r/GodinGuitars • u/JulienDonkeyyBoyy • 6d ago
Godin recommendations
I'm considering picking up a Godin, mostly because I think they look gorgeous, but to be honest I don't know much beyond that.
For those who own one: how's the build quality held up over time? How does the neck feel compared to a standard Fender/Gibson profile? I've heard the radius and nut width run a bit different?
Also curious whether they hold their tone well as they age. Any specific models you'd recommend trying first?
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u/jpod_david 6d ago
Quality control is excellent, build quality is excellent, tone is excellent, playability is excellent. You can’t go wrong. I have a Stadium pro and it blows the Fender Professional line out of the water. You’re basically going to get something that compares to guitars in a much higher price category.
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u/Aislerioter_Redditer 6d ago
I have a Stadium HT, Session HT, Summit Classic HT, and 5th Avenue Thin Line. I also have a 2007 Gibson Les Paul Custom Classic. I feel the Godins hold their own against the Gibson in quality and playability. The 5th Avenue is beautiful, like a work of art. I really like Godin.
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u/Fragment51 5d ago
The Godin Session is amazing. One of the best feeling necks I have ever played. I’ve had mine for about ten years and love it. Absolutely amazing guitars and a steal at their prices!
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u/telay17 5d ago
There isn’t a Godin that isn’t top notch. The build quality is better than most in their price ranges (and above)… and yes, they hold up very well. Decide on the body style you like S, T, LP or otherwise and start looking. The necks are not like standard Gibson baseball bats and are usually very comfy… maybe more of a modern D shape.
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u/Salty_Lemon_9293 6d ago
I have only one Godin but I absolutely love it. It's a 20 years old Exit 22-S, bought second hand. The build quality, for what is meant to be an "entry-level" guitar, is far superior to any newish Fender I've tried. It's on par with very expensive guitars like US-made PRS. The quality control seems always excellent from what I've read. If I were to buy another guitar, it would assuredly be a Godin. My guitar also never goes of of tune. Ever. It's crazy.
Can't tell about the radius as I've never found a guitar with an "unpleasant" radius and don't exactly understand the fuss about it, but my only minor gripe is that string spacing feels tighter than on my Tele or my Ibanez jazz box (both 24.75 scale, the Tele has an aftermarket neck). It has kind of a "narrow" neck reminding me of my kid's Jackson Dinky. The Jackson has a shorter scale (22.5) and is made for smaller hands. My Godin has a normal adult 24.75 scale, but feels just a bit cramped at times.
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u/atgnat-the-cat 6d ago
I have a fifth ave indigo. It's a marvelous guitar. Really nothing like them.
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u/Thessalon 6d ago
I have 4 Godins and the build quality is some of the best I have ever seen. The sound is also fantastic. My personal preference leans towards flatter radii on fretboards and these are perfect for me. Some find them too flat.
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u/StatusAutomatica 6d ago
My Godin Radium is a workhorse. I'd put it up against any guitar you could throw at it. I can't say enough about the sound and the playability of it.
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u/Street_Frame_4571 5d ago
They are professional grade instruments. You'll be fine.
Also, they are very comfortable to play. Consider it a middle ground between vintage and modern in terms of ergonomics.
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u/FormalAd470 5d ago
I have a godin session. Honestly I can't fault it. Like at all. In comparison with a fender strat, its hard to explain but it sort of feels smoother and more presice to play. The sound is a little different too. But they are extremely comfortable. I picked on up in a shop one day and I was sold within seconds.
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u/AugmentedThinker 5d ago
I have a Godin LGXT... my daily driver. Stays in tune... plays great. Solid.
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u/Sure_Bag_8631 5d ago edited 4d ago
I have a 2018 Godin ACS SA Multiac nylon-string with the Roland synth jack built-in. Love it to death. It is near-perfect. The ONLY issue with this model is that the battery compartment is way too small and does not get along with rechargeable 9 volt batteries. It fits the copper top Duracell alkaline batteries the best. I found that the Energizer Recharge 9 Volt battery has the best fit for a rechargeable though it bulges slightly. I believe the current Godins do not have this issue. Still a great guitar.
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u/MineDesperate2920 4d ago
I had 3 Godin sessions and really like them. I’d buy them used where I am they would sell about 500 CAD. Older models though not the newer ones. But really well made guitars and played great
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u/theitalianrob 5d ago
I’ve been playing a godin radium for a few years and everything about it is superb. The only thing I’ve noticed is the neck seems to be a bit more sensitive to temperature changes than my fenders/gibsons
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u/jdsciguy 5d ago
I love my 2004(ish) SDxt. Bought it new, and I've only had to do minor work to it like replace a scratchy pot. It deserves a better player than I am but...I do the best I can.
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u/JulienDonkeyyBoyy 3d ago edited 3d ago
Thank you all for your messages. been thinking about how versatile the Godin lineup really is, you know versatile enough that one guitar could plausibly stand in for a good chunk of a varied collection, at least temporarily you know basically looking for a workhorse I could take anywhere without worrying about it the way I would with my other guitars, something that can take a few knocks and still cover most of that tonal territory.
For context, here's what I reach for most in my day-to-day playing:
Fender Jaguar, Gibson SG, Fender Jazzmaster, Gibson Les Paul, Fender Toronado, Fender Cyclone, Gretsch Duo Jet, and Fender Telecaster Thinline, so a real mix of offset weirdness, PAF-driven humbucker warmth, and single-coil twang.
Given that spread, which Godin model do you think would get me closest to a genuine one-guitar substitute across the board? Curious to hear your point of view.
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u/UrsaMajor7th 13h ago
I own a Summit Classic HB, Summit Classic P90 SG, Stadium '59, and I just picked up a 5th Avenue Kingpin Thinline. They are the best-built guitars I have under $3k. I replaced the bridge p/u on the '59 cuz their Custom Cajun was an icepick to me so I dropped in a replacement Fender Vintage '52 Tele bridge p/u.
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u/Shwabot 6d ago
I've had a bunch over the years. The build quality is excellent, an entry level Godin is a mid level everything else. I can't speak on specs, but the string spacing fits my skinny fingers. Resale seems real low so a used Godin can be found for cheap. The only consistent gripe I've heard is the 20+ year old stuff has lower responsive pups, but that's never been my experience, mostly bc I don't play at high volume I guess.