5th avenue players club

yes, I know there's a Godin owners club, but i figured there were enough of us around to start one just for the fifth avenue and it's sisters the kingpin and kingpin CW...

my wife snapped this pic of me enjoying mine the other day, and I thought i'd kick this post off with a good 'ol photo...

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t222/beaumontmusic/me51.jpg

I like everything about this guitar--looks, sounds and plays great.

I'm in!

For the record, mine is a modified 5th Avenue...I decided to get the acoustic version and install a pickup on my own. It's a Kent Armstrong floating single coil, and I used a set of the Schatten Stealth thumbwheels to mount under the guard. I love this guitar and am proud to be a member of the club ;)


http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii12/andyroo0516/IMG_5337.jpg?t=1255973144

very cool!

c'mon y'all, i know there's more of us!

A party for two? Naw! Come on ya'll....join the club!

So, I've been very much enjoying gigging this guitar once I added that pickup. Nice! Upright bass, this guitar, and vocals. Nice little jazz/funk/folk/R&B duo. It fits in really nicely in this setting, IMO.

What would you do with the input jack? Can you see where I've got it mounted...there on the edge of the pickguard? It's zip tied on to the pickguard mounting bracket (which is pretty solid) Is that any hinky-er than an unsupported hole in the bout?

I got that idea from some picture of an old Epiphone, it had the jack mounted there...I am guessing so the owner didn't have to drill a hole in the lower bout, or ream out the endpin.

Hmmmmm?
droo

(Sorry, not a 5th Ave owener, but...)

Adroo,

How do you like the sound of your Kent Armstrong Single Coil floating pickup? Is it the model on this page?

http://archtop.com/ac_access.html#anchor46177042

What about the coil tap switch? As far as shielding goes, how noisy is it?

I had been thinking about mounting that pickup on my archtop (a L5-P), although the clearance is not quite enough (by 1/16" -- should that stop me, hmmm...).

I currently have a floating mini-humbucker and everything used to be attached to the finger rest: the pickup, volume and tone pots as well as the jack. I came to regret having the jack there: even if you are careful, you end up tugging on the finger rest, and my finger rest became wonky. So when my luthier was doing a bunch of other things (new nut, etc...) I asked him to install a tailpiece strap button that has the jack running through it. (I think he said it was a Fishman.) It's the best solution: that is the most secure place to put the jack, as I think there is a block of wood there in the body of all archtops.

Hey there BigDaddy!
Yup, that's the one...the handmade floating single. I love it. Love it. To me, it sounds very P-90~ish in an archtop. It is the jazz tone for me....I always think it's very Grant Green sounding. Does that makes sense?

Very, very clear and articulate, no mud anywhere.

Shielding wise...it is a single coil, a big ole' single....so there is of course some 60 cycle hum. But it's certainly acceptable (I gig it in quiet venues without trouble). And I did ground the input jack to the tailpiece, so when I'm actually playing, it's dead quiet. Once I take hands off the strings, I get some buzz. But again...it's a P-90. For comparison, I also have a set of Vintage Vibe P-90's in an ES175 knock off, which are well shielded too. They are both fine for live playing, or for just woodshedding alone. No problems with the noise.

Your clearance seems pretty darn close, it could work. I've got mine right up close to the strings. So close, in fact...that last night I noticed that I cannot fret the highest strings on the high E...they hit the pickup! But it's a non-cutaway guitar and I can't fret those intentionally anyway! But I do like 'em close. That might be a bit too close ;)

Thank you so much for the insight on your pickguard assembly. You confirmed my fear...that the pickguard could get wonky, no matter how careful I am, which I am. I don't want to screw up a nice instrument! there is a block of wood on mine too, and an endpin button. I suppose I'll ream it out.

droo

Oh...the coil tap. I don't use it. I have it on the 7K and that's that. I didn't want to mess with mini switches. Maybe one day?

the pickguard could get wonky, no matter how careful I am, which I am. I don't want to screw up a nice instrument! there is a block of wood on mine too, and an endpin button. I suppose I'll ream it out.

droo


yeah, that seems like the best solution...you see it quite a bit.

I don't think the original pickup mounting was the best work. Now, there's a block of ebony under the finger rest; it's not going anywhere.

Cool video I found...in French!http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8gxq1_test-de-la-godin-5th-avenue-avec-sy_music

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8gx1u_demo-guitare-godin-5th-avenue-par-s_music?from=rss

Hey! Thanks for that one xjazzy :)

I gigged mine the other night, it was most excellent and comfortable. Really made the night fun and satisfying.

I posted this on another thread, but since this is the "fan club" (with a whopping 3 members ;), I thought I'd share this again...

...if anyone is having fun playing with string types with this guitar, D'dadarrio makes a "flat top" pack that is fitting in just GREAT with this guitar, IMO. They are round wound strings, but ground smooth. Not as smooth as flatwound, but similar in feel. Kinda retains the snap and acoustic vibe, but feels much more like slipping around on flatwounds. I like them very much :)

droo

You mean the 1/2 rounds? When they first came out I tried them. I liked the 10 gauge, but on my archtop the 13-56 gauge were more like 3/4 rounds :sad:

Yo big Daddy ;)

I'm talking about these guys...

http://store.daddario.com/cimg/x02_145813.jpg

Oh! I was thinking electric guitar strings. I'm not familiar with acoustic strings.

Yup, they are acoustic strings. I like 'em on this guitar. It is, after all....an acoustic! I might try electric strings one day, like I've got on an ES-175 clone (flatwound), but I really like the amplified acoustic sounds I get with this box.

Is there room for another member. Bought mine this week I'm enjoying it alot I think the polepieces need a tweak as there's alot of boom on the bass and the g is weak. Those flat top strings sound interesting how do you reckon they work with the pick up ?

Oh yeah....I'm in - went to my local shop to get some strings and I saw it on the wall, Kingpin (with the single P-90) They had a cutaway KingPin II but I really preferred the single non cutaway. I A-Bed them& I played it for two hours and took her home. This is such a beautiful guitar, quality/price and tone. I have lots of fiddles-P 90 Les Paul, of course my Baja Tele, Strat, 59 reissue Les Paul, Martin Marquis OM28 and this just rounds out the "collection". I've been looking for the right Jazz type guitar and to me this is perfect. The sounds are so good acoustic or plugged in (different & just what they should be-warm mid range tone). Highly recommended ! ! :grin:
http://www.godinguitars.com/guitars/godin5thavecognacpu.jpg


gtrjoe http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/cigar.gif

Would one put acoustic or electric strings on a guitar like this?

Right on! The club is a' growing ;)

leebman, I think the PB strings work great with the pickup....mine is an aftermarket install, so I can only speak on that.

So far, I've used Flatwound (nickel wrap), the Flat tops mentioned above (PB acoustic), and I've got some of D'addario's half rounds coming in the mail, just for fun. They are nickel wrapped electric guitar strings, but ground down.

I'll let ya'll know my thoughts.

Oh yeah....I'm in - went to my local shop to get some strings and I saw it on the wall, Kingpin (with the single P-90) They had a cutaway KingPin II but I really preferred the single non cutaway. I A-Bed them& I played it for two hours and took her home. This is such a beautiful guitar, quality/price and tone. I have lots of fiddles-P 90 Les Paul, of course my Baja Tele, Strat, 59 reissue Les Paul, Martin Marquis OM28 and this just rounds out the "collection". I've been looking for the right Jazz type guitar and to me this is perfect. The sounds are so good acoustic or plugged in (different & just what they should be-warm mid range tone). Highly recommended ! ! :grin:
http://www.godinguitars.com/guitars/godin5thavecognacpu.jpg

What made you prefer the non cutaway?

Mine came with Newtone archtop strings which were double wrapped on the e a d strings, very odd plunky sounding I've changed to 11-52 roundwounds thats put some twang back in the guitar. I like to play Jazz, blues and Rock on this guitar and use it acoustic for teaching. It plays better than anything else I own so it gets used alot.

What made you prefer the non cutaway?

I can't answer for that poster....but I will say that I think the cutaway version isn't nearly as cool looking as the non!

That's my 2 cents :wink:

OK....string review for the Godin. I don't like them D'Addarrio half round electric strings with this box at all. Bleh. They stayed on for about an hour. Too tinny, too electric and zingy!

I ended up throwing a set of TI flat 12's on there, and that is so much more of a match for this guitar. Lots of fundamental tone, dry and crisp.

Jury is still out on what I like more...the PB "Flat Tops", or the TI flatwound electric strings. Today, I'm liking the TI's more than the former.

Either way...I'll be gigging this fella on Thursday, and am excited!

droo

It's settled....I am officially liking the flats on this box, over the semi flat Flat Tops.

:)

I can't get along with flats at all I keep thinking some of the tone has been turned off. But I'm glad you're sorted Androo !:grin: I'm sticking on good old round wound nickel and plenty of twang ! I got chance to turn up my princeton ri and wail some distorted tones yesterday the feedback sustain was amazing and lots of fun. I hadn't pegged this guitar for a noisy session but it works great, where did I put that Big muff pedal !

HA! Big Muff indeed! Yup, I settled....and I also love this guitar out of my Princeton!

Sounds pretty durn lovely out of a Peavey Delta Blues with a 15" speaker too.

I hear a lot of people talking about Jazz and blues with the kingpin, but how would it hold up as a folk-rock guitar? I love the look of this guitar and I've been considering selling off a majority of my guitars and picking this baby up.

I find its very versatile as long as you don't want a jangley lead sound the tone is quite woody but with plenty of sustain. It takes a bit overdrive easily and sounds great, I only play through a 15w princeton though wether it would behave with a bigger amp I don't know. I tried a number of archtops before I bought mine and what sold it to me was it was useable as an acoustic and that carries through the amp, other archtops were more like big body electrics and useless to play without an amp.

