Godin Club

[xMaxBASSx]

here's a couple pics:

whats the bass with single cutaway with the pickgaurd one in from the right called cause i was playing one of those today and really digging the tone

 

[BulbousMoses]

Darned right. In fact Godin does and has made necks for many boutique and large volume manufactureres. But 'shhhh' that's a secret!

Any idea which large manufacturers? PM me if you don't want it spread around

 

[BluesMagoo]

Hi Fellow Godin Lovers,
I'm looking for information on how to adjust the action on my new Godin Acoustic A4 Bass.

I have a BG4 which I've had for about 10 years and the action is ultra smooth after I made some key adjustments - including refinishing the bass and that georgeous tiger maple top explodes beautifully with the new finish.

From what I can see on the A4, it looks like the bridge is fixed. The only way to lower the strings is to adjust the neck?

Any help much appreciated.
I want to get as much info as possible before adjusting as this is my first acoustic and I really love that standup woody sound.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Basically Bob]

My Godin A4 fretless ... my steady for five years, now!

 

[sunnycal]

Hi Bob,

How do you like your A4? I played one at a shop and really loved the neck but a fretless or semi-accoustic wasn't appropriate for me as I'm a beginner. It caused me to research Godin and found out a lot of good things about the company, their basses and I ended up getting their Shifter. My teacher who's a pro wasn't familiar with the specific bass but often illustrates something for me and has really developed an appreciation for Godin. I'm a proud member of the club.

 

[Basically Bob]

Hi sunnycal,

I bought my A4 on December 12, 1996 and since then, my Spector has only seen the outside of its case a few times. The A4's neck is narrow; 1.5" at the nut and I find it very comfortable to play. The tone is ... luscious and with the position markers on the left hand side, it only took a few sessions to feel comfortable with it.

I hesitate to liken it's tone to an upright, like some do, but rather; round, fat and clean with a deep bottom end and oh so sweet highs.

That's a great looking bass you have there!

Bob

 

[sunnycal]

thanks for the info Bob. The bass is definitely above my skill level but I guess that's one of the advantages of being an adult you can buy better toys than you deserve although I plan on keeping it forever. What's cool about the Shifter is that the switch (shifter) allows you to switch between 5 +1 preset sounds. My teacher switches and says that's the Pbass, Jazz bass, Rick etc. etc sound and it can either be really fat and deep or more modern and clean with more mid range. It's great for the convenience to quickly switch without needing to make adjustments to the knobs. One day I would like the fretless semi-acoustic.

 

[mattpnolan]

Updated member list:

1 NoNoise
2 Rafael
3 RandyMolson
4 cavemusic
5 22pauld22
6 Sabu
7 jgregpegleg
8 andertone
9 Feel my bottom
10 Hughsie
11 kraigo
12 4Mal
13 topcat2069
14 johhn smith
15 fullrangebass
16 Gopher Bob
17 VTheHTyphoon
18 MrLenny1
19 KPJ
20 bass_lord_mutha
21 lpdeluxe
22 ric stave
23 BulbousMoses
24 maevinj
25 jay stevens
26 Ryno
27 sunnycal
28 ReginaldPLinux
29 notdecraw
30 ChemDave
31 BluesMagoo
32 Basically Bob

 

[76sagi]

And my old Acoustibass:

man, I had a black version of this bass.... a beautiful instrument. I wish I still had it.

 

[sunnycal]

I just love my Godin and have to say that the more I play it the more I love it. I've killed time at Guitar Center and played many different basses both less expensive and more expensive but none feels as good to me and to have the Shifter which allows me to have 6 preset sounds is priceless.

 

[Khronic]

I'll try and get a picture of my, new to me, SD-4. My old 1.3 Mpx Polaroid is dead.

 

[Jon_West]

Add me to the list.

 

[mattpnolan]

WOOO!!!! Almost 4.5 years since this club was started, and we're still steadily growing!

I still play my Godin BG5 almost every week at church (every time I play). Since that's the only place I play bass right now, I'm honestly not at all itching for another bass. I'd love to have a 5-string Fender P or 5-string Music Man, but I am happy with my Godin, so I'm not going to spend the money unless I start playing a lot more again.

Updated member list:

1 NoNoise
2 Rafael
3 RandyMolson
4 cavemusic
5 22pauld22
6 Sabu
7 jgregpegleg
8 andertone
9 Feel my bottom
10 Hughsie
11 kraigo
12 4Mal
13 topcat2069
14 johhn smith
15 fullrangebass
16 Gopher Bob
17 VTheHTyphoon
18 MrLenny1
19 KPJ
20 bass_lord_mutha
21 lpdeluxe
22 ric stave
23 BulbousMoses
24 maevinj
25 jay stevens
26 Ryno
27 sunnycal
28 ReginaldPLinux
29 notdecraw
30 ChemDave
31 BluesMagoo
32 Basically Bob
33 Khronic
34 Jon_West

 

[khutch]

Hi, everyone. I don't know much about Godin but I stopped in a music store today looking for fretless basses and played one they claimed was a Godin. From looking at the Godin website and photos here (like the one quoted just a bit above) it appears that it is an A4 or an Acoustibass (are they the same or related?). It is a used one and while it played well I am a little leery of it because there is absolutely nothing on it that indicates it is a Godin. In fact other than the text labeling the EQ/preamp plate controls there is no other text anywhere on the bass. Were they ever made that way? No logo on the headstock? Every one I see here has a logo on the headstock and that worries me. While used the bass gave no obvious signs of having been refinished. I'd appreciate comments from anyone who would know if this is normal for a real Godin.

