Godin XTSA

Started by kennisrussell, May 17, 2011, 02:00:13 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

kenact

Quote from: nelcatjar on September 28, 2014, 07:34:14 PM
Regarding Godin XTA board... I have a 2003 board (blue) in my guitar.

Does anyone know if the 2003 board can be replaced with the latest version so the RMC filter would not be needed?

You might actually be better off asking Richard (RMC).
Godin Session & Montreal FTP, LGXT, LGX SA, Redline, ACS, A12, A11, A10, A4
Danoblaster Baritone w/GK-3
Gretsch Nashville, Viking
Fender Strats
Fret King Supermatic
Larrivee DV03RE
Parker Midi Fly
Seagull, S&P 12
VOX Phantom XII
GR-55, 33, 30, 20, GI-20, RC-50, US-20, VG-99, VP-7
Sentient 6
Cyr 7

myksara

"Richard McClish" <info@rmcmusic.com>,

yeah..Richard is a very nice guy.
I had lot of wiring problems with my brand new Godin lgxt and godin guys were of no help.
This forum directes me to Richard and he helped me solve the issue.

Guitars: Ibanez Prestige S5470, Ibanez Jem 7v, Ibanez JS2410, PRS SE Custom24, Cort  Ltd G16, Ibanez RG370Ahmz,
MultiFX: Roland GR55, Zoom 1on, BOSS GT00
Loopers: Digitech trio+, Line 6 JM4
MIDI:, MAudio Axiom24 keyboard, Alesis IO Dock with iPad air 2

GeePeeAxe

Has anybody both of them?
I have the feeling that the LGX is higher quality and better woods than the XTsa,
but it would be better if somebody who really knows it, confirms it.

kenact

Quote from: myksara on October 01, 2014, 04:17:39 AM
"Richard McClish" <info@rmcmusic.com>,

yeah..Richard is a very nice guy.
I had lot of wiring problems with my brand new Godin lgxt and godin guys were of no help.
This forum directes me to Richard and he helped me solve the issue.

Richard is very helpful, but one of the problems appears to be that there aren't any schematics available from RMC, which makes it difficult for Godin to provide any type of technical support for the RMC loaded guitars. The schematics aren't made available to Godin Authorized Repair Centers.
Godin Session & Montreal FTP, LGXT, LGX SA, Redline, ACS, A12, A11, A10, A4
Danoblaster Baritone w/GK-3
Gretsch Nashville, Viking
Fender Strats
Fret King Supermatic
Larrivee DV03RE
Parker Midi Fly
Seagull, S&P 12
VOX Phantom XII
GR-55, 33, 30, 20, GI-20, RC-50, US-20, VG-99, VP-7
Sentient 6
Cyr 7

Elantric

#129
I'm in the camp who owns both xtSA and LGX. Of course the woods on the body of the LGX are higher quality with thicker carved maple top. The LGX also has tuned "sound cavities" in the body.
Most xtSA's have a thin maple veneer top, some recent models like the xtSA Koa include binding
http://www.godinguitars.com/godinxtsap.htm


All LGX  have binding) and current LGX comes with higher quality Seymour Duncan mag pickups
http://www.godinguitars.com/godinlgxtp.htm

They both share the same 25.5" scale length Ebony Fretboard on Mahogany Neck. The LGX adds flamed headstock veneer and burst paint.

The middle Strat PU is exclusive to the xtSA.

Both mine are recent 2012-2013 era types and weigh nearly the same.

Strat type Tremolos (as used on xtSA and LGXT) are my least favorite -  Click link below to read my blog and see pics of my LGX with bigsby style tremolo.


musicman65

I have an XTSA that I installed the Ghost equipped Floyd Rose tremolo on. I installed it as a full floater with a recessed route. The headstock end string lock is a "behind the nut" unit. All tuning issues are gone and it a real player now. Too bad, as I have decided I'm really a Strat man so the XTSA remains a very nice backup guitar.

rickross

#131
Hello everyone,
I'd been lurking for the last 3 weeks or so doing a lot of reading and downloading of helpful documents that really helps me in familiarizing my self with the GR-55 and Godin xTSA. Thank you everyone for all the tips and tricks and helpful advice.
I recently purchased a Godin xTSA after I had bought a used GR-55 on ebay. The firs thing I noticed was that the output of the Piezo pickup was too hot. Godin Tech advised me to set the SENS setting to between 0-4. The output sound improved a little. I've read something about the sound being "brittle"? Not sure if that's the word that best describes it. I keep blaming it on the monitor having a blown speakers.
Has anybody figured out a way around this? Maybe to get a better acoustic sound when using the Piezo pickup? To me, when the Piezo Volume slider goes half-way, I'm hearing almost an overdriven tone. I play in a worship band so I'm trying to get that nice mellow sound for soft songs and maybe an overdriven magnetic pickup or mod sound.

