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If you’ve been browsing for a new guitar, you’ve probably come across guitars by Godin. This company isn’t as popular as other brands, causing one to wonder how good its guitars are.
Godin has a fabulous reputation for crafting premium guitars and is highly regarded in jazz guitar circles. Whether you’re looking for an electric, acoustic, or bass, Godin has something for you.
The following instruments are some of the best Godin guitars on the market.
Table of Contents
Best Godin Electric Guitars
Radium – Best Overall
If you have a decent budget and are looking for a powerhouse guitar, the Godin Radium is for you. This guitar is essentially a hybrid of 2 of Godin’s most popular guitar models.
The Radium has a body consisting of Canadian Laurentian Basswood. Its shape is similar to the Godin Stadium, which is a sort of modified T-style guitar.
Mahogany is used for the neck, which has a D-shape contour and a scale length of 24.75”. The fretboard is crafted from Rosewood to have a 12” radius, with 22 frets outlined by Pearloid dot inlays.
Other hardware on the Radium includes:
- NuBone nut
- Wraparound stopbar bridge
- Closed-gear tuners
Tonally, the Radium takes its inspiration from the Godin Radiator, featuring an HSH pickup combination. These pickups include:
- 2 x custom Godin humbuckers
- Custom cajun Nickel single-coil
To make the most of these pickups, a 5-way switch, as well as a volume and tone knob, are provided. The tone knob doubles as a coil-split, allowing you to split the humbuckers into single coils for expanded tone.
Sweetening the deal is the fact that a gig bag comes included with the Radium.
You can get the Radium in a number of color options, including:
- Winchester brown
- Carbon black
- Matte green
Overall, the Radium is truly a guitar that performs above other guitars in its price range. Quality craftsmanship and exquisite tonal possibilities are just a few of the highlights of this guitar.
5th Avenue Uptown T-Armond – Best Premium
Been looking for a luxurious archtop guitar for your collection? Don’t pass up the Godin 5th Avenue Uptown T-Armond (see price on Sweetwater, Amazon).
This hollow-body guitar oozes vintage style, in both aesthetics and tone. Its body is crafted from Canadian Wild Cherry and has 2 large f-shape soundholes for a classic look.
The neck is crafted from Silver Leaf Maple to have a D-shape contour with a 24.84” scale length. Richlite is used for the fretboard, which has a 16” radius and 21 frets outlined by Pearloid dot inlays.
Other hardware on the 5th Avenue Uptown T-Armond includes:
- Tusq nut
- Tune-O-Matic bridge
- Bigsby vibrato
- Closed-gear tuners with 18:1 ratio/26:1 ratio (bass/treble)
The real star of the show here is the pair of T-Armond TV Jones pickups. These are essentially single-coil pickups that provide crystal clear treble projection and plenty of tasty twang.
For tone control, the 5th Avenue Uptown T-Armond features a 3-way switch, as well as a volume and tone knob.
This is definitely the guitar you’ve been looking for if you’ve been searching for something with vintage tones. It has craftsmanship characteristics of guitars beyond its price range, ensuring a great value.
5th Avenue Kingpin – Best Budget
On a budget, but searching for something that has true class and an unmistakable vintage style? You’ll want to look at the Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin (see price on Sweetwater, Amazon).
The 5th Avenue Kingpin takes inspiration from traditional jazz box guitars, featuring a body shape similar to an acoustic guitar. Rather than a single, centered soundhole, this has 2 f-shape soundholes guaranteed to produce warm tones.
This guitar’s body is crafted completely of Canadian Wild Cherry, with a laminated top of the same material.
The neck is crafted from Silver Leaf Maple to have a cantilevered C-shape contour and a 24.84” scale length. Rosewood is used for the fretboard, which has a 16” radius, and 21 frets outlined by dot inlays.
Other hardware found on the 5th Avenue Kingpin includes:
- Tusq nut
- Adjustable Tusq bridge
- Trapeze tailpiece
- Open-gear Nickel tuners
Tonally, this guitar is equipped with 1 Kingpin P90 pickup at the neck position. With the volume and tone knob, you can dial in tones that are certainly warm and creamy.
This is definitely a worthy investment for somebody in search of a more traditional jazz-style guitar. Its price is well-suited for intermediate budgets, though it has playability suitable for any professional.
