Godin 5th Ave - Kingpin II - First look and Honest Review
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2020
- This Canadian built hollowbody delivers! Check out all the cool features of this p90 equipped guitar. Let me know what guitar I should review next in the comments.
Godin guitars feel and sound fantastic. They punch well above their price points. And far from being a niche builder, Godin is the largest guitar manufacturer in North America!
All facts! Haven't found that i didn't like yet
You’re review helped me pull the trigger on ordering one! Thank you!
Glad I could help!
I just bought one! Can't wait to get it... What kind of strings do you use on yours? Thank you! : )
Thanks for the nice review. I have been looking at these lately, and very interested for all the positive reasons you point out. To me, the satin finish adds to the throwback design and charm of these guitars. Just to add info to this, the guitar that you have there is a Kingpin II, identifiable by the single cutaway design with 2 P90 pickups, retails for $995 and holds value pretty well. There are several for sale in the $825 - $850 range. I have seen a few with a Bigsby, adding to the price accordingly. The Kingpin that you link to at $600 (or so) is a single P90 and no cutaway. That explains the price difference.
You are awesome! Thank you for all the extra info! I will update the description.
That review was on fire! 😎
Really appreciate it!
Thank you for the review. I'm considering it further down the line.
Good choice!
I wonder what they do with the model with the bigsby, if they put extra bracing in it since the rope is thin, they would have to right! You would think.
thanks for the comments - most reviewers tend to be all positive - but your comment about the "mid-ranginess". makes sense.
some of those lower end acoustic/elec. guitars (I'm thinking of Eastman) have that similar sound. It is distinct and personally I don't care for it.
Great guitar! Thanks :)
Glad you like it!
Thanks for your great review Sir.
I bought mine with the HUMBUCKERS last night and I AM IN LOVE!!
😆
Hell yes! Hard to go wrong with Godin!
On the extra mids, not sounding like a jazz box... this might be a due to
1. strings, as you pointed out
2. Orange amplifier brings out a particular sound from p-90’s.
Right on point! I have switched to doing all my reviews on a Kemper to help get a more neutral guitar tone to compare. The orange is a great amp but has way too much character to effectively compare pickups. Thanks for the comment!
I've had one of these for a few years now and strings definitely have an impact on the midrange sound. It shipped with something really heavy (14s?) and I moved to 11s. Much better for overdrive tones but lost the jazzy mellowness. For the record, I tried it on a rock record (through a Blackstar HD1 would you believe) and it just slayed it. The combo of the P90s, hollow body and Blackstar sweepable EQ was so simple but unbelievably rich. [you can hear the rhythm tones on Push Push - Talk2Me on UA-cam. Ignore the Flying V, it's just for the clip!]
Just got one in mint condition for 500 cad. It's an awesome deal but not to be harsh in correction but at least this year i bought was a rosewood fretboard, and not Pau ferro, but yours looks lighter so it might be. Great review helped me buy it as well have a good one
Very nice! Happy it helped!
My 5th Ave Uptown GT with TV Jones has a similar timbre despite the difference in hardware. It’s interesting that they sound like amplified acoustics regardless of pickup combo
Totally agreed! Cant wait to try with heavier strings
The strings seem to be making up some of the tonal peculiarities. I think I heard you say this has 9s. That guitar comes stock with 12s (not flats surprisingly) and a wound G like jazz boxes of the 50s. The 9s are no subtle difference. Though your rolling riffs really complement what the 9s can do/be. I used to think I wanted thin strings for bending, but decided on just a notch down from stock to 11s and the kicker for me is D'Addario Chromes (flatwound). Sliding is super easy, warm and mellow in tone, neck pickup ducks down for nice dark tones, super friendly for funk and jazz basslines. I would rarely bend a whole step. So, 11s aren't too stiff and deliver more durability than anything lighter. The flats glide nicely, sparing my fingertips from too much callousness. Makes me feel the string. Action is nice too. (10 minutes later returning from web research) en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_guitar As you can see, 12s to project volume, and players preferred flats. It's a different feel. I once wondered if I could find 9s or 10s in flatwounds. After a fruitless search, I decided that I don't need anything lighter than D'Addario's Jazz Light Chromes (11s). I'm sure there are videos of Godin 5th Ave Kingpin II CW played with flatwounds. If played in jazz style, they can sound like butter. A little overdrive can get them into a Larry Carlton fusion feel. Cutting treble on the neck with OD is special too. I guess if Godin stocked with flats to fully emulate the classic 50s jazz preferred strings, they would be missing out on the guitar's broader market appeal. Rock, blues, and rockabilly are convincing on this guitar. Thanks for the demo. -grab
Laminate. In the Godin marketing video the designer points to the f-hole and states that "the layers are very tight" 'helping the sound'. Also the saddle is Tusq, although I'm unsure of the bridge.
