Godin Richmond Dorchester

Probably our favourite guitar no one's ever heard about: the Richmond Dorchester by Godin. Richmond was launched by Godin in 2008 as a separate line focused on retro-styled electric guitars, and the Dorchester was one of its first two models. The line didn't last very long, which is a shame, because these are seriously good instruments.

The Dorchester has a fantastic Rickenbacker-meets-Mosrite look, but underneath the retro styling is a thoroughly modern Canadian-made guitar. The chambered body uses a silver-leaf maple centre with poplar wings, paired with a rock maple bolt-on neck and rosewood fingerboard. It's comfortable, resonant and very well made, without feeling like a reproduction of any particular vintage guitar.

And then there are the Lace Alumitone pickups. These are not ordinary humbuckers: their unusual low-mass aluminium construction and ceramic magnets give them a very clear, immediate response, with plenty of attack and a distinctive voice of their own. The four-way switch adds another useful trick, putting the neck and bridge pickups in series for a thicker, higher-output sound. So despite the unusual appearance, this can easily be your main guitar rather than merely an interesting alternative.

Unique styling, made in North America, super fancy pickups with plenty of character and a genuinely useful range of sounds. Cool as hell, and probably one of the best-kept secrets in the Godin catalogue.

This one is in very good condition, with medium play wear. Fully original and includes the Godin gigbag.

Specifications

• Model: Richmond Dorchester by Godin
• Made in Canada, Richmond, Quebec
• Production: 2008–2013
• Body: Chambered silver-leaf maple centre with poplar wings
• Neck: Rock maple, bolt-on
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Scale: 25.5"
• Radius: 12"
• Pickups: 2 Lace Alumitone humbuckers
• Controls: Separate volume and tone, 4-way selector
• Bridge: Chrome roller bridge with fixed tailpiece
• Tuners: High-ratio Kluson
• Condition: Very good, medium play wear
• Originality: Fully original
• Includes: Godin gigbag