Godin Sessions - Overview

Godin Session guitars are their S (Stratocaster) style model which, let's face it, is a staple in the catalog of many guitar makers. True to form, the folks at Godin have taken a classic model and incorporated some innovations to make it suitable for modern players. As we often say, at first glance, Godin guitars are quite traditional in their aesthetic. However, don't be fooled by what's under the hood.

Sessions are seen by many as warhorses. They will follow you, no matter what direction you take. Certainly, they're not designed for the typical jazz sound and warm, fuzzy tones that usually accompany it.

The design, what makes it different

While there are two Session models available, most of the specifications are shared. Let's start with the woods if you will. The necks are made of maple (satin) with a touch of Indian laurel. The body, on the other hand, is made of American Basswood. It is always important to mention that the majority of the wood used by the company is from Canadian soil.

Although they evoke an S style from the outset, the design is quite different in many ways. First, the neck. We have a D-shaped neck that is rather rounded and somewhat less wide than the traditional Stratocaster. Also, the radius is 12. This brings us into common territory with the Gibson, among others. The result of these specifications leads to a disconcerting ease of play. The size of these necks encourages fast playing and comfort.

Secondly, Godin offers a more modern pickup configuration that aims for absolute versatility. In its HSS (Humbucker, Single-coil, Single coil) layout, a multitude of tones are available. From a clear and percussive sound to a Stratocaster-like out-of-phase sound to a rock sound that rips everything in its path. The nice thing about all this is that it's controlled by only two buttons (one of which is a Push-Pull)... Well, okay, two and a half buttons! The latter is used to switch on the humbucker or to split it into a single mic (Split-coil).

LTD session (discontinued for the moment)

Let's get into the specifics of each of the two models. Although the construction is identical, the Session LTD has a bridge with a vibrato bar. The integrated humbucker is, on this model, a Seymour Duncan. It's the perfect guitar for players who want to go from Daft Punk to Van Halen in no time.  The body of this model is covered with a glossy varnish and on some occasions, is offered in a sparkle finish.

HT Session

The HT model takes advantage of the omission of the vibrato bar to provide optimal tuning stability. Without the vibrato mechanism. The bridge is now attached to the body of the guitar. A good thing settled! In the case of the HT, the humbucker pickup in the bridge is a Godin Custom, which provides all the benefits of a dual-coil pickup.

Conclusion

There is a constant tendency to compare modern manufacturers to the big companies that laid the foundations of the instrument. Leaving the newcomers with a heavy responsibility to excel. Be aware that at Godin, excellence is the order of the day and the quality and ingenuity they achieve is second to none. They are in the shadow of no one and the best way to see this is to try their instruments. There is bound to be one that will enhance your music. If this isn't a Session that will make you happy, open the catalog and get inspired.