Re: Godin Freeway; is There a Catch?
Godin makes some great guitars. They don't have the artist roster of bigger brands, and you can't find em in every Sam Ash or Guitar Center. Their designs are quirky and interesting, which keeps them off the radar of traditionalists. Good thing, as the used prices are really great. Every Godin I've ever played I've considered owning, and it was my favorite brand at NAMM 2 years in a row. I just kept going back to that booth.
They have a deep roster but it's an eclectic mix. A lot of jazz, world, folk, and studio/sideman (basically, a lot of people no one has ever heard of).
Their solid body electrics are quirky, but I think they make most of their money selling acoustics and acoustic-electrics (Godin owns the brands Simon & Patrick, Art & Lutherie, Seagull, la Patric, Norman & Acoustic Solutions). I don't know what it's like in the US, but in Canada I see a lot of their acoustic brands carried in stores that don't carry Godin electrics, and when I do see an actual Godin on stage it's typically been Multiac, which are popular because they're a nylon string acoustic-electric that's chambered rather than hollow, thus no feedback and they travel well.
Made in Canada, assembled in US... And people seem to like them.
How are these available used ~$300 ? Seems they weren't too much more new. I've never played one, but they're even cheaper than US made Peaveys that can be had for beans, which I formerly thought were the US-made threshold. What am I missing here?
I have a Godin Freeway bass. I paid about $500 for it new around 12 years ago. IMO it's better made than a MIM Fender bass, maybe not quite as good as a MIA Fender bass.
IMO, Mincer kind of hit the nail on the head. They have their own styling going on and when you see them in person they look a bit weird if you're a Fender/Gibson guy. Also, their finishes are more subdued, which tends to make them look a bit boring when you're standing in a room full of Gibson/Fender/PRS/Ibanez.
