Godin Club

[thisheregiraffe]

Hello, can i join the Godin club? I'm new to Talkbass and i don't know how to join the clubs.

I've played bass for 12 years now. I have owned my fair share of bass through those years. My last bass was a Fender Jazzbass. I still have it somewhere

I was looking for a change in sound. I talked to my guitarist friend who owns 2 Godin guitars, don't know the models. He told me to give a try at a Godin bass. So i went out to try one and compare with others bass brand. I fell in love with a Shifter classic four vintage burst. Being from Québec, I'm buying local i guess

My only regret yet is that when i replaced the original strings, i tried the DR black beauties. First and last time i buy these. I hate the rubbery feeling on my finger and i can even hear that rubbery feeling when i play in my headphone. I'll go back to my Ernie Ball Flatwound in a couple of weeks.

I'm not sure if i will keep the original pickup. Do you have suggestions?

Here's a picture of my love.

View attachment 4684172

Welcome to TalkBass! Nice looking Shifter you’ve got there

Usually all you’ve gotta do to join a club is post a picture of your bass, so I think you’re in now. Just wait for the person who gives out member numbers to reply.

IMO the electronics on the Shifter are the only weak link in an otherwise very high quality bass. I love my Shifter. But of course if you’re happy with the sound then a change isn’t absolutely necessary. I put the EMG GZR PJ set in my Shifter and that’s the way it’s going to stay. I’m sure there are many other good choices though.

 

[96tbird]

Nice. Congrats!

I have absolutely no use for it, but I really want a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

New List (somehow, I missed notifications for several posts at the end of last year)!

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I really didn’t need it either, but I went for it. I couldn’t resist the retro look. Great workmanship without issue. Plays great and sounds really aggressive. I put some cool metal knobs on because those plastic retro hats don’t do it for me. Chrome flats.

 

[Shifter_four]

OK, I'm looking at EMG GRZ PJ online. Does it come with all the wiring and pots? On the EMG site, they seem to come with it.

I never changed pick ups. Is it complicated?

 

[Shifter_four]

I really didn’t need it either, but I went for it. I couldn’t resist the retro look. Great workmanship without issue. Plays great and sounds really aggressive. I put some cool metal knobs on because those plastic retro hats don’t do it for me. Chrome flats. View attachment 4684206View attachment 4684207

Look nice, i had the choice of the one i got (Vintage burst) or the all black version like the one you got.

Locally, i shop at Archambault and Long and Mc Quade. Online, i never bought anything else than string at Amazon because strings are a pain to get overhere.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

OK, I'm looking at EMG GRZ PJ online. Does it come with all the wiring and pots? On the EMG site, they seem to come with it.

I never changed pick ups. Is it complicated?

Yes the EMG GZR set comes with wiring kit and pots. EMG stuff is solder-less, so it’s a very easy installation. Plug and play, for the most part. The only hitch with the Shifter is the 4-way switch. I replaced the switch in mine with an EMG 3-way tele switch to keep it all solder-less, and because I found I didn’t use both the series and parallel middle switch positions on the 4-way switch. I think some soldering would be required if you wanted to use the EMG’s with the stock 4-way switch.

 

[Ric Vice]

If anyone is interested I have a original

Godin Acoustibass for sale in the TB Classifides. .

 

[Highs&Lows]

Hey Godin Players,
during my search for a versatile, comfortable (standing or sitting), affordable 5 string that I can bring to any gig I stumbled over the Godin Shifter Classic 5. It seems to tick all the boxes and so far I have only read good things about it. Any of you here own one of these? And is there anything that you do not like? (fretwork & set up, noise etc.). I would use this bass for cruise gigs, touring, etc in a professional environment. Your input is very welcome.

 

[Shifter_four]

I don't know about the 5 stings but I got a Classic shifter 4 Sunburst since last march. I got to say i really love it. I got nothing to report but fun

I'm not a professional, i only play with friends in a studio once a week. I do play a lot at my home. I like the sound of the original pickup (some say you can switch to EMG Geezer but i don't feel the need. The tuners are lightweight and good quality. i never had to go to a luthier yet for any problem. The feel of the neck is very nice, almost like my Fender Jazz bass.

