I got so lucky last night and bought this exact guitar on Marketplace for $740. Nothing with it and have no idea why he listed it so low. Took my chance and super happy with it. I previously had the Godin Sessions discontinued one that was around a $650 brand new. Finally upgraded to this beauty ❤
Great review and playing! I've got a couple Seagull acoustics and a Godin Stadium HT and I absolutely love the way they feel (the neck is one of the best I've ever played). The value is nuts on these, and it is so good to know that my money is helping support fellow Canadians.
DITTO! I didn't catch 😕 your exact name, so I'm going to call you "Canadian Vob" - after "English Bob" (Richard Harris!)- in the Clint Eastwood movie "The 🎬 Unforgiven" - filmed in Alberta in The Drumheller Badlsnds - BECAUSE you dissed THE GODIN pickups (Lol!) I LOVE those pickups! Oh, that 'Leafs blurb in your video is kinda crazy, too! Go Oilers! and Godin! 🌎
I got a “blemished” matte black one of these on reverb for $450. It quickly became my favorite gigging guitar. It’s light as a feather, plays like a dream. I am experimenting with the pickups. They aren’t bad, but they are very tame and “vanilla”. I just had some GFS pickups installed, they gave it more bite but I may opt for something different . I have other more popular and expensive guitars in my collection but i keep coming back to the Godin. It just feels like home.
I couldn't agree more! Godins are killer guitars! $450 is an amazing price! And if you ask me, I'd tell you blemished guitars are the best guitars. I'm having Texas Specials installed in the neck and middle of mine, and also a Tom Anderson H2+ in the bridge. I'm also swapping the white pickguard for the tortoise shell one. I'll likely be doing that before December. I'll do a video about it then. Thanks for watching!
@@TheRecordist I bought a seagull acoustic when I was still quite new to guitar. I thought it was the best sound and feel in my price range. 6 years later as I peruse the $1000+ acoustics at my local music shop, I can't help but feel like they're not all that worth it. I make my way back to the seagull (which is about 30% more money these days) and man did it ever just feel "right". Might be biased because it's what Ive been playing on for years, but for the price no other guitar came close for me. That day I bought the Session HT. Got to the end of the electric guitar wall thinking I'd be walking out with my pockets full, but as soon as I laid eyes on this guitar I knew my pocket was about to get lighter. No regrets, what an amazing beautiful guitar. I would love to swap the pickups as I find them a bit meh, but I know absolutely nothing about it.
@@TheOnlyBoon I know exactly what you mean! And you’re right about the Godin brand being quite a bit more expensive. When I bought the Session HT only a year ago, it was $795 Canadian. Now the same guitar is $1149. Their value is getting recognized-because that huge increase isn’t just inflation. Funny you should talk about pickups for the Session. I just bought my new pickups last week and they arrive this coming week. I went with a Tom Anderson H2+ humbucker for the bridge, and two Texas Special singles for the middle and neck. I also bought the Godin Tortoise Shell pickguard and black pickup covers. I’m giving her a makeover. I’ll be doing a video about it soon!
@@TheRecordist awesome I'll have to check that video out! Will be good info for the pickups hopefully. I have the matte black and thought the tortoise shell would look great, but it's funny because I have a black Godin Shifter 4 Classic Bass that came with tortoise shell pickguard and I swapped it for the black one. I didn't even realize until I got it home but the Session matches it perfectly! (Other than white pickups and selector switch)
Thanks muchly for this review. I love Godin guitars. I have a Session and a Session Custom (neck hum & bridge Single). I'm going for a Stadium next, Godins take on a Tele. My American Fenders are gradually being shown the back door. Thanks
Hey no prob! I so badly want a Stadium! The bourbon burst one looks divine! I absolutely adore Godin guitars. And I know you agree! Thanks for watching!
Just subscribed and liked this video. I literally just bought the Arctik Blue version of this guitar yesterday and am loving it. Did you ever swap out the pick-ups and, if so, what did you replace them with? Thanks!
Hi there. Thanks very much! Yes. I did swap out the pickups. In the bridge, I put a Tom Anderson H2+ and in the middle and neck I went with Fender Texas Specials. I did a video about it. You can see it here: ua-cam.com/video/GxPtWCIAwno/v-deo.htmlsi=hBuR3ubHhG8BygjQ Thanks again!
