Godin Multiuke
Godin is a Canadian company renowned for its superb guitars, both electric and acoustic, steel and nylon-stringed, and basses (see Godin's website for more). And being Canadian, it's a source of some pride for me to have what is, I believe, the only Canadian-made ukulele around. By the way, it's pronounced "Go-dan" not "Go-din."
The Godin Multiuke is a semi-hollow instrument with a chambered body and a solid top. This allows the sound to develop in ways that a solid-body instrument like the Eleuke can't produce. It also creates an acoustic-like sound that a solid-body instrument can't match. Plus the chambered design eliminates the feedback commonly associated when amplifying acoustic instruments.
The instrument is named after the Multiac series of guitars, and it shares some elements in common, like the cutaway design. However, where the guitars have dual jacks - a standard 1/4" and a 13-pin which offers a separate signal for each string - there is only the single, standard jack output on the ukulele. (Godin also makes a similar mandolin which notes that body is "dual-chambered.")
The Multiuke comes in one size only: tenor (17" scale). That's fine for me, but concert and soprano players may feel left out. Nut width is a comfortable 1.375" (35mm).
Features are rich: onboard three-band EQ (bass, mid and treble tones) plus volume control; radiused fretboard (24": meaning it has a slight but noticeable curve); active piezo pickups - "custom-voiced:" one small pickup for each string on a compensated saddle - with preamp; truss rod; strap pegs and padded gig bag (perhaps the best gig bag I've seen yet). And it has a gorgeous high-gloss finish with an ivory-coloured binding (hard to photograph, it's so shiny...).
While some of the other Multiac instruments feature Fishman and EPM electronics, the uke has RMC amp and electronics installed. The pickups are very sensitive and responsive.
There are a few options for finish: natural (solid cedar top), koa and tobacco-sunburst (solid spruce top). Mine is the sunburst finish; a smoky, dark, somewhat muted surface that has few of the brighter yellows and oranges often seen in sunburst finishes - despite what the photos show.
The instrument is heavy, but surprisingly lighter than my Risa solid-body. And the unplugged sound, white muted compared to an acoustic instrument, is louder than expected, too.
Perhaps to keep the weight down, the geared tuners are open, not enclosed. There is no visible brand marking on them, so I don't know the manufacturer.
The fretboard and bridge are rosewood. Holding the uke, it's hard to notice the radiused fretboard visually, but you can feel it in your hands. I was delighted at how comfortable the neck feels. Turn it over and you can see the neck is bolted on, securely with three impressive bolts. Overall, it's nicely balanced, but the weight suggests a strap is appropriate.
And Godin doesn't use a combo strap peg-input jack; the jack is separate, slightly lower on the bout than the peg.
The quadrophonic bridges under each string is metal - brass - which is interesting of itself, since I've always been interested in brass as an acoustic material, but have never seen it used with nylon strings. The saddles have an arched design like a tiny roofline, which I suspect has to do with fuller distribution of pressure on the piezo bar underneath. The individual saddles are set and not adjustable, but this shouldn't pose any problems even when switching to low-G.
There's a small compartment on the back to hold the 9-volt battery that powers the onboard electronics. There's also a cover so technicians can get at the EQ for any repair or adjustment.
The Multiuke comes with D'Addario Titanium strings, high-G, all unwound. I suspect the nut slot may have to be widened marginally to accommodate a low-G string. I hadn't used these strings before this instrument, but really like them. Clear, smooth and bright-sounding. They may become my favourite for all my ukes from now on! I've asked the local music store to order me some sets.
The padded gig bag (or soft case) is extremely well-built and padded, and fits the uke nicely. However, it has no inside pouches, and only a medium-sized outer front pocket (one in which a Snark or similar tuner raises an uncomfortable bulge). It could benefit from a larger pocket on the back side for music books and a small pouch inside. (According to this review, the gig bag used to come with an inner pocket...)
I've read comments that, for the price of the Multiuke, a hardshell case should be included. While I can't speak to the commercial decision to include a gig bag, any hardshell case would be custom-built, and add more expense. The Multiuke certainly doesn't fit in any standard tenor case I have. I'm okay with the gig bag.
The big question is always: how does it sound? Unamplified, the Multiuke is soft but loud enough to be heard in a quiet room, and has a fair bit more sustain than you might expect. I play it around the house a lot unplugged. It's not really suitable for performance unamplified, but it's fine for my style.
Amplified, it sounds like... well, the amplifier, of course. On a clean setting, it has an acoustic-like sound, but a bit crisper without quite the harmonies and echoes of a traditional wooden body. It doesn't sound like a mic'ed acoustic ukulele, but it does sound good as its own voice.
For a specific sound, I tend to set the onboard EQ to low treble, mid-mid and high bass, then use the amp settings to further refine the sound. I experimented with the EQ settings and found it nicely balanced and never gets too shrill or boomy at any setting.
Like I said earlier, the pickups are wonderfully responsive: chords sound as clear and smooth as single notes without ever getting muddy. It has a lovely balance. Some other electric or electro-acoustic ukes have hot spots on their pickups and require some tweaking of the dials to get a nice balance. The Godin does it right out of the box.
Love this uke. It's a real treasure, and very well made.
I want to try a low-G string too, which I think could add some fullness to the sound. And I am eager to get a Ravish Sitar pedal to see what sort of fun I can have with the two combined!
Would I purchase another
Multiuke? Yes! But a different finish.
Would I recommend them to others? Yes, unreservedly.
Rating (0-5): *****
Status: Currently my go-to choice ukulele.
