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Home > Guitar > Guitar Reviews > Godin > Detour

Godin Detour

Summary
Price New Godin Detour @ Musician's Friend
Manufacturer URL http://www.godinguitars.com/
Features 8.8 (5 responses)
Sound 8.6 (5 responses)
Action, Fit, & Finish 8.6 (5 responses)
Reliability/Durability 9.5 (4 responses)
Customer Support 9.3 (3 responses)
Overall Rating 9.6 (5 responses)
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Product: Godin Detour
Price Paid: Cdn 379
Submitted 09/24/2006 at 02:55pm by Claude St-Louis
Email: Le_guitarman<at>hotmail dot com

Features : 8
Mine is the silver finish model. See lasido.com for more details.

Sound : 8
This little baby sounds good to me on all its settings. It sounds great on clean and with distortion. I'm using various amps: Marshall, Peavey and Crate and the guitar sounds great to me thru any of these. It kind of makes me think it's a Telecaster but smoother sounding. No, I'm serious! The humbuckers sound as clear to me as single coils and yet they pack a punch a la humbucker. I guess one could say this guitar is kind of like a Fender on steroids or a nice blend between a Fender and a Gibson. I tried a couple of these Detours but chose this one because to me it sounded like it had a bit more low end than the other one I tried. Although I could have gone either way as the consistency is there from one to the other.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
The guitar is set-up fine but I'm pretty sure John at CSM in Kingston does a final touch-up on all the guitars that come thru his doors. The guitar is very solid and high quality even at this low price. I bought it because it's just a joy to play. The silver finish is also nice to look at. Great quality throughout like all Godin's I've come across.

Reliability/Durability : 8
I don't personally gig but I'm sure this guitar can withstand live playing. It feels very solid. I'd never gig without a back up but at this price one could easily afford 2. :-)

Customer Support : 10
I doubt that I would ever need warranty work on this but I know that Godin backs his products and his dealers and Centre Stage Music really looks after their customers. No worries here at all.

Overall Rating : 9
I've been playing for 36 years. I've owned over 50 guitars and over a dozen amps. I still own about 16 guitars from Fender, Gibson, Dean, Epiphone (Goodbye Epiphones), Godin SDxt, etc. I would easily replace it if it were to dissapear but in the mean time I will continue to buy more Godins because in my humble opinion, you can't beat the quality/price anywhere else.


Product: Godin Detour
Price Paid: CND 400
Submitted 09/18/2006 at 10:56pm by dave

Features : 9
I like my guitars plain, without too many features.
22 frets
Fixed strat type bridge, string thru body
H/H pups
3 way switch
24 3/4 scale
Rock maple neck / rosewood fingerboard
Silver leaf maple / poplar wings body
Black pearl finish
1tone/1volume

Only thing is i wish it was available in more finishes and with maple fingerboard

Sound : 9
Sound was pretty damn good with the stock pickups, ill probably change them but they seem to do a damn fine job at the moment. No noise, bridge pup is pretty hot and you get a nice warm tone from the neck one for leads and the middle position seems perfect for cleans.
I mainly play metal but also some blues, rock and other stuff and thats all the versatility i need. If you need more versatility, id suggest you look at the godin freeway which is HSH plus it has a tremolo.
I was using this with a crate v30h tube amp, straight thru the amp, no pedals, no effects. And i was amazed to hear all the tones coming out of this thing !

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
No flaw at all. Everything was in place.
The action was pretty good for me, but its not something you cant change... Any guitar will need a setup depending on your playing.

Reliability/Durability : 10
This thing just feels so solid.
Everything on this guitar is so well built and all in its place. You feel the difference when you pick this guitar up as opposed to other brands. This guitar is pretty much a tank and feels like it will last forever.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Didnt deal with godin yet but i hear they are great.

Overall Rating : 10
Been playing for about 2-3 years and i own a Art & Lutherie Folk cedar which is also made by godin.

I really tryed tons of guitars before buying this one and i always came back to this one, it just felt right in my hands. I tryed jackson rhoads and dinky's other godins, USA strats and many more.

If it were stolen or lost, id buy another without even thinking.

I LOVE the bridge of this guitar, its so confortable, simple and effective, holds tune perfectly. Also the neck is the perfect shape and thickness for me. I also noticed how the neck pocket was TIGHT. I saw too many fenders with huge gaps between the neck and the pocket. This guitar is just so well built and ive tryed many of these, and they are all the same quality.

Only thing i wish it had was a maple fretboard, woudlve looked really nice with the black pearl finish.

Godin is probably the best value i know of. They make GREAT guitars at a reasonable price and i dont think ill ever need to look at any other brand when ill need a new guitar. Go out and try a godin, youll be pleased.


Product: Godin Detour
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 07/16/2006 at 11:27am by street music

Features : 9
Made in the USA, 24 5/8"neck, Silver Maple is a excellent hard wood.

Sound : 10
I plugged this into my new Zoom Fire 18M amp before I bought the amp at a local music store. It was just a blast to listen to the people in there talking about how great it sounded. I know the amp is great but the store owner wanted the GODIN web site info and he already had two major brands in the store. Clear, no hum, easy and smooth.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
It needed minor tuning adjustment but the action was excellent, pickups work fine and resonance is unreal.

Reliability/Durability : 10
Although I have only had it one week, it sure seems very solid and the black, metal finish is great. No problems with any of it as of yet.

Customer Support : 8
It is my first GODIN, product, it sure has a good reputation to hold up too. The warranty card was right there in the beautiful soft GODIN case. I do wish they would update the web site, put a manual on line or in the case and allow you to register the warranty on line.