IMO this is the most accurate review of the Session. I recently bought a used 2017 Session with the trem. I can live with the single coils for playing clean. But that humbucker just says "country" music. And I don't do country. Can't get a good hard rock/light metal sound with it from a Katana. So maybe a JB in the bridge eventually ? Regardless, this one has very low miles on it and the construction and feel just screams quality. For $500 from a local music store, can't complain. And hey, it's Canadian !
That’s fantastic! I ended up putting in a Tom Anderson H2+ in the bridge. I also put in a couple of Fender Texas Specials for the singles. I did a part 2 of this video where I showed my modifications. Check my page for the link. It was last week’s video. And thanks for the compliment!
Great review, man! I just got my second Godin (a stadium) after falling in love with my first (a radium CB). I'm looking at a Session now, but I really wish they'd make a Jag/Jazz style guitar.
Oooh. Stadiums are nice! Same with the Radiums! I really do love the Session! It’s such a buttery guitar. I thought they did have a jazz style guitar. Hmm. And thanks for watching!
Look at the 5th Avenue Kingpin I or II . I bought a used kpII and it is amazing! Around 600 used. It’s so good that Tony Bennett’s band guitar played one as well.
That godan is beautiful I love that hutiar it's nice to c different makers b sides fender and Gibbs very nice im Canadian so I love it but live in ny love it great gutiar
@@TheRecordist omits sounds as good or better than my Martin… it’s not a high end Martin but it was almost $1600 bucks compared to $550 for tha Art & Lutherie… to me tha Art & Lutherie sounds better ❤️ I really like the Art& Lutherie and it’s much more attractive looking… I have the bourbon burst … it’s probably my favorite guitar 😳!
I have the same tobacco burst. I love the sound upgrade from my epi LP. I love the sound of the bridge pot pulled and the middle pup. It has a volume boost and kind of an ambience or presence upgrade to my ears. It is perfect for leads or just rocking out ! I like the different sounds however my neck and middle position adds an unpleasant rattling noise of the strings I don't care for. I wish the neck pup sounded like a Strat's. I think I need a better setup and pups.
I didn’t like the stock pickups. I had them replaced because it was the only weak point that I found. I’ve got Texas Specials and Anderson H2+ in there now, as you know. I like it better.
Gol-Dang. I don't know, that name sounds Chinese. But that thing sounds thick and buttery, like syrup, eh... That's some solid craftsmanship. Could probably play hockey with that thing... 👍
Hahaha. It’s French. But my French is atrocious, so when I say it, it sounds Chinese. Hahaha. Living the Canadian stereotypes, though! Game on! Haha. Cheers!
Nice ax. I've always been a fan of Godin. The pickups sound very good, and for ceramics they are warm. But if I had my choice I'd put a Duncan Custom Custom in the bridge and SSL-5s in the middle and neck. Otherwise, I can't think of any other needed improvements. I'm a fan of basswood, but I'm not familiar with the characteristics of Laurentian basswood. I like pairing basswood with warm but bright pickups and the Custom Custom or Saturday Night Special which Godin uses for other models would work fine in the bridge. I'm not a trem guy either, opting for hardtails or TOMs since 1988 when I tired of all the tuning issues I had with Floyds. I rarely use standard trems either. I love the resonance and sustain of fixed bridges. Cool demo, cool guitar.
Hey thanks! It’s a great guitar! I ended up going with Tom Anderson H2+ in the bridge snd Fender Texas Specials in the middle and neck. I love it the most now. Oh man. I had Floyds back in the 80s. Ibanez USA Custom and an Ibanez Jem. Back when I thought that was cool. Haha. I ended up just preferring a fender body and sound, with a Gibson hardtail. Cheers, Angus!
@@TheRecordist Tom Anderson pickups are superb. I think Schecter makes them out here in L.A., but I'm not sure. Texas Specials are great, loud single coils.
Had the session with floating trem for nearly a decade, my favorite guitar by a mile but the Godin pickups definitely let it down. The humbucker sounds thin, with low output and can't handle moderate to high gain well. The single coils have great output, chim and bottom end but lack clarity IMO. I'm going to drop in a dimarzio Norton and Cruiser pickups soon :]
Great review, any chance you could do a comparison between the session HT and newer R-HT Pro? Haven't found a breakdown yet on the key differences. Thanks
Hey. Yes. That’s a great deal for the Godin Session Ht. As far as compared to the C2 Classic? Hmm. The C1 is a dual humbucker guitar, if I remember correctly. It’s fancy and very PRS-like. The Session HT is two singles and a humbucker and is much more like a Fender Strat. It’s unbelievably light and has a narrower nut. If you dig the sound of a fat strat, then this is a great guitar for you to change it up a bit. I swapped pickups in mine. I put two Fender Texas Special singles and a Tom Anderson H2+ humbucker in there. I didn’t fancy the ceramic magnet pickups that came stock - though a lot of people do like them. Hope this helps!