There's plenty of advice in here so I have to keep on reading but I'm hoping maybe somebody have gone through the same experience.

Thank you.

germanicus

Make a recording for us to hear.
My albums done with modeling/guitar synth at http://music.steamtheory.com

JTV69/59P/Godin LGXT/Multiac ACS/Variax 700 AC
Helix/FTP/GP10/VG99/SY1000
Traynor k4

Elantric

#133
That's not normal behavior
Read the advice in the Godin Xtsa thread.

mkaylor

I am considering purchasing a used Godin xtSA.  Currently I own the GP-10.  Now that I have the bug,  I could see myself getting something that does PCM sounds in the near future to accompany the GP-10.  I see that older models have a hotter output on the 13 Pin.  Plus I read all the stuff about the Piezo's working with the 55 and 99 and possibly needing a buffer addon.

Is a used Godin worth buying or should I save and buy a new one to get the new boards?  What year did they change over?  I haven't found that.

Thanks for the help,
Mike
Godin LGXT
Variax JTV59, JTV69
American Special Fender Stratocaster
Schecter Tempest Custom AVID Porn Star
Schecter Omen-6
Yamaha FG700
GP-10

Elantric

#135
Myself - I prefer the ones AFTER 2012

These will employ the summer 2011 RMC PolyDrive-X boards (marked "080811")

These have a bit lower gain, and lower noise and improved bandpass filter, to help low frequency rumbles

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3912.msg52671#msg52671
I understand Richard at RMC has made subtle changes to the internal "Polydrive X" preamp board -

Mine has a recent August 2011 version:


jerrycali

I am currently using this customized SA - but I have an XTSA with seymour duncan coil tap rings  for sale - it's like new - I am selling it because i'm not using it - If anyone is interested let me know price $650 -it's a great deal   jerrycali@mac.com

CodeSmart

Hi, I might be buying a brand new xtSA Koa from Shanti.
I've never seen or played Godin xtSA...how does it feel? Is it great?
How's the neck?
I've got Ibanez, Gibson LP (Trad. fat) and Fender Strat, and Ibanez (rather thin neck) anyone can compare to one of these?
Easy fast playing?
Any naysayers out there? Or, all positive?  :o
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

Elantric

#138
The Godin xtSA  / LGX Neck profile is not everyones cup of tea

The Godin xtSA Neck profile is large - in Gibson  / Taylor Acoustic Guitar territory  - yet its a  fender  25.5" scale length( I love it)

I ended buying Jerry Cali's surplus stock Godin xtSA Neck because I love the larger  / wider neck profile  - and I needed this neck to put my spare xtSA back together after its original neck was installed on my LGX-SA (that had a hopelessly cracked headstock) 


Additional specifications
Top nut: Tusq by Graphtech
Nut width: 1 11/16"
Scale: 25 1/2"
Radius: 16"
Tuners: High ratio front-loaded locking tuners.
String Gauge: Godin Nickel electric strings 10-46
Frets: Medium Nickel
Pickups: Godin GHN1 (Neck) GS1 (Middle) GHB1 (Bridge)
Bridge: Transducers and pre-amp: RMC custom Poly-Drive
system.
Body: Silver leaf maple center with white poplar wings capped
with a Flame Maple leaftop.
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony

It is a bolt on neck with Ebony  fingerboard shared with LGX-SA and due to mahogany construction (like a Gibson) Godin xtSA Neck  is prone to break-age  at headstock

( this is how I got my 2013 Godin LGX-SA cheap on Ebay) 

Goood news if you hate the Godin xtSA  / LGX Neck profile - you can swap it for a typical Strat aftermarket Neck
http://www.godinguitars.com/godinxtsap.htm

xtSA
A jack-of-all-trades, and master of all of them, the xtSA's incredible sound power begins with three distinct voices: electric guitar, acoustic guitar and synth controller.

The xtSA delivers big time electric sounds via the Godin humbucker-single-humbucker pickup configuration and thanks to a special 5-way switch setup extra meaty humbucker tones co-exist with glassy split-coil sounds in the second and forth position. Turn down the electric output and raise the volume on the RMC transducer saddles and the xtSA becomes an incredibly authentic-sounding 'acoustic' guitar. The acoustic voice of the xtSA is enhanced by an onboard preamp with a three-way graphic EQ. The two outputs are set up so that the electric and acoustic voices can be blended in the guitar using a single patch cord or at the amp/mixer using both outputs. The icing on the xtSA cake comes in the form of its synth tracking, which simply put, is the best in the business. As with all of Godin synth-ready instruments, a built-in 13-pin connector provides direct access to all Roland GR-Series synths as well as most other 13-pin devices.