Best Godin Bass Guitars
A4 Ultra Fretless – Best Overall
Looking for one of the absolute best bass guitars you could ever hope to find on the market? Don’t pass up a chance at looking at the Godin A4 Ultra Fretless (see price on Sweetwater, Amazon).
Compared to other bass guitars, the A4 Ultra Fretless is loaded with options and constructed for the professional. Godin has outdone itself by creating a bass that is truly built for high performance.
In a way, the A4 Ultra Fretless is a sort of hybrid between an acoustic guitar, and an electric. Its Laurentian Basswood body features 2 large chambers for resonation, which its Spruce top takes advantage of.
The neck is made of Maple to have a D-shape contour and a 34” scale length. Its Richlite fretboard has a 16” radius.
Godin has added visual fret markers on the side of the fretboard. This keeps the guesswork out of the equation and allows for more accurate notation.
One unique thing that Godin has added here is a ledge for your thumb to be placed on. This is something other manufacturers don’t typically do, and it adds a larger degree of comfort.
Other hardware here includes:
- Tusq nut
- Ebony bridge
- 20:1 ratio tuners
The A4 Ultra Fretless is chock full of tonal options, proving it isn’t at all like any other bass guitar. For pickups, this bass is stocked with:
- Lace Sensor magnetic pickup
- LR Baggs piezo (undersaddle)
Along with this, Godin has provided 2 output jacks, each oriented to each pickup. You can also mix the 2 pickups for a tone that takes the best of both worlds.
Because really, with this, you’re getting both an acoustic and electric bass, for use in almost any situation.
Plus, a gig bag comes included with the bass.
A5 Ultra Fretless – Best Premium
Do you like the idea of the A4 Ultra Fretless, but wish there was a 5-string version? Well, the Godin A5 Ultra Fretless (see price on Sweetwater, Guitar Center) is the answer to your prayers.
On the whole, this is essentially the same as the A4 Ultra Fretless, with the addition of an extra string.
All of the same great features are here, such as:
- Double-chambered Laurentian Basswood body
- D-shape Maple neck with a 34” scale length
- Richlite fretboard with a 16” radius
- Ebony bridge
- Tusq nut
- 20:1 ratio tuners
Like the A4 Ultra Fretless, the real star of the show is in its electric capabilities. There are 2 different pickups on the A5 Ultra Fretless, including:
- Lace Sensor magnetic pickup
- LR Baggs piezo (undersaddle)
Godin has provided 2 different output jacks that correspond to each pickup. You can also blend the 2 together for even more expansive tonal options.
On top of this, the A5 Ultra Fretless has controls for volume and tone levels.
A gig bag does come included with the purchase of the A5 Ultra Fretless.
Again, like its 4-stringed brethren, the A5 Ultra Fretless is a dream come true for many bass players. This is one of those bass guitars that you’ll easily become bonded to for life.
Shifter Classic 4 – Best Budget
When it comes to bass guitars, fretless varieties aren’t the only instruments that are being produced. The Godin Shifter Classic 4 is a perfect example of a more traditional bass offering within the company’s product line.
This bass features a body made of Canadian Laurentian Basswood. Its body slightly resembles a J-bass, with enough of a slight variance to make it unique though still recognizable.
Maple is used for the Shifter Classic 4’s neck, which has a D-shape contour and a 34” scale length. The fretboard is made of Rosewood to have a 12” radius, and supports 20 frets outlined by dot inlays.
For pickups, the Shifter Classic 4 is stocked with a pair of passive ceramic pickups. The neck features a P-style pickup, with a J-style at the bridge.
This bass really does allow you to make the most of the classic tones coming from these pickups. A range of controls has been added, including:
- 4-way switch
- Volume control
- Tone control
Other hardware featured on the Shifter Classic 4 includes:
- Tusq nut
- 20:1 ratio tuners
- Hardtail bridge with steel saddles
What’s even better is that the Shifter Classic 4 comes with a gig bag included with its purchase. You’ll definitely make use of it as this is a prime contender for a working professional’s main bass guitar.
Best Godin Acoustic Guitars
Metropolis Composer QIT – Best Overall
Looking for the best bang for your buck but still want a high-quality acoustic guitar? The Godin Metropolis Composer QIT might be the guitar for you.
