Godin Ultra A6 // Acoustic - Electric Guitar Demo (or Why My A6 Kicks Butt)

[@Happy-Me.]

I love my A6 Ultra. I've got the action down really low like an electric and have a set of 10s phosphor bronze on it. I want it to be like my electrics for jazz playing but have the added extra of the beautiful acoustic sounds.

[@falkinj]

Hey man. Great video. I just bought an A6 Ultra used and I'm starting to work out the applications. Thank you for a great demonstration!

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

I'm glad the video was helpful. I love this guitar, and I'm glad this particular (my most watched) has helped a lot of folks. I may buy my 9th Godin guitar this week....

[@oyesuken]

That's what I have been looking for in these reviews! Thank you for showing that this CAN be played for old school "bending" leads. Nice Demo.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

glad you found it helpful~!

[@nicolasgarcia7305]

Great review man!!! Amazing Guitar!! Enjoyed the video

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

glad you did. It's a great guitar. It's interesting, you're supposed to use electric guitar strings on this guitar (albeit heavy gauge like an acoustic) but I tried Elixirs and felt like they were too metallic sounding. using the coated DR strings (like Red Devils) seems to be the best.

[@thomaschapple4749]

I love that acoustic sound... it's not necessarily subtle...its direct and gets the job done..

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

thanks for watching and commenting. as a mostly rock music producer, not subtle is fine by me :) I still have my Taylor which I like better mic'ed than via the electronics, but I'm finding I almost never reach for it... I reach for my Godins

[@isamartino4626]

Great presentation my friend!! Now I have to buy it ❤️🙏🏼

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

thank you for watching! I have 9 Godins so you better hurry and catch up :)

[@stephenmcfarlane7961]

Thank you very much for your very detailed response. It is much appreciated. The red devils seem quite expensive in Australia. That is fine depending on how often the will need replacing as you mention will be a fair bit. But your yt post on this guitar is great thankyou.😅

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

I got into using the DR strings years ago, but they have gotten hard to find in all colors and/or more expensive. I don't play one guitar exclusively, I have about 20, but the A6 does get a fair amount of use as the main acoustic stage guitar in my rock band program. I would say I change the strings every couple months.

[@stephenmcfarlane7961]

@@kaleidoscopeschool thankyou for response. I may experiment with easier to source strings in Australia thankyou.i relly enjoyed your playing on the a6. Insipiring.

[@6789drummerdude]

What gauge strings do you use for the Red Devils?

[@larrydering1598]

Man do I ever agree on the Taylor guitar. I installed k&k style pickups because of the crappy ES1 system tones. Better tones now. I would love to try the A6 .Thanks for posting this.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

You definitely should try one out. always good to have someone else validate your opinion, esp. when it runs counter to a lot of prevailing attitudes (about Taylor in this case)

[@jesusbloodneverfails7437]

Very awesome review

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

I'm glad you liked it! thanks for watching.

[@NelsonTODDcom]

Nice job good friend Charles!

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

aw, great to hear from you. how did you find the video? what's up with you?

[@NelsonTODDcom]

@@kaleidoscopeschool Your video popped up with your picture on it and of course I clicked on it. I think I remember you talking about Goddin guitars when we were working together on music back in high school. Thanks again for helping me back then! It was so exciting working with you!

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

@@NelsonTODDcom actually I got my first one in 1993 and it's the only one I had until I started going Godin crazy in 2015. I now have 8 I think

[@NelsonTODDcom]

@@kaleidoscopeschool I remember your Blue Washburn, when we jammed.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

@@NelsonTODDcom I think that was an A10. Quiet Riot Carlos kind of guitar. I had that until the mid 90s, sold it to someone?