Appreciate this video a lot. I live in Ontario. Losing sleep over which to pick. Fender player plus or this. And I only own old godin guitars of over 10 years. Reason I like Godin is the build quality and design, but the reason I'm debating the fender is for the alnico pickups and maple fretboard. Not sure yet 😅 plus I hate the location of the volume knob on the fender.
Hey! I am also in Ontario. What a friggin’ province, eh? Well, here’s what I can tell you. I also was between a Fender Player (MiM) Strat and a Godin Session. Here’s what convinced me: the Godin Session is made in Canada using almost 100% Canadian-sourced material found in the laurentians (only just the Indian Laurel fretboard wood was imported). It’s made with care and by hand by real people. I can’t say the same for the made-in-Mexico Strats. Hell, I can’t even say the same for American-made Strats. So I wanted a homegrown farm-to-table real guitar and that’s why I went with the Godin. However, the pickups aren’t the best, but not are they in the Player Fenders. These are easily replaceable and that’s exactly what I did. In fact, if all goes right, I’ll be revisiting my Godin guitar in a new video on my channel in just over a week’s time. I have replaced all my pickups AND the pickguard. I have the highest-end jobbies in there now and I’ll be featuring the work I had done in that video. I also, wanted the maple neck originally, but I decided that I wanted a guitar that is really light and handcrafted and that the maple neck wasn’t a dealbreaker. That’s quite a decision you have to make. I’ve been there. And ultimately, you can choose whatever you feel is right-for me, the Godin was my decision. And I’ve outlined why here. In my old age, I’ve come to appreciate authentic things over factory things-if that’s an option. Everything on the Godin is premium EXCEPT the pickups. Easy decision since us guitar players often upgrade our pickups anyway. I hope some of this info helps you. Let me know what you decide either way! Good luck!
Great video, the cinematography and color grading is phenomenal. Earned a new sub. Question- I’m deciding between this guitar (not the HT), and a G&L Tribute, and a Squier Classic Vibe 60’s. Which would you recommend? I’m lefty so I’m not fortunate enough to try them out in-store:(
Hey thanks so much! I try my best with my little camera. My honest opinion is to go with a Godin. They’re American-made Fender/Gibson/Ibanez quality with a Mexican-made price tag. They do fabulous work and it’s all hand done. I think there’s a video on UA-cam where you can see how they make these guitars and the people involved. I was between several and I ended up choosing the Godin and I’m glad I did. I had it tricked out as well. I later added Texas special pickups and a Tom Anderson H2+ humbucker in there. I also swapped the pick guard. I have another video showing what I did to it and how it sounds here: ua-cam.com/video/GxPtWCIAwno/v-deo.html All Godins are made in either Canada or USA or both. That’s my advice. Do let me know what you decide on! Cheers and thanks for watching!
Hmm, interesting. It's funny that you only talk of the positves and make no mention of the negatives. I bought the Trans Cream model just recently during a Black Friday sale. Supposedly brand new for $769 CAD. When playing it at ther store I pulled the tone knob to coil tap and it came off in my hand - other than that everything else seemed fine. The guy fixed the coil tap switch took 50 bucks off hte orice and I got the guitar home - and that's when I discovered all the iother little things that Godin chooses NOT to do in the build and final QC inspection. There is a crack in the body where the jack is fitted because someone tightened the screws tooo much and the plate has a very small crack. - this should have never passed QC. There is no shielding in the control cavity nor on the cover. I did not bother to take the scratch plate off to check the pickup housing, but I'm certain that is also lacking shielding owing to the amount of hum I get in positions 5, 4 and 2. The wiring in the control cavity looks like a jumbled mess, like it was put together by a novice with a soldering iron. Maybe I got a bad one, I don't know, but the point I am tryibng to make is that Godin's street price for this guitar is $1149 CAD - at that price the things I stated above should NOT be an issue at all, considering they brag about the instrument being made in Canada with all Canadian parts. I have a Made in Indonesia G&L Asat Classic Bluesboy Semi Hollow which cost me l$679 pre COVID that does NOT have any issues at all, and is shielded where required. So much for all the hype. My problem is that I like the look and feel of the Godin, so I will spend some dosh to bring it up to the standard Godin should have done ion the first place. There are those who might disagree with the above, but this has been my experience with a much hyped instrument, and utit has not been a good one.
