Godin Freeway SA User manual

Congratulations and thank you for choosing a Godin guitar. Each
Godin guitar is meticulously crafted from the finest materials to pro-
vide you with an instrument worthy of a lifetime of music making.
Our goal with each Godin guitar is to find the perfect balance
between the finest traditions of guitar crafting, the new design con-
cepts that we are developing, and the integration of the latest devel-
opments in related electronics. From the selection of the wood to the
final adjustments to the finished instrument, each Godin
guitar is designed and built by people who love guitars.
Enjoy your new guitar.
The Freeway SA is a guitar of exceptional potential. We begin by crafting
the most acoustically responsive instrument possible. The connection
between the neck and body is crucial to the tone and response of the gui-
tar and with that in mind each Freeway neck and body are individually
matched and joined in a deep, and exceptionally tight, neck pocket that is
free of any paint, glue, or finish. The Freeway's humbucker-single-hum-
bucker pickup configuration makes the most of the guitar's responsive-
ness producing a broad spectrum of tones, including; big humbucker
crunch, wailing Blues, and clean chime-like sounds—to name a few. The
SA (synth access) takes the Freeway into the realm of synth/computer
access. This is made possible via a built-in 13-pin connector courtesy of
Robert Godin

the revolutionary Ghost pickup system installed in the bridge. The Ghost
system uses a proprietary harmonic dampening system that results in
superb tracking. Godin's pioneering designs in guitars with synth access
have led the industry and the Freeway continues the tradition establishing
new benchmarks for response and ease-of-use.
Electric Guitar Tones
The Freeway SA delivers electric sounds via the Godin humbucker-single-
humbucker pickup configuration. 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. To run through these sounds in the Freeway
use a standard guitar cord into your guitar amp. Note: always remember
to complete all connections before you turn your amp on. Turn the vol-
ume and tone knobs, on the guitar, all the way up (clockwise) and follow
the pickup diagram to sample each of the pickup combinations using the
five-way switch.
The 13-Pin* Connection
As with all of Godin synth-access instruments, a built-in 13-pin connector
provides direct access to various devices. The 13-pin connector provides
hexaphonic output, hexaphonic is the term used to describe a system that
sends a separate signal for each string. The hexaphonic signal from the
13-pin connector provides direct access to Roland GR-Series synths, the
GI-20 interface and the various V guitar products that Roland has devel-
oped around the same 13-pin interface.
*Note: the 13-pin cable is provided with the Roland GR synth or interface.
Onboard Controls for the 13-pin Connection
There are three controls on the guitar that pertain to the 13-pin connec-
tion. The synth-volume knob controls the volume of the synth. The
momentary switch doubles the functions of the S1 and S2 buttons on
Roland's GK pickup. The momentary switch is primarily used for chang-
ing programs on the synth. The third control is a 3-way toggle switch that
selects between: just synth, synth & guitar and just guitar. Note: the 3-
way toggle applies to the signals carried by the 13-pin connector, but will
not affect the guitar signal when the guitar is plugged directly from the
regular guitar output jack.
When used on its own, the 13-pin connector carries the guitar signal as
well as the hexaphonic signal. When used this way the guitar sound
comes out—blended with the synth sound—from the stereo outputs in the
GR device.
Tip: Many guitar players prefer to run their guitar sound directly into an
amp or effects device. You can remove the guitar signal from the stereo
output of the GR-Synth by running a guitar cord from the Guitar Out jack
in GR directly to your guitar amp. If you prefer to plug in to your amp
directly from the guitar, you can eliminate the guitar signal from the stereo
output of the GR by inserting a spare cord—or dummy jack—into the
Guitar Out jack in the back of the Roland device.

Care and Maintenance
The Freeway neck is reinforced by a double-action truss rod system, the
truss rod provides for easy adjustment when the neck reacts to changes
in relative humidity. Truss rod adjustments should only be made by a qual-
ified guitar technician. To avoid drying out your fingerboard apply lemon oil
on a soft cloth and then to your fingerboard. Allow the ebony to soak in
the oil for a few minutes before removing the excess. This should be done
with the strings removed and at least once every year. The easiest way to
keep your guitar clean is by simply using a polishing cloth without using
any polishes at all. However if you are going to use a polish please use a
non-abrasive non-wax based polish. Apply the polish on a cloth first. Do
not spray it directly on to the guitar. After you have polished the area you
are working on turn the cloth over to a 'dry' side and remove any excess
residue.
Wood reacts to changes in humidity. Too much dryness or moisture in the
air can have a negative affect on your guitar.
If your guitar is exposed to extreme temperature changes do not open
your case without first allowing the temperature in the case to slowly
return to normal. This will help prevent finish checking.
Enjoy your new guitar.
Specs
Neck: Rock Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood w/ Radius 12"
Body: Silverleaf Maple center w/ Poplar wings
Nut: Tusq
Scale: 25 ½"
Bridge: floating trem equipped with Ghost saddle pickups and the
Hexpander Modular Pre-amp
Frets: 22 medium jumbo
Pickups: Neck: Godin GHN1
Middle: Godin GS1
Bridge: Godin GHB1
Controls: 5-way pickup switch, volume and tone.
Controls for the Ghost system: Momentary mini toggle serves multiple
functions on a GR-Series guitar synth.
3-Way mini toggle selects between synth, guitar or both.
Volume for synth.
Outputs: ¼" standard guitar output jack
13-pin connector for hexaphonic output
Original Purchaser's Limited Warranty
The Godin Guitar Co. warrants this instrument with regards to materials
and workmanship for a period of ONE year from the date of original pur-
chase to the original purchaser. The instrument shall be purchased only
from an Authorized Godin dealer.
Should the product require service, The Godin Guitar Co. will repair or
replace the product free of charge during the warranty period. This war-
ranty shall include all parts and labour.
If service is required, contact your Authorized Godin dealer at which point
it will be determined whether the guitar can be serviced locally, or should
be returned to the factory. All return freight and insurance charges will be
paid by the customer.
The following are not covered by the Godin warranty:
Any instrument upon which the Serial number has been altered in any
way.
Any instrument that has been damaged due to misuse, neglect, or acci-
dent.
Normal wear and tear including machine heads, worn frets, saddles and
nuts.
Strings and batteries.
Any instrument that has been subjected to extreme changes in tempera-
ture or humidity.
Cracking or discoloration to the finish.
The Godin Guitar Co. assumes no liability for any loss of income, dissatis-
faction, or damages arising from the loss of use of this product due to
defects or availability of the product during service.