I hear a lot of people talking about Jazz and blues with the kingpin, but how would it hold up as a folk-rock guitar? I love the look of this guitar and I've been considering selling off a majority of my guitars and picking this baby up.

you'd have to try it and see what you think...i maintain that this is a jazz guitar, meant to be played clean, with a full, round woody tone. with that tone, a close voiced Dm11b5 sounds amazing, an open G, ah...okay, i 'spose. Then again, all the amps in my house right now are really jazz amps (polytone, henriksen, etc.) so i'm not really sure if i'm giving you the best review...

as for dirty tones, i think it sounds terrible. worse than a tele neck pickup with dirt even. I just don't feel like it was made for that, even though some folks have said so. (including godin's ads, i believe) to me, the guitar is a modern equivalent of a old gibson ES-125, an affordable, plywood student model jazz guitar.

As for strings, flatwounds are ELECTRIC guitar strings. Folks who have this guitar do need to make a descision. For me, flats are where the tone is at, but I'm talking plugged in. IMHO, the kingpin model is an electric guitar, and should be treated as such. unplugged, with whatever strings, it sounds like an archtop...it's never going to sound like a martin drednaught--it's not supposed to! Personally, I can't see the non-pickup model being good for much outside of personal playing and small, singer/guitar type things, it'd have to be set up with some ridiculously heavy strings and high action to work as a big band rhythm machine, the box is just too small!

for my purposes, i really like this guitar, and i find myself playing it more than any other guitar in the house still, some 2 and a half months after i bought it. Glad to see other folks are digging theirs as well.

The thing that i found about this guitar is heavier gause higher action doesn't give you more volume acoustically I use 11-52 which are way louder than 12-54 if you compress the top too much this guitar does nothing which is good electrically but acoustically not alot happening. For Jazz yep that does it it but I like allsorts of music and this guitar wil do it but you have to learn how it works to coax the tones out of it. I love the fact Godin made this guitar because I sure don't want to pay out for an old ply wood gibson es 125 at some vintage premium !

oo forget to mention I love the tele neck pick up dirty. It just shows you horses for courses.

ooh! Maybe santa will get me a membership to this club. Mi gusta.

Everyone who has this: Can you get a good Wes-like tone out of this when Amplified? through a fender clean amp?

I hear a lot of people talking about Jazz and blues with the kingpin, but how would it hold up as a folk-rock guitar? I love the look of this guitar and I've been considering selling off a majority of my guitars and picking this baby up.

You should be able to find one for about $600 or so, which is what? A quarter of what I'd expect for such an archtop? Keeping the price low enough to get 'em into the hands of players is a design criteria. So you shouldn't have to sell off the majority of your guitars to get one.

Not an owner, but I've drooled over 'em for a while now.

Here's a video comparison ya might fine interesting, since we're talking about strings. These two guitars are strung quite differently.

ES-125 and the Kingpin...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Q3vFKz3QM

I just picked up a 5th Ave. Kingpin CW II--black cutaway w/ 2 P90s--photos forthcoming!

Finally....a CW II to join the club. Don't be stingy on the pics, OK telefarmer??

And....welcome!

droo

Everyone who has this: Can you get a good Wes-like tone out of this when Amplified? through a fender clean amp?

mos def.

there's a lot of classic jazz tones in there. really, that's what this guitar excels at...i need to hear leebman's distorted tones through it, cuz i'm telling ya, mine don't like dirt! that's lucky for me, because all i ever play is clean, really...

did i post my autumn in new york recording here? that's the kingpin thru a polytone...

http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1011

I lowered the polepieces to take out a whole load of that middle chunk and get a more open sound on mine I just like it that way so it probably sounds different with distortion than the standard factory set up, I kept the g raised to accomodate that skinny wound string though, I just love this guitar its does everything for me. The one pickup set up means you have to use your right hand more to change timbre and use different attack instead of flicking a switch. If I can figure out how to post some unnatural tones I'll give it a try but I haven't had much success recording with my audio card it's dreadful !

Interested in that kingpin II give us some more details.

I lowered the polepieces to take out a whole load of that middle chunk and get a more open sound on mine I just like it that way so it probably sounds different with distortion than the standard factory set up, I kept the g raised to accomodate that skinny wound string though, I just love this guitar its does everything for me. The one pickup set up means you have to use your right hand more to change timbre and use different attack instead of flicking a switch. If I can figure out how to post some unnatural tones I'll give it a try but I haven't had much success recording with my audio card it's dreadful !

Interested in that kingpin II give us some more details.

cool...glad to know it works for you. i think we agree, killer guitar for the money.

I was at the local Lon and McQuade today and played on of these guitars. What a pleasant surprise to pick up a guitar and it be the best sounding instrument in the store.

And so...did it come with you?

ooh! Maybe santa will get me a membership to this club. Mi gusta.

Everyone who has this: Can you get a good Wes-like tone out of this when Amplified? through a fender clean amp?

It should be noted that Wes used to play an ES-125, and the 5th Avenue is prety much what the 125 was when it first came out and is based on that design. Even though I havn't tried the 5th Ave I'd be most confident you could get some Wes vibe!

Here is my new Godin Kingpin CW II--really enjoying it--

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/uploads/38220/kingpin2.jpg

What made you prefer the non cutaway?

I really liked the fuller tone of the non-cut. It is a really beautiful looking instrument. Also the price was a factor for me since I have a Gretsch 6120-1959 LTV, I really didn't need the double cut.

gtrjoe :cool:

I'm bumping this one....because I love mine :wink: We've got a gig tomorrow night, and I just spent 3 days in the studio as well....lovely.

Went to 11-52 TI flats, and I like the more elastic feel now. I'm all over the place on strings with this sucker! :roll:

droo

I would love to hear a Kingpin II plugged and unplugged but there's no videos on the net yet :(

I would love to her a Kingpin II plugged and unplugged but there's no videos on the net yet :(

ditto! telefarmer pehaps?

I would love to hear a Kingpin II plugged and unplugged

Here is a review Unplugged & Plugged in....

Guitar Fixation - Godin Kingpin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0gnhnaL4d0)

Went to 11-52 TI flats, and I like the more elastic feel now. I'm all over the place on strings with this sucker!

......thanks for the tip on the strings-I need to change them and was wondering what way to go!!!!:rolleyes::smile:

gtrjoe :cool:

......thanks for the tip on the strings-I need to change them and was wondering what way to go!!!!:rolleyes::smile:

gtrjoe :cool:

No problem :) Like I said, I've been all the map with strings with this guitar, which is unusual for me.


Original PB's on there, of course...too acoustic feeling for what I'm using it for.


TI flats 13s...good feel, but too heavy for single note runs.


D'daddario Flat Tops 12's...they stayed on for about an hour. Too electric sounding.


Then to TI flat 12's...now I'm on TI flats in 11's.

I like it here. I can still pound out four on the floor, but single note lines are much more fluid for me with 11's. I don't perceive any loss from the lighter setup, and my bridge is staying in place.

Thanks gtrjoe but I ment the dual pickup version.

One day, I hope to join this club.

Well Codinho....

Looky here! (http://www.tdpri.com/phpclassifieds/showproduct.php/product/16813/cat/10)

Well Codinho....

Looky here! (http://www.tdpri.com/phpclassifieds/showproduct.php/product/16813/cat/10)

Awfully tempting my friend, but I'm not quite ready for that day.

The guy from this video says it was done with a Godin Kingpin II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezCIeIbGqW8

Really nice tone. Not so good recording...

Thanks for the cool clip!

So....if you check out my little "reverbnation" link below my post, that first tune (Sail on home, Studio version) is my 5th Avenue through a 1974 Princeton Reverb with a Weber 10f125.

droo

androo, what a cool song! A lot of James Taylor there (I'm a huge fan).
Great, great sound.

androo, what a cool song! A lot of James Taylor there (I'm a huge fan).
Great, great sound.

Right on! Thanks so much for the nice words :) I'm also a big ole' JT fan...you are the 2nd person to make note of that similarity....I'm gonna take that as a compliment ;)

droo

Right on! Thanks so much for the nice words :) I'm also a big ole' JT fan...you are the 2nd person to make note of that similarity....I'm gonna take that as a compliment ;)

droo

Please do.
JT is one of the most amazing musicians ever and he's influence is huge.
I think you have that in your music in a good way.
It's not a copy. It's a "incorporation" of a great influence on your music writing.

(Hope my english makes some sense to you)

Another question: is the sound from that clip only electrified or does it has some acoustic sound too?
I'm really tempted with this guitar.
And the live clips? What guitar it that?

Please do.
JT is one of the most amazing musicians ever and he's influence is huge.
I think you have that in your music in a good way.
It's not a copy. It's a "incorporation" of a great influence on your music writing.

(Hope my english makes some sense to you)

Another question: is the sound from that clip only electrified or does it has some acoustic sound too?
I'm really tempted with this guitar.
And the live clips? What guitar it that?

Well, regarding your English....I didn't even think twice about it till you said something! I won't embarrass myself with my Portuguese.

Regarding the recordings...we isolated the amp and put a close mic on it, and then we put a condenser on the guitar itself, so you're getting a bit of both. And the live clips are the Godin too, but acoustic, neither of us plugged in. We were just rehearsing in the living room and I set up a couple of area mics.

androo, thanks for the info.
I was listening to the songs again and they brought one of my favorite records to mind: Belly of the sun from Cassandra Wilson.
Do you have any record from that project? I'd love to have it.

And to be on-topic again:
I'd love to know if the acoustic sound of the Kingpin II compares to the first version...

androo, thanks for the info.
I was listening to the songs again and they brought one of my favorite records to mind: Belly of the sun from Cassandra Wilson.
Do you have any record from that project? I'd love to have it.

And to be on-topic again:
I'd love to know if the acoustic sound of the Kingpin II compares to the first version...

No record yet....we're heading back to the studio next week to mix. Hopefully we'll have something ready by early next month! Thanks for the tip on Cassandra Wilson....I'd not heard too many tunes of hers.

I can't imagine they changed too much of the basic style of the Kingpin series, I'd hope the acoustic sound is pretty darn similar.

gentlemen, how are we?

a friend of mine purchased a Kingpin CW and i finally got a chance to play it this weekend.

it has a little less tone unplugged and a little less volume than my no cut. not too noticable, but there. We both have ours strung with .11 gauge flatwounds, so bump that up a bit and maybe the volume will increase a bit.

it was a lovely guitar--the "wine" finish, if you will. I won't be ditching my non-cut kingpin anytime soon (gigged it again this weekend--this is probably the guitar i've gotten the most compliments on over the years, both about tone and comments like "that's a pretty guitar"), but if they ever did a cutaway single pickup model, i might trade up...

