Godin A8 Electric Mandolin

My instrument: Godin A8 mandolin with natural finish (2009, Canada)
--> there is another version with a cognac-burst full gloss finish as well, but I prefer the 'wooden' look on my instrument (quite a price difference, too)
Includes volume control, and onboard EQ for low, mid & high
The pickups are piezo on the bridge and are quite good; electronics are active (9V battery included, easy to replace with a flippable compartment in the back of the instrument)
The shape of the mandolin is a bit strange as it's in a guitar shape (with cutout) but it actually is quite nice to look at & has a nice balance too
Includes a nice gig bag that straps the instrument secure inside by its neck

The sound of this instrument fits most semi-acoustic mandolin styles, except for the die-hard fans of certain typical styles (e.g. folk mandolins like gibsons)
I use my Marshall amp with this
Not noisy at all
The sound is as full and bright as you want - just use the onboard EQ to shape it to your liking
I like it as this fits my expectations totally

The action and setup were perfect out of the box.
Pickups & bridge didn't need adjusting either.
I haven't found any flaws at all, and I'm pretty critical. I own about a dozen mandolins of all styles & shapes, with all kinds of quality, and must admit this instrument's build & setup quality is top.

If you want the instrument as a live gig one, choose the full gloss finish version, as that will be more durable.
I've heard about some Godin guitars having cheap tuning hardware (platic knobs that can break) - but I don't think that will happen to my mandolin as I always take care of my instruments - meticulously
The strap buttons and other features seem solid & good, though a bit cheap (again, platic, so possible though unlikely to break)
I would range this instrument as very reliable, and I would use it without a backup

Never used customer support so far.
I've heard contradicting rumours - some say they had to wait or even didn't get answers, some had their case handled right away.
Didn't need repairs as it's perfect out of the box.
My warranty is three years, but that's because my distributors gives that always.

I've played mandolin for about 25 years.
I own quite a lot of other mandolins: a custom build accoustic classical Neapolitan, a classical historical Roman mandolin (Embergher) a baroque mandolin, a folk mandolin (cheap Fender), an electric (Epiphone MandoBird IV)
If the instrument would be lost / stolen, I would replace it straight away
I love it totally as this is the first semi-accoustic that actually plays & sounds the way I want.

my father is famous for building mandolins for many years even turning down the oppurtunity years back to be involved at a high level in the Gibson mandolin plant in bozeman. currently im playing in a plugged acoustic setting and my godin A8 is the only mandolin that works with absolutely no problems. no matter how loud we turn up no feedback and tthe tone is balanced and even. playability is 2nd to none.this is the only electric mandolin that has completely versitile pickup system. reminds me of why strats and telecasters were so popular, cost effective but done the job so well. if anyone wants proof of how well the godin A8 works then check my youtube videos under the name pickinpop, maybe ill get lucky and godin will make me one with abolone trim hahahahaha

sounds very close to a full acoustic mando when plugged in

the workmanship as on all godin products is superb to the thousandth of an inch

2 years now 2 to 3 gigs a week no problems even after dropping it about 3 feet and landed hard on the body end

godin has a very good reputation, of coarse who need them when they make the quality instruments that they do

get one you will be happy, watch me play mine on youtube you will see for yourself

Chambered Mahogany body. Made in North America.

It's not the utmost aesthetically gorgeous mandolin, but it is attractive, and I very much like that it is unique in appearance. Does not look like typical A- or F-style mandos. Nor does it look like a little guitar, like some other brands. It does not have sound holes, yet the acoustic sound is clear. Schaller strap locks - my favorite - included. Volume and EQ sliders easily accessible. Attractive pearl-type tuning keys.

Mine has the cognac finish. A little classier, perhaps, than the natural finish, and a little more expensive.

For me, it deserves a 10 because it has every feature I wanted, but despaired of finding for under $1,000. In particular, it has an adjustable truss rod and electronics. The Ebony fretboard is a plus. If there are additional features I should be desiring, don't tell me for a couple of years. Are there other features for a mandolin? Ignorance is bliss, perhaps. My guitar tech told me that the truss rod is the main feature that makes the difference between a $200 mandolin vs. $800+. That seems consistent with my observations, as I was researching different brands.

The only thing I can think of to improve the instrument would be an archtop or curved back.

I play it at church, when I feel inspired to switch from guitar. Especially on up-tempo tunes, and those that have a folk or bluegrass flavor. I play it without an amp (to the house mixer/PA), sometimes through a wireless transmitter and sometimes through an L.R. Baggs Paracoustic direct box. Once, when I was switching from a guitar between songs, and didn't want to re-connect, I just bent my vocal mic (on a gooseneck mic stand) down to chest level, and played it acoustically. It sounded great that way, as well. The plugged-in sound may be slightly better, but no one in the congregation noticed any deficiencies in the mic'ed sound. I do use a mic that is designed for instrument pickup.

