Come January each year, Godin Guitars prepares itself to
head to sunny Anaheim, CA to unleash its new guitars onto the throngs
of dealers, magazines and visitors who flock to the
Anaheim Convention center for the exciting, 4 day musical circus known
as Winter NAMM.
Unveiling the new models and organizing such an event is
no small task. But once again the Godin family pulled together for a truly
stellar showing at this years NAMM show. The booth was buzzing with activity and the tremendous response we received
from those who visited the room was fantastic... to say the least. From
the incredible sounds of the new Multiac Grand Concert Duet Ambiance, to the vintage tone and looks of the new Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin P90, to the aggresive metal-minded Redline series, room 211a was abound with all kinds of new toys for
a variety of steel and nylon string players to drool over.
So scroll down and have a look around. See what was New, Hot and Happening in our showroom at this years
Winter NAMM.
The Anaheim Convention Center... home to 4 days of musical madness!!
The NAMM Show Rules of the Road.
The front entrance to the Anaheim Convention Center where a main stage is located for many of the shows
Room 211A...Godin homebase for Winter Namm. The empty room right before set-up...
...it takes takes the initial set-up crew (Mario, Fred, Simon, Pat & Kat) several days to get the Godin Showroom prep'd and ready for opening day...
Simon Godin and Fred DiSanto finish building the racks by brand before mounting the guitars on each display.
The day before the show opens, the North American sales force gathers for the annual General Rep meeting in the Godin Showroom. Robert Godin & Sales Manager Mario Biferali introduce the new modelsfor 2009 to the Reps.
Robert Godin has the rooms attention as he explains some of the finer details of the new models during the meeting.
Rep Awards were also given out during the meeting. Pictured here are Western US reps, Duane & Greg Hess, receiving the Award of Excellence for "Excellence in Dealer Support & Product Training". From Left to right are: Duane Hess, Robert Godin, Greg Hess & Godin's Mario Biferali.
Godin's Rep for Texas & Oklahoma, Mike Haskins, receives the award for 2008 Rep of the Year for "Over All Excellence in a Territory" from Robert and Mario.
Godin Reps for Quebec, Guillaume & Gerald DaSylva receive the Arthur Scollon Award for their "Passion, Spirit, Enthusiasm and Commitment". From left to right are: Simon Godin, Guillaume DaSylva, Robert Godin and Gerald DaSylva.
The new Seagull Solid Wood Series (SWS) & Performer series on display were very popular with visitors to the room.
Norman acoustic guitars...since 1972...
Art & Lutherie acoustic guitars...
It was the 1st Winter Namm for the Richmond guitar line. This new brand of electric guitars features two models, one of which is the Richmond Dorchester seen above...
...the Richmond Belmont featuring two Lipstick pickups by Seymour Duncan and a 59' humbucker in the bridge.
The Richmond line... Canadian Made Guitars!
Godin Passion RG-3 guitars... exquisite instruments for the single-coil obsessed!
One of the hottest Godin models in years has been the Godin 5th Avenue archtop acoustic. This year the 5th Avenue Kingpin was introduced with P90 pickup.
The Godin 5th AvenueKingpin P90 with a beautiful cognacburst finish.
Also new at NAMM was the Redline Series guitars. A ferocious line-up for the Metal-minded players. Models include the Redline 1, 2 , 3 and HB.
The Redline 3 Natural Flame with 2 active EMG pickups and Floyd Rose tremolo bridge.
The Redline 3 Red Flame with rosewood fingerboard.
TThe Redline HB Natural Flame with 2x Godin design humbuckers and a built in tuner by N-Tune!
The Godin Multiac Series display featured two new additions this winter NAMM... The ACS Limited Edition Natural Flame & the Multiac Grand Concert Duet Ambiance.
Pictured here is the ACS Limited Edition Natural Flame nylon string with 13-pin capabilities.
The Multiac Grand Concert Duet Ambiance nylon string was a definite hit at the show, with the choice of 4 mic imaging settings controled via a custom preamp.
Godin is now the official North American distributor for the SR Technology JAM 150 acoustic amplifier. These high end Italian made acoustic amps truly need to be heard...you will not believe your ears!
The steel string Multiac Spectrum SA combines the electro-acoustic principles of the Multiac line with a Seymour Duncan Lipstick pickup, Custom preamp and 13-pin capabilities.
The Godin A-Series with the A6 Ultra, A11 Glissentar and the A4 and A5 basses.
The Godin A4 SA and A5 SA basses now feature a very comfortable thumbrest on each model.
The Godin Multiac Grand Concert Duet Ambiance with its custom preamp featuring fishman electronics allows the player to blend the undersaddle transducer with a selection 4 mic images of premium high condenser microphones.
A match made in tone heaven! The Godin Multiac Grand Concert Duet Ambiance and the SR JAM 150 acoustic amp.
Italian Guitarist / Producer Corrado Rustici plying the Multiac Duet Ambiance through the SR JAM 150.
Renowned guitarist Peppino D'Agostino trying out the Multiac Duet Ambiance and was amazed by the incredible nylon string sounds and tonal possibilities.
The Lapatrie line of acoustic nylon string guitars features models such as the Motif, Concert, Collection and the Hybrid CW.
The new Seagull Solid Wood Series(SWS) features all solid wood construction with solid mahogany back & sides and a select solid spruce top. The new Seagull bridge is also apparent on these models.
The Seagull SWS models are available as Mini-jumbos, folks and full dreadnaughts.
All of the Seagull SWS guitars are identifiable by a circular crest on each headstock.