[@MarkSommerDk]

Hi fantastic demo of a6 electricsound thanks. Do you use the 'Spark' amp on gigs? do you think it can deliever distorted sound loud enough to match the sound of the acustic sound on regular cafe and bar jobs? Just bought a6. Have played a lot of bar restaurant ect. jobs on taylor guitar but need some distorted sound too. Nice playin love your demo

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

I haven't used the Spark on gigs. It's loud for its size, but depending on venue I think it may not be loud enough on a gig unless you are only relying on it for stage volume and you mic it for the house. And if you are playing with a decently loud drummer I'd say it's not loud enough period. When you see Positive Grid release the Spark Mini before you see them create a louder Spark, it indicates their target audience isn't gigging musicians (or more precisely the gigging needs of musicians)... which is too bad because it's a great sounding product. I do think the Spark would get over the acoustic volume of the A6 just fine. Thanks for watching and the compliments.

[@patrickbarr6398]

Excellent job

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

Thanks for the comment and for watching

[@normcote270]

I own 3 Godin Acousticasters, all very different in age, ALL are awesome IMO.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

thanks for watching and commenting. huge Godin fan...you dont have to try out their guitars. you can buy them sight unseen and know they are going to be good

[@normcote270]

@@kaleidoscopeschool So true, I bought 3 of them sight unseen, all spot on. I have one very special to me Godin Acouscaster a 2002, it my main stage guitar and I played around 80 shows with it at this point and hundreds of lessons, love it!!! I would not play an acoustic gig with any other guitar. FYI, I played every thin bodied guitar and Godin blew them all off the map as far as I'm concerned. BTW, awesome guitar skills and video, nice job my friend!!!

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

@@normcote270 thank you so much for the compliment

[@normcote270]

@@kaleidoscopeschool thank you for shareing, I think the Godin A6 and Godin Acousticaster are largely overlooked, and yet the IMO. Trump ANY other thin bodied Acoustic/electric. Fender claims they invented this types of guitar. But you and I know it's not true. I'm a huge Fender fan but I just gotta call BS. to them for fibbing about them being first to produce the "first acoustic thin body"!!!, It was Godin, late 70's. I know because I personally own a 1978 Godin Acousticaster's plus two way newer ones LOVE them all!!

[@superviewer]

Thanks. I love this guitar (I have the 'natural' version). I mainly use it for playing unplugged but I plan to start using it in my band. The drummer is a little nervous about it looking accoustic but that should change soon 😅

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

thanks for watching. if you can get a rocking sound out of it all the more interesting that it looks acoustic....makes you stand out visually, right? (you can tell that to your drummer :)!)

[@scottbecker3485]

Very helpful - thanks! The only thing I wasn‘t fond of (based on imperfect KZbin audio impressions, of course) is that the acoustic sound, plugged in, seems to emphasize the top two strings quite a bit - something a lot of real acoustics also do, but I find that a bit too „shouty“. But maybe different strings would help, or EQing, or the fact that I play ALL my guitars tuned down to D standard or C# standard, meaning the treble region gets lower in general, thus also warming up the guitar. Might be worth a try. Now if I could only find a comparison between the A6 and the Michael Kelly Hybrid Special, which is the guitar I‘m leaning towards right now.

[@charlesmccrone686]

I haven't felt like this is the case, and I do know that is a possibility (my Godin xtSA had that problem with the volume of one of the strings and I had to replace all the piezo sensors or whatever they are called)... so it is something I think I would notice if in person it was happening with my A6. The DR strings are very distinctive so they could be a factor; they're not entirely typical strings.

[@scottbecker3485]

@@charlesmccrone686 Interesting to learn of your earlier experience, and especially to get your take on my apparently mistaken perception. Yes, strings can also play a huge role in that (mis)perception. So the A6 is now back in the race. ;-) I‘m still having a hard time justifying spending more than twice the price for it as compared with a Michael Kelly Hybrid Special, though. (That said, the MK is of course in a different league quality-wise, and its tonal pallet is also quite different, but it might get the job done and help me keep feeding my twin baby boys without my wife filing for divorce (haha).

