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Godin Shifter bass (3 pup) - interesting

craigb

craigb

Fan of many bass brands that start with 'G'
Supporting Member
Jan 27, 2000
2,949
1,405
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Spring, TX (Houston metro)
#1
Hey Y'all,

Saw a mention of this on AGB and googled up a pic. Search here didn't pull up any discussion - anyone seen/heard/played this at NAMM? Looks very Big Al/Hodad/old Shecter USA custom Hellcat -- esque. I'm intrigued as I've liked Godin necks in the past and the body looks pretty "standard" (I personally like the Big Al looks but doubt my wrists would like the geometry).

winter_namm_10_v2.jpg


The new Godin Shifter Bass with 5-way switch and push/pull tone knob allows access to 6 amazing bass tones. The bass was a major draw and already an Award Winner after 3 days at the show!
 
#9
The better pics from the Godin site:

godinshifter4cream.jpg


godinshifter4burst.jpg


based on an Amazon search it looks like:

cream -- list $1095 / street $895
flame burst -- list $1195 / street $995


The Godin specs aren't 100% clear but the Amazon search seems to imply that you can get either color (cream/vintage burst flame) with either maple or rw board.


Yeah, that basswood is firewood - y'all avoid these so they discontinue and drop the price way down quickly, OK?
 
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#16
I bought one about a month ago. I own a G&L SB-2 as well, so I can't help but compare. The Shifter neck is 1-1/2" at the nut and it is more round on the back side of the neck. It has a 16" radius fingerboard compared to the 12" on the SB-2. Still, a comfortable feel. My only beef is when I switch basses the volume difference is astounding. The G&L pick-ups are very hot, but you might not realize how hot until you plug in the Shifter. I had the bass volume pot all the way up and then had to crank up my amp (EBS Fafner) to achieve the same volume the G&L was getting when the volume on the bass was only up half way! So I'm raising the pick-ups. Factory settings had the neck pick-up almost flush with the pick guard, the middle was set about 3/16" and the bridge was highest at about 1/4". I also have a nasty fret buzz on the E string from the 4th to 6th frets which is troubling. I really like the bass - very comfortable for my right arm (the body is larger than the SB-2) - great selection of tones from the pick-ups - it's a keeper. I paid $740.00 new.
 
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#18
Spank the Plank said:
My only beef is when I switch basses the volume difference is astounding. The G&L pick-ups are very hot, but you might not realize how hot until you plug in the Shifter. I had the bass volume pot all the way up and then had to crank up my amp (EBS Fafner) to achieve the same volume the G&L was getting when the volume on the bass was only up half way!
Click to expand...
The gain knob is the way to go. It's there to compensate for low level instruments. Play with that before adjusting your pickups' height.
 
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#19
I respectfully disagree.
Pickup height can make a big difference in both output, and overall flavor as well.

Too high can mess with intonation and the strings ability to vibrate freely, but only in cases where the pickups magnetic pull is extreme. G&L with MFD humbuckers have been the only basses I've noticed that with.

ymmv, etc.
 

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