All is well jazztele :)

That's good to hear about the diff with the two. I was kinda liking that wine finish myself. And oooo, now you've got something to think about...the single pup cutaway version. Melikes.

And I've also settled on 11 flats with this (for the time being ;)

jazztele that's good and bad news.
Good cause that's what I wanted. I was afraid the acoustic sound was not close to the Non-cut version.
It has some Django quind of sound that I like.
Bad cause they're too damn expensive compared to the non cut version!

it has a little less tone unplugged

I agree, thats why I stuck with the non-cut. No regrets......

Joe

Wait, did I got it right?
I think jazz tele ment that the unplugged tone was very close to the non cut version! Didi I got it wrong?

close but not quite. non-cuts a little louder and a little fuller.

i really don't think either would be much of an acoustic for performance. unless you strung 'em with 15's and jacked the action up half an inch...i'm still bringing my amp for any big band gigs.

The problem is the big price difference betweed the two. The Kingpin II costs almosts two non-cut around here!
Would I live without the extra positions and non cut?
I wish I could try them bouth...

One day, I hope to join this club.

+1 has anyone living round Yorkshire, UK found a shop that sells em?

Just received a new Kingpin.

So far, I'm loving it. It will be a nice complement to my other guitars. I bought it as a one-trick pony (for my fake jazz comping) but I think it is going to be a pretty versatile guitar.

Welcome aboard! First post, and it's to join the club. Nice :)

Agreed, it's not so much a one trick pony.

I still want a Kingpin II review!

+1 has anyone living round Yorkshire, UK found a shop that sells em?

I tried one in Banks music in York, but managed to find a secondhand one at Foulds in Derby. Good luck in your search !

Greetings all!

Well, I got the go-ahead to buy a new tele to celebrate my impending graduation, so I looked into every imaginable possibility within the stated budget. Just as I was about to make my final decision, I took a 5th Ave. off the wall and tried it. WOW!! What a sweet guitar! Instant change of plans! (Besides, I can build a partscaster; I don't fancy my chances at building an archtop...) In the $500-$800 range, the quality of the Teles I was looking at was generally good, but rather variable. I looked at five 5th Aves and four of the P90 models, and every one of them was flawless. Well, two of the black ones were being sold as blems, but neither I nor the salesman could figure out why. (I've seen another mention of a black blem; seems to be an issue?)

At r=16" the neck should feel too flat for me, but it doesn't. I tried the P90 and cutaway versions, but I liked the basic 5th Ave. the best. And the lack of a pickup doesn't bother me much, since I have a DeArmond Guitar Mike "monkey on a stick" sitting at home pining for an archtop. Acoustically, I find the 5th Ave. sounds bigger than it is, but with the DeArmond through my Delta Blues 2x10" it sounds IMMENSE!!

Sorry about the lack of pics, but my wifey has the camera in Hogtown, and you all know what they look like (I went with the Cognac Burst). I'll post pics with the pickup on it when she gets back.

Greetings all...

At r=16" the neck should feel too flat for me, but it doesn't. I tried the P90 and cutaway versions, but I liked the basic 5th Ave. the best. And the lack of a pickup doesn't bother me much, since I have a DeArmond Guitar Mike "monkey on a stick" sitting at home pining for an archtop. Acoustically, I find the 5th Ave. sounds bigger than it is, but with the DeArmond through my Delta Blues 2x10" it sounds IMMENSE!!(I went with the Cognac Burst). I'll post pics with the pickup on it when she gets back.

Right on! Welcome to the club Dan. I'd love to hear what that DeArmond sounds like on the 5th Ave. Good call on passing on a tele that you can build yourself :wink:

I'd love to hear what that DeArmond sounds like on the 5th Ave.

Well, I can't do a sound clip (yet), but I can show ya what it looks like:

Um, yah Dan. We're gonna need to hear some clips. That is beautiful. Just beautiful.

droo

Dan, strange how the burst in your guitar lacks that red that I see in others!
It's really beautyful!

Damn I love me a monkey on a stick! I see that doesn't have adjustable pole pieces. Does this make it a FHC and not a 1100?

Still no video review of the CW 2 pickup version...

Dan, strange how the burst in your guitar lacks that red that I see in others!
It's really beautyful!

I've only seen one other 'burst in person, and it was darker and a bit redder. This one just looked right.

Damn I love me a monkey on a stick! I see that doesn't have adjustable pole pieces. Does this make it a FHC and not a 1100?

BigDaddyLH, I don't know lots about these things; I've never noticed adjustable pole pieces on any of them. I have been told that if it's not a "Rhythm Chief" then it's an FCH, but all mine says on it is "DeArmond Guitar Mike". As soon as I get set up I'll post a sound clip or two. Might be a while.

Here's a summary of the DeArmond floating pickups: http://www.vintagearchtop.com/dearmond.htm#

So, FHC:
http://www.vintagearchtop.com/images/dearmond/fhc_1l.jpg
1000 Rhythm Chief:
http://www.vintagearchtop.com/images/dearmond/1000_1l.jpg
1100 Adjustable Rhythm Chief:
http://www.vintagearchtop.com/images/dearmond/1100_1l.jpg

The most sought after are the gold-plated 1100's, I believe.

Dan, I absolutly love the look of that fiddle....it's stunning, the lack of red makes it look -so aged and Classy. Congrats :mrgreen:
And welcome to the Club!!:cool:
Joe

Kingpin CWII in Burgundy...

Pics forthcoming, eventually! :mrgreen:

It's f*cking nice in person. My one out-of-the-box complaint is that, like with many Godin guitars, there's "too much" branding all over the axe (headstock, guard and pups all have 'Godin' plastered in some form or another).

Wish Godin would stick to headstock labelling only... the guard/(on some other models body) logo isn't even necessary...

But that small niggle aside... it's a fine guitar. The shop I bought it from set it up and chucked some flatwounds on right away (.012s I think).

From what little strumming I've done I can say that the acoustic tone is nowhere near as "dead" as some people make it out to be. It's certainly not in the "finely crafted acoustic" category but it's perfectly acceptable and I could happily fiddle away without being plugged in.

Will post more thoughts at some point when I actually plug it in!

PS - that TRIC case is just weird! :mrgreen:

terminal 3, congrats.
We still need a vid demo of that guitar! :green:

just a heads up, there's a member here selling a single pup kingpin for $475-- looks to be in great shape.

That's a good price.

And holy moly terminal3....you are so right. That's a whole bunch of branding. Even on my 5th Avenue, Godin is stamped on the pickguard too, which I think is unnecessary. Although I have seen some shots of this guitar without the pickguard emblem.

This one is off of their own website...no pickguard brand.

http://www.godinguitars.com/press5thave.jpg

Kingpin CWII in Burgundy...
My one out-of-the-box complaint is that, like with many Godin guitars, there's "too much" branding all over the axe (headstock, guard and pups all have 'Godin' plastered in some form or another).

Wish Godin would stick to headstock labelling only... the guard/(on some other models body) logo isn't even necessary...

Will post more thoughts at some point when I actually plug it in!

PS - that TRIC case is just weird! :mrgreen:

That's a good price.

And holy moly terminal3....you are so right. That's a whole bunch of branding. Even on my 5th Avenue, Godin is stamped on the pickguard too, which I think is unnecessary.

Hey, at least they didn't label the truss rod cover!

Personally, the only branding on the 5th Ave. that kind of bugs me is the "5th Avenue" in the middle of the headstock. Just not necessary. The pickguard script looks fine to me. I looked at a CWII in the store yesterday, and because of the shape of the pickguard, I don't think the script blends in as well. And I have never liked obvious branding on pickups. Don't know why.

BTW, terminal3, the CW they had at the store was the burgundy. WOW!! That is a gorgeous finish; if I bought that model, there would not be any other choice! Let us know how those pickups sound!

I must be lucky there's no Godin brand on my scratchplate :grin:

I'm curious about the pickup you chose. why did you choose the KA single-coil instead of the JS PAF?
Does anyone have any experience with the korean made KA p'ups?
I'm almost certain I'm going to get a 5th ave but I'm still undecided whether to get the Kingpin or the reg. 5th ave. I've heard mostly good things about the Godin P90 but a person at Godin said the KA humbucker is cleaner than their P90. I noodle around with a lot of jazz chordal stuff but I do like a little dirt also sometimes.

Howdy brassnuts. Hey, what is a JS PAF? I did a little digging, can't quite nail down the one you are referring to.

Anyway, I didn't really go on much when I got the KA. I am a P-90 kinda fella, I bought the 5th Ave. as a platform for installing something on my own, and this (http://www.archtop.com/PageMill_Resources/ka_1coil.jpg) one came up on the bay for a ridiculous price, so I went for it. Currently, I've got a set of Pete Biltoft's bucker sized P-90's in a ES175 knockoff, and I wanted to try something different. I'd researched the KA single, and a couple of days later, it came up on the bay...couldn't pass up the price one little bit. I played the Kingpin in the store, and thought the stock pups were OK, but I wanted to go for that ES125 vibe, and didn't want a dual pickup archtop, which I've already got.

I have no experience with the Korean KA's. But I will say that Kent Armstrong single coil I ended up with is the bees knees. Very articulate, very responsive, makes for a great match in this guitar, IMO.

If you check out the link down below this message, you can hear the 5th Ave. with the KA single, through a SF Princeton Reverb. Give you an idea of how it sounds recorded. I wanna know what a JS PAF is!

Howdy brassnuts. Hey, what is a JS PAF? I did a little digging, can't quite nail down the one you are referring to.


Seth Lover who was an engineer at Gibson back in the 1950s developed the first humbucker for them in 1955 and applied for a patent...hence "patent applied for" (PAF). Those are probably the most saught after humbuckers...they have "the sound" and were on a lot of classic Les Pauls from that period. So the Armstrong JS (Jimmy Smith) PAF supposedly has those charactoristics.
Now I start the hunt for a 5th Ave!
Thanks for the feedback and love your recordings!