Overall Rating : 9
Although I had my heart set on a Strat at first this Detour took my eye and heart on the first strum. The Seymour-Duncan humbuckers are a great boost to this fine guitar, the vibration can be felt on a easy strum. I love it.
Been learning to play for a year, 50 years young and would love another Detour if mine was stolen.


Product: Godin Detour
Price Paid: #290 (UK Pounds)
Submitted 02/28/2006 at 05:52am by Justin

Features : 9
The Detour is basically a Godin Freeway with a shorter scale neck (24.75) same scale as a Les Paul, Strat body a'la Freeway with a silverleaf maple center and poplar wings and a very nice fixed bridge. As the headstock states, Made in Canada and put together in the USA. There are twin passive humbuckers and a 3 way switch but it's capable of a wide range of tones. All the hardware is black chrome and looks very nice, but feels quality as well which is great for the price. I bought my Detour in Black Pearl in High gloss finish, tuners are nonlocking but as mentioned, good quality, they look like schaller sealed tuners but with the Godin Logo. The neck is 22 frets scale 24.75 so is a bit shorter than the normal 25.5 scale and feels so comfortable and compact. Frets are medium jumbo and the overall feel is great, not too fat or thin. Really good for fast playing, but the high frets 19-22 can be a bit hard to play as the neck join can get in the way, but this can be gotten used to. As with most Godin's, this one comes with a top quality Gig bag. I bought my Detour as a direct replacment for my Freeway Classic (which I sold) as I did't like the Freeway's trem, so was pleased to see the Detour released and was a no brainer to purchase for me as the Freeway is such a great axe. The Detour's stock pickups are tappable so would be a good idea getting a coil tap installed (would get a 10 if it came with one for more versatility).

Sound : 8
The stock pickups are with out doubt one of the best Stock pickups I've encountered on a guitar and is not an instant replacement job. The only problem with these pickups are clarity of notes being played fast. Things tend to mush up with these pickups.I have replaced these pups with Seymours Duncan Jazz(Neck) and JB (Bridge) and that problem has gone and turned this axe into a new beast. I've also got a coil tap on the tone control for even more tones which makes my detour very versatile. If you play jazz or blues then the pickups will probably serve you well, but if you play shred type stuff with faster playing with distortion then you may want to get pups with better note seperation and clarity. For NAMM06, Godin are bringing out the Freeway EMG, which is essentially a Detour with Proper EMG actives already installed, so one to look out for. I personally like seymours now.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 6
Finish was very good, no bad finishing on my axe at all. The shop that I got it from did state that they had put the gauge strings I wanted (10-46) and a setup. This was not the case, came with stock 9-46's and fretted out at the top frets. When I had my pickups replaced recently, my tech said that the neck was warped at the high frets and needed stoning and realigning, which I think was caused by the weather climate. (I really wish shops would not keep stock in very cold store rooms, not good for wooden instruments but this is the 1st guitar I have bought in the winter!!!)Once my new pickups were in, 10's put on my axe and the neck adjustment/setup. This is now one awesome guitar which plays like a much more expensive instrument.

Reliability/Durability : 10
This axe is built like a tank. There is a solid brass plate at the back which the strings go through, loads of sustain. Godin are renowned for using premium maple for there necks, and this one looks & feels very rock solid. The indian rosewood fingerboard is also fantastic.

Customer Support : 10
Emailed Godin re. question about what pickup type I should get for my bridge replacment. They were quick to response with advice and very helpful. On their website it states that email response time is high due to lack of staff to respond, but I suppose this is just to cover their backs.

Overall Rating : 10
Overall, after the adjustments and pickup change, I am over the moon with my Detour. From stock this is still a great axe and excellent value for money, especially as it comes with a great bag to protect it. Because of the cost of this axe I could afford to put in the pickups of my choice and this is really the only thing that needed to change for me (but I can imagine the stocks suiting a lot of players).
Godin without doubt make great guitars and this one is no exception !.
I've played around 14 years and would recommend this guitar to anyone looking for a cost effective premium axe.


Product: Godin Detour
Price Paid: 350EUR
Submitted 02/27/2006 at 04:02am by Semi

Features : 9
Made in 2005 I think.Strat style double cut guitar.
Canada - Usa affair.22 frets.Has that basswod silver leaf maple combo for the body material and a maple neck with a rosew. frtboard.
Gibson scale and 22 frets .12" fretboard radius.Medium sized c shape neck.Reminiscent of older 60's fender RI with a modern twist.
1 vol 1 tone, 2 passive humbuckers made by Godin. Strat type 3 way lever switch.
Comes in 3 colours, silver, red and black.
Goddin made tuners.Black n nice.Smooth.
Hardtail stratish bridge, very very sturdy looking.String through body system.
When u buy it it comes with a beautifull tweed gigbag.
KUDOS to Godin!!!!
Value for money:10
Features:8

Sound : 8
I tried 2 of theese at a local Mshop.A black one and a silver one.Didnt buy em , just tried them out.
What kept me from buying is the look. I love the sounds and the features but they look kinda 80's LA heavy metal to me.
Nevertheless a very vibrant and nice sounding guitar. Good value for your money.Hummers sound a bit generic but nothing you cant tweak. I think the bridge humbucker could be a bit less hot!
Position of the selector switch was a bit awkward for me.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
Action was well.- Nice neck, no protruding frets.No buzzes.I think it could go a bit lower. Nice feel to play.Shorter scale.Slinky!!!

Reliability/Durability : No Opinion
Feels very solid, both of them.
Id replace the pups and the pots thats all.

Customer Support : No Opinion
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Overall Rating : 10
Godin makes great axes for nada dinero. Thats my oppinion.Been playing for 17 yrs. and I think this company has it right.
Quality produce for a reasonable amount of money!!
Bravooo!!!!

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