Godin Grand Concert HG Natural vs. ACS Cedar Natural and the Cordoba Studio Negra

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Godin Grand Concert HG Natural vs. ACS Cedar Natural and the Cordoba Studio Negra - Over the Rainbow

Рет қаралды 28,064

Күн бұрын

In this video, Ricky talks about his experience with two Godin electric nylon guitars, as well as with the Cordoba Studio Negra. At the end of the video, Ricky plays excerpts from Over the Rainbow.
I returned my first Godin ACS Cedar Natural to Sam Ash music store primarily because of 4 reasons: discomfort due to the longer neck, the higher E-string slipping off the fretboard, the twangy sound of the instrument and the overly bassy sound of the lower strings.
I was able to replace the Cedar Natural with Godin's new Grand Concert HG Natural (model number 12817 wc), and now am very satisfied with it. The neck does not present any discomfort, there's much less twangyness, no slippery slips off the fretboard, and significantly less bass and more natural sound. This guitar is an absolute pleasure to play!
I'm still very happy with with my other electric nylon guitar, the Cordoba Negra (Studio model). My only gripe with it is the somewhat higher action around the 12th fret (upper register) - I find it much more fatiguing to play than my new Godin guitar or my other primary jazz guitars - the Eastman AR 805 CE and the Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II.
The live recording of Andalucian Prophecy can be accessed by clicking on this link: • Andalucian Prophecy - ...
The studio recording of Andalucian Prophecy is available at the online Nimbit Music Store at www.nimbitmusic....
and on Spotify at open.spotify.c...
2:23 Andalucian Prophecy
6:45 Roswell Mini K47 microphone
9:00 Piezo pickups
10:00 13-pin midi out
11:13 Cordoba Studio Negra
16:45 Boss ME-80
19:05 Open-Back Headphones
21:43 Over the Rainbow solo guitar
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Ricky Molina is Richard Wiegand's stage name which celebrates and commemorates his mother's heritage and ancestry from northern Spain. Ricky's Mom is from Valdivia, Chile.
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Thank you for watching and listening!

Пікірлер: 94

@rossgill7462 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this, Ricky. This has been helpful as I look into buying a Godin nylon-stringed guitar. From the Godin website I see that the Grand Concert actually has a slightly longer scale length than the ACS (25.66" vs 25.5") but the difference is negligible. At the moment, though, I'm leaning more to the Multiac Encore mainly for its smaller body size and slightly narrower nut (1.9" vs 2"). The longer neck (that joins the body at the 15th fret vs the 12th) doesn't concern me as it is the same length as the neck on my Godin A6 Ultra which also shares the same smaller body dimensions. So other than the different nut width and the difference in string type, the guitar should feel comfortably familiar. I'm also intrigued by the Godin A12 (also a 1.9" nut) but that's another story.

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

Great guitars all. The longer and narrower fretboard lends itself more to soloing than chordal playing, I've found. All depends on your style and interest.

@zanardini1000 3 жыл бұрын

good morning Molina my name is Giovanni and I am Italian, I have recently purchased a very nice and comfortable Godin acs cedar nylon, I would like to combine it with a Roland gr55 synthesizer but first I would like to understand how it works I would not like it to be too complex .. you could do a combined demonstration to Godin !! thank you

@rickymolina7390 3 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately, I don't own a Roland GR55 guitar synth. I use Midi Guitar 2 from Jam Origin (plugin) to translate the analog signal into midi. I then access midi sound library plugins (like Spitfire audio, Project SAM, Native Instruments plugins, etc.) to generate instrument sound. I find that non-nylon electric guitars work better than nylon string electrics for triggering midi, by the way. You get better clarity (less ghost notes). So I only use my Godin classical guitar for analog recording (when mic-ing an amp) or direct using my ME-80. I hope that helps. You can find a few videos on KZfaq about Jam Origin's Midi Guitar 2. Some famous guitarists use it to play live. Hope that helps!

