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Godin Summit Classic SG Matte Black SF

Godin has come up with another excellent and affordable guitar with their Godin Summit Classic SG. The "SG" stands for satin gloss, not that "other" guitar. Featuring a classic pair of humbuckers, stoptail bridge and set neck package, the Summit Classic SG melds iconic tone and Godin quality at very attractive price point.   

This is a Godin "SF" model which means it has a small cosmetic defect (see photos). Godin is very picky (to everybody's benefit), and you get a fully warranted new guitar at a savings.

This Godin Summit Classic SG features:

  • Canadian Basswood body
  • Maple set neck, 24-3/4" scale, 22 medium frets
  • 1-11/16" nut width, 12" radius
  • Rosewood fingerboard
  • Godin humbuckers
  • Lightweight Graphtech ResoMax stoptail bridge
  • 2 x volume, 2 x tone control
  • Schaller strap lock buttons
  • Dual action truss rod
  • Godin Deluxe padded gig bag
  • Made in Canada

The Godin Summit Classic does not hide its inspiration, but by using more locally available (Canadian) materials it takes a different approach to the venerable "LP" format. Instead of a traditional Mahogany body and neck, the Summit uses a Basswood body and Maple set neck. This "shop local" approach also gives the guitar a slightly different vibe.

While Basswood and Maple may not be the most tonally complex wood combination, the Summit SG has a cleaner midrange and more string-to-string definition than your typical mahogany single cut. The Godin-branded pickups are medium output pickups made by G&B from Korea (which supplies many guitar builders, including the PRS SE line). They are certainly a good starting point, and the neck pickup combines good upper end string clarity, and commendably percussive low end that does not get soft and wooly like a lot of humbuckers. It's capable of jazzy rhythm tones, but it is tight and articulate enough to get funky when the mood strikes. The bridge pickup is a little hotter, but still sounds clean and avoids the stiff, harsh upper midrange that can afflict bridge pickups that are wound too hot. There is a pleasing level of brightness, and single coil players will easily warm up to its fat punchy tones that somehow still manage to sparkle. As with other Godin set neck guitars, we find the light alloy ResoMax bridge yields a brighter tone than traditional brass or steel.

A must-have feature of the Summit is the individual tone and volume controls for each pickup. The best way to experience the flexibility and range of the guitar is to use both pickups together and explore the all the nuances that individual volume and tone controls offer. Just the simple arrangement of keeping the bridge pickup on full, and adjusting the neck pickup to control the level of warmth is a very powerful tool. And there are vastly more tone possibilities beyond that. In our opinion, it's how these guitars are meant to be played.

The neck is a medium "C" profile, measuring around .835" at the first fret with a very mild taper up to .935" at the 12th fret. Not a slim 60's profile, but not a 50's style tree trunk either. Like all Godin electrics, the medium sized frets are nicely polished with very smooth fret ends that blend into the fretboard edges. Godin's dual action truss rod makes neck adjustments quick and easy, and intonation of the compensated wrap bridge was on the mark.

The Summit SG is a picture of what Godin does best; which is to put their own stamp on a classic design, and at a great price/performance ratio. The Summit Classic is a compelling rock 'n roll gem that packs some of the best qualities of the classic dual humbucking format into a very usable and affordable package.

We are an authorized Godin dealer and this guitar comes with all tags, tools, paperwork and certificates. We have over 25 Godin-family guitars stock at all times, and please feel free to browse our other listings, or contact us for delivery time and availability on other Godin models.