Godin Summit Classic SG P90 Vintage Burst SF

Godin jumps into the "Junior" end of the pool with their slick and affordable Godin Summit Classic SG P90. The "SG" stands for satin gloss, not that "other" guitar. Featuring the classic P-90, stoptail bridge and set neck package, the Summit Classic SG P90 brings melds iconic tone and Godin quality at very attractive price point.

This is a Godin "SF" model which means it has a slight cosmetic defect (see photos). Most of the time they are not even significant enough to show up in photographs. But you get a brand new guitar with a full guarantee at an additional savings.

This Godin Summit Classic SG P90 features

• Canadian Basswood body
• Maple set neck, 24-3/4" scale, 22 medium frets
• 1-11/16" nut width, 12" radius
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Godin P-90 pickup
• Lightweight Graphtech ResoMax stoptail bridge
• 1 x volume, 1 x tone control
• Schaller strap lock buttons
• Dual action truss rod
• Godin Deluxe padded gig bag
• Made in Canada

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 a traditional Junior. There is less upper midrange bite and snarl than you often get with mahogany and a P-90. Depending on your point of view that's a plus or minus, and we liked the chime responsive snap of the Summit. As with other Godin set neck guitars, we find the light alloy ResoMax bridge yields a brighter tone than traditional brass or steel.

With only one pickup, one might be tempted to use the volume tone controls more than usual, and we heartily encourage it. P-90's are not always at their best wide open, and the Summit responds well throughout the range. The tone control works great, and even dialed way down the guitar never sounds stuffy or muddy, just smoother.

Good tone controls are especially handy with gain pedals that tend to emphasize high end. Like any good P-90, the medium output Summit SG loves pedals, and we got harmonically rich grit and grind from our Sparkle Drive and JAM Tube Dreamer 58 pedals. Crunch tones are the sweet spot of the Summit, and Godin's P-90 -- swiped from their Kingpin series -- has great openness and detail, making this guitar an ideal Roots and Rock Monster. It lacks the snarl and bark of some P-90's, but we find it very musical and less fatiguing over a long session.

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 highly 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.

True Junior aficionados may find the Godin Summit SG P90 less than authentic, but it's what Godin does best; which is 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 single P-90 format into a very usable and affordable package.