@alankennedy5842 4 жыл бұрын

Well done Ricky. A clear and concise description of the guitars. I've always been a great fan of Godin guitars and have two XTSA guitars, which I use in the studio. I do love to play classical guitars because of the 12th fret join at the body. It makes playing a lot of more easier and less tiring. Will be adding a Godin Grand Concert to my wish list. Having played one recently, I found it an utter joy to play and the tracking on it with the GR20 was perfect. Thanks again for a very informative video. Take care.

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

Must be loads of fun with the GR20!

@alankennedy5842 4 жыл бұрын

@@rickymolina7390 it's a world orchestra in a box. Far better than the Gr55.

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

@@alankennedy5842 Very cool.

@tbeau6663 2 ай бұрын

outstanding tones

@rickymolina7390 2 ай бұрын

yup, it's a great guitar!

@ed.t.hansen6499 3 жыл бұрын

interesting. the concert grand has steel frets and no problem always w/ nylon strings ? Now I like to try the acs slim with the same .

@JasonBrockStick 4 жыл бұрын

Thank You! Only 15mins in so far and you have conveyed more information (in a very clear manor) than all the videos I have seen so far! Luckily I did see one other video days after ordering my first Godin guitar that made me run back to Long and McQuade to cancel that order and choose the Grand Concert :) You confirmed beyond what I learnt from the first! Really looking forward to receiving it! Could be any day or a couple more week with all that's going on. You earned yourself another subscriber sir! You are a great player and thanks for sharing your knowledge! I will be watching more of you :) .... starting NOW!

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@michaelche2994 5 ай бұрын

Hi , Ricky,what kind of strings do you use?

@rickymolina7390 5 ай бұрын

Hi, I use D'Addario Pro Arte normal tension silverplated wound strings. I avoid high-tension strings. Also, avoid the cheaper D'Addario Classic Nylon strings, they're not as resonant. I know that there are more expensive strings out there, but I'm not a concert classical player, so not necessary. The Pro Artes have a great sound and I do all my studio recordings with them.🎼

@timnk1541 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the informative video! Which string and tension (normal vs high) did you have for the Cordoba GK Studio? I have the same guitar, I love it but it doesn’t sound close to yours. Were you recording with an external mic or via the built-in mic? Thanks!

@rickymolina7390 3 жыл бұрын

I'm using regular tension D'Adario (spelling?) ProArte classical normal tension. I think for this video I played the Godin through a Boss ME-80 with a lightly compressed setting with some delay and reverb hooked up to a Fender Blues Junior tube amp, mic'd with a Roswell mini K47 condenser mic. The mic was then hooked up to an UAD Apollo Twin Mark 2 with a Neve compressor on the way in. Most likely I then tweaked the sound a bit in the DAW with either Izotope Netron 3 / Ozone 9, and then perhaps a wee bit of reverb using Nimbus - can't remember offhand -exactly but that's what I usually do with the Godin. These days, I would also use Gullfoss for a final polish on the master fader.

@jctoth 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Ricky, great video! I found a lot of helpful information about the Godin Grand Concert in your video. I’ve been playing classical guitar (not very well) for about 43 years and like you am looking for a guitar that doesn’t require quite so much effort to play. So thank you for the very helpful video. I do have one question for you: Do you like normal or high tension strings on your Godin? Thanks again.

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comments. I prefer normal tension strings. I recommend the D'Addario Pro Arte classical strings, normal tension.

@mrosecrossroads 4 жыл бұрын

Would you say the Godin ACS sounded just as good plugged in?

@user-pd1oc2zs9q 3 жыл бұрын

It’s so hard to find helpful analysis of equipment. Well done! Thank you!

@rickymolina7390 3 жыл бұрын

You're quite welcome. Thank you.

@easyfingerstyleguitar Жыл бұрын

Nice video, the Godin sounds great. do you play the Godin more often now than the Cordoba

@rickymolina7390 Жыл бұрын

Yes, I do. I find it easier to play and I can plug it into my Boss ME-80 (will probably end up buying the newer multi-effects processor GX-100), with headphones when practicing or composing when I don't want to wake up anyone. With a touch of delay and reverb and good headphones sounds phenomenal.

