Godin Radiator

Price paid #249.00 UK.

Bought This guitar secondhand (in fact purchased about 2 hours ago).
Not too sure how much these guitars cost new. Made in the U.S.

Thinking it could be a 1999-2000 model (the guitar was introduced in 1999).

The body id say at a guess was either basswood or alder the body is les paul shaped . neck is maple with rosewood fretboard. Tuners have pearload knobs. Neck scale feels slim simuler to a fender telecaster. and guitar features a tele style bridge

I havent really had much change to experiment yet as ive only just got this instument. But so far it sounds great. thought is was a bit strange not having a pickup selector, but has excellent tonal possibilities by blending the tone and volume knobs. Picups are godins own toaster style (very ricky).

I bought this guitar second hand and not from a music store, but the guitar is in good condition and is very playable. This was a pleasent surprise. Id say that this guitar had been well looked after by the previous owner

I think this guitar would be very giggable and versatile. I dont think i would need a backup guitar. I would take an extra guitar mainly if my 2 guitars were totally different sounding. for example the godin and my westfield jazzer or for different tunings

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Ive have been playing guitar since 1988. My other guitars are a 50s re issue japanese fender strat 2 x Peavey generation exp telecasters and a westfield (gretsch tennesean copy).I would replace it if it were stolen.
I love the guitar because it is lightweight,versatile,

These features are pretty covered below, my pickups say "Godin" and look like a cloth covered small humbucker (nice touch Godin) well basically two pups each with a volume control and one master tone... very flexible soundwise and GENIUS.
Plastic top, semi-hollow body, maple neck, rosewood fret board yada yada yada.
Very nice pearl tuners, great feel to these babies.
No wammy, but I didn't want one otherwise I would of got the SD for $20 more, the SD had a pickup selector switch, it just looked stupid compared to the little baby Radiator. Although I did want both.

I read below that this thing is noisy? Yeah right, that's bullshit, this thing is noiseless. It has no noise, the guy who said that must have a faulty switch or probably running it through devices that make noise on their own.
It has NO HUM, a rich and fairly dark soud thanks to the rosewood, you can get a fair amount of life from the pickups by playing with the knobs a bit, I gave it a 10 because for $630 Australian, (US $420) oooooh, this thing wails. aaaah. If I had spent twice the price it would be rubbing against Gibsons and then it would only get an 8.

My hardware was oxidised a fair bit... 10 minutes, some brasso, some elbow grease, looks like new. This isnt a prob. The paint is well applied, I don't think they put it on too thick which is good. Nicely done, Assembled in the good ol' U. S. of A, well what price was this baby again? Bargain.
Looks? well this is why I bought is, it looks cool. But why would I buy a guitar I didn't like the look of? some people, I mean honestly.

I dont know, no problems, feels lightish but still solid

I dont think Im ever going to need them.

A cool looking guitar (it actually says Radiator cool sound on the badge)much better than my fender strat copy but with a unique sound. This guitar doesn't look like it is trying to copy anybody, whic I give it thumbs up for.

if it were lost or stolen I would be very sad, but I'd buy another in a heartbeat. After I make an appeal on national T.V, with me sitting behind a desk of mics, crying, pleading for the criminal to look into his heart and return my baby.

The only problem I have with it, which is why I have given it 9 and not ten is It could be a little more comfy.

Made in US from canadian parts and timbers. Passive S/S p'ups. Kind of Les Paul shape (I've seen a black one with a non-stock black scracthplate and it looks EXACTLY like a Les Paul Jr). Full body scracth-plate, hollow underneath for more twang. Canadian silverleaf maple body. Maple/maple neck. Good tuners. Top-loading bridge. Excellent features for the money.

Light indie guitar rock- and it suits perfectly. Crystal tones, almost no noise. Very warm, very Ric. No pick-up selector is weird but then again you can dial in vitually sound with the knobs for eack pick-up, so it probably allows even more variation in tones. It's just perfect, again, especially for the price. I would buy this guitar at twice the price.

Perfectlyt setup. Paint is gorgeous and superbly applied- spotless finish. Only thing I have done is adjust the truss because I use 8s. I honestly don't know how a company can make guitars this well and still make a profit.

Again, almost perfect, the only blemish being pretty ordinary strap buttons (but new ones cost $1.50 so I'll live). I would depend on it with my life. Light because of the semi-hollow body but strong as you like. I never gig without a back-up. It's asking for trouble.