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

@@scottbecker3485 It's hard to know when recording videos of acoustic guitars how much "plugged in" sound I'm getting vs. the natural sound of the guitar bleeding into the talking mic. I'm still learning as I make videos. let me know what you decide!

[@daviddietz7776]

I have one too. Godin makes great guitars.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

I agree. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@delta85us2000]

Nice review man.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

thanks! glad you liked it and thanks for watching

[@gregcollins6427]

has a great sound. I'd love to have one - and be able to play like you!

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

aw thanks, I appreciate that

[@slakethesnake]

Nice demo thanks

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

thanks for watching! this guitar is in action in this cover (and many others): kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6S7dItpqr2Cpdk. (the Hello Kitty was played for show in the video but I played the A6 on the audio)

[@slakethesnake]

What strings do you recommend for the A6 ultra ? I put D’Addario acoustic strings on and it sounds kind of boomy Should I be using electric guitar strings ? Is so what gauge ?

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

@@slakethesnake it is designed to be used with electric strings and that was confirmed for me by talking with Godin. I use 012 - 052/3 (whichever the DR black and red devils come with for the 6th string). so basically heavier gauge like it's an acoustic, but electric strings like it's an electric

[@slakethesnake]

@@kaleidoscopeschool thanks I didn’t know that but I suspected it

[@bathizargupta249]

I bought this to be able to cover a range when gigging solo. Still experimenting with strings. Neither type of string really shines. Considering some DR Zebra strings which have alternating brass and nickel on the wound strings. One goal is to lay down an acoustic loop and solo over it with an electric tone. Bringing one guitar and amp is desirable. I think an A-B switch would give me more flexibility that the built in blend function.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

so far I've primarily used DR Red Devils and Black Beauties (electric strings {with a .012 for the 1st string} heavier gauge) and I've really liked those. I tried electric Elixirs in a heavy gauge and they are very brilliant but a significantly less warm / acoustic vibe, so I think I'm going back to the DRs next string change

[@billyculbert9544]

Hi, I’ve just purchased one of these guitars and I can’t wait to receive it. One thing that I’ve just realized is that I really don’t know anything about the strings as in, whether I use acoustic or nickel wound electric strings and also do I need to use heavier acoustic style gauges? Great video by the way, very informative.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

Use electric strings but gauged heavy e.g. I've been using DR Red Devils or Black Beauties electric strings gauged from .012 to .052/53

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

Really glad you liked the video

[@zengalileo]

I don't think it is flat acoustically at all. I think people who say that really mean "thin" as opposed to "full." But sometimes you need your acoustic guitar to be thin and less boomy with those low-mids in the mix. So it saves the engineer quite a bit of work if it's already there. It's better for strumming I think because if your doing a lot of articulation a lot of notes are buried and get unheard due to its thinness and lack of attack.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

thanks for the thoughtful comment and thanks for watching!

[@robertmaclean5243]

Thank you brother

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

you are welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@philshepherd723]

Great review. I have tried various string sets - interesting you say Electric strings - thought that electric strings would not work with the Piezo? Have a set of DR Zebras on my now A6 but could only buy 12-54’s. Low E is really too loud and possibly feeding back. Would you say that a set of electric 11’s would be ok?

[@charlesmccrone686]

Electric strings are what Godin recommends for this guitar. The electric pickup requires them (I'm pretty sure that's why). The guitar shipped from Godin with electric strings, high E being .012. Since replacing the original strings, I've mostly used DR Red Devils, 012 through 052. www.amazon.com/DR-Strings-Red-Devils-Extra-Life/dp/B001AWUVYM/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=DR+red+devils+electric&qid=1612857978&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-4 not sure if that link will work here.

[@charlesmccrone686]

thanks for watching!!