Wow. That’s a very bad experience. I have never heard of a bad Godin experience. This will be the first for me. I’m sorry you got a bad one. I didn’t have any of these issues at all. I DID say my negatives. One of which was the pickups. I wasn’t fond of them so I’ve since swapped them for Fender Texas Specials and a Tom Anderson H2+. Godin had no idea I did this review and it is in no way sponsored by them. This is just my own experience. I’ve played and owned a few Godins, and all have been fabulous. I can’t imagine QC would let that pass. Perhaps you got sold a used one that some novice tried to tinker with? Because other than that, I can’t see how that would’ve been released. Join the Godin Owners Facebook group. They talk about all things Godin and I often read the posts. It’s always positive stuff and usually the only complaints are the pickups. Once again, sorry for your experience. I recently had a similar experience with a very popular mic. These things happen sometimes. Thanks for watching!
@@TheRecordist Yeah man, that's exactly what I said too, WOW !!. Could not believe that Godin would let that pass through QC. But it is a new guitar - all the stickers and stuff are in place - no screwdriver marks or burrs on any of the screws. But as I said I like the look and feel of the instrument - too bad some of these issues exist.. I will get the pickups changed - the ones on the guitar are a bit too brash and hard edged for my tastes. Have played Seagull and Aert and Lutherie, even owned a Multiac wheb I lived Down Under - never had any issues. Guess there's always a first time. Have a nice day. Cheers.
Yep. Sweetwater is wrong, I guess. It’s definitely basswood. It’s so light that you could use it as a fly swatter. Haha. Not really but it is very light. That’s one of the reasons I got it.
Is that so? That's great to know. Thanks! I am swapping out the pickups in my Session in the next two weeks. I think it'll be exactly the sound I'm after. Thanks for watching!
Oh yes. Easily. But don’t tell that to Fender USA purists. Haha. I just had my mods done on it. I received it yesterday. I went with a tortoise shell pick guard, an Anderson H2+ humbucker at the Bridget (coil tapped) and two Fender Texas Special singles in the middle and neck. I also had it set up with my proper 10-52 gauge strings instead of the standard 10-46. This is sound so kick ass. Wow.
I got so lucky last night and bought this exact guitar on Marketplace for $740. Nothing with it and have no idea why he listed it so low. Took my chance and super happy with it. I previously had the Godin Sessions discontinued one that was around a $650 brand new. Finally upgraded to this beauty ❤
Nice! What a great guitar! Congrats!
Great review and playing! I've got a couple Seagull acoustics and a Godin Stadium HT and I absolutely love the way they feel (the neck is one of the best I've ever played). The value is nuts on these, and it is so good to know that my money is helping support fellow Canadians.
I couldn’t agree more! Well said!
DITTO! I didn't catch 😕 your exact name, so I'm going to call you "Canadian Vob" - after "English Bob" (Richard Harris!)- in the Clint Eastwood movie "The 🎬 Unforgiven" - filmed in Alberta in The Drumheller Badlsnds - BECAUSE you dissed THE GODIN pickups (Lol!) I LOVE those pickups! Oh, that 'Leafs blurb in your video is kinda crazy, too! Go Oilers! and Godin! 🌎
ABSOLUTELY! GREAT QUALITY, snf EXEMPLARY WORKMANSHIP! I s old my FENDER snd bought MY SESSION@ MORE GODIN"S COMING! Good work AIDAN SMITH!
I got a “blemished” matte black one of these on reverb for $450. It quickly became my favorite gigging guitar. It’s light as a feather, plays like a dream. I am experimenting with the pickups. They aren’t bad, but they are very tame and “vanilla”. I just had some GFS pickups installed, they gave it more bite but I may opt for something different . I have other more popular and expensive guitars in my collection but i keep coming back to the Godin. It just feels like home.
I couldn't agree more! Godins are killer guitars! $450 is an amazing price! And if you ask me, I'd tell you blemished guitars are the best guitars.
I'm having Texas Specials installed in the neck and middle of mine, and also a Tom Anderson H2+ in the bridge. I'm also swapping the white pickguard for the tortoise shell one. I'll likely be doing that before December. I'll do a video about it then. Thanks for watching!
really enjoy your videos homie, I have no idea what you're talking about but you're really selling me on these products.