This acoustic guitar boasts an all-Mahogany construction, featuring a solid top, with layering for the back and sides. Because of this, you can be sure the Metropolis Composer QIT can emit some warm and potent acoustic tones.
The neck is also crafted from Mahogany, featuring a D-shape contour and a 25.5” scale length. Richlite is used for the fretboard, which has a 16” radius, and 21 frets outlined by dot inlays.
Other hardware featured on the Metropolis Composer QIT include:
- Ebony bridge
- 16:1 ratio open-gear tuners
- NuBone nut
- NuBone saddle
The Metropolis Composer QIT is capable of electric performances. It features a Godin EPM Quantum 1T undersaddle pickup, which accurately preserves the guitar’s natural tone.
The guitar’s preamp provides a built-in tuner, as well as volume control and a 2-band EQ.
Aesthetically, the Metropolis Composer QIT is a chocolatey dreadnought acoustic that has highlights in all the right areas. The pickguard, rosette, binding, and fretboard inlays perfectly accentuate the natural Mahogany color.
Overall, the Metropolis Composer QIT is a worthwhile option for somebody looking for a high-end dreadnought acoustic. This is the guitar to seek out if you want large, warm, and balanced tones.
MultiAc Grand Concert SA – Best Premium
The Godin MultiAc Grand Concert SA (see price on Sweetwater, Guitar Center) is a guitar that showcases Godin’s innovation. This is a nylon-stringed guitar featuring a chambered body, with no soundhole.
Its body is crafted using Mahogany for the back and sides, and Cedar for the top. You’ll find this to be quite resonant, especially when plugged in.
Mahogany is also used for the neck, which has a 25.59” scale length. The Richlite fretboard features 19 frets and a 24” radius.
Other hardware featured on the MultiAc Grand Concert SA include:
- Tusq nut
- Tusq saddle
- Richlite bridge
The real star of the show here is in the guitar’s electric capabilities. For starters, this has an RMC Polydrive Electronics pickup and preamp system, with controls for volume and EQ.
If that wasn’t enough, the guitar has a 13-pin output to connect to any MIDI device. Because of the nature of MIDI, the possibilities of sounds this guitar can create are infinite.
This is also especially useful for composers who could use a quicker way of writing notation. The 13-pin connection allows for software to recognize the notation values during a performance, allowing for fast transcription.
Godin has included a padded gig bag with the purchase of this guitar.
Fairmount CH Composer QIT – Best Budget
The Godin Fairmount CH Composer QIT is a truly superb acoustic guitar that is full of classic character. It’s also one of Godin’s more affordable acoustics, which may still be outside of the budget ranges of some people.
This guitar features a layered Mahogany body, with a Solid Mahogany top. Even the neck has been crafted with Mahogany, which has a 25.5” scale length.
The fretboard is crafted using Richlite to have a 16” radius. 21 frets are available here, which are outlined by traditional dot inlays.
Other hardware used on the Fairmount CH Composer QIT include:
- Tusq nut
- Tusq saddle
- Ebony bridge
- Open-gear high-ratio tuners
Playing live will be a breeze thanks to its undersaddle piezo pickup. The guitar’s QIT preamp offers controls for volume and EQ while translating the guitar’s tone in a preserving manner.
This is definitely a guitar to consider if you love the warm tones that come along with a Mahogany acoustic. You probably won’t want to look anywhere else for those tones after hearing this guitar.
History Of Godin As A Company
Godin is a Canadian company that was established in the early 1970s by Robert Godin. Ever since the beginning, Godin has had a reputation for building guitars and basses of superior quality.
That reputation holds strong today, as Godin continues to push the envelope with innovative designs. Many Godin guitars have won awards from various guitar periodicals over the years, which is further testament to their craftsmanship.
Aside from their instruments, Godin’s business practices also help to set them apart from other manufacturers. All of the wood used for their guitars are sourced locally in the company’s region.
Top Godin Guitars, Final Thoughts
Godin unfortunately doesn’t receive the attention that other brands do. However, those who are in the know are rewarded with guitars of extreme levels of craftsmanship and innovation.
If you’re looking for versatility and playability, Godin’s offerings are in a class of their own. The best part is that the company has both traditional and uniquely modern guitars, ensuring something for everyone.
Backed by a solid vision and applaudable business practices, Godin’s guitars are definitely worth looking into.
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