Thanks for the info brassnuts.

I of course know PAF, and I think you mean Johnny Smith, but I couldn't put the two together... Learn something new every day. Archtop.com has a lot of good info Kent's handwounds, if you were looking :)

I'm glad you like the tunes :) Keep us updated!
droo

Thanks for the info brassnuts.

I of course know PAF, and I think you mean Johnny Smith, but I couldn't put the two together... Learn something new every day. Archtop.com has a lot of good info Kent's handwounds, if you were looking :)

I'm glad you like the tunes :) Keep us updated!
droo
Yes, of course I meant Johnny! I forget...did you buy your 5th ave. at a store or mail order? I'd be a little leery about ordering online.

Yes, of course I meant Johnny! I forget...did you buy your 5th ave. at a store or mail order? I'd be a little leery about ordering online.


i wouldn't be. it's still a factory, assembly line made guitar, they're pretty consistent.

Yeah, I got the chance to play half a dozen of them, but I only picked the one I did because the colour was a tiny bit nicer. If I tried to pick it blindfolded from the 6 I played, it could have been any of them. The differences were VERY minor, and nothing that couldn't be fixed with minor adjustments.

Yes, of course I meant Johnny! I forget...did you buy your 5th ave. at a store or mail order? I'd be a little leery about ordering online.

Like Dan and jazz....no problems ordering online here. I did play two in a store, but ended up buying online, the store only had the black. But I am and was very happy with what came to me in the mail!

droo

where did you all order online? I'm probably going to call around locally in MA, NH, & CT first. If I come up empty then I'll order online.

Please someone do a video of the cutaway version... :(

Lemme git my jigsaw out xjazzy....I'll get ya a cutout recording yet!

brassnuts, I did MF for online ordering. I've had excellent luck with them in the past. Worst case scenario, they take it right back.

droo

Lemme git my jigsaw out xjazzy....I'll get ya a cutout recording yet!

brassnuts, I did MF for online ordering. I've had excellent luck with them in the past. Worst case scenario, they take it right back.

droo

:lol:
Don't do that!
I would really like to hear the bridge pickup and the middle postion!
I found a nice price to a CW Kingpin but even with that price I think I'm gonna skip it.
I can't afford any more guitars right now... or I could just sell my LP... hum...:rolleyes:

So, I've been toying around with getting a resonator for a new sound with my duo. I've never been much of a slide player. And so before I buy, I decided to try the ole' 5th Avenue in open G with a chrome slide and that P-90. WOW! Very cool. I almost, almost could forgo the resonator, but then I'd have to retune for a couple of songs. Or...do I go ahead and get the reso for kicks? I did sell of a couple of things I had to fund a reso...and I've got the green light from the wife since I'm not actually spending any dough.

any advice?? Retune the 5th Ave. each time, or reso?

Here's one (http://www.republicguitars.com/highway61travelsize.html) I'm looking at...http://www.republicguitars.com/images/448_IMG_7123.JPG

And here (http://www.republicguitars.com/brassbodybiscuitcones.html)'s another...http://www.republicguitars.com/images/448_IMG_7628.JPG

Well, you just found a great excuse to buy a new guitar. Don't miss it :wink:

I'm thinking about getting a single P-90 Kingpin...

Do it xjazzy....they are just the bees knees. Better yet, get a 5th, and convert it yourself. Although, I will admit, the pots on the stock Kingpin are much better than the Schatten system I installed. These are very much off/on with the volume pot...a bit better on the tone pot. But I do recall the excellent sweep of the Kingpin. It did what it was supposed to do all over the sweep.

Although it would be perfect for a guitar/trumpet duet I'm thinking of, I'm concentrating all the money I have in my new house.
It will have a little insolated room so I can have a reharsal room for my band and that takes a lot of money!

I'll probably wait till the house is ready and then see if I have anything left for a present to myself :wink:

Just picked up an all acoustic burst today. Found it in a fiddle store kind of off the beat'n path. Its new but had been sitting in the store for about a year. Got a good deal on it.
I plan on adding a PU...probably an Armstrong humbucker and maybe replace the bridge. If you look on Youtube at "APs 5th Ave project finished"...that's what I want...that sound. cheers!

Hey hey! Congratulations brassnuts! Welcome :)

You thinking of replacing with a Stew Mac bridge? Or something different perhaps? I know of AP's project, and that is one spectacular sound to chase, ain't it? Have fun!

I'm dropping mine off to get a fret level and polish here in the next week. I've been playing the thing so darn much and all over the board...I've got a great luthier here in town that makes a guitar play like butter.

droo

On a sidenote,

I just ordered this today....

http://www.republicguitars.com/images/448_IMG_7123.JPG



Decided to not retune the 5th for two or three songs, and enter the world of resonators! Wish me luck ;)

Hey...I wanna hear more about that guitar/trumpet duo xjazzy.

That just sounds plain cool.

Here's a clip I thought sounded pretty friggin' nice....


http://vimeo.com/2973884

All those photos of resonators reminds me, I should dig my national trojan out for a jam. Nothings getting much of a look in theses days other than the kingpin !

Welcome to the club brassnuts, that Armstrong sure would be a nice addition, but even without these are killer fiddles.
If you guy's are interested I did a "how to play video" on Mandolin Rain by Rod Stewart (Part One (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcRwpadZUHY), Part Two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiJ0w22BDCw&feature=related), Mandolin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeT08B8iMDY))-I figured the song out on the 5th Ave. and it really sounded good.

and androo....you got me thinking on your first post and I ordered (last Thursday) a tricone-we'll have to compare "notes". ........I'm gonna tell the wife it's all your fault :shock:
http://www.republicguitars.com/images/448_IMG_7283.JPG

Joe

NICE gtrjoe!!! Oh man, I was on the fence with that tricone, the Hwy 61, and the Resolian. That was a tough call. I'm excited to hear what the little fella sounds like. We will definitley need to compare notes. Mine is coming at the end of the week, I ordered on Saturday.

And great, now I need a 12 string!!!! :roll:

Isn't mandolin rain a bruce hornsby tune?

Isn't mandolin rain a bruce hornsby tune?

Yes. Mandolin Wind is the Rod Stewart tune.

i'm writing a song called "mandolin fog" right now.

Hey...I wanna hear more about that guitar/trumpet duo xjazzy.

That just sounds plain cool.

Here's a clip I thought sounded pretty friggin' nice....


http://vimeo.com/2973884

Congrats on the new resonator!

About the duo, I'm thinking about recreating some 80's tunes in a guitar / trumpet duo but I'm having trouble finding time to get together with the trumpet player and lately I was in a no guitar fase!
But I think I'm in a guitar mood again and I'll pick the guitar more often to work on the arragements.
If I could get the Kingpin I think that would be one more motivation to work on it, but right now I can't spend the money...

Please, let us know about the reso when you get it :wink:

About the duo, I'm thinking about recreating some 80's tunes in a guitar / trumpet duo...

I like it.



...Please, let us know about the reso when you get it :wink:



That I will!

Please, let us know about the reso when you get it

Will do! ! It's scheduled for Wed. Delievery...Waitin' for the little brown truck blues....I think that would be a good tune to write...:mrgreen:

Isn't mandolin rain a bruce hornsby tune?

Bruce covered the Rod Stewart original......http://s4.postimage.org/aV1RShRS.jpg

I just uploaded another Rod song..a friend requested-so I figured it out this AM....You Wear It Well (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OE5v-ZTQko)

gtrjoe

still pretty sure hornsby wrote "mandolin rain." he takes credit for it, at least, on that first range album.

According to Allmusic.com "Mandolin Rain" was written by Bruce and John Hornsby.

I'd like to join the club! i've got a tobacco burst 5th avenue Kingpin and am fully in love with it. It sounds amazing, and it makes me play guitar in a new way - in stead of switching pickups, you switch playing style. I also think the volume pot is wonderful, it made me stop using my overdrive pedal. I don't play a lot of jazz, but it sounds wonderful for blues or to accompany singing (even acoustic, i never was a big fan of dreadnoughts). With a bit of crunch and a slight spring reverb, it fits right in Tom Waits style music.
Well, i'm a happy camper with this puppy.

Sweet Mr.jef-always room for one more any pics?? What color do you have?

Welcome aboard... :mrgreen:

gtrjoe :cool:

mr.jef yours is the one on your gallery?
looks amazing!
Congrats.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/JEFL4364.jpg

I'll join.. I got bit by the Seagull Acoustic bug many years ago (far superior guitars than their price tags suggest). So I starting looking at other Godin brands as well and was hooked as you can see in my sig line.

Here are pics of my Kingpin II in Natural. This guitar blew away other archtops I was looking at at 3 to 4x the price... The P()'s are great, and even unplugges the KPII projects well. I'm a happy camper with this one!



http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/th_Godin002.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/?action=view&current=Godin002.jpg)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/th_Godin001.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/?action=view&current=Godin001.jpg)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/th_Godin003.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/?action=view&current=Godin003.jpg)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/th_Godin005.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/?action=view&current=Godin005.jpg)

What do you thing of Godin's funky guitar cases?

What do you thing of Godin's funky guitar cases?

I think they are great. Nice and light and they do a great job protecting the guitar. I have a Deluxe TRIC model as well for my Seagull SWS Folk. That case is the same, but with a gig-type bag that goes around the other shell of the TRIC case.

they're ugly as sin and smell funny.

they're also nice and light and offer surprisingly good protection. I have no problem walking around in public with mine, cuz I figure most folks will think there's some piece of junk inside.

Just had to buy a "Gretsch" case to carry around that new Kay I picked up (only thing I could find reasonably that'd fit it.). You can bet, with it's sexy arched top and gold gretsch logo, I'll have to watch that one.

of course I meant goes around the "outer" shell of the case...

What do you thing of Godin's funky guitar cases?