Hahaha. Well I appreciate that you’re watching them! Cheers!
I've had a Seagul for many years. I didn't know they are owned by Godin. The Seagul is exceptional.
You’re damn right! Seagulls are among the best acoustic guitars in the world. You’re very lucky to own one!
@@TheRecordist I bought a seagull acoustic when I was still quite new to guitar. I thought it was the best sound and feel in my price range. 6 years later as I peruse the $1000+ acoustics at my local music shop, I can't help but feel like they're not all that worth it. I make my way back to the seagull (which is about 30% more money these days) and man did it ever just feel "right". Might be biased because it's what Ive been playing on for years, but for the price no other guitar came close for me. That day I bought the Session HT. Got to the end of the electric guitar wall thinking I'd be walking out with my pockets full, but as soon as I laid eyes on this guitar I knew my pocket was about to get lighter. No regrets, what an amazing beautiful guitar. I would love to swap the pickups as I find them a bit meh, but I know absolutely nothing about it.
@@TheOnlyBoon I know exactly what you mean! And you’re right about the Godin brand being quite a bit more expensive. When I bought the Session HT only a year ago, it was $795 Canadian. Now the same guitar is $1149. Their value is getting recognized-because that huge increase isn’t just inflation.
Funny you should talk about pickups for the Session. I just bought my new pickups last week and they arrive this coming week. I went with a Tom Anderson H2+ humbucker for the bridge, and two Texas Special singles for the middle and neck. I also bought the Godin Tortoise Shell pickguard and black pickup covers. I’m giving her a makeover. I’ll be doing a video about it soon!
@@TheRecordist awesome I'll have to check that video out! Will be good info for the pickups hopefully. I have the matte black and thought the tortoise shell would look great, but it's funny because I have a black Godin Shifter 4 Classic Bass that came with tortoise shell pickguard and I swapped it for the black one. I didn't even realize until I got it home but the Session matches it perfectly! (Other than white pickups and selector switch)
@@TheOnlyBoon oh that’s pretty sweet! Gotta love Godins!
Thanks muchly for this review. I love Godin guitars. I have a Session and a Session Custom (neck hum & bridge Single). I'm going for a Stadium next, Godins take on a Tele. My American Fenders are gradually being shown the back door. Thanks
Hey no prob! I so badly want a Stadium! The bourbon burst one looks divine! I absolutely adore Godin guitars. And I know you agree! Thanks for watching!
Just subscribed and liked this video. I literally just bought the Arctik Blue version of this guitar yesterday and am loving it. Did you ever swap out the pick-ups and, if so, what did you replace them with? Thanks!
Hi there. Thanks very much!
Yes. I did swap out the pickups. In the bridge, I put a Tom Anderson H2+ and in the middle and neck I went with Fender Texas Specials.
I did a video about it. You can see it here: ua-cam.com/video/GxPtWCIAwno/v-deo.htmlsi=hBuR3ubHhG8BygjQ
Thanks again!
Great video, thanks!❤
You’re very welcome! Cheers!
IMO this is the most accurate review of the Session. I recently bought a used 2017 Session with the trem. I can live with the single coils for playing clean. But that humbucker just says "country" music. And I don't do country. Can't get a good hard rock/light metal sound with it from a Katana. So maybe a JB in the bridge eventually ? Regardless, this one has very low miles on it and the construction and feel just screams quality. For $500 from a local music store, can't complain. And hey, it's Canadian !
That’s fantastic! I ended up putting in a Tom Anderson H2+ in the bridge. I also put in a couple of Fender Texas Specials for the singles. I did a part 2 of this video where I showed my modifications. Check my page for the link. It was last week’s video.
And thanks for the compliment!
@@TheRecordist Thanks for the reply! I didn't realize you made a part 2, so will check it out now. Definitely in my interest. Cheers !
@@awolgen6327 oh very nice! And you’re very welcome! Cheers!
That chug was glorious! Metal guitar in disguise....
Hahah. You know it! Cheers!
Godin also makes La Patrie classical nylon guitars. I love mine ! Plays well and sounds sweet.
I don’t doubt it! They make amazing guitars! Thanks for watching!
Great review, man! I just got my second Godin (a stadium) after falling in love with my first (a radium CB). I'm looking at a Session now, but I really wish they'd make a Jag/Jazz style guitar.
Oooh. Stadiums are nice! Same with the Radiums! I really do love the Session! It’s such a buttery guitar. I thought they did have a jazz style guitar. Hmm.