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My setup: Godin->Jen Crybaby Wah->Boss OS2 (for extra gain)->Boss ME-30->Ibanez DML-10 modulating delay->Vox Cambridge 30R. It's almost. I cannot believe the quality of the woods, electronics, paint and workmanship that have gone into this guitar for the money. Best value guitar. I also own Ibanez Roadstar II, Yamaha RGX-621, custom tele etc. These guitars are all great but they all cost a bundle more.

you've read the other reviews so you know these already. it's got what it needs and it don't need nothin' else. mine was the black onyx with the mother-of-toilet seat giant pickguard, but I've seen a few black radiators with a chrome pickguard that looks completely out of the world...if you see one pick it up becuase they're really rare and probably the best looking guitar I've ever seen. new radiators include an AWESOME hard shell case but I've heard the newest ones only include a gig bag.

so I've heard that it's meant to sound like a rickenbacker, and I can sorta hear it but I'd say the sounds you canget are more akin to a telecaster custom. mild clank, a lotta twang, and a nice amount of low end.

this guitar was used so I can't attest to how it comes new but as I understand from a friend of mine who bought one new it was ready to play out of the box.

you could call it a workhorse guitar. don't swing it and smash it up against a wall and you won't have any problems. it's a nice sturdy guitar that I wouldn't mind gigging without a backup with.

haven't had to deal with them yet.

I play 50s rock'n'roll, 70s style punk, garage rock, and beatlesy kinda indie pop stuff and this guitar is really the one for me. it sounds totally unique but still great clean or with a little drive.

I'd recommend this as second or third guitar for someone who's only been playing for a few years. for the price, you simply cannot get a higher quality instrument, except for maybe a gretsch synchromatic, without scamming someone or doing something illegal. don't pay more than $300 unless it comes with a hard shell case.

I'm not sure what year it wasa build but I bought it brand new a year ago or so. I guess it was build not that long before that. Features are standard (2 noise-reducing coils, fixed bridge, tone-knob and one volume-knob per coil), it's the "Black pearl" version, black body with mirroring pickguard, rosewood neck. I think it's a beauty with all it's simplicity, I'm still in love with her. (yes HER, Godin means goddess in Dutch , hehehehe). I value simplicity, so I rate her high for having not to many features... :)

My style is pretty broad, the Radiator suits the clean/funky/yazzy part of it. Yes even de Yazzy part, despite it's cooler sound. I use it on a Crate GX-120-C transistor right now, yes! I'm buying a tube-amp soon enough! :) ...... A boogie mark III / IV or a Hot Rod 4x10", we'll see.... I use a Tubescreamer for overdrive, sounds good to me....especially when I emphasize on the neck-pickup it gives a bit of a classic drive-tone...it lacks a bit of depth, but that is because of the amp I think...overall I love it's sound, allthough she use just a bit more sustain, ah well.......I've got a LG equipped with tetran humbuckers (4x) for that need.......

The guitar was tuned very well, the guy in the shop told me they never have to adjust new Godin guitars, they come in all tuned and perfectly ready for sale. The finish is good.......it's a well designed and build instrument.....no flaws.......

I fully trust this one, allthough I've been playing it for just a year now. I don't expect any troubles.....also due to it's simplicity......the finish won't wear off......and I'm not quite the most gentle man with his guitars......never clean them, no hardcase - just a gigbag.........the hardware is simple and durable......

I haven't had any contact with Godin yet, but the guy in the store was really impressed by their devotion and service (he spoke with the man himself on a fair), the former owner of my LG wrote to them some times and encountered a company willing to inform and help you as kind and accurate as possible.

I've been playing guitar for about 11 / 12 years now. I also have a Godin LG with tetran humbuckers and a Les Paul kinda guitar from Gumika....allthough an unknown brand it's a pretty good, fat and warm sounding, guitar....for effects I use Ibanez pedals of variable series and a Morley Wah. If this guitar was stolen I wouldn't buy a new one, cause it would be over my dead body that someone walks off with it ;)

2 single coil pups, 1 tone pot, comes with 9s but I have changed mine to 10s since. Mine is the aqua colour with maple fretboard and pearl pick guard. Has 24 frets. Great neck with sweet feel and is pretty fast playing action. Tuners are very good, stay in tune heaps well.

I play guit at my church and we play contempory worship stuff, so the style sort of ranges from soft rock, to blues/funk to ballad's. It suits these styles well. It probly is not overly suited to say thrash metal or punk etc but it can hold its own. Its basically very telecaster like, its quite fenderish. It does well over most styles. Its got a mid/bright sweet sound. It gives out great variety in tones by blending the 2 pups together and of course using the tone pot. I use a Johnson JT50 and it sounds sweet. Its basically sounds HOT!

