NDG - Richmond Dorchester

Alex_F

Alex_F

New member
I bought a new Richmond Dorchester about a month ago but haven't had a chance to post up until now. Richmond is a sub-brand of Godin. The distinction being that the Richmonds are all manufactured and assembled in Quebec (Godin is manufactured in Quebec and assembled in New Hampshire).

I actually went to the store to check out a Richmond Belmont (which was great in it's own right) but the Dorchester had to be mine. The last thing I pictured was buying a black one (the also sell a Cherry Burst color) but once I saw it I had to have it. The rosewood neck is really beautiful and dark.
The things that set this guitar apart is the chambered maple and poplar body and the Lace Alumitone pups. I've never heard anything like it. The bridge pup kicks ass -great distortion and clean tones. The neck gives great blues tones and can sound almost woody at times (in a good way). The Alumitones have a lot of range. They sound like no other pickup- there are no coils in these things. The shell that you see is the whole pickup. The 4 postion switch has neck, bridge, both series and both parallel positions and each one has a very distinctive tone. To my ear this thing has great tones from punk to jazz. Death metal probably isn't it's thing but you can't have it all.

I have run into a problem with the switch and need to get it back to the dealer to have it swapped out when I get a chance. Otherwise I love this thing to death.

5026-20091221-Edit.jpg


5022-20091221-Edit.jpg


5012-20091221-Edit.jpg


5029-20091221-Edit.jpg
 
Re: NDG - Richmond Dorchester

Nice to see someone else liking these! I've had the same one as you except with a maple fretboard and it's awesome. And I agree about everything you've said about the pick ups.
 
Re: NDG - Richmond Dorchester

The thing plays great. The fretwork is flawless and the neck and fingerboard are like butter. It's not that easy to see in the picture but this thing has a really nice looking roller bridge the feels really comfortable under the hand.
 
Re: NDG - Richmond Dorchester

Hey Bobtrack- Does the bridge pup seem a little trebly to you at times? I've been playing around with ideas to tone it down a bit but maybe I'm just being nit picky. Of course I can just use the tone knob but that's too easy.
 
Re: NDG - Richmond Dorchester

I joined this forum with the sole intention of saying hi to some fellow owners of the Dorchester! I bought mine a couple of months ago (black with a maple fretboard too) and it's a blast to play. I'm a big fan of Godin guitars and I've got a Summit CT too. I wanted something different and I'm not disappointed - the Dorchester has real character. The chambered body makes it ring and I'm really impressed with the Alumitone pickups. There's a subtle difference in the sound depending on whether you pick the strings over the bridge pickup, the neck pickup or somewhere in between but it's the neck and fretboard where this guitar really scores. It arrived with a factory-fresh matt kind of finish but it's now smoothing out sweetly. It's like buying a really good pair of shoes that just get more and more comfortable.

I hope Godin doesn't get too big and end up farming out production like certain makes I could mention because right now they produce great quality guitars. So maybe we should keep quiet..?
 
Re: NDG - Richmond Dorchester

I haven't yet found a Dorchester in stores but I can say that the Belmont is an awesome guitar.

I'd also echo the last poster's sentiment that for as great of a company as Godin is you almost wish they wouldn't get too big and start raising prices. We saw that already with a Canadian company when Traynor started getting popular. 5-6 years ago Traynor amps were significantly cheaper than they are now. I could see that happening with Godin since they're way cheaper than any other North American made guitars at this point.
 
Re: NDG - Richmond Dorchester

I can't say as I've ever heard of those before, but I dig it's looks and all.
 
Re: NDG - Richmond Dorchester

man i've seen those at my local shop and never knew they were part of the Godin Family of companies...
 
Re: NDG - Richmond Dorchester

Sorry to resurrect an old thread. Just looking to see, who on here still owns one? Did you like it enough to keep it. I tried a used black one by chance at a store today. It felt amazing. Very well made instrument. I am just on the fence about whether to get it -- because a ) I have too many guitars already. and b) not entirely sure about those pickups and the retro look. whether the novelty will wear off after a few months.
 
Re: NDG - Richmond Dorchester

Alex_F said:
Hey Bobtrack- Does the bridge pup seem a little trebly to you at times? I've been playing around with ideas to tone it down a bit but maybe I'm just being nit picky. Of course I can just use the tone knob but that's too easy.
Click to expand...

I'm don't want to convince you that you need to do a pickup swap right out the box with your new guitar, but the Alumitone Deathbucker is a pretty good match for the standard neck. And don't let the name convince you it's a one trick pony, it can do quite a bit more than metal. It works for Jazz and a bit of country too.
 
Re: NDG - Richmond Dorchester

Chistopher said:
I'm don't want to convince you that you need to do a pickup swap right out the box with your new guitar, but the Alumitone Deathbucker is a pretty good match for the standard neck. And don't let the name convince you it's a one trick pony, it can do quite a bit more than metal. It works for Jazz and a bit of country too.
Click to expand...

He posted it in 2009 man i think you're a bit late.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top