And thanks for watching!
Look at the 5th Avenue Kingpin I or II . I bought a used kpII and it is amazing! Around 600 used. It’s so good that Tony Bennett’s band guitar played one as well.
That godan is beautiful I love that hutiar it's nice to c different makers b sides fender and Gibbs very nice im Canadian so I love it but live in ny love it great gutiar
I love Godin guitars. And you’re right, it’s nice to see guitars other than Fender and Gibson doing well out there. Thanks for watching!
My acoustic is a Simon&Patrick cedar. I love it.
Excellent! Great guitar! I have a Seagull Coastline Momentum. Same company!
These are great guitars. Thanks for the vid!
I LOVE GODIN! Thanks for watching!
My Art & Lutherie makes my Martin hang it’s head and stand in the corner😂😂😜🤘
Really? It's better than a Martin? Well that's saying something!
@@TheRecordist omits sounds as good or better than my Martin… it’s not a high end Martin but it was almost $1600 bucks compared to $550 for tha Art & Lutherie… to me tha Art & Lutherie sounds better ❤️ I really like the Art& Lutherie and it’s much more attractive looking… I have the bourbon burst … it’s probably my favorite guitar 😳!
@@andystagger2906 oh man. I LOVE the bourbon burst ones! Fantastic! It just may be my next Godin family purchase! Thanks for letting me know!
I have the same tobacco burst. I love the sound upgrade from my epi LP. I love the sound of the bridge pot pulled and the middle pup. It has a volume boost and kind of an ambience or presence upgrade to my ears. It is perfect for leads or just rocking out !
I like the different sounds however my neck and middle position adds an unpleasant rattling noise of the strings I don't care for. I wish the neck pup sounded like a Strat's. I think I need a better setup and pups.
I didn’t like the stock pickups. I had them replaced because it was the only weak point that I found. I’ve got Texas Specials and Anderson H2+ in there now, as you know. I like it better.
@@TheRecordist Yes . I agree the Texas Specials are great.
Fantastic video! I love your style of video, instant sub.
Hey thanks so much!
Great video, great playin` and of course a very great guitar !!!
Hey thanks! I’m so out of practice these days! I appreciate the compliments! Cheers!
@@TheRecordist it*s great!
Gol-Dang. I don't know, that name sounds Chinese. But that thing sounds thick and buttery, like syrup, eh... That's some solid craftsmanship. Could probably play hockey with that thing... 👍
Hahaha. It’s French. But my French is atrocious, so when I say it, it sounds Chinese. Hahaha.
Living the Canadian stereotypes, though! Game on! Haha.
Cheers!
Nice ax. I've always been a fan of Godin. The pickups sound very good, and for ceramics they are warm. But if I had my choice I'd put a Duncan Custom Custom in the bridge and SSL-5s in the middle and neck. Otherwise, I can't think of any other needed improvements. I'm a fan of basswood, but I'm not familiar with the characteristics of Laurentian basswood. I like pairing basswood with warm but bright pickups and the Custom Custom or Saturday Night Special which Godin uses for other models would work fine in the bridge. I'm not a trem guy either, opting for hardtails or TOMs since 1988 when I tired of all the tuning issues I had with Floyds. I rarely use standard trems either. I love the resonance and sustain of fixed bridges. Cool demo, cool guitar.
Hey thanks! It’s a great guitar! I ended up going with Tom Anderson H2+ in the bridge snd Fender Texas Specials in the middle and neck. I love it the most now.
Oh man. I had Floyds back in the 80s. Ibanez USA Custom and an Ibanez Jem. Back when I thought that was cool. Haha. I ended up just preferring a fender body and sound, with a Gibson hardtail.
Cheers, Angus!
@@TheRecordist Tom Anderson pickups are superb. I think Schecter makes them out here in L.A., but I'm not sure. Texas Specials are great, loud single coils.
Had the session with floating trem for nearly a decade, my favorite guitar by a mile but the Godin pickups definitely let it down. The humbucker sounds thin, with low output and can't handle moderate to high gain well. The single coils have great output, chim and bottom end but lack clarity IMO. I'm going to drop in a dimarzio Norton and Cruiser pickups soon :]
Totally agree! I went with Texas Specials and an Anderson H2+ in mine. Thanks for watching!
Great review, any chance you could do a comparison between the session HT and newer R-HT Pro? Haven't found a breakdown yet on the key differences. Thanks
I’d love to do that! But I can’t keep buying the guitars. I tried to get Godin to sent me some review guitars but no response. I’ll try again. Cheers!
