Godin A4 Ultra Natural Fretless A-e

An A4 Ultra Fretless: The Godin Spirit, Between Acoustic Tradition and Innovation

The A4 Ultra Natural Fretless belongs to the Godin semi-acoustic bass family, known for their chambered design and hybrid approach. Here, the goal is clear: to preserve the organic feel and resonance of an acoustic instrument while offering the stability, versatility, and control essential both in the studio and on stage. Ergonomics are enhanced by an integrated ramp on the top, ideal for quickly finding a comfortable right-hand support.

For Which Bassists and Styles?

This bass is especially suited for intermediate to advanced players who want to explore fretless playing (slides, vibratos, fine intonation) with a responsive and modern instrument. It excels in jazz, fusion, neo-soul, pop, and ambient music, but can also deliver a punchier role thanks to the magnetic pickup. The dual output allows for creative setups: for example, an "acoustic" channel to the PA and a "magnetic" channel to an amp.

Sound Characteristics

The double-chambered American basswood body provides warmth and reduces the "blocky" feel typical of some solid-body basses, while the solid spruce top promotes a lively attack and dynamic response to nuances. The hard maple neck adds clarity and definition, and the fretless Richlite fingerboard contributes to a clean, consistent, and precise sound, perfect for a singing fretless tone.

On the electronics side, the Lace Sensor Low Profile bridge pickup delivers a more direct, modern, and dynamic character. The LR Baggs pickups aim for a more authentic, woody tone, close to an upright bass approach. The controls cleverly separate the two worlds: volume/tone for the magnetic pickup, and dedicated controls for the LR Baggs pickups (volume, treble, mid, bass), plus a saturation control to warm the tone and a "Fat Switch" that boosts mid-low frequencies for added foundation.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To stay true to the model's spirit, opt for a long scale string set for a 34" / 863.6 mm scale length, ideally with gauges .045-.100 (the instrument comes equipped with D'Addario Chromes .045-.100 Long Scale strings). A 6.35 mm jack cable is essential, and if you use the dual output, plan for two 6.35 mm jack cables to send each source to a separate system.

Technical specifications

Format	Concert	Fingerboard	Composite
Left handed	No	Nbrs of frets	0
Cutaway	Yes	Neck Type	Screwed
Strings	Steel	Electroacoustic	Yes
Nbr of strings	4	Color	Natural
Top	Spruce	Finishing	Matt
Back&Sides	Linden	Hardware	Black

Body	double-chambered American basswood	Tuning machine gear ratio	0.834027777777778
Bridge	ebony	Bridge pickup	Lace Sensor Low Profile magnetic pickup
Neck	hard maple	Controls	2 outputs (electric, acoustic mix), integrated preamp
Fingerboard radius	12" / 304.8 mm	Electronics	LR Baggs Custom electronics, blend of Lace magnetic pickup and adjustable band saturation simulation
Scale length	34" / 863.6 mm	H.D.R	not included
Nut width	1.5" / 38.1 mm	Finish	semi-gloss
Nut type	Graphtech	String set	D'Addario Chromes .045-.100 Long Scale
Frets	fretless	String gauges	.045 .065 .080 .100