Godin 5th Ave CW or Epi Casino/Peerless Songbird ?

[newsense]

I find myself with post-Christmas GAS (yes, the guitar variety), looking for a more rootsy alternative to my Godin Flat Five, which is a humbucker equipped thin-line, with a sophisticated "tone-block" construction. To contrast with the HBs and construction of the Godin, I have been looking at hollowbody P90 guitars and, inevitably, have been considering a Godin 5th Ave Kingpin CW. However, I am also thinking about an Epi Casino (or Peerless Songbird, which is virtually the same guitar, from the same factory). Both the Kingpin and Casino are of hollowbody laminate construction, with 2 P90s. The main difference between the two is the body depth.

Has anyone had experience of both of these guitars ? If so, how do they compare ? Is the Godin worth the extra £300 I would have to pay ?

With my Flat Five I tend towards a tightly controlled "fusion" based sound, with some distortion and delay (although it also has a very nice mellow, clean sound on the neck pickup). I envisage that I will use the P90 guitar for a more bluesy, rootsy jazz vibe - am I on the right track with either the 5th Ave or Casino ?

[oilywrag]

Hi Newsense,
If I where you I would get over too sounds great music in stockport as they have both the 5th avenue and songbird instock..Sit down and get your hands on them both..

Cheers,

Tom

[newsense]

Hi Tom

You have inadvertently revealed the second part of my acquisition plan ! The first part was to try to get some pointers from our friends on the forum so that I would know if there was anything in particular to look out for when comparing them at Sounds Great. I will need to be pretty focussed though - the range of instruments in Sounds Great looks mighty distracting !

Thanks

Andy

[mr. beaumont]

I haven't played or seen the peerless, so I can't comment.

The GOdin and Casino both have p90's, but that's about it in similarity. Make sure to play both--the casino is hollow, but very thin bodied. The fifth avenue will have some real acoustic volume to it--something you might love or not love...

I still play and really like my single pickup Kingpin--I think it's a fine guitar, and much nicer than any Epiphone I ever played.

[GuyB]

It looks that there will be a new Godin 5th ave Jazz. I got this on guitarscanada.com :

Godin 5th Avenue Jazz
The ever-popular Godin 5th Avenue series of archtop guitars will see a new addition this year with the 5th Avenue Jazz model. It features similar attributes as other 5th Avenue models with the addition of a smooth sounding jazz Godin mini-humbucker in the neck, ebony fingerboard, and stunning high-gloss custom polished finishes, including Piano Black HG and Natural Flame HG.

[Elias Graves]

I own a 5th Ave modded with a minibucker. Have also played many Kingpins. I also have an Epi semihollow (the Alleykat.)
While both are nice, the Godin is clearly superior in construction and certainly in finish. Epis use that nasty thick glopped on polyester stuff that I just loathe. Ugh! Who dips a guitar in plastic?
Anyway, I digress. In my book, the Godin has it all over any modern Epi, including the Peerless made versions. Robert and the gang up north know how to build some nice gear without breaking the bank.
The only downside I can see to the Godin is feedback. Being a full bodied guitar with a more acoustic style contruction, it will howl pretty easily with volume. I have to watch where I stand and certainly keep things clean. If you're planning on any distortion at all, be careful with the Kingpin.
Ultimately, though, I like both my Epi and my Godin. The Epi I use for loud and dirty work, the Godin for clean, pure sounds and acoustic work. (The Kingpin isn't a terrific acoustic, however, with the pickups and pots mounted to the top.That's why I modified a 5th Avenue.)
The fit and finish is superior on the Godin, the attention to detail is much more apparent in everything about it. From the rolled fretboard edges to the thin finish, it says that somebody took a little bit of care putting it together.

EG

[rabbit]

Make sure you like the neck of any guitar you'll spend a lot of time with.

I love my 5th Ave. but it is not my favorite neck.

Epi's often have necks I like better; a Zephyr Regent was an example.