I'm a convert. I went ahead and ordered one when I bought my 5th Ave., and I love it. A truly hard case will transfer more impact to you guitar than that foam will. And it's light. I wouldn't buy the regular one, though. For the extra ten bucks, the cloth shell adds so much to it that you'd be foolish not to go for it. Also, if you look at the way it's made, the one thing that might fail down the road is the plastic "hinges". If it's in the outer skin, those hinges are redundant. If I ever need a case for another acoustic, I would buy their dreadnought case.

PS: never noticed a funny smell, and I don't think they're ugly.

EDIT: hey, Dennis68, I just noticed from you sig line that you're doing a fine job of keeping Godin etc. in business. Way to go!

Maybe it's just mine that's smelly. Smells like it was left out in the rain. Never was, TTBOMK.

As for ugly, that's subjective, you're right. I'm essentially adverse to everything "khaki."

mr.jef yours is the one on your gallery?
looks amazing!
Congrats.


that's mine indeed, and i agree on the looks, they turn out to be much nicer than the pictures on Godin's site show

I'm a convert. I went ahead and ordered one when I bought my 5th Ave., and I love it. A truly hard case will transfer more impact to you guitar than that foam will. And it's light. I wouldn't buy the regular one, though. For the extra ten bucks, the cloth shell adds so much to it that you'd be foolish not to go for it. Also, if you look at the way it's made, the one thing that might fail down the road is the plastic "hinges". If it's in the outer skin, those hinges are redundant. If I ever need a case for another acoustic, I would buy their dreadnought case.

PS: never noticed a funny smell, and I don't think they're ugly.

EDIT: hey, Dennis68, I just noticed from you sig line that you're doing a fine job of keeping Godin etc. in business. Way to go!

Hi Dan, Yes, I'm hooked on their products. Regarding the cases, only one of the four TRIC cases I have is the deluxe. The Deluxe case doesn't have the hinges installed, the heavy outer material zipper and velcro secure the case - works well. It certainly protects the case mateial much better, and for the extra $10 over the regular TRIC case is worth it. The plastic hinges on the regular case seem sturdy enough for average use. I wouldn't be concerned with them failing.

I havn't seen any decent photos online, so I took these pics of the deluxe case for those who haven't seen them...

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/th_e9b6ca07.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/?action=view&current=e9b6ca07.jpg)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/th_da07e581.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/?action=view&current=da07e581.jpg)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/th_f4589d85.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/FenderDen/Godin/?action=view&current=f4589d85.jpg)

The Deluxe case doesn't have the hinges installed, the heavy outer material zipper and velcro secure the case - works well. It certainly protects the case mateial much better, and for the extra $10 over the regular TRIC case is worth it. The plastic hinges on the regular case seem sturdy enough for average use. I wouldn't be concerned with them failing.


My Deluxe has the bendy plastic hinges, but I perhaps overstated my concern. I was just trying to make the point that if I wanted to find a flaw in these cases, that was the only potential suspect I could find. Worst-case scenario, I think it would take years of constant use to have a problem with them. I've had hinge trouble with metal hinges on old hard cases, too. The only other thing that concerned me was balance. The handle puts the case in a much more upright position when carried than a typical hard case. With the 5th Ave inside, it actually carries better than any of my hard cases. Less swinging around, comfortable to hand and wrist.

Ok, now I follow what you meant, Dan.
By the way I 'm not sure if they did something different or recently changed them, but I put my hand under the cover and there are no plastic hinges installed on the deluxe that my regular (non-deluxe) cases have. It's just the tightly fitting covering that is used to zip and velcro the cover closed and secured.

Well, I just had to do it. In an attempt to consolidate the number of guitars I own I am selling off my two acoustics and my Fender Tele. However, my Kingpin is arriving today and it is proving to be the longest day of work EVER. So now that I will no longer be an actual Tele owner, am I still allowed on the forums?

We're gonna need an update ASAP! congratulations on the purchase. Don't worry...you can still play here, I'm sure a Tele will follow you home one day down the road ;)

Well when I was getting ready to leave work yesterday I checked the UPS Tracking info, and to my horror it stated that they had left the guitar sitting at my front door several hours earlier. Unfortunately I still had to wait 30 minutes for my wife to get off (we're fortunate enough to be able to carpool). So I spent the 20 minute car ride home just trying to keep my mind off of it. Luckily, they had left the box in between our other car and the garage in a nice shaded position hidden on most sides from anyone just passing by. And when I opened it up she was absolutely beautiful. And the neck is amazing, the only word I can think to describe it is 'inviting'. I had played one at a local shop several times and got this one for about $580 (free shipping) off of Ebay and couldn't believe how much more I loved this one than the one at the store. It sounds amazing through my All Tube amp and creates the most intoxicating sounds with the Reverb at 10 and some soft, slow finger-picking. Definitely no buyers-remorse over here. The seller even threw on an adjustable bridge, here is one of the ebay pics http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/544/godin1.jpg

Congrats on the new 5th Ave, nkkenkel. Did the seller include the original bridge as well? Getting to tweak the intonation on each individual string is nice, but a wood bridge gives you more of a woody (duh), old-school tone. Since they're both floating bridges it would be easy to swap and have a listen, say when changing strings. Just a thought...

Thankfully he did. And a co-worker of mine, who is a phenominal blues-guitarist, suggested the exact same thing.

I wouldn't mind giving the adjustable bridge a try at some point, to hear the difference.

I've tried putting that style bridge on another hollowbody, and went back to the all wood bridge for just the reasons ya'll said. I like the woody vibe. The adjustable made it sound/feel quite similar to my Ibanez AS80 (335 copy).

Good score! Great price!

I'll join.
I got my cognac 5th Ave. in January of 09, as soon as I could raise the dough.

I fell in love with it two years ago when they first came out. I thought that they were made in China, because the value is incredible.

Mr. Godin is quite the man, his guitars are very well priced. On top of it, he practically employs an entire town.

I'm running 1/2 round wound strings on mine, I have to get back to the shop where I got them. I cannot remember what the brand was.
11 - 52 though, or I think that's what they are.

I love this guitar, it's not as booming loud as a dread, concert or an 000.
So playing it in my house of small rooms is ok. It's not so overpowering.

Hey Scoob....I did quite the string experiment with mine, here's where I am now...


No problem :) Like I said, I've been all the map with strings with this guitar, which is unusual for me.
Original PB's on there, of course...too acoustic feeling for what I'm using it for.
TI flats 13s...good feel, but too heavy for single note runs.
D'daddario Flat Tops 12's...they stayed on for about an hour. Too electric sounding.
Then to TI flat 12's...now I'm on TI flats in 11's.

I like it here. I can still pound out four on the floor, but single note lines are much more fluid for me with 11's. I don't perceive any loss from the lighter setup, and my bridge is staying in place.

...

Anything on the sound clip Dan?? I'd love to hear that stick!

Well, I can't do a sound clip (yet), but I can show ya what it looks like:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/guitar-owners-clubs/40935d1266108569-5th-avenue-players-club-5thavenue-jpg

what kind of strings do you prefer with the kingpin? I hear everywhere that 13s are the way to go, but i find them a tad hard to play (which is weird since i play double bass too, oh well). Right now i have a medium top-heavy bottom roundwound nickle bronze set on it, and i quite enjoy it, the jazzy tone is a bit less pronounced, but i never intended to play jazz anyway.

I prefer curt mangan 11-52 pure nickel. Light enough to bend but still enough ooomph to play acoustically.

I'm still on TI flats...11's. Me likey :)

I still just so love this instrument. Been gigging it for the past year, maybe less than. But boy...played it on Thursday night again, and it is just so comfortable and lovely to play for so many different genres. Thank you Robert!!!

I bought one of these a couple of weeks ago. It was supposed to be a graduation present for myself, but I kinda jumped the gun (my final exam is not for another few weeks). It's a really beautiful guitar and sounds lovely plugged in. But acoustically, particularly with a pick, it sounds a bit tinny.

Based on what I've read on the net, I'm guessing it's the strings.

Anyone have any recommendations? I mostly play blues and rock, so some of the jazz-oriented suggestions already in this thread probably aren't my style (eg, flat wounds).

I've also read that some people swap out the bridge. Anyone care to comment on potential bridge changes and whether it is worth it?

I bought one of these a couple of weeks ago. It was supposed to be a graduation present for myself, but I kinda jumped the gun (my final exam is not for another few weeks). It's a really beautiful guitar and sounds lovely plugged in. But acoustically, particularly with a pick, it sounds a bit tinny.

Based on what I've read on the net, I'm guessing it's the strings.

Anyone have any recommendations? I mostly play blues and rock, so some of the jazz-oriented suggestions already in this thread probably aren't my style (eg, flat wounds).

I've also read that some people swap out the bridge. Anyone care to comment on potential bridge changes and whether it is worth it?

Tyberious--welcome to the club!

Treat it like an acoustic and put some roundwound bronze strings on there to get the best acoustic tone--but as I yell and scream about constantly on the tdpri--it's an archtop! It's never going to sound like a drednaught.

and thank god! Archtops excel at that wooly midrange that cuts through a mix so nicely. The kingpin is a small body, so you aren't going to be drowning out any jumbo players, but for recording it's a treat, and for personal enjoyment at home, you can't beat 'em.

as for a bridge change, I wouldn't waste your time or energy-- a wood bridge won't sound much different than the composite bridge on there, and the only other option is to go with a metal tune-o-matic style that will actually hamper the acoustic tone.

Tyberious--welcome to the club!

Treat it like an acoustic and put some roundwound bronze strings on there to get the best acoustic tone--but as I yell and scream about constantly on the tdpri--it's an archtop! It's never going to sound like a drednaught.

Actually, I specifically bought the Godin because it doesn't sound like any other guitar I own. I really wanted to something that would make me re-think my playing style and really try and create something different.

Anyway, I had avoided bronze strings because I was under the impression that they would be rubbish when played electrically. But your post got me doing some research, and GHS make a product called "white bronze" which are apparently acoustic guitar strings wound with magnetically active material to work better with a pickup.

I reckon I might check 'em out if I can find a supplier here in Australia.