@director2bob Жыл бұрын

I have been lusting for a Godin Nylon with a MIDI pickup for longest time. Tonight about 1/2 ago I bought a MINT Godin Grand Concert SA for $999 from Reverb. I was not even thinking about neck size but sure happy I went with the Grand Concert versus the standard or slim neck version. After watching your review I was so happy to hear you prefer the Grand Concert to the smaller 1 7/8 neck found on their other guitars. I recently sold a Spanish Flamenco because the neck was too thin. Prior to that I had the same Cordoba classical you showed in your video and found that guitar very easy to play. So hearing you say the Godin plays even better than the Cordoba truly made me feel like I made a smart purchase today. Thanks for the video. It was very helpful!!

@ZoneTwelveOnline 5 ай бұрын

That a really good price. They're around 4k new these days. I have one paid around $1800 AUD for it. The neck and overall feel is top end, love it.

@dovane9932 4 жыл бұрын

Very informative. Can you explain how do you blend a mic'd track with a D.I track please?

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

You would need an interface that can accept two or more lines at once - e.g. Apollo Twin, AudioBox or Focusrite. One line in is for the mic (which will need a pre-amp of some kind), the second is direct out (DI) from the Godin or Acoustic with a pickup of some kind. These become 2 separate tracks inside your DAW. You'll process them slightly differently (EQ, compression, delay, reverb etc.) and pan them to seaparate sides to create depth. Here's a link to a great video on the subject: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z8qjhZNkr7mpYKM.html Hope that helps!

@dovane9932 4 жыл бұрын

@@rickymolina7390 Thanks ! That helps, definitly. I looked for the video about «midi guitar» on your channel but i could'nt find it? Best from France.

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

@@dovane9932 Hi, that's because I didn't release it yet - kind of on the back burner - but I plan to discuss the shortcomings of midi guitar recording (Fishman Triple Play is not optimal, for example). Better results with Jam Origin's midi Guitar 2 plugin. Godin results were pretty good as well. Best results so far with an electric guitar with a good fretboard and lighter strings (10's for example) with quarter inch jack hooked up DI to an interface like Apollo Twin (thunderbolt) with Jam Origin instantiated inside the DAW. That would be my best recommendation. Merci pour votre question!

@dovane9932 4 жыл бұрын

@@rickymolina7390 Je vous en prie!☺ i dream about Appollo twin but i am about to buy a Windows p.c and i really wonder if UAD really works with anything else than Apple. That is a lot of money for me... Thanks for the feedback anyway!

@johnpower2018 4 жыл бұрын

How about the neck dimensions. I have one of the Godin GCs coming to try it out. I do not like big chunky necks because I like to use my thumb for certain chord configurations. I have a Ramirez 4NE and I love the sound of it but its quite a stretch to fret the low e string with my thumb. Its not the 2" nut width as much as it is the dimensions of the neck, which is a U type shape. We play as lot of Latin stuff like boleros, bossa novas, etc. and that will be the primary purpose of this guitar. Its not like you can walk into your local music store and see one of these. Can you give me some idea as to the feel of the neck?

@rickymolina7390 2 жыл бұрын

Ok, my experience has been that the it's not a neck that you can wrap your thumb around to cover bass notes on the lowest string, for example. Nut width is wide, which is great for finger picking. If you want the narrower neck, go with the non-classical model - something like the Arena Flame Maple godinguitars.com/product/arena-flame-maple-cw-dual-source-eq

@andreykarayvansky9549 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your video. A small correction: longer stings with the same diameter and the same pitch are actually tighter, not looser.

@dxn2 4 жыл бұрын

Nice review. Do you get any volume out of the Godin unplugged. Just thinking how it would sound practicing while on the couch unplugged.

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

Not really. That would sound like an electric gtr with nylon strings. You'd need an amp or plug into a Boss ME-80 sort of thing (as I do) and use headphones. Sounds great this way.

@dxn2 4 жыл бұрын

@@rickymolina7390 Thanks so much for the response. I appreciate it.

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

Pleasure.

@ronnywatson2209 2 жыл бұрын

The 13 pin jack is NOT MIDI. You have to use a Roland type COSM device and use that to generate MIDI output.

