Godin reheats the Radiator, overhauling a classic ’90s guitar model for 2019
The rebirth of a design from 1999
5,0 / 5,0 | 
Godin has just re-released the Radiator electric guitar model. The company is based in Quebec and has a rich history of around 46 years of guitar building. This was a pretty new and funky design rack in the late ’90s, but how does it stack up now, 20 years later?
Re-heating a classic
The original Godin Radiator first launched back in 1999. Yes, 20 odd years ago, which to me seems like yesterday! I remember seeing these at the time and thinking they looked kind of funky and somehow ‘new’.
Now Godin has fired up the design once more and is offering the Radiator to a new audience.
Godin Radiator in Matte Black · Source: Godin
New face
The 2019 edition of the Radiator keeps some of the design elements from the original 1999 models, like the unique body faceplate. But otherwise the design has received quite an overhaul.
The new Radiator has a chambered, single-cut silver leaf maple body and 24.75″ scale length neck with a rosewood fretboard. Each guitar comes factory fitted with a pair of either covered or uncovered Custom Godin Humbuckers. Twin Volume and Tone controls are wired via a three-way pickup selector toggle switch, so you can dial in your tones nicely.
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- Godin Radiator with smart ration tuners. With different ratios for bass and treble · Source: Godin
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- Godin Radiator neck join, simple and clean · Source: Godin
Smart Ratios
The bridge system consists of a wraparound bridge with compensated saddles . There’s a nice GraphTech nut at the other end to aid tuning stability. Interestingly, the Radiator’s machineheads are 18:1 ratio on the bass side and 26:1 treble side, which makes perfect sense. That should make tuning up a bit and adjusting notes easier.
Godin Radiator in Trans Cream · Source: Godin
Godin Radiator
This new updated Godin Radiator is launching in three colour schemes, Matte Black, Trans Cream and Bourbon Burst. I quite like the look of them, as they have elements of classic ’50s design to them but with a nice modern twist. If the street price is right, this could be a great guitar.
You can follow my link below to the Godin site and read the full specifications. I’ve also added the official demo video below for you so check them out in action.
RRP – TBC
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2 responses to “Godin reheats the Radiator, overhauling a classic ’90s guitar model for 2019”
That pickguard has a guitar on it.
What is that all aboot? Crazy Canadians…