I'm in! Picked up my black 5th avenue on Friday. Got it new with case for $400! Woo hoo!
Anyway, still getting to know it, but so far I'm impressed. The voice definitely falls somewhere between the bark of my old Silvertone archie and my flat top.
If you're looking at one of these, definitely plan to spend some time fitting the bridge. The volume and tone both benefitted tremendously from the effort.
I plan to install a floating pickup on this one in the near future.
The case is a trip but I can attest that a couple of hours in the hot Oklahoma sun did not heat up the interior of the case at all. Everything was still nice and cool inside. Definitely a bonus.

EG

Just bought a 2nd-hand Kingpin, natural.
Very, very nice guitar and while I don't want to really tinker with it I think I'd like it even more with a trem, so...any recommendations of a trem that I could fit with minimal interference to the guitar?

In keeping with the fact that I got it for a good price (£325 - even though, really, it's basically new, just two months old, with hang-tags and the peel-off protection still on scratchplate etc) I'd like a relatively cheap trem, too, if that's not too fanciful a notion.

Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions.

Here ya' go...take a Walk on the Wild Side...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drtlcRJtnpM

gtrjoe :cool:

Here ya' go...take a Walk on the Wild Side...

drtlcRJtnpM

gtrjoe :cool:

Fixed :wink:

Thank you-I didn't realize there was an error....much appreciated !!:mrgreen:

gtrjoe :cool:

Wow a frenzy of new members ! The secret must have slipped out about how good these guitars are :grin:

I don't know much about adding aftermarket trems....but I'd sure like to see what you come up with! Welcome to the club folks! I'd love to hear some more sound/video clips...

Anything on the sound clip Dan?? I'd love to hear that stick!


Well, my playing skills aren't any better than my recording skills, but here's a tune recorded with the DeArmond at 50% Vol. through a Vox DA5 on Clean 2:

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=9498814

And here's one with the rhythm through a Bad Monkey--DA5 Blues 1, DeArmond at 50% Vol. and the lead through Bad Monkey--DA5 HiGain 3 with the DeArmond at 80% Vol.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=9498815

The distortion with the pickup cranked sounds much better through a tube amp, especially my Princeton Reverb II. But my tube amps are hundreds of miles south of me, so I'll make do with the portable for now.

This is not me playing, but it's my guitar, in the hands of Patrick McLaughlin at the Dolphin Lounge in Gahanna, Ohio, on August 16, 2010. I think it sounds all right.

Bob Arbogast

ziTMAGo39gc

That sounded awsome Bob!

Can you tell us more about the setup? Amp, OD, etc?

That sounded awsome Bob!

Can you tell us more about the setup? Amp, OD, etc?

The amp is a SF Twin Reverb (blackfaced) with a pair of British Vintage 30s. I'm not sure what was on the floor. He does have an OD with about 14 knobs on it and may have been using that.

Bob Arbogast

The amp is a SF Twin Reverb (blackfaced) with a pair of British Vintage 30s. I'm not sure what was on the floor. He does have an OD with about 14 knobs on it and may have been using that.

Bob Arbogast

14 knobs? :shock:

I think it's one of these:

http://www.performing-musician.com/pm/nov08/images/CustomTonesEthos_01.jpg

... it's my guitar, in the hands of Patrick McLaughlin at the Dolphin Lounge in Gahanna, Ohio, on August 16, 2010. I think it sounds all right.


All right? All right?!? At least my soundclips didn't have to follow that one...

Very very nice. It's my day off, so I think I'll put on a pot of coffee, pick up my 5th Ave and practice.:lol:

So I went to change the strings for the first time on my 5th ave and I noticed this ribbon material where the strings come in contact with the tailpiece. Does this ribbon go between the string at the tailpiece? I couldn't find a small mirror to look at the other strings. I've never had this type of tailpiece so I have no clue. I assume the ribbon is a buffer so it's not metal on metal.

So I went to change the strings for the first time on my 5th ave and I noticed this ribbon material where the strings come in contact with the tailpiece. Does this ribbon go between the string at the tailpiece? I couldn't find a small mirror to look at the other strings. I've never had this type of tailpiece so I have no clue. I assume the ribbon is a buffer so it's not metal on metal.
I think that "ribbon" is just some tape. Why is it there? So you can feed a string through the tailpiece, measure it, cut it, and get it onto the tuner -- all without the ball end falling out of the tailpiece. That's my guess anyway. So the string needs to be fed between the metal of the tailpiece and the black tape.

Bob Arbogast

Has anyone put mini humbuckers on their Kingpins? Thoughts? Opinions?

Can I join? After a couple of years of GASing and a few PMs with Jazztele I finally used some store credit to pick up this guy. The sunburst was very tempting but I got a little better deal on this color since it wasn't moving as well for the store owner. I like it. About to slap a set of strings on it and pretend I'm a jazzcat.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs382.ash2/65996_481811886534_707581534_7342590_3766583_n.jpg

Can I join? After a couple of years of GASing and a few PMs with Jazztele I finally used some store credit to pick up this guy. The sunburst was very tempting but I got a little better deal on this color since it wasn't moving as well for the store owner. I like it. About to slap a set of strings on it and pretend I'm a jazzcat.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs382.ash2/65996_481811886534_707581534_7342590_3766583_n.jpg

Look at you, a couple of redheads living with ya.

And you got the cutaway...enjoy, man!

Yeah...I'm a little bothered that the color is so similar to the mahogany Thinline, but I'll try not to let it get to me. The 5th Avenue is quite a bit darker, and obviously different in every way other than color. It helped the store owner out for me to take this one so I hated to say no. I'll give a review after I get a chance to play it through my rig for a bit.

Can I join? After a couple of years of GASing and a few PMs with Jazztele I finally used some store credit to pick up this guy. The sunburst was very tempting but I got a little better deal on this color since it wasn't moving as well for the store owner. I like it.

I like it too. I didn't even realize the CW Kingpin was available in that colour. I've only seen the other three in the stores, and mostly black. I like that the best (my 5th Ave. is the burst). My 2 pickup semi-hollow is almost the same colour, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Very classy.

Little bit of an update. Got that thing home, slapped some new strings on it, gave it a quick setup and started playing. Jump ahead to this morning, I took it over to a coffee jam with a few buddies. One of them has been looking at these as well and was more impressed once he played mine with a setup than he was with the stock at the store. Well he offered to buy it full price on the spot. I told him I just couldn't do that considering no money had exchanged hands in my transaction with the store owner...just wouldn't seem right. So I told him he could buy it from the store and I'd take a different one. So now I have the same thing in the sunburst. I liked the red, but I like the sunburst, too. I'm happy either way.
As far as how I like these guitars now that I've had it at home with my rig for a bit...I'll start with a disclaimer that I used to build instruments for a living and still do a ton of repair work, so I tend to nitpick and find problems with everything. So the fact that I have complaints doesn't mean it's not a great guitar or that I don't like it. I like the guitar a lot. Godin is a phenomenal bang for the buck brand.
These two have been a bit feedback prone, even at quiet and clean amp settings. Just something I'm not used to. Good reason to practice my string muting.
They like the #2 inputs on my 5E3 much better than the #1s, which is unusual, but not a bad thing really.
My biggest gripe would be the nonadjustable pickup height. With action set at a comfortable medium, the strings are just too close to the bridge pup. This problem grows as you play up the neck, increasing that string angle. It's also a bit boomy, which I think could be helped by lowering the pups if that were possible.
Anyway, I'll either cut down the stock mounting rings a little or make new ones, so it's not the end of the world. I'm planning to make a nicer wood bridge/saddle anyway, so maybe I'll just do the pup mounts at the same time.
Anyway, here's the new pic. Maybe I'll post a soundclip of it even with my poor playing ability.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs758.snc4/65872_482579981534_707581534_7357167_193278_n.jpg

Has anyone put mini humbuckers on their Kingpins? Thoughts? Opinions?

I put a neck mounted Armstrong mini on my 5th Avenue. Fantastic sound! My only beef is that it only works with electric strings and that just kills the acoustic sound. I think I'm going to buy a Fralin pickguard mount single coil. They will build those calibrated for use with acoustic strings. I play mine unplugged more than plugged in now, as I keep acoustic strings on it.

The DR Zebras helped, but didn't sound as good as real acoustic strings and the B and E strings were still more pronounced than the wound strings. Jack of all trades, etc.

If you're playing strictly electric strings, it's no problem and I love the sound of the Armstrong. Nice sweet tones. Sounds more like an acoustic than any piezo system I've heard.

EG

I put a neck mounted Armstrong mini on my 5th Avenue. Fantastic sound! My only beef is that it only works with electric strings and that just kills the acoustic sound. I think I'm going to buy a Fralin pickguard mount single coil. They will build those calibrated for use with acoustic strings. I play mine unplugged more than plugged in now, as I keep acoustic strings on it.

The DR Zebras helped, but didn't sound as good as real acoustic strings and the B and E strings were still more pronounced than the wound strings. Jack of all trades, etc.

If you're playing strictly electric strings, it's no problem and I love the sound of the Armstrong. Nice sweet tones. Sounds more like an acoustic than any piezo system I've heard.

EG
Thanks for the reply! I'm surprised at how good GHS brite flats work acoustically on
my Kingpin II.They have also gotten rid of the overly thumpy bass response of the neck
pickup. Unfortunately the trebles are still too shrill for my tastes on the bridge pup,and
both pickups are too noisy by themselves.Thus my interest in the mini-humbuckers.
Has anybody got any opinions on what are the best vintage minis?

I just became a two time member of the 5th Avenue club. I got a Kingpin CW II in natural finish today!

The neck looks like a stinking boat to play! How is it?

I've got a seagull entourage, and that's the only experience ive had with Godin guitars
Other than that.. i play a highway one tele..

any comments on the neck size/playability?

The neck looks like a stinking boat to play! How is it?

I've got a seagull entourage, and that's the only experience ive had with Godin guitars
Other than that.. i play a highway one tele..

any comments on the neck size/playability?