It has the capability of being very loud. I usually set the volume slider at about 50%. Full sound, no noise. Sounds like a mando should. Bright and clear. The only problem I had with the sound, recently, is that it was TOO loud. The sound guy and I attributed that to the fact that it was plugged in, and I also had my mic turned on (and the mando's volume slider was set to the maximum). Once I slid the volume to halfway, and he turned me down at the mixer, it was just right.

I always get compliments. People love the mando sound.

Impeccable finish. There is one minute dent (maybe 1/16" across) in the lower part of the top. It's not noticeable unless you're under bright lights and searching for flaws, up close.

The action is fantastic, especially as compared to my first/beginner mandolin. No fret buzzing. Every note is playable, and low. It did not require a set up, or fret work, even though my guitar tech advised me to get an instrument with a truss rod, so that it COULD be set up properly.

Fret spacing is small for my adult man-hands, but that's the nature of the beast, not specific to the A8.

The only place I could ding this category is to recount how it initially had a slight buzz when I played. I soon determined that it was because the string cover-plate (at the base) was barely touching the strings when they vibrated. I just popped the plate off, bent the angled part up very slightly, and reattached it. Problem solved.

Even with those two negligible items, the finish is still worth of 9.9.

I don't play professionally, or play the mandolin constantly, but it appears to be completely reliable. The Schaller strap locks are solid and reassuring. The only reason I can see to have a backup mando is for the possibility of string breaking. And that hasn't happened to me yet.

I actually dropped it a few days ago (gasp!), as it slid off my shoulder when I was unlocking my car. It was in its gig bag, and only bounced once. After I apologized, I checked it over. It was still in perfect condition.

I've only interacted with Godin via e-mail, as I was asking questions pertaining to my two Godin instruments. Each time I received prompt and accurate answers.

This is my Second Mandolin, meaning that it's the one I got when I was sure I was going to keep playing, and finally knew enough to recognize the warts on my beginner instrument. My impression of this instrument appears to be higher than other reviewers, perhaps because I'm not a long-time mandolin player. Nor have I experienced a lot of other brands, other than watching pros play them. I usually play guitar or bass. Once I had the GAS for a quality mandolin, I found that an instrument with all the features I desired typically started at $1,000-$1,2000 (and up). The features I wanted were electronics and a truss rod, in addition to playability and good looks. Even at it's regular street price of $620-$670, the Godin was the strong quality/value champion. At the price for which I got it, it was an irresistable bargain.

I've been playing mandolin for a couple of years, and this instrument for about four months.

I already own a Godin guitar, and was confident of their quality. I bought this instrument sight unseen, based on one other I'd previously tried in a store, reviews, and Godin's reputation. It fulfilled every expectation.

Would I buy it again? Definitely, if prices of the A8 and its quality competitors maintain their relative positions.

Flame me for my glowing ratings if you like. But from my perspective, experience, and requirements, what's not to like? It IS a solid 10.

My Godin A8 mando is about 3 yerars old.Standard electric/acoustic blonde.

The eq and volume section is very nice.Being able to control volume for rythum and lead is a nice feature for a mandolin.I run it into a mackie board with lexicon reverb and delay, then straight to the main board, no guitar amps.The only draw back is that the low string has a tendecy to boom a lot louder than the other three.

No complaints here, everything about how it is constructed is great.Nice action great finish.

Latley, my mandolin has become un usable outside. Every time a do an out door gig all i get is a terrible hum.I'm going to have to take my entire rig in to trouble shoot this problem. I've never had it act up inside, wierd, huh?

It's out of warrenty, i'm sure this will cost an arm and a leg.

The building year of my Godin A8 was 1999 and it was build in Quebec, Canada. It has 24 frets and a solid spruce top. The controls on the mandoline are volume and a 3-way equalizer. RMC transducer saddles with custom preamp. Body: 2 chamber mahogany. Mahogany neck with Ebony Fingerboard. CognacBurst High-Gloss or Natural Semi-Gloss finish. Case is included with purchase. Has a jack-output

My style in music is pop and folk (irish and flemish) and it suits it very well. It's very bright when it needs to be but can be made warm very easily. Currently using a Fender 50Watts Electric Guitar Amplifier (need to buy me a new one cuz this obviously doesn't sound good). The A8 is pretty good in playing acoustic though it's designed to play amplified.

The mandoline has a pretty good action. I can play better on this mandoline than on my 80 year old one.
One flaw though is the pickup system. When hitting the snares to hard with the plectrum the snare tends come of the pickup. Rather annoying when playing a speedy song. The finish of the mandoline is nice. I liked the colour.

