Godin xtSA Lightburst Flame w/Deluxe Gig Bag

The Godin xtSA is designed to be the ultimate tool for adventurous guitar players. It features a versatile H-S-H combination of Godin pickups, six saddle mounted transducers on a floating bridge, a 13-pin synth output, and very flexible switching. The xtSA is an acoustic, an electric and anything a synthesizer can imagine, giving the player practically infinite tonal capabilities in a guitar that feels and plays like the best of them.

This is a Godin Factory Second "SF" model with a small cosmetic blemish. The imperfections are usually very slight, and they cannot be seen except under very close inspection. Our customers are very happy with SF guitars, they offer great value, and carry a full factory warranty.

Photo is of the actual guitar except for the headstock

This Godin xtSA Trans Red features:

• Trans Red Flame Maple Top
• Maple/Poplar body
• Mahogany neck, 25.5" scale, 1-11/16 at the nut
• Richlite fingerboard
• Locking tuners
• GHN1 neck, GS1 middle and GHB1 bridge pickup
• 5-way pickup switch
• Volume, synth volume, tone control
• Six RMC piezo saddle transducers with 3 band active EQ
• Floating 3-spring vibrato bridge
• 1/4" Outputs for Electric, Acoustic or mixed signals
• 13-pin synth output for Roland GR-type synthesizers
• Schaller strap locks
• Dual action truss rod
• Godin Deluxe padded gig bag
• Made in Canada

Test gear: Little Walter "50" octal preamp head, Mojotone 4x10 pine cab with Jensen speakers

At first glance, the xtSA seems like a daunting challenge to master. Lots of sliders, knobs and the like. But after a quick glance at the owner's manual -- yes we do read the directions -- we were off and running and never looked back. For our test we ran a mixed "acoustic" and electric output into the Walter, and the synth with our trusty Roland GR-20.

Starting with the electric guitar side, the three pickup H-S-H combination opens a lot of possibilities. The nicely polished medium frets are set into a smooth, slick Richlite fingerboard, and the 1-11/16 wide neck is a nice width for both traditional electric playing and "acoustic" work. Godin claims that like Ebony, Richlite provides better note tracking for the synthesizer and it has the additional benefit of providing a dense, smooth playing surface that is both percussive and fast. We approve.

The GHN1 open coil neck humbucker surprised us with it's snappy, open clean tones and tight percussive low end. The bolt-on construction and full "Fender" scale likely contributing to the leaner tones than you'd normally expected from this type of pickup. It's very usable for rhythm playing and not overly bassy. Crunch tones with our JAM Tube Dreamer 88 exhibited nice note definition and a singing quality that is great for leads. The notes in the upper frets have a slightly hollow tone that is very single coil-like but more meaty.

The GS1 middle pickup is a snappy single coil that has plenty of midrange punch, and a nice grainy "middle" sound that you'll know what we mean when you hear it. The GS1 is a "hybrid" pickup with a bar magnet and metal pole pieces, and we've always liked how it sounds in the middle position. It adds a pleasant quack to the 2 and 4 positions while taking advantage of the strong voice of the humbuckers. It sounds great gained up, creating perfect expressive blues-infused crunch.

The GHB1 is voiced for classic rock and medium crunch, and has a more aggressive tone than either of the other two pickups. It's "bright and tight" with pronounced mids and a chunky bottom end. It reminds us of a Duncan JB, and overdrive tones are sparkly, firm, and packed with crunchiness. Not the perfect recipe for articulate clean tones, but you do get the 2 and 4 positions if you need to lean it out.

There is no "kill" switch on the xtSA so switching over to the acoustic mode requires either turning down the electric guitar volume or having some type of mute switch on your pedalboard. Once you've made it over to the acoustic side, you'll be impressed by the natural acoustic sound out of what is essentially a solid body guitar. Maybe the floating bridge helps give it a little more spaciousness and depth, and there is none of that annoying piezo quack or crackle to be found. The 3-band EQ has plenty of boost/cut range, and it's also possible to simultaneously blend in the electric pickups. A little "electric" blended into the acoustic sound is a good way to add more complexity and richness, while still sounding largely like an acoustic guitar.

Our trial with the synth capabilities was brief, and if you are not accustomed to a guitar synth, get ready to be shocked. It's quite an experience when chords turn into a chiming grand piano, a Hammond organ...or a sitar. It sounded great, and most importantly the tracking seemed to be totally on point. Notes weren't lumped together when sliding notes, and chords were remained perfectly intact. And of course you can blend the synth tones in with the electric and acoustic tones too!

The Godin xtSA has a lot going on, and it's a compelling option for the gigging musician that needs a little bit of everything but wants to travel light. It also does not force the player into a series of compromises: It's a fully competent electric guitar with pickup voicings that can range from jazz to hard rock, and it's got convincing acoustic sounds that are eerily similar to Godin's Multiac line. Plus there is the synth, which opens up limitless possibilities for unique sonic creations. Factor in Godin's build quality and that Trans Red flame top, and there's not much out there that comes close.