In 12 years, i had a lot of different bass but this one is a keeper for me. I posted a pic on the page 34.

 

[studio848]

Hey Godin Players,
during my search for a versatile, comfortable (standing or sitting), affordable 5 string that I can bring to any gig I stumbled over the Godin Shifter Classic 5. It seems to tick all the boxes and so far I have only read good things about it. Any of you here own one of these? And is there anything that you do not like? (fretwork & set up, noise etc.). I would use this bass for cruise gigs, touring, etc in a professional environment. Your input is very welcome.

I own a Shifter 5. I like it. It's light weight, well built. No real negatives. My fav is its Vol/Tone/Pickup switch controls; can cover tons of tones.

The stock pickups are ceramic. They sound good, huge, no noise - kind of like soap bar pickups. I replaced them with single coil pickups, only because I want it to sound like a jazz bass. Heads up - both pickups are the same length (4") for replacements ...

Definitely gig and road worthy.

 

[Highs&Lows]

Thanks for the replies. Does the 5 string have any neck dive issues?

 

[Ville Basse]

For me, it's a (R)NBD. Renewing my relationship with a Godin Freeway 4. I got it on a whim (isn't that wood finish gorgeous?) during the lockdown and it sat in the case for a while before it occurred to me that I could use it in the beginner group for the concert band that I joined last year when the world started to open up again.
It feels solid and the tone is rich enough for my untrained ears. I play the amp with controls at 12 o'clock and scoop at minimum. I generally keep the bridge pickup low and the neck pickup most of the way on. It seems to me that the tone knob doesn't have much effect, but that may be my untrained ear. The neck does tend to droop (I wouldn't say "dive", it's not that pronounced). The strap helps. I have one of those Perri neoprene straps and I had to widen the hole on the locking eyelets to fit the buttons.
The headstock says "Assembled in the USA from parts hand-crafted in Canada". I have no idea when it was made, there is no serial number anywhere that I could find. It's not in Godin's current lineup.
Anyway, this is my first post on TB and I'd like to join the Godin Club.
Thanks for reading!

P.S. For those worried about the heat from the stove damaging the bass, rest assured that there was nothing burning that day.

Front and back:
Headstock:
Passive electronics:

 

[Shifter_four]

For me, it's a (R)NBD. Renewing my relationship with a Godin Freeway 4. I got it on a whim (isn't that wood finish gorgeous?) during the lockdown and it sat in the case for a while before it occurred to me that I could use it in the beginner group for the concert band that I joined last year when the world started to open up again.
It feels solid and the tone is rich enough for my untrained ears. I play the amp with controls at 12 o'clock and scoop at minimum. I generally keep the bridge pickup low and the neck pickup most of the way on. It seems to me that the tone knob doesn't have much effect, but that may be my untrained ear. The neck does tend to droop (I wouldn't say "dive", it's not that pronounced). The strap helps. I have one of those Perri neoprene straps and I had to widen the hole on the locking eyelets to fit the buttons.
The headstock says "Assembled in the USA from parts hand-crafted in Canada". I have no idea when it was made, there is no serial number anywhere that I could find. It's not in Godin's current lineup.
Anyway, this is my first post on TB and I'd like to join the Godin Club.
Thanks for reading!

P.S. For those worried about the heat from the stove damaging the bass, rest assured that there was nothing burning that day.
View attachment 4916941
Front and back: View attachment 4916944 View attachment 4916946
Headstock: View attachment 4916949 View attachment 4916950
Passive electronics: View attachment 4916954

Hi, looks verry nice. Never seen that model here in Montreal, Québec.
You said renewing, you had one before?
What strings do you use?
Pardon for asking but how much did it cost?