Thanks,

Ken

 

[lmfreeman9]

I have a fretted A4. Please add me to the list.

Also where do I get a tool to adjust the truss rod without removing the neck?

I tried Godin but since my bass is an older model, they don't have it.

 

[khutch]

I guess I can kinda answer my own question. The Link Removed, so I am guessing it is an Acoustibass. The neck is fretless but looks nothing like that one and has no logo of any kind so the obvious assumption is that it is an aftermarket neck a previous owner added for some reason. Maybe just to convert a fretted model to a fretless but anything could have happened to the original neck. It has a Stratocaster rather than Telecaster headstock shape, no fretlines but no face dots either, and side fret position markers at the 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19 positions only.

I have to admit I am intrigued enough to go back and give it a proper try. I just played it a bit without plugging it in because I had only a few minutes left to catch the next train when I found it. Given what has to be a non-original neck I think they have it overpriced but without me asking the owner of the shop said he could work on the price so he probably knows that. Is there anything you guys can tell me about an Acoustibass that would give me GAS for it? Does Godin sell replacement necks if I wanted to return it to original condition? I've already got one question into Godin, I will wait to see if they respond before asking them about a replacement neck.

I guess if I decide to buy it I could join the Godin club and get a membership number below 100. There's one point in its favor already!

Ken

 

[sunnycal]

I guess I can kinda answer my own question. The Link Removed, so I am guessing it is an Acoustibass. The neck is fretless but looks nothing like that one and has no logo of any kind so the obvious assumption is that it is an aftermarket neck a previous owner added for some reason. Maybe just to convert a fretted model to a fretless but anything could have happened to the original neck. It has a Stratocaster rather than Telecaster headstock shape, no fretlines but no face dots either, and side fret position markers at the 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19 positions only.

I have to admit I am intrigued enough to go back and give it a proper try. I just played it a bit without plugging it in because I had only a few minutes left to catch the next train when I found it. Given what has to be a non-original neck I think they have it overpriced but without me asking the owner of the shop said he could work on the price so he probably knows that. Is there anything you guys can tell me about an Acoustibass that would give me GAS for it? Does Godin sell replacement necks if I wanted to return it to original condition? I've already got one question into Godin, I will wait to see if they respond before asking them about a replacement neck.

I guess if I decide to buy it I could join the Godin club and get a membership number below 100. There's one point in its favor already!

Ken

I first found out about Godin when I was at a little shop that sold non-commercial products and played the Acoustic Bass A4. I immediately loved the feel and the neck. In fact, it's the neckt that sold me on Godin. Ultimately, I bought a Godin Shifter because it was more practical for me but it still has the same quality, feel and neck. If they changed the neck that would be a shame in my opinion as it is one of the defining characteristics that makes that bass. It's a great brand and I've been very happy with it. My teach has also really come to like it as well.

 

[khutch]

If they changed the neck that would be a shame in my opinion as it is one of the defining characteristics that makes that bass.

That seems to be a common opinion here in the Godin club. The neck that is on the instrument right now seemed nice enough but Godin has replied to my first question with the opinion that it is an Acoustibass and it should have a logo. So, I've asked them about getting a replacement neck. If they say yes it would make the decision to buy this bass easier since I would know that I am not locked out of getting the full Godin experience!

Ken

 

[mattpnolan]

I'm a big fan of the Godin neck! I love thin necks that still feel rock solid and straight.

Updated member list:

1 NoNoise
2 Rafael
3 RandyMolson
4 cavemusic
5 22pauld22
6 Sabu
7 jgregpegleg
8 andertone
9 Feel my bottom
10 Hughsie
11 kraigo
12 4Mal
13 topcat2069
14 johhn smith
15 fullrangebass
16 Gopher Bob
17 VTheHTyphoon
18 MrLenny1
19 KPJ
20 bass_lord_mutha
21 lpdeluxe
22 ric stave
23 BulbousMoses
24 maevinj
25 jay stevens
26 Ryno
27 sunnycal
28 ReginaldPLinux
29 notdecraw
30 ChemDave
31 BluesMagoo
32 Basically Bob
33 Khronic
34 Jon_West
35 lmfreeman9

 

[MrLenny1]

Here is mine.
Excellent Cond.
Bedroom bass, never gigged.
For Sale here on TB.