@rickymolina7390 2 жыл бұрын

Yes that's right. Good point, thank you.

@ronnywatson2209 2 жыл бұрын

@@rickymolina7390 Thank you for making this video. I found it very helpful.

@rickymolina7390 2 жыл бұрын

You're quite welcome.

@tonyhartley871 2 жыл бұрын

Rick do you always do solo and find no guitars are best used that way? I love the Godin. I play in praise band and use arpeggio finger picking where I can but I have found that my Takamine nylon w/ K&K and even my hybrid Ibanez nylon get washed out by the other instruments. I inquired and was about to pull the trigger and pick up a Godin Encore but was told not even that was the silver bullet I need. I still can't put the Godin out of my mind and the one you just played makes me want one even more , but since I mostly play rhythm I guess I should stick to steel strings like my 810 Taylor also with a K&K.

@clientbuilding8737 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ricky for a great review. I’m wanting to get my first nylon string guitar to make it easier on my hands. Currently only play a steal string Martin. So I’m learning lots about the differences. Unfortunately I play left handed and it’s hard to try them out before purchasing. So I count on others reviews. I don’t currently own an amp but do have a DAW plugged into a MacBook Pro with Studio monitors (or closed headphones, which you mentioned not good to use while practicing) that I could use as my amp. The problem is can’t move around the house. Have you ever tried using your Godin with an irig plugged into an iPad using a Bluetooth speaker? Any other suggestions?

@Antonio_jazz Жыл бұрын

Hi Ricky. What strings do you use?

@rickymolina7390 Жыл бұрын

Here's what I use: for Jazz fingerpicking D'Addario Nickel wound 11-49, for that Wes or Benson sound Thomastik Jazz Bebop 12-50, for classical gtrs D'Addario Pro Arte normal tension, and for acoustic steel string Martin custom light phosphor bronz 11-52. That's what generally works for me.

@rickymolina7390 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for clarifying!

@Antonio_jazz Жыл бұрын

@@rickymolina7390 Thanks to you.

@ThinkingCap_ 4 жыл бұрын

And thank you very much for this extremely informative video. Just finished watching, I am a purely acoustic player but I'm investing in a Godin nylon tomorrow and am at a loss as far as what kind of gear I should get. I live in a studio apartment, and would like to use this for recording so usually with headphones.

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

I love practicing and recording through my Boss ME-80 (headphone jack) into an Apollo Twin Mark 2 interface. No preamp plugin needed on the UAD Console if you use the ME-80 on the way in.

@ed.t.hansen6499 3 жыл бұрын

like to compare with the ACS slim ! I see the spectrum is discontinued that had the 11/16" Nut. Super slim .- nice.

@gisantos3060 3 жыл бұрын

I have the acs slim nylon and the multiac steel! Awesome guitars!

@rickymolina7390 3 жыл бұрын

The steel sounds great in videos I've watched. Hope to acquire one someday. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

@goswo 4 жыл бұрын

Great to watch. Do a non classictraimed electric amd steel string player, who need a nylon strings (side by side with my steel strings) can get used to a 2 inch neck? I need to switch between guitars....

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

absolutely...transitioning between gtrs with different neck widths may take a few minutes or so to get accustomed to, but it's no problem

@goswo 4 жыл бұрын

Ricky Molina thanks Sir. Think I will give it a go 😀

@user-cz3ec5cd9z 2 жыл бұрын

What does( ACS SA )mean in Godin guitar?

@FilmFlam 2 ай бұрын

Good info but the Godan still sounds too piezo(ee?) to me. Playability and tone are my two biggest requirements. Especially with my aging hands.

@rickymolina7390 2 ай бұрын

yes, playability is great but there's nothing like miking up a real classical gtr (like Earl Klugh on his later solo albums).

@brianm2022 11 ай бұрын

22:34 You almost played my song "Got Your Latte".

@rickymolina7390 11 ай бұрын

Where Can I hear your song? Thanks.

@brianm2022 11 ай бұрын

@@rickymolina7390 Brian M click.

@ThinkingCap_ 4 жыл бұрын

Best amp for Godin nylons?