I have a Shifter classic 4 Sunburst. PJ style like yours. But with different settings and configuration. It's been my first player since i bought it. I have DR Black beauties strings on for now. I had several bass before but this one stands out for me.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Ville Basse]

Salut @Shifter_four
I wrote "renew" because the poor thing sat in a closet for almost two years.
I got it used on Kijiji for $450, which at the time was top of the range for that model (the other ones were too far to drive). The original owner (guitar player who wanted to try a bass) replaced the stock strings with Ernie Ball Custom Gauge roundwound 40-60-70-95.
I gave myself a Squier Precision fretless for xmas but not nearly as happy with it, but that's another topic. The Freeway won't lose its No.1 spot.
I really like the looks of the Shifter 4 and the idea of the 4-way switch but never got to try one, even in a store, but it would be wasted on my beginner skills. At this stage, I'm just trying to nail down solid technique and avoid learning bad habits.

 

[Ville Basse]

This brochure is the only reference I could find on the Godin site:
https://godinguitars.com/godin05.pdf (page 11)
I also have a Acousticaster A-12 but it's in terrible shape. I rescued it from a pawn shop where it was exposed in the window in full sun. Sort of like you rescue a lame puppy because you can't stand the cruelty. I'm trying to rebuild the 3-band EQ because it had a terrible 60Hz buzz.

 

[Shifter_four]

This brochure is the only reference I could find on the Godin site:
https://godinguitars.com/godin05.pdf (page 11)
I also have a Acousticaster A-12 but it's in terrible shape. I rescued it from a pawn shop where it was exposed in the window in full sun. Sort of like you rescue a lame puppy because you can't stand the cruelty. I'm trying to rebuild the 3-band EQ because it had a terrible 60Hz buzz.

Salut,

From the brochure, i think we have the same pick ups. good luck with your other projet.

 

[WayneDupuis]

Yesterday I came home with a Passion RG4 maple board! I don't think I'll ever let it go.
The playability and tones you can get are real close to my P and Jazz Deluxe, and in series the thing absolutely blooms. The neck is faster than anything else I own. A keeper. Can't wait to gig with her.

 

[Paul The Walrus]

HI all,
It's time for me to join this club!
here's my A4 fretless:

Strings are d’Addario tapes ETB92.

I'm looking for a small case (I don't want a fender-like rectangular case) or a high-quality gigbag, alternative to official Godin products (they have to be ordered in Canada and current processing time is very long).
That may be hard to find because of particular dimensions of the instrument. It doesn't fit my electric bass case.
Searching on the forum, I found good feedback on former iGig cases but they don't exit anymore.

Any ideas?
are there some A4 owners with alternative products?

 

[hrodbert696]

HI all,
It's time for me to join this club!
here's my A4 fretless:

View attachment 5038884

Strings are d’Addario tapes ETB92.

I'm looking for a small case (I don't want a fender-like rectangular case) or a high-quality gigbag, alternative to official Godin products (they have to be ordered in Canada and current processing time is very long).
That may be hard to find because of particular dimensions of the instrument. It doesn't fit my electric bass case.
Searching on the forum, I found good feedback on former iGig cases but they don't exit anymore.

Any ideas?
are there some A4 owners with alternative products?

When my A4's original Godin bag got shredded, I got one of these. Fits just right, seems pretty well made, and half the price of Godin's own.

Ibanez PowerPad Designer IBB541 Electric Bass Gig Bag - Beige

 

[Paul The Walrus]

When my A4's original Godin bag got shredded, I got one of these. Fits just right, seems pretty well made, and half the price of Godin's own.

Ibanez PowerPad Designer IBB541 Electric Bass Gig Bag - Beige

Thanks,
I finally bought this Fusion guitar bag: Urban Bass Guitar Bag
rather expensive (but I had some discount) and hard to find outside the UK, but worth the money.
It has a removable supplementary protection for regular electric basses, which can be removed to fit the A4 (as seen at 3:22 on the product video on the Fusion bewsite)

 

[burk48237]

I guess I'm in. Bought this for accoustic sets at church, I've been looking for a used one for a while and the price was right. Took me about a week to dial it in, but I like!