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

sorry .... I was logged into my non-Kaleidoscope account when I replied to you first, but same guy :)

[@sudanjackson]

Lower the bass-side of the Humbucker, and you should be fine

[@simonsong7239]

very useful, thanks

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

great! Thanks for watching

[@lancerains4185]

Got one in Koa.... Sweet Instrument

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

Thanks for watching. I love the A6

[@45zapatero]

Have you compared this guitar with a Fender Acoustasonic ? From what I am hearing through youtube the Godin sounds maybe a bit less "realistic" concerning the acoustic sound but it doesn't "lack" character like I feel from the Fender guitars.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

I haven't done that comparison. I have two modified Strats (Hello Kitty and a cool Mexi strat) but I've never paid much attention to Fender as an acoustic guitar maker

[@danmcnicholas3357]

I’ve had the Godwin A5, great guitar but sold it. Got the Fender Acoustisonic Jazzmaster & It kicks ass !

[@darrylday30]

I’ve got an Ibanez Montage. Thicker body with built in reverb, chorus, eq and overdrive. Unfortunately, the B-band UST has the typical plastic quack. The mag pickup is not bad but I like yours better. I was considering a change in electronics but perhaps I should just let it go and get a Godin. Thanks for the demo. Nicely done.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

thanks for the feedback. The Godin keeps surprising me. I know sound/tone is a personal preference, but I find it effortless to get the sound I want. Check out the acoustic in this cover I just did: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6S7dItpqr2Cpdk. I played the Hello Kitty acoustic in the video, but the audio was done prior with the A6. I plugged it into the Fishman Loudbox Mini and ran the XLR out to my DAW. Seagull shaped EQ on the A6, slight reverb and just a tiny bit of EQ in the DAW and it sounded like that. In case that URL didnt work: the cover is "A World Beyond - Fleurie // Cover (all guitar layers - electric and acoustic)"... jump to 2nd verse.

[@darrylday30]

@@kaleidoscopeschool I can still hear the piezo a bit but it’s very good. I love the hello kitty guitars. BTW, that’s the first time I’ve heard Fleurie. Wow! Good stuff.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

@@darrylday30 Fleurie is like the most played/watched musician that no one seems to recognize. Her music has been in Marvel stuff and other TV and video game soundtracks, and she's got over a billion KZbin views if you count her contributions to covers her producer has posted (like "In The End Tommee Profitt ft. Fleurie" has like 800 million views). I'm obsessed with her; she is GREAT.

[@darrylday30]

@@kaleidoscopeschool My daughter loves the Marvel stuff! That’s where I’ve heard it.

[@stephenlennartz3466]

How is the setup?-- more acoustic or electric feeling? Nice demo! Thx.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

this may sound wishy washy but it's in between those poles in my opinion. it doesnt play like an electric, aside from sitting closer to your body. but it feels a little more comfortable to solo on than my Taylor. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@stephenmcfarlane7961]

Trying to work out the best strings for this guitar .any recommendations please

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

the concept with the A6 is to use electric strings, but probably in an acoustic gauge....so I have done DR Red Devils or Black Beauties 012 to 052 primarily so far. I really like the tone, sound very acoustic, but like all the coated DR strings, the longevity isn't excellent (they get very dead sounding toward the end of their life). So recently I tried Elixir electric strings, also in a heavy gauge... because I've always felt like Elixirs are the #1 longevity string. However, the tone with the Elixirs was a little less acoustic and super bright and spanky. Not terrible, but not as warmly acoustic as the DR's when they were new. So I think next string change I'm going back.

[@Happy-Me.]

Would you recommend s normal set of electric 10s on this guitar??

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

I probably wouldn't. it seems very playable to me with 12s. I also have a xtSA and the acoustic simulation on that is really good...but I feel like you can tell it has lighter than usual gauge strings for an acoustic tone, so extrapolating from that to the A6, I am guessing it will sound more robustly acoustic with 12s than 10s.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

thanks so much for watching and commenting

[@guitarmike51]

Most important is, you have to use Strings with a wound G String. The bridge inlay is shaped for this. If you use a plain G, the intonation would not be right.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

@@guitarmike51 thanks for watching and commenting!

