Godin A5 Owners

alwbass · #1 01-10-2013, 01:23 PM

I'm interested in those who own a Godin A5 and have a few questions:

First off I do not have access to play one and am interested in the fretted version of this bass.
1) I play Modulus Quantum 5 with 17mm string spacing and a Lakland Skyline 5501 5 with 19 mm string spacing. What is the string spacing of the Godin A5?
2) I've read things about dead spots. How prevalent is this?
3) How defined is the B string with a 34" scale length?

Thank you

BrandenSteele · #2 01-10-2013, 06:54 PM

As an acoustic bass player you will need to take this into account: the first acoustic basses were made to write songs with, practicing and were not meant to be seriously played. However in the past 10 years many big companies have begun to produce acoustic basses that are meant to be played professionally.

Unfortunately they haven't figured out how to make them good yet. As a result most acoustic basses you will find will be of low quality, and for higher quality ones you will have to pay A LOT more. However there are many great ones for reasonable prices.

Godin has taken a very interesting approach with their acoustic basses. Instead of focusing on a bass that's loud acoustically, they have gone all out and made it have amazing electronics and just an all around great bass while plugged in.

They are excellent while plugged in, but if you want to play them in acoustic settings they are terrible.

If you're just practicing on your own, or will be plugged in most of the time you will be set since this is a great bass in that sense

alwbass · #3 01-10-2013, 08:52 PM

I appreciate your response, very informative. I will be playing plugged in. I play gospel and am looking for a more mellow tone. Do you own a Godin A5 or A5 Ultra? I would like to know the B string reponse since both of the basses I have now have a great B. Also is the new Ultra still prone to dead spots like on the original bass? Finally, what is the string spacing?

Thank you

Willy Franklin · #4 01-19-2013, 11:42 AM

I'm planning on getting a A5 ultra as well, and the info out there is minimal... I'd like to know if you can adjust the string height, and if the synth access features work well...

Snarf · #5 01-19-2013, 06:52 PM

I have an A5 fretless. B string is very nice. No string saddles, it's an acoustic bridge. String height is really a function of neck relief anyway. I believe the string spacing is about 17 mm (feels narrower than my Stambaugh which is 18).

Overall good basses, I like mine as a utility bass that I can bust out if fretless is necessary.

edit: OP mentioned 34" scale with regards to B strings. Honestly, most 34" B's sound just as good as 35". The fundamental is just fine. Maybe not as bell-like with their tonal definition, but honestly, you're ONLY going to notice that when you're listening to it without any other instruments.

Willy Franklin · #6 01-19-2013, 08:20 PM

Thanks for the reply snarf... It looks like the new A5 has individual string saddles, or something.. I didn't know if they we're adjustable or not... I hope so. I like a relatively flat fingerboard with a low action. I'm really looking forward to it!

Willy Franklin · #7 01-23-2013, 08:50 AM

I got this from a Godin Tech guy regarding string spacing and adjusting the string height:
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The spacing at the bridge is 2 5/8" (from the 1st to the 5th string).

The action cannot be adjusted at the bridge, but you can shim the neck to lower the action.
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So, string spacing is roughly [2.625/4 (spaces between strings)] = .656" (or ~16.5mm). Jazz bass spacing is .75" (or roughly 19mm)

For reference, Ernie Ball MM5's are 17.5mm... Ibanez SR-5 strings are also 16.5mm...

lpdeluxe · #8 01-23-2013, 09:07 AM

I have a Godin A5 fretless, and I am very comfortable with the neck. Mine doesn't get used that much, because my Precisions sound better to me. A friend has the same model and gets a great upright bass sound out of it, but I can't seem to do that with mine. It's a very nice bass, with a useful B string, but I expect to trade it off for something else I need more.

Willy Franklin · #9 01-23-2013, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpdeluxe

I have a Godin A5 fretless, and I am very comfortable with the neck. Mine doesn't get used that much, because my Precisions sound better to me. A friend has the same model and gets a great upright bass sound out of it, but I can't seem to do that with mine. It's a very nice bass, with a useful B string, but I expect to trade it off for something else I need more.

lpdeluxe, thanks for the reply!! Is yours the "ultra" model with the soapbar pickup on it? I'm figuring on picking this up to be a sort of double horse... Upright sounds, and fretless electric sounds... ...and eventually working my way into the synth stuff...

lpdeluxe · #10 01-23-2013, 12:18 PM

No, it's not the Ultra.

ErnieD · #11 02-13-2013, 03:56 PM

I just bought a new Ultra A5 fretless in December. I really like this bass alot. It's a bit heavier than I expected but manageable. Mine came setup very nicely, haven't had to tweak it at all.

I play Lakland Skyline, 55-02 and Joe Osborne 5 so I do like that wider string spacing. But I've had no issue with the tighter spacing of my A5. Actually, I find I seem to be able to play faster with this spacing. I too went with the newer model A5 to have the flexability of the bridge pup. I find I use the electric input - bridge pup only- more as it gives me more tonal control and I just EQ on my amp(s).

Maybe OP already bought one or something else. For me, I'm enjoying playing this bass and I take along my Am St P5 to the spanish-acoustic-guitar band gigs when I need even more variety. But I mostly play the A5 all nite and the guitars plug into PA, so never any full acoustic playing. I planned to only use my A5 plugged in so no problem there. But I can still pick it up at home and just play it from my lap unplugged for quick reference lines or fiddling about. Great basses.

Willy Franklin · #12 02-13-2013, 06:14 PM

Ain't it heavy?!??!!! I wasn't expecting that... I just got mine a couple weeks ago. I like it a lot too... Best fretless I've ever played...

Willy Franklin · #13 03-21-2013, 06:38 AM

Okay... I put this video together last night...

The bass was run through a little Behringer mixer to the line input of my iMac...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNYc8Pg5yXA