ADD ’EM UP, AND PRECISION-STYLE AND
Jazz-style basses—whether from Fender or the
myriad manufacturers who have drawn on those
iconic designs—command the lion’s share of the bass
market. It’s no surprise the two styles are so popular;
for those of us who grew up loving both the gutsy
growl of a P-Bass and the throaty snarl of a J, choosing
just one can be a bit like picking a favorite child
(which, it turns out, is easier some days than others).
If you’re seeking both the midrange punch of a Precision
and the roundness of a Jazz, a single bass with
P/J configuration is a certainly worth a look.
In a landscape crowded with P- and J-style
wannabes, Godin has done a darn admirable job
carving its own niche. We were impressed by the
Quebec-based company’s semi-acoustic A4 and A5
basses when we reviewed them in 2007, and were similarly
smitten with the first bass in its Shifter line, a
triple-pickup 4-string with a surprisingly wide array of
tones. With its latest addition to the Shifter collection,
the Shifter Classic, Godin aims right at the happy
spot of P and J lovers alike.
Twenty-some years ago, Godin established
itself in the electric guitar game as a supplier of
necks and bodies for better-known brands in the
U.S.A. Those years of experience come to bear
with Shifter Classic. In subtle ways—body contour,
pickguard design, control layout, tuner silhouette—
the Shifter Classic asserts its own
unique identity, yet still pays homage to Leo
Fender’s legacy. Body-wise, the Shifter Classic
feels like a P-Bass with a somewhat smaller
dimensions and more angular edges. With its
satin finish, shallow “C” profile, and 1.5” width
at the nut, the Shifter Classic’s neck is a J lover’s
dream. From its hardware and fretwork to its
mouthwatering Crème Brulee finish, the Godin
boasts excellent craftsmanship. A dual-action
bridge that allows for through-bridge or throughbody
stringing is an added bonus.
For electronics, Godin keeps it old-school,
with simple passive volume and tone controls
and a 4-way pickup switch that selects for solo’d P
and J pickups, and both series and parallel wiring
when the pickups are combined. The solo’d P and
J pickups sound just as they should—burly in the
neck position and barky at the bridge. The bridge
pickup on its own didn’t do much for me, but that
was no surprise; like most other bridge-position
J pickups, it seemed to sound best blended with
the neck pickup. On its own, the neck position
had a nice midrange hump that could go it alone.
The two combinations of the pickups are what
got me jazzed about the Shifter Classic. With the
pickups wired parallel, the bass has a bite that
blended the P pickup’s midrange muscularity with
the J pickup’s more refi ned articulation. In series,
the pickups combine to create an entirely different
sound characterized by beefier lows, increased
output, and hum-free operation. Solo’d and parallel,
the pickups introduced minimal RF noise.
In series, they had none. The tone pot’s taper was
smooth and even, lending nuance to each of the
four pickup settings.
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Neat-O! Th e Shifter Classic 4’s spartan control cavity lacked shielding, but it was clean as a whistle.
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In all, Godin hit upon a particularly groovy
recipe with its vintage-style Shifter Classic. If
you’re after a well-built, old-school, versatile
4-string at a pretty excellent price point, the
Shifter Classic is, without a doubt, a worthy
candidate.
SPECIFICATIONS
GODIN
Street $800
Bottom line The Shifter Classic offers
exceptional value, giving a goodly
sum of the tones P-style and J-style
basses are known for. The build quality
is excellent, the neck feels especially
comfy, and the series/parallel pickup
switching makes this vintage-style
Godin all the more versatile.
Contact godinguitars.com
SHIFTER CLASSIC 4
Construction Bolt-on
Body Basswood
Neck Maple
Fingerboard Rosewood
Width at nut 1½"
Pickups Neck, Godin GBP split-coil;
bridge, GBJ1 single-coil
Controls Volume, tone
Weight 8.9 lbs
Gig bag Included
Options Maple fingerboard, Black
Burst semi-gloss finish ($700 street)
Made in Canada