New bass arrived - 1980 Godin Zeta Z1 (piezo) inside

morf · #1 06-09-2007, 02:36 AM

So yesterday I finally received my Godin Zeta Z1 with piezo pickup, and as promised, here are some pics (not great pics, but better ones to come).

Active electronics, 1 vol - 1 tone - high/low boost.

Here is a quick review to which I will add/change stuff as I spend more time with her:

Playability: Pretty amazing. The action probably couldn't be lower, 0 fret buzz, sustain to last for days. Spacing is 19mm at the bridge, and this bass seriously plays like butter. The neck feels tight and "condensed", by condensed I mean if I smacked you in the head with it, chances are you'd be hurt

Sound: Wowza. This bass certainly does it well. A very smooth, clear and detailed sound, even with bass boost, but it snarls just as well with a twist of the tone knob. The note detail is amazing, especially since this bass is EASY to tune perfectly, the tuning pegs do a great job to say the least. You really have to hear it to get a feel of the sound, so I'll be posting soundclips in the future.

That's it for now, I need to play it alot more to get a better opinion, but so far my mind is pretty much blown. If you have specific questions don't hesitate to ask 'em, I'll do my best to answer.

edit: Ok, here are the soundclips (FINALLY!)

Entre Dos Aguas bassline with tone on 1/4th and slight low boost

The Meters - Funky Miracle bassline with tone on full and slight low boost

bmc · #2 06-09-2007, 04:53 AM

Love the thumb rest. I wonder if a Fender fretless neck would fit on that.

Does it sound like classic piezo with that almost brittle sizzling high end?

morf · #3 06-09-2007, 05:00 AM

Yep, thats exactly it

As far as fitting a JB neck on it goes, it seems to be the right size, 4 bolt neck, but I'd have to measure to be sure and compare with Fender's.

Sorax · #4 06-09-2007, 05:28 AM

I want one.

morf · #5 06-09-2007, 06:23 AM

Yes, yes you do

*smb · #6 06-19-2007, 03:56 PM

Had to search to see if you'd started a thread - your avatar keeps catching my eye! That is a damn tasty looking bass. Any chance of soundclips? And with that thumbrest and no pickups how do you decide where to play? I bet its great for harmonics.

bassplayer45 · #7 06-19-2007, 04:07 PM

awsome that things sweet.

how much do they cost?

morf · #8 06-19-2007, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *smb

Had to search to see if you'd started a thread - your avatar keeps catching my eye! That is a damn tasty looking bass. Any chance of soundclips? And with that thumbrest and no pickups how do you decide where to play? I bet its great for harmonics.

Yes I've been lazy, I will make soundclips soon. Thing is with the thumbrest being so long I can pretty much play wherever I want depending on what tone I wanna get. It's really comfortable anywhere. Harmonics sound very clear and defined, the piezo pickup definitely works well, each note is so easy to hear and differentiate, improvising is alot easier. Definitely a keeper

morf · #9 06-19-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer45

awsome that things sweet.

how much do they cost?

I dont think Godin makes them anymore although you could probably get a custom order made. The retail price on these was 2000 euros, I got a huge deal and got it for 400.

bassplayer45 · #10 06-19-2007, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morf

I dont think Godin makes them anymore although you could probably get a custom order made. The retail price on these was 2000 euros, I got a huge deal and got it for 400.

awsome thanks!

*smb · #11 06-19-2007, 05:38 PM

It's mad really - normally I hate bolt-on necks, white in general, thumbrests, jazz bass bodies, string trees, less than 24 frets and Tele style headstocks but I find myself really wanting to try one of those!

morf · #12 06-20-2007, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *smb

It's mad really - normally I hate bolt-on necks, white in general, thumbrests, jazz bass bodies, string trees, less than 24 frets and Tele style headstocks but I find myself really wanting to try one of those!

Thi is great for playing the blues. Its smoothier sounding than any bass I've played yet, sustain is great and the action is extremely low with absolutely no buzzing. It's a pleasure to play.

Shoewreck · #13 06-20-2007, 05:27 AM

Can't raise my lower jaw back... Awesome looks. I played a piezo-only bass with P pickups removed and a toothbrush used for thumbrest, but yours looks way better...

morf · #14 06-20-2007, 06:06 AM

lol, thanks

ROON · #15 06-20-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoewreck

... and a toothbrush used for thumbrest ...

Bahaha!

roadkill2309 · #16 06-20-2007, 07:13 AM

Nice bass. I like those tuners way more than the stupid ones Godin uses nowadays.

Oh, and incidentally...

morf · #17 06-20-2007, 07:31 AM

Yep I've seen those acoustics before, nice one.

infect · #18 06-20-2007, 07:37 AM

Beautiful bass!

roadkill2309 · #19 06-20-2007, 07:48 AM

It's pretty cool and has a nice, warm sound. Unfortunately, the upper strap button being at the 15th fret makes it a loooong bass.

And I'm a pretty small guy, so some things can be a bit of a chore... Like say, F, or B#, or...

morf · #20 06-20-2007, 07:57 AM

I kinda dig the strap button being there, it must keep the bass in a very good position.