All of this sound power would be a lot less interesting if the guitar didn't feel great and great is exactly how the xtSA feels thanks to the same 25½" scale, mahogany neck used on the Godin flagship LGX-SA guitar. The ebony fingerboard is shaped with Godin's ergocut technique and equipped with medium jumbo frets. The body is made from a silverleaf maple center with poplar wings and decorated with a figured maple veneer on top or the highly figured KOA wood top on the Natural KOA model.


Godin XTSA Manual
http://www.godinguitars.com/xtsa.pdf

CodeSmart

But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

brinkvox

Hi Codesmart,
I'm loving my new LGXT!  Ghost notes are a definite problem....but I'm pretty sure you know the solution there!  To me the neck is like a Paul Reed Smith wide/fat profile.  The neck texture is satin finish and to me plays WAY better than my Les Paul Classic 60's.  My PRS is really my go-to guitar as far as magnetic pickups go, but the Godin is right there in terms of playability.  I'm not having any tone issues that others have mentioned ("brittle?").  I have some volume issues since I have to squash the sensitivity to 5 or so... But it's only two weeks old and I'm starting to hone the GR 55 settings slowly but surely.  I endorse the playability for sure...and it's a great looking axe too!

Elantric

#141
Godin with RMC Pickup best setting for GR-55
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3912.msg53452#msg53452
I'm using these settings below with much success using my 2012 Godin xTSA (RMC) and stock GR-55 (rev 1.50 firmware ) and Boss GP-10

Thanks Jim Williams!



On both my xTSA'a - the COSM Modleling sounds most excellent .

This is AFTER I follow Jim Williams Piezo Setup.

--
In System, Set the GK PU type to:
PU type ;  PIEZO R
Scale :  ST
PU phase : NORMAL
PU direction : NORMAL
S1/S2 position : NORMAL
MORM PU gain : 0 dB
PIEZO TONE  LOW  :    -2
PIEZO TONE HIGH  :   +3

"DIS"
10.0 mm all strings (does not matter GR-55 ignores this for all Piezo PU selections)

"SEN"
Set the sensitivities for all strings to "50" average (+/-5  - that is all my strings have sensitivity set in the range between 45-55 .
(Note: Godin's older than 2012, might work better with Sensitivity set to "0")
"VEL"
Velocity Dynamics :  2
Play-Feel         :  2 (may vary depending on how you play synth tones)
Low-Velocity Cut  :  8-9

"NUA"
Nuance Dynamics   :  4
Nuance Trim       :  4

"DOW"
Shift   :   0
===============

supernicd

I can only speak for the LGXT which I think has a very similar or the same neck.  I am a yaysayer - love mine.  I had the same concerns when I bought it, having never touched one.  For me, I had been playing mostly a strat, occasionally a LP, and the LGXT neck felt great and natural to me almost immediately.  YMMV of course but since you asked for opinions...

So glad Elantric and others here turned me on to Godin guitars.  It sounds wonderful, and is so versatile, even before you add a VG/GR/GP it stands on its own as a great axe.  Feels like I'm in on an insider secret since most have never heard of Godin and ask about it. :)
Strat w/ GK-3, Godin LGXT
VG-99, GR-55, GP-10
---------------------------------------------------------------

kenact

Quote from: SuperNiCd on January 29, 2016, 04:25:18 AM
I can only speak for the LGXT which I think has a very similar or the same neck.

From the Godin website:

"All of this sound power would be a lot less interesting if the guitar didn't feel great and great is exactly how the xtSA feels thanks to the same 25½" scale, mahogany neck used on the Godin flagship LGX-SA guitar."

Mahogany neck
Ebony Fingerboard
16" fingerboard radius
25 1/2" Scale
1 11/16" nut width

These are the same as the specs for the LGXT.
Godin Session & Montreal FTP, LGXT, LGX SA, Redline, ACS, A12, A11, A10, A4
Danoblaster Baritone w/GK-3
Gretsch Nashville, Viking
Fender Strats
Fret King Supermatic
Larrivee DV03RE
Parker Midi Fly
Seagull, S&P 12
VOX Phantom XII
GR-55, 33, 30, 20, GI-20, RC-50, US-20, VG-99, VP-7
Sentient 6
Cyr 7

brinkvox

This just saved me.....oh, about 8 hours of test drive!!!!  Thanks Elantric, well done.  Makes a big difference!

ratbastid

I spent my first hour with my brand new xtSA last night. Here are my first impressions.

Its neck is chunkier than the cheap korean strat-knockoff I've played for the last decade or so. It'll take a little getting used to, because I kept getting lost vertically--go for the 3rd string and hit the 2nd, etc. But it felt great in my hand. Having a little more wood there to wrap my hand around was very comfortable, and interestingly I found myself reaching over the top for thumb pedal-points in a way I haven't even considered doing in a long time.