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

Any Fender tube amp (small is ok too). I like using an ME-80 to give it just a bit of compression and pre-amp. Or a Fender Mustang solid state is ok as well. Fishman acoustic solid state is also good but quite heavy - it's better than the Fender acoustic models. But I prefer the tube amp sound.

@jazzman1954 3 жыл бұрын

When you sit down with a guitar you should use a strap. Keep your back straight. Much less likely to get back pain.

@rickymolina7390 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, good advice.

@xsamitt Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video!!

@rickymolina7390 Жыл бұрын

You're quite welcome!

@ed.t.hansen6499 3 жыл бұрын

can't get midi out thru 1/4 and get different instruments like the GR55 does.

@gisantos3060 3 жыл бұрын

Use the 13pin output instead

@enriqueponticas743 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your advice, just reaffirm my decision. Last week I returned the Godin ACS Cedar natural, I'm ordering the Grand Concert.

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

I think you'll like the Grand Concert!

@dariushrezaei7783 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. Godin Guitar made in Canada. Cordoba made in China.

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your input. Good to know.

@dariushrezaei7783 4 жыл бұрын

@@rickymolina7390 My Cordoba Gypsy King Electro has a bump on the back body after using only one year, so I decided to dig in see Where they are made and ending up CHINA! Even Gypsy King don't use them, They are Alhambra guys. I guess they were paid to ad for Cordoba. Thanks again for the video, I'm thinking to get a Godin Grand Concert.

@JM-eq3sx 2 жыл бұрын

What does 'ACS' stand for?

@rickymolina7390 2 жыл бұрын

The ACS blends classical guitar concepts with elements of solid body design

@JM-eq3sx 2 жыл бұрын

@@rickymolina7390 Thanks. While your description of the overall guitar is correct, I believe ACS stands for ACoustic Synth. That is directly from someone I contacted at Godin's "support clients/customer service." Godin's names are very hard to understand. They don't seem to think defining their little marketing terms is that important, so we end up with everyone guessing. Great instruments, but like so many smaller companies, they become negligent or unconscious of some things because they live in their own little world. A simple comparison chart for their nylon guitar models, along with a clearly written, descriptive glossary of marketing terms like "ambience" and "multiac" would go a long way.

@rickymolina7390 2 жыл бұрын

@@JM-eq3sx I agree. Thanks for clarifying the model name . I haven't ever used the synth plug with a Roland module, e.g., because I use JamOrigin Midi 2 to access virtual instruments when necessary. Maybe that's why I overlooked the model name.

@RomanDiyanovGuitar 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you . It's best review and comparing, that I ever seen. I have a ACS, and slipping off from 1 string often dissapointes me. Your video inspired me to will get Grand Concert ) Sorry for so strange english, but I cant better in it )) Hugs and best wishes to You from Russia

@rickymolina7390 3 жыл бұрын

You're quite welcome. You will love the Grand Concert guitar I'm sure.

@rickymolina7390 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful performance your rendition of "Old Maple" - enjoyed it!

@RomanDiyanovGuitar 3 жыл бұрын

Oh, thank You for a kind words )

@RomanDiyanovGuitar 3 жыл бұрын

Subscribed to your channel. To support a good person :)

@rickymolina7390 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I did as well!

@kostasvlachos4262 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this

@CalonegoMusic 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful review. Beautiful usefull guitars .. Great

@rickymolina7390 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, a pleasure.

@sheddybhulji8196 2 жыл бұрын

Great video thanks

@bz1994 3 жыл бұрын

Not over the rainbow 🌈 but great review

@ed.t.hansen6499 3 жыл бұрын

neck length !! Try going from a std to a Rickenbacker shorty like Lennon plaid. ! Like cutting the neck in half; almost.

@JamesGowan Жыл бұрын

Godin is French and is pronounced go-DAN

@davidpatrick1813 4 жыл бұрын

I remember reading in the bible where Yah said he set the rainbow in the sky to remind him that he didn't want to destroy mankind again. ... too bad the society perverted the words...

@RollinElehmental 4 жыл бұрын

🤦🏻‍♂️🙄