Wonderful details! Thank you! Do you own one?
@@RamonaMusicCenter No, with some regret as I had to use up an expiring store credit elsewhere and while wanting a P90 archtop I also specifically want(ed) solid woods. Tho, in an electric I seriously doubt the need for that. Reason: I traded "up" a '76 Norlin Super400 acoustic version for a 1992 HB version. Both are of course solid carved guitars. I'd take back that sweetly toned acoustic in a heartbeat. The electrics I think killed the tone acoustically. I love Godin guitars but most videos I've seen left me cold so I passed (on a good deal too). Thank you for your review.
Cool thanks..
Solid top?
Could be your amp too?
Could you please recommend a small practice amp to use with this guitar. Thank you.
What kind of stuff do you like to play?
@@RamonaMusicCenterI play a Godin 5th Avenue
Where can these be purchased for $500 or $600? I don't think so
I have shopped for one of these for a while on Ebay , there are no Kingpin II's ever for $350 - $500- $600. and hardly any used ones actually, Currently Sweetwater, GC has these new for $999. I have seen these listed on ebay for up to $1,500 or even higher, some dreamers out in Japan. The finger board is Rosewood and the nut is tusq Tailpiece Graphteck sdjustable Tusq bridge. neck radius is 16" so really flat like a shredder guitar lol On Godin website it just says Canadian Wild Cherry for the top, back and sides which means it must be all laminated. Correct if i goofed on anything. Great playing on the demo, wish i could play half as good. Peace !
@@jixxxxer17 I was certainly confusing a darn good deal with market value.
Got mine, same color as the one reviewed, for 6 and change from a dude selling it on CL. Just have to hunt them dow I guess.
@@jixxxxer17 I just bought one on AMZN for $800, can't wait to get it.. : )
@@Sherman1862 You are going to love it I bet you do, Enjoy !
I think the nut and bridge are made by Graphtec.
Indeed! Great products!
the "mid-rangey" sound he is getting probably is due to the light strings. He is using 9s and factory is 12s
Great feedback!
@@RamonaMusicCenter I have this exact guitar, and agree on the "mid-rangey" comment. It's not all in the strings, though. I got this for jazz, but so far not satisfied. I have flat-wound 11s on it (almost as heavy as factory) and acoustically it responds a lot to how it's played. Fingers only it's pretty warm. Use a pick (even a thicker pick) and the mids and highs dominate. I hear the same thing, but more pronounced through the pickups. Even with the neck pup I have to play very gently to keep it warm; hit it harder and the highs come out. If I switch to bridge only, it's very bright...doesn't have the Tele tone, but it's in that eq range. Remember, this is all with flat 11s and a wound 3rd string. As an aside, it's also very loud. Much louder than the single coil American Tele, and noticeably louder than humbuckers I've had as well. If I keep it long term, I may have to change pickups, or at least buy an eq pedal to cut the high end and the overall volume. Like you, I'm impressed by the construction.
I did a sound demo thinking I would put it up for sale (haven't yet) so you can hear it with the flat wound strings (D'Addario Chromes) here. ua-cam.com/video/puKP0fwG1AE/v-deo.html
@@jim232777 Great feedback!
I bought mine new for around $995 from Sam Ash. I just checked and they are still going for the same price. I am sure you can get it used for much cheaper though.
That's what I've heard and since found out that the owner did get it second hand. Thanks for the info tho!