The action is just right. It feel GREAT to play. Out of the box, it's close to set up. Just a couple things need tweaking--it needs its neck pickup raised (it's LOW--never seen a pickup so low), and it needs intonation adjustments on all but the top two strings. Also its strings are brand new and totally unstretched, so it'll be a bit before my tuning settles down.

My first thing was to initialize a clean patch on my GR-55, and turn on only the MAG PUP channel, so I could really hear clean output from the mags and piezos. I'm a little confused about how the two-channel-ness of the guitar's output maps to the one-channel-ness of the MAG PUP line on the GR-55. It seems like the guitar volume pot also turns down the piezo output? Does that seem right to longtime godin players? It seems like I can back the piezo out with its volume slider, but I can also turn the whole guitar down to zero with the volume pot.

Anyway, there's lots to discover with a guitar this versatile. It sounds great through some of my old patches. I built a patch with some nice delay and vibrato based on the clean, plain input, and it's lush and yummy and gorgeous.

I went with the lightburst finish, and the way the wood grain shines through it in the light is gorgeous. My bandmate place an LGXT in the same finish, so we'll nearly match.

kenact

Quote from: ratbastid on February 25, 2016, 12:59:25 PM
It seems like the guitar volume pot also turns down the piezo output? Does that seem right to longtime godin players? It seems like I can back the piezo out with its volume slider, but I can also turn the whole guitar down to zero with the volume pot.

No, that doesn't sound right. The volume slider controls the piezo output, and the volume pot controls the mag output. That's how it works on mine.
Godin Session & Montreal FTP, LGXT, LGX SA, Redline, ACS, A12, A11, A10, A4
Danoblaster Baritone w/GK-3
Gretsch Nashville, Viking
Fender Strats
Fret King Supermatic
Larrivee DV03RE
Parker Midi Fly
Seagull, S&P 12
VOX Phantom XII
GR-55, 33, 30, 20, GI-20, RC-50, US-20, VG-99, VP-7
Sentient 6
Cyr 7

Elantric

#147
QuoteThe Piezo volume slider controls the piezo output, and the Mag PU volume pot controls the mag output. That's how it works on mine.

Same here on my two 2013 xtSA & 2014 LGX-SA

http://www.godinguitars.com/xtsa05.pdf


ratbastid

Quote from: kenact on February 25, 2016, 04:00:26 PM
No, that doesn't sound right. The volume slider controls the piezo output, and the volume pot controls the mag output. That's how it works on mine.

Yeah, I just confirmed this.

With the piezo slider at the midpoint, I can drop the total output volume to zero with the volume pot. That's true both on the MAG PUP line of the GR-55, and on a 1/4" jack straight to an amp.

With the volume pot up, the piezo controls do have an effect (vol and EQ). But with the volume pot at zero and the piezo volume at max, I get no sound from the guitar.

Does it sound like I have something miswired?

Elantric

#149
QuoteWith the piezo slider at the midpoint, I can drop the total output volume to zero with the volume pot. That's true both on the MAG PUP line of the GR-55, and on a 1/4" jack straight to an amp.

With the volume pot up, the piezo controls do have an effect (vol and EQ). But with the volume pot at zero and the piezo volume at max, I get no sound from the guitar.

Does it sound like I have something miswired?


FWIW - thats NOT how my 2012 Godin LGX-SA or xtSA works

I do know that older Godin LGX-SA / LGXT / xtSA's   have different control operation

I'm testing this now with my 2012 Godin xtSA with latest RMC Polydrive electronics feeding a GP-10 with one GK-13 cable
(*  the xtSA'a 1/4" outputs are not connected to anything)   


1 )  Use GP-10 factory preset #81 [ Gt Clean 1 ]

2 ) Set all Volume Controls on Godin xtSA to "off" (zero)

3 ) I confirm there is no interaction of:

  * Volume control for Piezo Out

  * Volume control for Mag PU  Out

I can turn Volume control for Mag PU full counter clockwise (Off) , and mute the mag PUs.
Then slide up the Piezo Volume Slider and hear only Piezo PU tone on headphones connected to the GP-10 


OR

I can slide the Piezo Volume Slider down to the "Off" position , and mute the Piezo PU .
Then turn Volume control for Mag PU full clockwise "on" and hear only Mag PU tone on headphones connected to the GP-10 

OR

I can "mix" the sound of both Mag PU's and Piezo using each volume control

For an analogy - It operates like a Fender Jazz Bass Neck PU Volume Control  vs Bridge PU Volume Control where you can always mix the pickups you want,  and not like a Gibson LP where if either vol control is set to zero - no sound occurs.  )