Godin Shifter / Fret-King Ventura - Three pick ups a new trend?

Chris P. · September 13, 2010, 05:56:59 AM

I've got quite a nice bass at home to review:

It's called the Godin Shifter. Canadian made. There's also a rosewood board sunburst one. I really like the looks of it. A bit slab P bass, a bit Jazz without the chrome control plate. Also a bit Mustang/Musicmaster and the three pick ups make it nice. It has a five way switch and a push/pull for a total of six pick up configurations.

Three pick ups seem to be a new trend? Music Man has the Reflex and Big Al. Fret King has the Ventura 80 Bass:

Of course nothing special about three pick up basses. My '64 Burns has three.

Droombolus · September 13, 2010, 10:12:47 AM

They both look ugly as sin but still highly interesting, a bit of a return to the space-days ?

Pilgrim · September 13, 2010, 10:38:04 AM

That Godin appears to have a LOT of Mustang and Tele DNA in it. I like it.

Chris P. · September 13, 2010, 10:47:59 AM

The Fret King is very strabge, but the Godin is a real good looker in real life too! Nice colour, very nice build.

Pilgrim · September 13, 2010, 10:59:28 AM

The Fret King looks like a cubist interpretation of a Vox Phantom. I'm undecided as to whether that's a bug or a feature.

exiledarchangel · September 13, 2010, 11:13:03 AM

That Godin is very nice!

Pilgrim · September 13, 2010, 01:22:07 PM

The really odd thing about the pickups on that Godin is that they're neither symmetrical nor consistent in their angles. Odd, veddy odd.

Dave W · September 13, 2010, 02:40:56 PM

Is the Godin long scale?

PhilT · September 14, 2010, 05:29:37 AM

Looks like Italian accordian makers design values are making a comeback. If you hadn't said they were new I'd be looking for them on Fetishguitars. I love that site.

dadagoboi · September 14, 2010, 07:55:09 AM

Quote from: PhilT on September 14, 2010, 05:29:37 AM
Looks like Italian accordian makers design values are making a comeback. If you hadn't said they were new I'd be looking for them on Fetishguitars. I love that site.

Wow! I was unaware of Fetishguitars. Great stuff. Thanks for the inspiration.

Chris P. · September 14, 2010, 02:01:37 PM

Yep, the Godin is longscale and quite a big bass.

And I love fetishguitars!

Dave W · September 14, 2010, 07:51:50 PM

I like it. And Godins are usually priced right.

exiledarchangel · September 15, 2010, 12:59:05 AM

Quote from: Dave W on September 14, 2010, 07:51:50 PM
I like it. And Godins are usually priced right.

And well built too!

Dave W · September 15, 2010, 11:50:46 AM

I see it's available here for $895.

dadagoboi · September 15, 2010, 02:10:41 PM

Quote from: Dave W on September 15, 2010, 11:50:46 AM
I see it's available here for $895.

Where? Is that the street price?