Pretty much very good, especially considering the price!

Yeah its very reliable.
I Would use without back up
strap buttons are fine
finish is pretty good but be careful, watch the belt buckle!!

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Ive been playing for just over 3.5 years I own the Godin, a Epiphone Les Paul and a Maton Acoustic. I would but it again for sure, its a great guit for such a good price.

Godin Radiator, It was made in year 2000 in Canada (hand made) and was crafted in USA.
Alder black body with big white pickguard all over the body, maple neck & fingerboard. 24 medium frets.
2 Volume knobs and 1 tone knob, not enough but it's only a guitar for beginners.

I play mostly metal metal (like metallica) and rock-blues (led zeppelin), the guitar has a terrible sound for each of the styles, the 2 godin singles are very noisy and I can't play anything that sounds good, however, it's clean sounds not really bad but only with a new strings, after a week it's sounds bad again.

The guitar isn't comfortable for playing fast or playing at all.
it's hard to me to play on frets over 18 because of the disguasting action and the weird body of the guitar. the frets are very small too.
However, it's a great guitar for begginers. because of the bad action, the fingers get stronger and when I bought my first good guitar (Ibanez S-450) it was very easy for me to play fast and clean because i was used to play on an ugly guitar.

I've bought the Godin 2 years ago, I always throw it on the bed when I come home and sometimes it falls on the floor, but nothing happens to it. it has a very hard durbility!

The support I got is quite good, I have warranty for 3 years and the 2times I repaired it it was under the warranty

Well, I could buy a better guitar, much better, but I didn't do u know why? because I'm stupid, I'm sorry I've bought it...

This guitar is pretty sweet, put together real nice, and has the look(and feel) of a well crafted instrument. Godin singles, maple fretboard(Hard maple, feels goooood), pearl guard, pearl tuners(nice touch),black body, your basic factory setup, but mine is oh so much better...installed is a handy dandy pickup selector switch. The switch makes all the difference when the show is live, loud and full of energy. The switch was installed to make my life easier on stage, but it was cool without it, the sounds are plenty on this baby using the seperate volume knobs. Overall gets a 9 for quality and care, you can't beat the value.

The sound is killer, not sure why this randy morgan fellow is having such bad luck in life(and why he decided to vote twice), but my radiator is functioning great! I'm a player, who's played a variety of guitars, and I own a few as well {'79 fender strat(o.k.), gibson 335(nice), musicman silhouette(the best!),liberty resonator(love it), gibson sg(fantastic), gibson les paul(nice), and a variety of cheapies) This ranks...well pretty high. The tone is mellow, smooth and twangy all at the same time. It is pretty quiet and layed back, the low e has a nice mellow tone. Overall, the body cavities really add a punch, GREAT to play unplugged, but when plugged in it really screams. I play mostly blues and I love to use this baby when I want to get slow, bendy, emotional, it works well. I use other guitars on stage, but this one fits well when it's supposed to. Sounds fantastic with my tube amp, also use it with a harmonica amp that gives it a real raw sound for some reason. I do like this guitar a lot, was thinking about a telecaster, but then this came along, and I think I'll put off the tele for a little while longer. Can't say enough good things about the sound, still there is some buzzing ocassionally, the highs can get a little too high when plugged, but you just need to find the right feel, pickups are not as beefy as the big boys, but I think I just keep 'em like they are. Killer!

The set up was fine, fit me well. Everything was put together with care and an honest appreciation for what a guitar is. I guess godin can afford to let this "entry level" model go for so cheap because of their other over-priced guitars, but they use the same principles on this model as they do with their big boys. Same neck, which I feel is probably the most important part of a player's guitar. If it doesn't feel right, and you don't crave to hold it and stroke it, then you need to dump it and find another sexy neck. Like butter...well not quite, but it does feel better than my other cheapie guitars, and almost as good as my musicman(best necks in the business no doubt). I wish the tuners were more decent, they stay in tune fine, they look good, but playing live, I tend to notice that they slip sometimes, no skin off my back to give it a tiny twist between every few songs. Plus I can't help but look good with this sexy little devil strapped on.

I think it handles itself fine. I play it a lot, it has its obligatory road scars, the hardware is fine, but the only issue I have is with the vol knobs. Well it seems that my strumming has taken out a soldier, it's still hanging on, and still works but it tends to get in the way sometimes, one of these days I'm just gonna knock it clear off. I guess that's why I carry my arsenal from gig to gig.

