These are the years of the “me too” guitar. Strat, Les Paul and Tele: These names are all synonymous with a particular sound, shape and style of guitar. Although these instruments established what were to become the accepted standards for today, some guitarists (and guitar manufacturers) feel that innovation and the continued development of the electric guitar stopped right there. Which is why so many guitars owe much of their look, feel and sound to these trend-setting instruments.

Enter Godin. Now at Godin, new guitar concepts are simply a way of life. Among the company’s offerings are many well respected, critically-acclaimed, high tech and synth ready instruments. But along with these ground-breaking guitars, there arrives a brand new back-to-basics model. Setting a new price-to-performance standard and sporting what has to be considered a new look (though decidedly “retro” in the best possible way) Godin has introduced The Radiator.

A combination of computerized technology coupled with the tender loving care that only human hands can give, The Radiator establishes a new level of value for North American- made guitars. One look at the photo will have you wondering exactly what this ax is all about.

Well, at first glance you may notice that The Radiator is not your typical “me too” guitar. The Silver Leaf Maple body was designed with unique sound chambers, then capped by a big Mother of Pearl pick guard. But this is just where the differences begin. Loaded with two of Godin’s own custom- design, low noise, single coil pickups, you will find the tonal possibilities not only virtually limitless, but with a character that is anything at all but “me too.”

Two separate volume controls and a shared tone control allow subtle tone variations without drastic toggle switching. The hand finished, 12-inch radius, hard rock maple neck (with rosewood or maple fingerboard) has all the comfort and playability formerly available only on certain astronomically-priced “custom shop” guitars. The distinctive headstock with its raised metal Godin logo adds unmistakable classic character. And with three-per-side, high ratio, sealed keys, you’ll find tuning a breeze.

Not only does The Radiator share the outstanding playability, individual character, style and innovation of the American classics, but most amazingly this is a new guitar for the new Millennium that’s priced like a guitar straight from the Fifties: Just $449 list! What an incredible bargain.
But right now you might be thinking: Wait! A guitar priced that low can’t be as good as they say. Shouldn’t it cost over a thousand bucks? While we’d be glad to take your money if you have nothing better to do with it (ahem, please forward it to the author of this article), the people at Godin feel that special guitars don’t necessarily have to come with big budget price tags.

Personally, I can confirm everything you’ve read above. I’ve already laid down several tracks with this instrument and have to say that I actually prefer the sound and feel to my way more expensive vintage single coil guitar. And wait until you try some slide work on this baby. It sounds phenomenal. Of course, since the guitar I was using was on loan from those nice Godin folks, I couldn’t raise the action up as high as I’d like for slide work, but still, this puppy cries like a 30-year-old ax when you send it through an amp that will do it justice (Side note: Sweetwater just happens to have those available, too!).

So let me say that you really need to get one of these guitars into your own studio or up on stage and see for yourself what I mean. Choose a color from among Pace Car Blue, Black Pearl, Canary Yellow, Aqua, Cream (my own favorite) or Powder Blue.

Whether this is your very first guitar, a second stage instrument or even an ax to complement an existing selection of fine electrics, you’ll find The Radiator delivers the goods at an astounding price. So call us here at Sweetwater for more information and your even more amazingly low Sweetwater price. (But hey, what more do you really need to know? This is a killer guitar at an astonishing price!).

By the way, just to keep all the various lawyers happy (and me out of more trouble than I’m usually in), please make yourself a note that Strat, Les Paul and Tele are all trademarks of their respective manufacturers. There, that should do it.