looking for a very authentic amplified classic guitar sound. How does the Godin Ambiance sound when it's plugged in? Watch the video for several live direct-to-disk recordings using this beautiful instrument and judge for yourself.
I've been playing this guitar for a couple years now, and the sound I can get onstage or in the studio still excites me. I find it a very versatile instrument. When playing solo I use fairly flat EQ (rolling off the treble slider just a tad) and a generous amount of the Fishman imaging, but in a band situation I'll often boost the mids a little bit and use considerably less imaging so I can cut through the mix with a nice punchy, jazz tone. I can even get a modicum of twang on a good night. Adjusting the sound to suit the music at hand is easily done on the fly.
NOTE TO NON-NYLON PLAYERS: the Fishman imaging package is also available in other Godin nylon models designed with a narrower 14-fret neck to ease the transition to a nylon string guitar. The Grand Concert model has the full 2" nut and 12-fret neck of a traditional classic guitar.
If you're heavily into nylon strings, you'll want to mitt one of these guitars for yourself, plug it in and give it a spin.
Got my Godin. Feels really good and so well made. I'm lovin it !
Got my Multiac Grand Duet Ambiance THIS VERY AFTERNOON! Played several hours! Bliss and Blessed!
Thank you for this. Zeroing in on a 2" Multiac for purchase. Nice !
great review and terrific playing - thanks!
I seldomly comment on videos but got to make an exception here. Thank you for making this video. I've been going back and forth one rather to get this guitar and you have convinced me.
finally someone with skills....nice review sir.
I hope you instantly notified Godin about the stripped screw hole. They may need to adjust a machine that does this process.
Bill, there's little or no red in my Godin, definitely more of a simple 2-tone tobacco sunburst, but lighter than usual (hence Godin's term "lightburst". no doubt), and the fade to dark is closer to the edges of the instrument than the typical tobacco sunburst. Very eye-catching -- people often comment on it.
I might mention that it's been three years since I made the video, and the Ambiance is still my primary stage axe. Extremely versatile instrument whether playing solo or with a band.
It's a piezo pickup, so it'll catch golpe to a degree. If you're looking for enhanced responsiveness to golpe or general body percussion, Godin has a new Encore model that's a dual-source piezo/soundboard transducer system that sounds pretty lively.
Thanks Jeff; that's what I was hoping. I had an ACS with a blond finish. It wasn't bad, but I think this would suit me better. It's a shame they couldn't figure out a way to put synth access on this model, but I suppose the metal saddles would deteriorate the sound somewhat. With my luck they'll probably come up with a solution and come out with a synth access equipped model the day after I buy this one!
Thanks for the video brother.
Actually, I wrote Godin with that very question, Bill (really enjoy your guitar-synth vids, BTW). I also have the Godin Grand Concert SA, and wondered if they had any plans to combine the synth access with the Fishman modeling package. It took awhile, but Godin did respond to inform me that the two technologies were indeed incompatible. But that it can't be done now of course doesn't mean they won't figure it out one of these days. The day they announce it will be the day I go shopping.
I’ve been using D’Addario Pro-Art Dynacore EJ46TT Titanium.
Thanks Jeff for the info, i wish the video wansnt shot by the tost machine though...
Thanks, very accurate !
Thanks Max. :-)
16:38 awsome chords
Jeff,
Can you tell me about the color of that sunburst model? I've seen several pictures and videos where it has a very reddish look toward the outter edges, but I've also seen a few where it looks like it could be more of a brown/tobacco instead. It's hard to tell from your video.
Thanks.
The Gibson Chet Atkins Classic is a very well-built guitar (had one in the 90s), but it was very heavy, even heavier, I think, than a Les Paul. It also has a relatively tight contour of the cutaway, restricting access to the high frets.
The Godin is semi-hollow, so much lighter and more acoustic by nature. I've also come to appreciate the slight (16") radius of the fingerboard. So, besides the fact that the pickup package is a major advancement over Gibson's, the Godin does play much better.
Jeff Foster appreciate your great video!
Jeff, I just picked up a 2011 model yesterday. Traded my Taylor 314 even up for it to a guy in Jersey. I was wondering if you had given any thought to making a truss rod cover for yours? I really don't care for that gaping hole in mine. I've been searching the net but haven't seen anybody else with one yet. It would have to be fairly different from conventional covers, probably wider than it is tall with some inlays maybe. I think it would help the looks considerably. I'm also think of cutting down the top of the headstock to make it look more traditional, but that's a bigger project for the future.
Now that's an interesting idea, Bill. I could see a sort of cap the width of the fingerboard, nicely cut and inlaid with some abalone. Would require drilling three small screw holes into the top to hold it on, but if the piece turned out nice, I wouldn't be concerned about that. And we just happen to have a master luthier known for his inlay work, Ron Volbrecht, based nearby. I'll have to pursue this. Thanks for the idea!
StringDancerCom I figured I could use double-sided Scotch tape to tape it on for a week or so to make sure I liked it before I committed to drilling.
There are several guys on the Net who make truss rod covers. We should sponsor a contest and give away breath mints. Not that I'm cheap or anything....
Could you tell me please wich one has a better sound (I am looking for a classical sound) if the godin multiac grand concert duet ambiance or the multiac grand concert sa?
Thanks
What brand and gauge nylon strings do you use or recommend on the godin multiac?
Do you think the (epiphone) chet atkins is just as good as the (gibson) chet atkins?
Hello, Can you tell me what is the name of the intro music of this clip, I ordered a Godin guitar great concert I look forward. Best regards Christophe
Christophe, that's my own composition, a Flamenco-inspired improvisation I did using a nylon-string MIDI-guitar synth back in the 90s. It was recorded and mixed in one take. It's called "Duende". Thanks for asking.
StringDancerCom thanks, you know where I can listen to this wonderful piece full
Christophe Pironnie Don't know as to how wonderful it is, but that notwithstanding:
www.reverbnation.com/jefffoster/song/1797284-duende
Well, I've never played the Epi version, so I can't say categorically. Typically, the designs are the same, but the quality of the components and overall workmanship are lower on the Epiphones, and hence the lower price. But we may be talking very marginal differences here. In any event, I'm not saying the Epi is a poor choice... all depends on the criteria by which you judge the purchase. Vague, I know, but it's the best I can do.
Does the pick up amplify the golpe and percussion hits on the guitars top? Thanks for posting.
Not really, just a little as it gets picked up by the piezo. For that, the Godin's Duet model is nice... piezo plus internal condenser mic.
Well, hey, at least they were nice enough to get back to you. That counts for something these days.
Nice chatting. And hey, you need to put up some solo fingerpicking vids. Judging from this one, you're a darn good fingerstyle player. Not that the duet stuff isn't good, but some solo fingerpicking would be nice to see. I'll subscribe and wait for those videos to appear. (Now you're on the spot. Ha!)
Take care.
Would you say this guitar plays better then the gibson chet atkins nylon?
(14:32 - 15:43) Tabs or guitar notes? ;)
what song in intro of video ?
That's an original ditty called "Duende".
c..cool..