5th Ave. necks are if anything a bit slimmer than I like (thickness, not nut width). But they are very comfortable. I would describe it as a medium sized neck with slightly fuller than usual shoulders. Probably one of the most comfortable necks in my collection. And if you have a Seagull, you probably already know how nice the fit and finish are on Godin products.

Hi,
I have a 5th Avenue CW Kingpin II which I've customised (pic below).
I play it through a Fender Super Champ XD (also customised - see my post in the Amp Owners Club forum), and the combination is just about as good as it can get (for me...)

Mods:
Bigsby
Frets replaced with stainless steel fretwire "standard" size (I thought jumbo would be too big a jump)
Width: 2.3mm (0.0905")
Height: 1.1mm (0.0433")

Interesting point:
I've discovered the volume knob on the Kingpin II is able to change the tone in a good way. When playing the bridge pickup, turning the guitar volume way down, and the amp volume way up, it gives a nasal honkiness to the sound - great for (what I describe as) a retro British sound. Likewise, playing both pickups through the "acoustic" emulation channel, having the guitar volume down gives a more acoustic twang to the sound.

Here is a pic:

I'm in as well, absolutely love this guitar.

Over the weekend, I installed an MTG Mid-scoop/Tone switch from Rothstein Guitars. Here's a link to it:
http://www.guitar-mod.com/rg_passive.html

My aim was so add a more realistic "acoustic" tone to this already versatile guitar.

To my (perhaps naive) surprise, I discovered there were no holes underneath the pickups - just tiny ones for a single wire. Everything has to be done through the bottom f-hole.

Since the MTG's inductor is attached to the "wide face" of the pot's switch box, there was a... problem. It wasn't going to go through.

Here's what I did: I detached the inductor, de-soldered the two links, attached it "end on" to the bottom of the switch box, soldered in two new links, and secured it with string. I could have used epoxy, but decided on a "softer" adhesive plus a loop of string.

It's not pretty, as I'm not very experienced in these matters. But it went in quite smoothly, and I am very happy with the result.

Two pix:

this guitar is so damn nice looking. GAS

I'm perhaps a bit late to the party, but I picked up a cognac burst CW II used last week. I got a tremendous deal on it and so far I am really loving this thing.

I'm at best an intermediate level guitarist and this is my first archtop, but I love it so far. I bought it because I love P90s, especially that Grant Green sound, and want to get more into jazz. The only thing that I would change about it is the fret wire. I'm used to medium jumbo on my electrics so I would kind of like something a bit more substantial. I'm sure I will get used to it though.

One question: I'm just wondering how the sound of these guitars differ from the old es-175s. I'm a big fan of the Meters and the old James Brown (Jimmy Nolen) stuff and I know those guys used es-175s. I've never played one myself and was wondering how the Kingpin compares.

Welcome to the club and belated happy new(used)guitar day!

I agree with you on the frets-they do take getting used to.I've found that string choice
makes a bigger difference to the sound and feel of the Kingpins than any other guitar
I've ever played.I suggest going with the biggest gauge set of flatwounds that you can handle.I've tried everything on mine and have finally settled on D'addairio chromes.

Sorry I can't give you an informed opinion on how the Kingpin stacks up to the es 175
but I know that Robert Godin was inspired by the Gibson es guitars when designing the
5th Ave. series of instruments.

Little bit of an update. Got that thing home, slapped some new strings on it, gave it a quick setup and started playing. Jump ahead to this morning, I took it over to a coffee jam with a few buddies. One of them has been looking at these as well and was more impressed once he played mine with a setup than he was with the stock at the store. Well he offered to buy it full price on the spot. I told him I just couldn't do that considering no money had exchanged hands in my transaction with the store owner...just wouldn't seem right. So I told him he could buy it from the store and I'd take a different one. So now I have the same thing in the sunburst. I liked the red, but I like the sunburst, too. I'm happy either way.
As far as how I like these guitars now that I've had it at home with my rig for a bit...I'll start with a disclaimer that I used to build instruments for a living and still do a ton of repair work, so I tend to nitpick and find problems with everything. So the fact that I have complaints doesn't mean it's not a great guitar or that I don't like it. I like the guitar a lot. Godin is a phenomenal bang for the buck brand.
These two have been a bit feedback prone, even at quiet and clean amp settings. Just something I'm not used to. Good reason to practice my string muting.
They like the #2 inputs on my 5E3 much better than the #1s, which is unusual, but not a bad thing really.
My biggest gripe would be the nonadjustable pickup height. With action set at a comfortable medium, the strings are just too close to the bridge pup. This problem grows as you play up the neck, increasing that string angle. It's also a bit boomy, which I think could be helped by lowering the pups if that were possible.
Anyway, I'll either cut down the stock mounting rings a little or make new ones, so it's not the end of the world. I'm planning to make a nicer wood bridge/saddle anyway, so maybe I'll just do the pup mounts at the same time.
Anyway, here's the new pic. Maybe I'll post a soundclip of it even with my poor playing ability.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs758.snc4/65872_482579981534_707581534_7357167_193278_n.jpg
I have a neck/body angle problem with my 5th Ave: the neck pu is too close to the strings, but to get playable action, the bridge must be adjusted to minimum height. Do you know if this is fixable? Anyone else run into this?

I have a neck/body angle problem with my 5th Ave: the neck p/u is too close to the strings, but to get playable action, the bridge must be adjusted to minimum height. In other words, the p/u is at the same height as the fingerboard. And the p/u can not be lowered because it is already touching the top. Do you know if this is fixable? Anyone else run into this?

I'm GASing for a 5th Avenue archtop acoustic in cognac burst. I'm a lefty so I'd have to have a conversion done, but that shouldn't take much more than a new nut and some tweaking on the bridge.

Hi, I have one question for you guys, owners of this beautiful guitar, from the videos I saw, they seem to have a big attack, even boomy, but no sustain ! Is it the fact ? I mean I would expect a lot of sustain from that type of guitar but it doesn't seem to be the case, am I wrong ?

Fully hollow guitars like the Kingpin tend to be a bit more "thunky" and less "sustainy."

Great for ripping off single note jazz lines...If you want sustain, get a semi-hollow...

Fully hollow guitars like the Kingpin tend to be a bit more "thunky" and less "sustainy."

Great for ripping off single note jazz lines...If you want sustain, get a semi-hollow...

On that subject, that's exactly why I want one - mainly for playing swing rhythm accompaniment to my singing and (on tape) my steel guitar playing.

jazztele, any chance you could knock out a bit of that kinda thing in a sound clip? Or androo, or anyone? I'm vacillating between the Godin and the Epi Emperor Regent - these are what the budget allows for. :smile:

That means the Loar might be in your budget as well. Seriously consider it--better as an acoustic guitar than either the Godin or Epiphone...

I know folks like the Epi's, but the Emperor Regent is a dud, IMHO. Weak pickup, dead acoustic sound...now if you routed a humbucker into one, or maybe a p90, that'd be cool...but the Godin already has the P90...

Old Skool, I might have a chance tomorrow night to make a quick video comparing the unplugged tone of both the Godin and the Loar...you'll see, the difference is VERY noticeable.

That means the Loar might be in your budget as well. Seriously consider it--better as an acoustic guitar than either the Godin or Epiphone...

I know folks like the Epi's, but the Emperor Regent is a dud, IMHO. Weak pickup, dead acoustic sound...now if you routed a humbucker into one, or maybe a p90, that'd be cool...but the Godin already has the P90...

Old Skool, I might have a chance tomorrow night to make a quick video comparing the unplugged tone of both the Godin and the Loar...you'll see, the difference is VERY noticeable.

Well, as a Canuck I am seriously leaning toward the Godin and have from the get-go - buy locally, that sorta thing. Thanks for the thoughts on the Epi; sad to hear that for $700 you're probably just getting the name and some good looks.

I have a musical mentor (long-distance) who has been playing swing rhythm and steel guitar since the late '40s, has a pristine 1935 Emperor :shock: and says that above all I should avoid drilling into the top, which is why Androo's solution of the acoustic Godin with a retrofitted Kent Armstrong, or Dan and his DeArmond, seems like a near-perfect solution.

I would be really grateful if you could knock out such a clip, thanks in advance for anything you can post! :smile:

He's absolutely right--you want to avoid doing anything to the top...of a guitar that sounds good acoustically to begin with.

A P90 doesn't do much to the top...two screws into the braces, small hole for the lead. I wouldn't do it to an acoustic archtop I love, but what I'm saying is there isn't much of a difference between the Godin Kingpin and the Godin Fifth Avenue, unplugged. And they're not really great sounding unplugged...definitely quiet, kinda drab, really. I will say that my Kingpin sounds better than any Emperor regent, plugged in and unplugged, without a doubt. I bought an Emperor Regent about 10 years ago when I got serious about jazz, and I look back on it as a real waste of money. I played a Kingpin in a shop a few years later and sold the Regent as quickly as I could--I knew I had found a much better budget jazz guitar. (all IMHO, YMMV, etc.)

So you're left with a dilemma...If you want the best acoustic sound out of the Godin, you want bronze strings...but to use it with any kind of mag pickup and get a balanced sound, you want nickel wound or stainless steel...

I view my Kingpin as an electric guitar with some acoustic properties. I love it for that...I guess the important thing for you to decide is what the primary function of the guitar should be...

Yes, I hear you on all counts. Primary will be plugged in, thinking flatwound heavy strings? since it'll really just be rhythm, I have no lead aspirations, that's what the steel is for. :)

Thanks again, great input!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dud01aQ1oI0&list=UUOHWBkgyQWyLUusNH4JKx0w&index=1&feature=plcp

OldSkool...here's a little video comparison...

WOW, thank you so much Jeff! Nice bunch of guitars indeed. That Loar, what a cannon! Makes me reconsider my options a bit...although I still need a pickup dammit. :eek: But I sure feel better informed. Loved the Kay too, very much so. Shouldn't rule out a vintage box either.

Decisions, decisions. We should all have such pleasant decisions to make though, eh? :mrgreen:

Just discovered another option for you Fifth Avenue owners who want to go seriously old school. Check out the link at right for "singlecoil floating archtop pickups": http://www.ajl-guitars.com/. This might just be the route I take - Fifth Avenue acoustic plus this beautifully recreated and affordable DeArmond Rhythm Chief!