I sent an email once to them, they got back to me the next day. Real nice guy too, and helpful, I guess for that they deserve a 10. I could see them being a pleasure to deal with if I really needed them.

Well, to sum it all up, I enjoy playing this guitar. She looks good, sounds good, feels good and makes me happy. My girlfriend is pretty jealous. I own/have played some pretty badass guitars, this is one of them. I can't get over how inexpensive she really is, why the radiator hasn't caught on as one of the best deals out there. Maybe the look is a little too funky for most people, but when it comes down to it, it's all about the feel and sound. She excels when it comes to the feel, the sound is great, I personally love the look(Am I just crazy?), how many other guitar makers out there can give you a truly original guitar with an affordable price tag. I know that I've spent some hard earned cash on my toys, music is a wonderful thing, and when you can find something as sweet and guiltless as this guitar you can't help but smile. Go to your local music store and play everything, find what makes you smile, then study the bargains. I think you'll find that this is the ticket. Take the ride.

2001 model. Made in Canada. 24 fret. Full body pickguard. 1 tone, 1 volume, that's all - no selector switch. 2 - single coil pickups.

This guitar sounds like a freak. You may buy one but you will only want to use it for 1 or 2 songs on your CD. The single coil pickups are the noisiest I have ever heard in my life. There is no selector switch so you can not find a quiet position such as 2 and 4 on a 5 - way selector switch. This is the worst sounding guitar I have ever played. I have played 35 years. I play rock and fusion.

Flat, slim-taper neck - 24 fret (nice). Very nice feel neck excellent action but little e string falls off fretboard when you pull - not good. The finish on this guitar is perfect and quite beautiful - and with the full body pearloid pickguard (which I believe should be on every guitar made so the guitarist always has a new looking guitar) makes it a MUCH MUCH MUCH prettier than any gibson or fender or ibanez or anything on the market - except the hohner peral series.

this is a well made guitar. i would trust it anywhere.

i emailed GODIN 3 times - never a response.

Do not buy this RADIATOR guitar unless you have a lot of money to spend on collection guitars. This guitar sounds so weird that you will only use it on 1 or 2 songs on your CD. GODIN makes a very excellent guitar called the GL (although they have stopped making the 24 fret on many of their guitars - a MISTAKE - and the neck is a fat neck like on many gibsons instead of a flat,slim-taper neck like on the RADIATOR). The RADIATOR sounds horrible and has ZERO sustain to speak of ( first time i have ever experienced ZERO sustain - my chromatic tuner will is unable to tune the little E and B strings - the tuner just shuts off after 2 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). BUT A GODIN LG - DO NOT BUY A GODIN RADIATOR!!!!!!!!)

slim-taper 24 fret maple neck. maple body. full body pickguard.

Sound is the worst I have ever heard. Sustain is so little that my chromatic tuner and other tuner both will only activate for 2 seconds and then it shuts off. this guitar has no sustain - and i did not think that was possible in any guitar. the sound is so different that it will upset most guitarists. this guitar is made to do a lead on maybe 1 song on the album and that is it. it is so different in sound that it is actually a freak. ALSO - these single coil pickups are the loudest i have ever heard on any guitar in my life. since this guitar has no selector switchm you can not find a quiet setting such as 2 and 4 on a 5 selector switch.

slim-taper neck has good action. 24 frets is nice - and GODIN has stopped making 24 frets lately - BIG MISTAKE. bueatiful factory finish and the full body pickguard should be on every guitar on the world so every guitarist will have a new looking guitar because a full body pickguard is cratch and ding resistant. AND BEAUTIFUL. VERY GORGEOUS. (the little E string does fall off when you pull - this can be very serious with some guitarists - AND - you the tuners are very sensitive - you barely turn a tuner and it wants to tune up a half step! not good - - but i will give this catageory a 10 because of the full body pickguard and slim-taper neck)

i think this guitar is reliable and durable.

i emailed them 3 times - no response

i have played for 35 years. i bought this on the internet without playing it. i read the reviews here. watch out for what you read here - many players are not an 8,9,or 10 and do not have the ear to make a qualified rating. GODIN makes a very nice guitar (fat,round neck) called the LG if you can get it in 24 frets. I did test the LG and it sounds excellent. Do not buy the RADIATOR unles you have extra money to blow and want a freak sounding lead on 1 song on your CD. If still has this guitar and it was stolen, I would find the guy who stole it and I am sure he would just hand it back to me. Thenb I would put it up for auction on EBAY.