Can Godin deliver the hollowbody goods for a reasonable price?
Overview
When I first picked up the 5th Avenue Godin Kingpin, my first question was if its sounds could match its great looks. The Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin is a fully hollow archtop guitar that is manufactured in Québec, Canada. The Kingpin line comes in three flavors:
- 5th Avenue Kingpin
- 5th Avenue CW Kingpin II
- 5th Avenue CW Kingpin II HB
The chief difference between the models is the pickup configuration. The 5th Avenue CW Kingpin II comes equipped with two P90 pickups, while the Kingpin II HB offers two humbuckers. This review is for the 5th Avenue Kingpin in Cognac Burst, which comes with a single P90 pickup. This Godin is part of the 5th Avenue family of guitars, and a little brother to the popular Godin 5th Avenue Jazz, which has been discontinued.
Fit & Finish
I was immediately taken by the appearance of the Kingpin’s satin Cognac burst, and was happy to see that it looks just as good in person as it does in photos. The Cognac burst is the only color currently available, but that’s ok because it’s an inviting finish. The beautiful chestnut color ranges from amber towards the middle of the guitar to a rich reddish tint at the edges of the top.
The Kingpin is fully hollow and 3” deep, and features an arched top and back. It is constructed of laminated Canadian Wild Cherry wood. Cherry isn’t unheard of, but it’s also not a common tonewood for guitars. Cherry is in plentiful supply and can be sourced in North America, so I credit Godin for making an environmentally sustainable decision. The cream binding around the top edge is a nice touch and matches beautifully with the Cognac color. The fretboard is rosewood and features simple dot markers, which complements the Godin’s straightforward vibe. This isn’t a guitar that’s trying to be too fancy, but there is elegance in simplicity.
Feel and Playability
I was instantly aware of the Godin’s light weight when I picked it up. Kingpins weigh in the vicinity of 5lbs give or take a few ounces, and I consider this a real plus. The Godin has a 1 11/16 nut width with a 16” fingerboard radius. I’ve heard some people express concern over the flat radius, but I believe that variety is a good thing, and most people won’t have trouble adjusting (I personally believe that a flat radius is nice once you get used to it).
The neck on the Kingpin has a satin finish, and felt great in hand, not too big or too small. It was substantial but not clubby, and thicker than say, a Guild T-50 neck. The fret ends were smooth and the guitar played and stayed in tune. There is no doubt that the 18:1 and 26:1 ratio tuners played a part in this. The inclusion of high ratio tuners is another thoughtful touch by Godin that translates directly into improved playability.
Tones
I am a believer in the idea that the foundation of a good electric tone is a good acoustic tone. I always like to strum every guitar acoustically to get an idea of its tone characteristics, volume, and projection. The Godin really impressed me here. It was loud, clear and natural sounding, and didn’t sound plinky at all. I could happily play this guitar unplugged.
When I plugged into a Quilter Aviator Cub, I was met with sweet, jazzy P90 tones. Rolling the tone down got me into the vintage jazz realm, which is exactly what I was looking for. Even with the tone rolled off, the Kingpin retained articulation, and didn’t get overly woolly. The Kingpin’s P90s are clear sounding, and don’t offer the “rude” tones that some P90 designs are known for. The rosewood floating bridge is the giveaway that this guitar is meant for jazz and blues, but it could also fit in well with roots rock as well.
Conclusion
The Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin feels thoughtfully put together. Godin has to meet a price point like everyone else, but they did this in a smart way by prioritizing features that contribute towards good tone and playability. The quality of the materials is good, and the finish is beautiful. Despite being offered in only one color, the grain variations of the wild cherry body are so individual that you can pick and choose one that’s right for you. Some Kingpins have flowing, straight-ish grain, while others offer swirling cathedral shapes. And the Kingpin top and back are bookmatched, so there’s a symmetry even with dramatic graining.
The Kingpin has a surprisingly good tone unplugged, and the P90 has a polite vintage sound without being too midrangy. The workmanship is excellent, and the neck is comfortable and plays well. If you are looking for a sub $1,000 guitar that’s made in North America with convincing, rich tones and good looks, I suggest giving the Godin a try.