[@normcote270]

I've done it, and yes, I own 3 so you'll be good with either electric or acoustic strings, I've played live with Earie Ball Super Slinky electric and Earthwood acoustic in both 9 and 10 guage. The acoustic pickup will work with steel strings, don't use hybrid strings like Zebra strings, they suck and they're EXPENSIVE!!!

[@skiadikt]

when you say taylor, are you referring to the T5Z?

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

I have a 2004 Taylor that had/has the expression system, I think it's called. Taylor updated it for me maybe ten years ago, when I mailed the guitar to them to correct cosmetic damage caused by the crappy case it came in coming unhinged and dropping on the face of the guitar. But even the updated system doesn;t really appeal to me. I'm far happier with the Godin A6 tone amplified. I dont think it is a T5Z, but I dont remember the model #

[@Mrdecc100]

@@kaleidoscopeschool Recently the face of my Taylor 616ce acoustic guitar was scratched by the unbalanced cover dropping on the guitar as I removed it from the snug fitting case. When I asked Taylor if they sold an accessory safety lock (ie hinge or latch) to hold the cover open, their response was no one else is complaining about "case bite" and no other mfgs provide this type of safety device. All I can say is, mfgs need to start protecting their guitars, and for God sake get rid of those sharp metal teeth on their latches!. Especially for guitars costing thousands of dollars.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

@@Mrdecc100 when they say no one is complaining, I guess that means I'm "no one". I had this problem years ago with my Taylor getting damaged by a poor quality case latch, and if you had the problem too you can bet there are tons of other people. Whenever a company treats a customer concern like an aberration that's a sign they are getting too big for their britches. My experience with Taylor support overall was so-so. They eventually repaired the damage to my guitar and did a really nice electronics upgrade but I had to pay to ship it to them. Since they actually fixed my case bite problem, there's another piece of evidence that they are telling you BS things. What I've heard from Taylor over years is "our expression system is great, you do like it, don't you?" (**waves watch in front of eyes to induce hypnotic compliance**). I don't like it, and my Godins sound way better with far less monkeying around with EQ...that's my opinion

[@louislabarber6253]

Sounds much better through the Loudbox.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

It is hard to separate my love of Godins from my love of the loudbox. But I do enjoy the A6 for recording direct too

[@stick-itproductions.3307]

Whoa, what kind of strings are those?

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

On this guitar I'm using DR electric strings gauge .012 - ....and they make them in coated red or coated black

[@Hundenminhelmer]

I had this guitar and I`m happy I sold it. To me the acoustic side of this guitar sounded crap. To me it was a huge disappointment. I now have purchased the PRS Hollowbody 2 SE piezo and man, what a sound. I have the Godin Ultra whatever with nylon strings and I love that guitar. I hope for Godin that they remake their A6 to sound more like an acoustic.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

I guess what I'm wondering in light of your comment is what do you think of the tone of the A6 in my demo? Or do you feel like you can tell from the audio? I have never tried the PRS. My main standard of comparison has been Taylor. I like the sound of the A6 through my Fishman amp a lot but I also don't have any problem with its sound though an SWR Workingman Blonde, or in layered recordings. I don't know what I'd do for a solo recording. Maybe mic my Taylor? But my A6 through the Fishman Loudbox then XLR out might be my choice too

[@TJISLA]

Hola que calibre de cuerdas usas 09 o 010

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

De hecho, uso cuerdas eléctricas calibre 012.

[@storyboarddave5860]

Turn the room mic off it sounds terrible.

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

the guitar through it, or the spoken commentary?

[@oscarm4154]

Off it sounds like a tincan

[@kaleidoscopeschool]

It is definitely designed to be plugged in. It's a strange animal. It sounds more acoustic than my very beautiful acoustic Taylor when plugged in, but of course the Taylor sounds great unplugged whereas this guitar definitely does not!