I love my session ht!!
Woo hoo! ✊🏻
I laughed when he kept repeating Godin 😄
Hahaha. Me too.
Do you think $500 is a good deal for this guitar? my current daily is a Schecter C1 classic for my taste reference.
Hey. Yes. That’s a great deal for the Godin Session Ht. As far as compared to the C2 Classic? Hmm. The C1 is a dual humbucker guitar, if I remember correctly. It’s fancy and very PRS-like.
The Session HT is two singles and a humbucker and is much more like a Fender Strat. It’s unbelievably light and has a narrower nut. If you dig the sound of a fat strat, then this is a great guitar for you to change it up a bit.
I swapped pickups in mine. I put two Fender Texas Special singles and a Tom Anderson H2+ humbucker in there. I didn’t fancy the ceramic magnet pickups that came stock - though a lot of people do like them.
Hope this helps!
Appreciate this video a lot. I live in Ontario. Losing sleep over which to pick. Fender player plus or this. And I only own old godin guitars of over 10 years. Reason I like Godin is the build quality and design, but the reason I'm debating the fender is for the alnico pickups and maple fretboard. Not sure yet 😅 plus I hate the location of the volume knob on the fender.
Hey! I am also in Ontario. What a friggin’ province, eh?
Well, here’s what I can tell you. I also was between a Fender Player (MiM) Strat and a Godin Session. Here’s what convinced me: the Godin Session is made in Canada using almost 100% Canadian-sourced material found in the laurentians (only just the Indian Laurel fretboard wood was imported). It’s made with care and by hand by real people. I can’t say the same for the made-in-Mexico Strats. Hell, I can’t even say the same for American-made Strats. So I wanted a homegrown farm-to-table real guitar and that’s why I went with the Godin. However, the pickups aren’t the best, but not are they in the Player Fenders. These are easily replaceable and that’s exactly what I did. In fact, if all goes right, I’ll be revisiting my Godin guitar in a new video on my channel in just over a week’s time. I have replaced all my pickups AND the pickguard. I have the highest-end jobbies in there now and I’ll be featuring the work I had done in that video.
I also, wanted the maple neck originally, but I decided that I wanted a guitar that is really light and handcrafted and that the maple neck wasn’t a dealbreaker.
That’s quite a decision you have to make. I’ve been there. And ultimately, you can choose whatever you feel is right-for me, the Godin was my decision. And I’ve outlined why here. In my old age, I’ve come to appreciate authentic things over factory things-if that’s an option. Everything on the Godin is premium EXCEPT the pickups. Easy decision since us guitar players often upgrade our pickups anyway.
I hope some of this info helps you. Let me know what you decide either way! Good luck!
Great review. How is the upper fret access to the 22nd fret?
Thanks! It’s pretty easy access for me. I’ve not had any problems accessing the 22nd fret at all.
Great video, the cinematography and color grading is phenomenal. Earned a new sub.
Question- I’m deciding between this guitar (not the HT), and a G&L Tribute, and a Squier Classic Vibe 60’s. Which would you recommend? I’m lefty so I’m not fortunate enough to try them out in-store:(
Hey thanks so much! I try my best with my little camera.
My honest opinion is to go with a Godin. They’re American-made Fender/Gibson/Ibanez quality with a Mexican-made price tag. They do fabulous work and it’s all hand done. I think there’s a video on UA-cam where you can see how they make these guitars and the people involved.
I was between several and I ended up choosing the Godin and I’m glad I did. I had it tricked out as well. I later added Texas special pickups and a Tom Anderson H2+ humbucker in there. I also swapped the pick guard. I have another video showing what I did to it and how it sounds here: ua-cam.com/video/GxPtWCIAwno/v-deo.html
All Godins are made in either Canada or USA or both.
That’s my advice. Do let me know what you decide on! Cheers and thanks for watching!
Hmm, interesting. It's funny that you only talk of the positves and make no mention of the negatives.
I bought the Trans Cream model just recently during a Black Friday sale. Supposedly brand new for $769 CAD. When playing it at ther store I pulled the tone knob to coil tap and it came off in my hand - other than that everything else seemed fine. The guy fixed the coil tap switch took 50 bucks off hte orice and I got the guitar home - and that's when I discovered all the iother little things that Godin chooses NOT to do in the build and final QC inspection.
There is a crack in the body where the jack is fitted because someone tightened the screws tooo much and the plate has a very small crack. - this should have never passed QC.