Kinda expensive for a $500 guitar, IMHO...

You might cruise ebay for the very good sounding but much less collectible DeArmond "Guitar Mike."

btw, I put rounds (nickel wound) on my Kingpin and I'm really liking the results...sounds better unplugged, and great plugged in. Here it is unplugged...sounds a lot better out front than it does to me as I'm playing it, by the way...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaUHlFYDwNE&list=UUOHWBkgyQWyLUusNH4JKx0w&index=1&feature=plcp

Kinda expensive for a $500 guitar, IMHO...

You might cruise ebay for the very good sounding but much less collectible DeArmond "Guitar Mike."

btw, I put rounds (nickel wound) on my Kingpin and I'm really liking the results...sounds better unplugged, and great plugged in. Here it is unplugged...sounds a lot better out front than it does to me as I'm playing it, by the way...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaUHlFYDwNE&list=UUOHWBkgyQWyLUusNH4JKx0w&index=1&feature=plcp

Oh, I hear ya - perversely maybe, I like the idea of putting a pickup on that cost over half the price of the guitar. Alternatively, I was thinking Loar LH-600 - no pickguard though. Or I could go far beyond my current budget ideas and get something like this (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/EASTMAN-810NC-Classic-Jazz-ARCHTOP-Acoustic-Guitar-/310363789453?pt=Guitar&hash=item48431f988d). When the eBay link has died, here's a pic:

http://www.backattheranch.ca/mike/eastmannc-1323183033-17203.jpg.

It's being called an Eastman Custom 810ce Classic in one part of the auction, and an Eastman 810N Classic Jazz in another. Either way I can find NO other reference to an Eastman non-cutaway archtop anywhere on the Web.

Here's the main thing with me Jeffrey - and thanks hugely for another video by the way, you have an outstanding talent and feel for the music - my ambition vis-a-vis this purchase will be strictly swing rhythm, period. I have no aspirations to play lead lines or chord melody or anything of that nature. So for me a "dead", boxy sound is precisely what I'm pursuing. I'll be using heavy flatwound strings and will definitely want to play through an amp most if not all the time. So something like an acoustic with an aftermarket floating pickup is very much in line with my vision - or so I imagine anyway. :mrgreen:

Thanks as always for your valuable input!

Not disagreein' with ya...but for swing rhythm, I think I'd want a more natural acoustic sound...and it's not a particularly dark sound, either.

Have you seen these? They're excellent, I bought one for my Loar-- I'm going to have it permanently installed some day.

http://www.pick-uptheworld.com/pickups.htm

Not disagreein' with ya...but for swing rhythm, I think I'd want a more natural acoustic sound...and it's not a particularly dark sound, either.

Have you seen these? They're excellent, I bought one for my Loar-- I'm going to have it permanently installed some day.

http://www.pick-uptheworld.com/pickups.htm

Well, I certainly don't want a bright sound, no indeedy. At the end of the day it may very well end up being a vintage box, there sure is a regular influx of Kents and Kays that come up on eBay with everything more or less intact.

Or maybe my friend will just give me his '35 Emperor - in my dreams! :roll:

One more time, not to exhume and beat the living crap out of any equine animals - how would you rate the Regent as a rhythm box?

The old, solid wood, sounds like heaven Regents, or the modern, dead as a doornail encased in plastic Regent?:mrgreen:

The old, solid wood, sounds like heaven Regents, or the modern, dead as a doornail encased in plastic Regent?:mrgreen:

Heh, the only kind I can likely get my mitts on - number 2. Seriously? You wouldn't even recommend it for strictly rhythm?

So you're saying the finish is too heavy? Dammit.

Well, I dunno...I think we're on two different planes of thinking when it comes to a swing rhythm sound...I'm thinking freddie greene, or bucky pizzarelli or django's accompanyist, or something like that...

Who's sound do you have in mind?

Well, I dunno...I think we're on two different planes of thinking when it comes to a swing rhythm sound...I'm thinking freddie greene, or bucky pizzarelli or django's accompanyist, or something like that...

Who's sound do you have in mind?

Prolly Django comes closest, check out this video (apropos since I am learning vintage Hawaiian music in a big way):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN5wF5Szhmk

That said, I don't want to go Selmer/Maccaferri in any way, shape or form.

See, in that vid, I hear a crisp, midrangy, natural acoustic sound. You don't get that with a magnetic pickup, really...

See, in that vid, I hear a crisp, midrangy, natural acoustic sound. You don't get that with a magnetic pickup, really...

Well I be dogged...you've got me thinking in a whole new direction here. Maybe The Loar is more of an appropriate option than I'd thought.

I have to admit I find it odd they don't have pickguards, but that's me.

The Loar, or Eastman, or an oldie with solid wood will be your best bet for that kind of sound.

Laminate archtops are hit or miss concerning unamplified sound...many are very quiet--like the current Emperor Regent, which just has no real acoustic tone...it's cardboard...like the Ibanez Artcores. And even though I said I like the sound of my Kingpin with the rounds, it's still not loud enough to play in a group.

Mind you, a laminate archtop is great for a plugged in jazz sound. It's just about choosing the right tool for the job.

As far as no pickguards, they're kinda superflouous on an archtop...the top is arched...if you hit it with the pick, you're seriously outta control! Some people call 'em a fingerrest, which is probably more fitting...

The Loar, or Eastman, or an oldie with solid wood will be your best bet for that kind of sound.

Laminate archtops are hit or miss concerning unamplified sound...many are very quiet--like the current Emperor Regent, which just has no real acoustic tone...it's cardboard...like the Ibanez Artcores. And even though I said I like the sound of my Kingpin with the rounds, it's still not loud enough to play in a group.

Mind you, a laminate archtop is great for a plugged in jazz sound. It's just about choosing the right tool for the job.

As far as no pickguards, they're kinda superflouous on an archtop...the top is arched...if you hit it with the pick, you're seriously outta control! Some people call 'em a fingerrest, which is probably more fitting...

Damn, I hate it when people appeal to my logical side! Thanks for the excellent input Jeff.

Most welcome...I just wanna see you end up with the right guitar.

Most welcome...I just wanna see you end up with the right guitar.

I can tell that, and I appreciate it. :grin:

Jeff - or anyone who might know - any experience with the Aria FA-77 (looks yummy, 17" width, solid top, floating pup), or the cheaper FA-50E?

BTW I know this is heading way OT so will be happy to take the discussion offline if it's bugging anyone.

I got a single p90 kingpin in cognac burst last year. I have flats on it- I think they might be 11s. Since I started playing this, I have been quite happy to play straight into my amp, dry...no colouration.
I was wondering if there is any advantage in changing the bridge in this to a rosewood type...or is this a case of if it ain't broken don't fix it...

oo forget to mention I love the tele neck pick up dirty. It just shows you horses for courses.

Yeah did not know teles had a pickup other than the neck.
But what brought me here, is i tried one of them babies yesterday. 5th avenue, WOW

Glad to see this thread is alive and well.

Mr. B, I hadn't heard your latest youtube clip with the Kingpin and roundwound nickel. IT sounds lovely unplugged. Are you still strung up that way? I've still got TI flats on mine, but recently acquired a batch of random strings for fun to test out :wink:

Hey...if anyone is interested, the past couple of months I've had some serious infatuated GAS for a 1958 ES125 that had been hanging at one of my local stores for quite some time. It just oozed mojo ;) So, I brought my 5th Ave, this one...

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii12/andyroo0516/IMG_5337.jpg?t=1255973144


...and did a pretty extensive A/B comparison through several amps. Although I was prepared to do so, I did NOT drop the dough on the Gibson.

I came home feeling pretty durn fantastic about my Godin.

Anyone ever considered a refret? Dang those things are small :shock:

Anyone have any on how a 5th Av Kingpin plays rockabilly?

Glad to see this thread is alive and well.

Mr. B, I hadn't heard your latest youtube clip with the Kingpin and roundwound nickel. IT sounds lovely unplugged. Are you still strung up that way? I've still got TI flats on mine, but recently acquired a batch of random strings for fun to test out :wink:

Hey...if anyone is interested, the past couple of months I've had some serious infatuated GAS for a 1958 ES125 that had been hanging at one of my local stores for quite some time. It just oozed mojo ;) So, I brought my 5th Ave, this one...

...and did a pretty extensive A/B comparison through several amps. Although I was prepared to do so, I did NOT drop the dough on the Gibson.

I came home feeling pretty durn fantastic about my Godin.

Anyone ever considered a refret? Dang those things are small :shock:

Yes. Hand pain is the only negative aspect of my Godin 5th Ave experience. 6100 fretwire, anyone?

Here's my 5th Avenue Kingpin in Cognacburst. Gorgeous guitar I bought myself nearly 3 years ago, just before I dislocated my left shoulder hauling a fridge. :oops::roll:

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb349/stratburst70/IMG_0405.jpg

Couldn't even touch the damn thing for 3 weeks afterwards.

I strung it up with GHS Boomers .13's and they're a great match for this guitar. I'd like to get flats at some point but I have several sets of the Boomers and I want to run through them before buying any new strings.

Here she is, along with her fierce guardian. :wink:

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb349/stratburst70/IMG_0401.jpg

Hi.
I bought my 5th Avenue (all-acoustic, nature) two years ago, and I think it's sounds better than any other guitar I've ever played. It's great for all kind of music, though I play mostly rythm n blues and 50's rock n roll:wink:
Mr Godin really made it possible to, for a very reasonable price, own a beautiful archtop with the sound of an great era of the 40's and 50's, and the modern technology and craftmanchip of today. I wonder how many others have bought their 5th Avenue after watching the youtube rewiew on this guitar made by zenbood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1eRA4GFjDs
:lol:

Got my Kingpin II about 2 weeks ago.

Cognac , love it

Sent from my iPad using TDPRI

Does anyone know if there are any blueprints/buildplans of the 5th avenue or any similar archtop? I would like to try to build one, but it's not that easy to measure, and get it right on the 5th avenue itself, so plans would be easier.