Just bought it on AMZA for $800.. Can't wait to get it on Tuesday.. What kind of strings do you use for yours? Thank you..
@@Sherman1862 I use D'Addario flat wound. 11|50.
@@BillAnon Thank you!!!
@@BillAnon I bought the P90 version, saw someone said buy the Humbucker version because of the hum.. Hopefully I made the right choice..
That black bridge peace is richtite.
Wild!
ua-cam.com/video/4fctwX9C9X4/v-deo.html
For those saying this can't play jazz. This is basically the same guitar, lovely jazz tones
Can you try godin radium pleaz
Ill try to chase one down!
do these hollowbodies use electric guitar strings ?
Yes they do! Nickel strings sound best to get the proper tone out of the pickup though i would recommend going to a heavier gauge like 11 or 12's. Cheers!
@@RamonaMusicCenter thanks i used 9-46 Ernie Ball hybrid strings something doesn't seem right lol you did a great demo btw, Peace !
9s on an archtop is a heresy
haha Fact!
Never heard of the ES-125, huh?
@@lowtone9 is this a question?
It’s graphtec bridge
Thank you!
Pop in humbuckerz, say goodbye to that P-90 'single coil' sound........
I love neck p90 and humbucker in the bridge! What's your go to setup?
@@RamonaMusicCenter Sounds 'bout right.......I would do the same if I was gonna make a 'change'........For now, I'm good with the p90's and the tone control.....lol
Cue the comments correcting the pronunciation of the brand...
Really? It's not Go-dan? My company rep calls it that so I assumed. How do you say it?
@@RamonaMusicCenter i literally have no idea. Every review is different and the comments are usually full of people debating the pronunciation. I've heard "God-in" and "Go-dan" the most
@@caseywilson7768 That’s hilarious! Gotta love Internet pretentiousness lol
I thought you meant his mis-pronounciation of D'Angelico (Dan-jellicoh)...
@@xodarap37 like the liqueur.
Just curious, do you also do dishonest reviews? FYI I happen to have one of these and love it, well actually mine is just a non cutaway kingpin 5th ave.
Hahah hilarious! Love everything I have tried by Godin so far! Haven't tried a dishonest one but maybe I'll make something super sarcastic sometime as a challenge! Thanks for watchin!
Regarding that B string, just adjust the height/ angle of the pickup or adjust the magnet pole. You’re welcome
Will do! Thanks for watchin!
Old Hippie is RIGHT 500 TO 600 DOLLARS NO WAY ! $995 NEW..
That was what the customer picked it up for used but that was a couple years ago. There are a couple on Reverb right now actually for $560 if you are looking!
Charvel neck? Lol
Needs frets mills and an adjustment.. crappy guitar..
Is this what you needed for yours?
@@RamonaMusicCenter Yes and most that I buy and I buy and sell a lot!! I hear that spot where you are having an issue .. I would mill the frets.. check the neck relief and the bridge to be sure it is in-tonated and spot on.. change the strings. then re- evaluate to see if it is a keeper.. in the condition it's in now, I would not buy this one. Also the tone is so plinky.. not sure what I would do about that.. good luck
OH, and thank you so much for your review.. totally appreciate it
Never heard of a cherry guitar .I'll pass .They look cheap .
They feel much better than most mid market hollowbodies like epiphone and modern gretschs . Curious what your favorite's are...
Godin group of makers has been using Canadian Cherry wood for several generations on amazing guitars.
Looks like you need to do some research lol
fingerboard is Rosewood , Moulded top and back .neck is silver leaf maple . Honestly one of the Worst ,most uninformed viewers I have seen on here . Playing is amateurish, I will Not be back .
lol Have a nice day
thought the playing was fine to demo/review a guitar. covered many frets and pickups thats all you need
I'm sorry I will never live up to Simon Cowell's disposition. I still got my guitar. Friendly question; what is your personal guitar, amp, pedal, etc. setup since we can tell that this was a first go for you on this guitar? I also hope some folks don't turn you off to this guitar. The 5th Ave Kingpin players community never seemed to come off as harsh. I always thought of the players as mellow and warm, but that just might be the sound of the flatwound 11s influencing my sense of tone. Best regards all.