There is no shielding in the control cavity nor on the cover. I did not bother to take the scratch plate off to check the pickup housing, but I'm certain that is also lacking shielding owing to the amount of hum I get in positions 5, 4 and 2. The wiring in the control cavity looks like a jumbled mess, like it was put together by a novice with a soldering iron.
Maybe I got a bad one, I don't know, but the point I am tryibng to make is that Godin's street price for this guitar is $1149 CAD - at that price the things I stated above should NOT be an issue at all, considering they brag about the instrument being made in Canada with all Canadian parts.
I have a Made in Indonesia G&L Asat Classic Bluesboy Semi Hollow which cost me l$679 pre COVID that does NOT have any issues at all, and is shielded where required.
So much for all the hype. My problem is that I like the look and feel of the Godin, so I will spend some dosh to bring it up to the standard Godin should have done ion the first place.
There are those who might disagree with the above, but this has been my experience with a much hyped instrument, and utit has not been a good one.
Wow. That’s a very bad experience. I have never heard of a bad Godin experience. This will be the first for me. I’m sorry you got a bad one. I didn’t have any of these issues at all. I DID say my negatives. One of which was the pickups. I wasn’t fond of them so I’ve since swapped them for Fender Texas Specials and a Tom Anderson H2+.
Godin had no idea I did this review and it is in no way sponsored by them. This is just my own experience. I’ve played and owned a few Godins, and all have been fabulous. I can’t imagine QC would let that pass. Perhaps you got sold a used one that some novice tried to tinker with? Because other than that, I can’t see how that would’ve been released.
Join the Godin Owners Facebook group. They talk about all things Godin and I often read the posts. It’s always positive stuff and usually the only complaints are the pickups.
Once again, sorry for your experience. I recently had a similar experience with a very popular mic. These things happen sometimes.
Thanks for watching!
@@TheRecordist Yeah man, that's exactly what I said too, WOW !!. Could not believe that Godin would let that pass through QC. But it is a new guitar - all the stickers and stuff are in place - no screwdriver marks or burrs on any of the screws.
But as I said I like the look and feel of the instrument - too bad some of these issues exist.. I will get the pickups changed - the ones on the guitar are a bit too brash and hard edged for my tastes.
Have played Seagull and Aert and Lutherie, even owned a Multiac wheb I lived Down Under - never had any issues. Guess there's always a first time.
Have a nice day. Cheers.
@@chutgowdingo-loon3212 you’re absolutely right. Thanks for sharing your story. Cheers!
Godin is my choice as well, guitars formidable 👌
Absolutely! Great guitars. Godins are hidden gems!
Cool! :)
Thanks!
Tempting guitar. Curious how this compares to a Silver Sky SE?
I’d love to help you decide but I’ve never played one. Have you?
@@TheRecordist Not yet! Need to find a local shop.
@@theycallmeglen let me know what you think once you’ve done a test drive!
SW Specs say Silver Leaf Maple Body...wth SW?
Yep. Sweetwater is wrong, I guess. It’s definitely basswood. It’s so light that you could use it as a fly swatter. Haha. Not really but it is very light. That’s one of the reasons I got it.
oh nooooo...you forgot to use your tape measure...the one you found in the attic of an old barn in April, 1796....how dare you Agent Smith!
Hahahaha! I did forget to do that. But I’ll be sure to remember for next week! I appreciate you noticing! Thanks!
There vintage stuff have better pickups and are underpriced pretty much everywhere I look
Is that so? That's great to know. Thanks! I am swapping out the pickups in my Session in the next two weeks. I think it'll be exactly the sound I'm after. Thanks for watching!
My name....is Neo
Hahaha. You know it!
All was good till you said basswood, not a big fan.
Yep basswood isn’t for everyone. Understood.
wtf is "Indian Yanni?"
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Well done!
This ALMOST went over my head.
Am I saying Laurel or Yanni? I’LL never tell…
That guitar beats a Fender hands down and it’s cheaper ❤️
Oh yes. Easily. But don’t tell that to Fender USA purists. Haha. I just had my mods done on it. I received it yesterday. I went with a tortoise shell pick guard, an Anderson H2+ humbucker at the Bridget (coil tapped) and two Fender Texas Special singles in the middle and neck. I also had it set up with my proper 10-52 gauge strings instead of the standard 10-46. This is sound so kick ass. Wow.
Well that was supposed to read BRIDGE. HAHA.