I use this guitar for live playing and i think it's a pretty good one for it. The finish on the top protects the mandoline. An immprovement since the old Godin instruments concerning the change of the battery was good. Now you can change the battery without thinking of a screwdriver. I would definitly use this one on a set withut a backup.

I already play the mandoline for about 12 years. This would be my first year with this instrument. I always played an old German kind, they don't make them any more. But i was rather pleased with the sound of this one. I also have a couple of other guitars (acoustic, spanish, electric, 5-string tenor-banjo, 3 mandoline's and a mandola)

Mine is a natural semi-gloss finished model A8 - manufactured in the US in 2001 (parts handcrafted in Canada).

The A8 is an excellent electric mandolin - though surprisingly good as an acoustic - it is predominantly an electric. It doesn't have the unplugged aural excellence of a Gibson or Flatiron acoustic but would outshine most in a recording/live environment.

The onboard active pickups (one for each string pair) provide superb acoustic response with almost no feedback. The controls include bass, mid, treble, and volume.

The materials used to produce this fine instrument are mahogany in the neck with an ebony fingerboard, two-Chamber mahogany body and solid spruce on top.

The body of this mandolin is more representative of a solid body electric guitar than a traditional F-style mandolin - which suits me - because my primary instrument is the guitar.

The A8 comes with its own hard shell case.

I'm quite an experienced guitarist - but when it comes to mandolin I'm a novice. The A8 seems to project my musical intent rather well.

In its acoustic mode it has a pleasant brightness, but lacks body and volume. However, when plugged in all this changes - the RMC transducer pickups make the instrument sing - with warm lows and definite mids, and prominent highs.

The tone controls allow ample adjustment of the sound to suit most applications.

The set-up in my opinion was as close to perfect as one could expect considering it was shipped across the Atlantic. I had the same experience with my Godin LGXIII - the set up was ideal.

The action is a question of taste. Being a guitarist, I found the action quite reasonable - perhaps a little on the high side for some - but this is of course adjustable.

The natural semi-gloss finish is unusual in a mandolin but adds to the appeal of this instrument.

I've only had this instrument for a short while but I can see it's built to last. Of course only time will tell but there's visibly very little that can go wrong with it. Furthermore there's good access to the electronics if anything does.

I'm sure it's well suited to live performance though my main application would be in the studio. I would certainly say it would take a few more knocks than a more delicate vintage instrument.

N/A

I've been playing the guitar for most of my life, and own an array of guitars - from Spanish acoustics, through to electro-acoustic steel strings and electric guitars - including a Fender Strat & a Godin LGXIII.

In my opinion, Godin are one of the best "new" instrument manufacturers out there. I love my LGXIII and this new A8 seems to be equally loveable. I've also had the pleasure of playing one of their BG4 basses, and that too was an incredible instrument.

If my A8 was stolen, damaged or lost I would not hesitate to replace it. There's not a lot I don't like about it - it's a little expensive - but it's worth every penny.

I compared it with a Fender Electo-Acoustic Mandolin at half the price and while the Fender represented value for money, it didn't exude the quality, craftsmanship or sonic performance of the Godin A8.

To sum up the A8 in one line...

A beautiful instrument.

2001 US/Canada made electric mandolin with 24 frets. Single carved back 2 chamber body with solid spruce top - four top bout slider controls - Vol., Treble, Mid and Bass - single piece wooden bridge with four pole piezo pickup (one for each course of paired strings - seems to be passive electronics as the device needs a battery. The neck is ultra thin and made of a single piece of carved mahogany with very little finish - the body has a mini guitar - single cutaway appearance with offset pearl button tuners and a bound top perfling. Thin frets with great playability - CognacBurst High-Gloss finish
- came with an F style mandolin case.

This instrument seems to be perfect for my approach as I play electrified jazz standards, swing, jump blues and boogie of the teens through the '50s. I plug this into a ProCo Rat > a DanElectro Pepperoni Phaser > then a TC Electronics Chorus/Ring Modulator/Flanger then an Ibanez Auto Filter Wah.

The action could be a hair lower but generally speking this thing plays very well and sounds great - though less sparkling in its tone then my Flatiron F. But it's power is in being easy to play and powerful in its sound when plugged in. No real flaws other than a minor blemish in the finish on the neck.

If taken care of this instrument should last but it's too soon to tell. Some of the hardware seems flimsy but I tend to take care of my gear so it should last (barring any unintended abuse perpetrated by my toddler son or dumb lab puppy.) I would use it on a gig but need to play a few before determining it's durability.

Not applicable / yet.

I've been playing Guitar for 20+ years and Mandolin for more than 10. The appeal of this instrument is it's plugged in ease of use and playbility. it is very loud but has a full range of tones and dynamic capabilities. I would like to see this instrument with a magnetic electric pickup and/or a Midi pickup which Godin is well known for.