The new Seagull Solid Wood Series (SWS)
The new Seagull Performer series features beautiful Flame maple back and sides, cutaways, built-in electronics and also include a gig bag. Availbale in either a full size, Mini-jumbo or Folk models. Perfect fit for a gigging musician!
Seagull artist Peppino D'Agostino playing his very own Seagull signature model. Both Peppino and the Peppino D'Agostino Signature model won Players' Choice Awards from Acoustic Guitar Magazine in 2008.
Robert Godin looks on as Peppino plays a new Seagull SWS Mini-jumbo through the SR JAM 150.
From left to right: Godin's Fred DiSanto, Franco Contrino, Peppino D'Agostino and Simon Godin.
A busy morning in Godin Showroom 211A.
From left to right: Peppino D'Agostino, Kat Calder-Becker, Corrado Rustici, Robert Godin, Janet Godin and Simon Godin.
Fred DiSanto with members of My Town Down; Dacia Bridges (far left), Alex Scholpp (far right) & Diego Verduzco from Ill Nino holding the Multiac Duet Ambiance.
The Godin gang with Flametal guitarist Benjamin Woods and his Multiac Duet Ambiance.
Guitarist Dory Lobel try out the Richmond Belmont.
From left to right: Mario Biferali, Dory Lobel and Rich Bunze.
Guitarist Ernie Jackson enjoying the new Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin P90.
Robert Godin with a very happy Ernie Jackson.
Guitarist Juan Carlos Quintero with Robert Godin.
Robert Godin with guitarist Matthew Von Doran and his wife Sandra.
The Godin Showroom was in awe of guitarist Benjamin Woods' playing and flamenco style. He's pictured here with the Multiac Duet Ambiance.
Live music could be heard inside and out of the Anaheim Convention center, including on a number of Godin artists on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus Stage.
Godin's Kat Calder-Becker with Estonian chocolate treats provided by our friend Oleg Voronin from IS Music Estonia.
Matthew Von Doran performing an intimate gig inside the Marriott hotel during NAMM.
Guitarist Benjamin Woods with the Godin NAMM crew after an incredible solo gig on Saturday night. From left to right: Mario Biferali, Rich Bunze, Kat Calder-Becker, Robert Godin, Benjamin Woods, Fred DiSanto, Norm Arduini, Pasquale Cristiano and Franco Contrino.
Godin Artists 'Live' @ the Lennon Bus Stage
As the Official Exclusive Guitar Sponsor for the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, Godin Guitars was proud to help organize several outdoor concerts during the 4 day NAMM show by various Godin artists.
A beautiful sunny day in Orange County...perfect for some outdoor concerts featuring some Godin players at the John Lennon Educational Tour bus...
This way to the JLETB...
The tour bus itself is a marvel of high tech studio equipment, both audio and visual which is on the road all year long.
Video @ the Lennon Bus Stage
View our Flash video with Peppino D'Agostino on the new Godin Multiac Grand Concert Ambiance and his Custom Seagull Signature model! Click here if you prefer a wmv version - 7.2MB
Thursday afternoon's performance featured the grtitty, rockin' sounds of the Eric McFadden Trio. Eric is pictured here with a Lapatrie Hybrid CW.
Eric Mcfadden on stage with his own Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin P90.
Eric cranked up the gain for some stinging lead work and some crunching, girthy chords! Check him out on tour in support of his latest album "Delicate Thing".
Aaron McLain is the guitarist and lead vocalist in his own band. Aaron is definitely a player with serious chops as he proved on the JLETB stage.
His versatility and serring lead style were on display as he tore things up on the Godin Summit CT.
Aaron also shared the stage with Sheila E & Liyana later that evening for the Godin sponsored Imagine Party.
Flamenco guitarist and band leader Juan Carlos Quintero on stage with his energetic live band.
Juan Carlos Quintero playing the Multiac Grand Concert Duet Ambiance.
When not performing Juan Carlos also Produces as well as teaches.
John Lennon Songwriting Contest winners "Mirror Image" on the Lennon Stage.
Mirror Image consists of twin sister duo Andrea & Juliette Wilhelmi.
The Wilhelmi sisters can be seen here playing a Seagull Mini-jumbo CW & and Artist Rosewood models.
Saturday at the Lennon bus stage saw renowned acoustic guitarist Peppino D'Agostino performing to a mesmerized crowd with his Seagull Peppino D'Agostino Signature model.
Peppino is a long time Godin & Seagull artist who recently received a 2008 Players' Choice Award from Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
Peppino also adapted several of his songs for nylon string as he brought the Multiac Grand Concert Duet Ambiance on stage with him. What a sound!
Godin artist Dory Lobel performs at the Lennon Bus stage with his LGX-SA.
Dory and the Godin Passion RG-3
When not touring Dory Lobel is working in L.A. as a songwriter, session musician & producer.
Godin at the beach...
After the 4 day whirlwind known as the NAMM show and the arduous job of "booth tear-down" right after the show, several of the remaining Godin Staff members had a relaxing day at the beach...Venice Beach that is...
Not quite as freezing as back home in Montreal but still a little chilly. Pat Godin and Fred DiSanto venture out into the surf at Venice Beach.
The boys at the beach...Fred, Simon and Pat with their toes in the warm sand!
Get on yer' bikes and ride!! Pasquale, Simon, Fred and Pat try out a few Wild Hogs!
Fred and Kat..."Where have all the cowboys gone?"
Venice beach off course!
As the sun sets on the horizon, the Godin crew sets their sights on home...
