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Perceived as the top model in the Godin bass range, the A4 is essentially a slimline electro-acoustic bass in looks and sounds, but with a definite electric bass guitar feel about it.

This version has the SA suffix - SA stands for Synth Access, not semi-acoustic - and the instrument is equipped with a 13-pin output socket that allows connection to outboard devices (like Roland's GR-33).

Godin is one of the few companies that cater for this market - pioneered with the Multiac six-string - and while it was once seen as the 'new frontier' for the electric guitar and bass, the reality is that it's a niche, although one that for the creative musician is remarkably powerful.

But what of the bass itself, both as a standalone instrument and as the vehicle for producing great and varied sounds when using the synth link?

Overview

Without a doubt Godin's A4 SA (and the A5, the five-string version) bass is rather special. The 'acoustic' appearance neatly hides the fact that this has always been a very sophisticated design.

The controls are designed to look like a slotted soundhole (they do act as a sound port as well) and now along with the EQ and other controls we get the additional program stepping that the synth-ready system requires.

You may have noticed that visually, little has changed from the earlier A4 model.

The SA models now use a spruce rather than cedar top and when you look closely at the bridge you'll notice it's a little more angled and uses individual custom Godin/RMC saddle transducers.

As with the rest of the A Series instruments, the body features sound chambers that add a sort of woodiness to the acoustic sound quality of the bass, plus they play a useful part in reducing the weight.

The body back is made from silver leaf maple and the natural top is solid spruce, giving the instrument a highly contemporary look.

Contrasting this is the black gloss of the headstock face, and this serves to mimic the darkness of the bridge, like buffers at either end of a train line, with quite beautiful results.

A pair of string trees are set into the headstock to make sure that all four strings have sufficient break angle behind the nut.

Another piece of good news is that the price includes a good quality canvas gigbag with extra neck protection and multiple internal pockets - ideal for any bass player on the move. Both the A4 and A5 are also available fretless.

Of course, if you wish to make use of the 13-pin facility you will need to plug into something like the Roland GR-20.

While the GR-20 is designed to sit on the floor, a GI-20 will need additional footswitches for live use but remains very powerful; "The best Guitar-MIDI Interface on the planet," boasts Roland, and we're not arguing.

Both offer fast note tracking with no discernable latency from plucking to electrified sound. As for what you ultimately want to feed it through, however, well that's entirely up to you.