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A floating pickup on a laminated top and mounted pots is falling between two stools. I'd rather have a full-sized humbucker with a coil tap (even better: a switch between series and parallel).
A P90 is cool, but a Charlie Christian (like a Lollar CC) would be even cooler!
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02-18-2011 05:57 PM
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I'm not exactly sure what the benefit of something being made in North America is, except that its the closest we can get to saying made in America, these days
Originally Posted by Norman931
Even at that price, it will probably still be competitive in its price range. Godin is pretty good at what they do, and they do it in North America, which is saying a lot these days. I wish them the best of luck, though I will be staying with the humble P90 version.
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For some folks, buying from a company that pays their workers a living wage and uses a lot of sustainable, local woods (not sure about the ebony!) means something. I'm not too big into the politics of guitar building and selling, but it would make me feel better to know that my purchase supported a responsible business model.
There's also the history of high quality instruments the Godin companies have provided. In my personal experience, I've never come across a single model of Godin product (including Seagull, LaPatrie, Norman, etc.) that couldn't have sold for double (or triple) had it said "Gibson" or "Fender" or "Martin" on the headstock.
The mistake was making it part of the "Fifth Avenue" family, which folks have come to accept as a quality budget jazz guitar line. Godin's other high end products regulalry go from about 1 to 2k, and nobody bats an eyelash because they're professional quality instruments in every sense of that term. There's no reason to expect anything other than that from this guitar--I'm just bummed about the features--I'm with BigDaddy--the floater does nothing for me...
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By the way, ejwhite, to each their own, but what's up with the new "Harmony Central Approved" scantily clad female avatar?
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Living Wage is a relative term, and the best way to help those countries which have cheap labor markets is to buy from them to raise their standard of living, as Europe raised ours by buying our cheap textiles from the sweat shops of the garment district of nyc. Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
But my point is that it's basically saying 'not made in China.' As if there aren't reputable brands in Europe which must also comply to western labor norms.
I just don't see the need or euphemism or economic nationalism. But basically, I just find it amusing that we used to rage about things being 'made in america' now its slipped to 'made in north america' next it'll be 'made by a guy who makes just as much as you.' lol. Because less and less is made in america...lol I remember when those 'assembled in america' stickers started showing up.
I guess it could be somewhat generational as well, being born in 84, I'm kinda that first 'free trade' generation. my dad will drive around all day to buy a wrench made in america.Last edited by ejwhite09; 02-18-2011 at 06:39 PM.
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LOL it's Christina Hendricks, from MadMen. Besides the fact that she's got a body that belongs in a painting of one of the masters, and she digs 'dorky guys because she is one too.' I thought my profile could use some rising around here Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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What you mean by "we", Kimo Sabe? Originally Posted by ejwhite09
Actually, aren't Godin corporation products built both in Canada and the US? I don't know about 5th Avenue line in particular.
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Lol the 'royal' we Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
What you mean by "we", Kimo Sabe?
Actually, aren't Godin corporation products built both in Canada and the US? I don't know about 5th Avenue line in particular.
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Right, the pots mounted on the laminate top need a built-in pickup, OR, the mini-humbucker needs a volume control on the pickguard. Either way, it screams for an ebony tailpiece. I still think a fair number of people are gonna buy one when they get it in their hands. Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
My car was built in Canada too. It's a Honda.
I'm 48, and I remember when we made EVERYTHING in the USA, and it was all pretty affordable as well. I'm not against globalization per se, but exploitation of workers in pursuit of the bottom line is bad news wherever you live.
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Go to the link, click 'Godin guitars at winter NAMM 2011'
The guy playing at 2.50 through an Orange amp does well and the guitar itself sounds ok.
Godin Guitars
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Ok.. I will say this in favour of a floater. It give you an uncut top so you can mount WETF you want after the fact. I would not worry about resale value because it is a Godin (sidetracking on the price: yes 1900 is a lot BECAUSE it is a Godin. Not at Big G's prices, but then again they dont have the Gibson resale value.
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I think that is a gross simplification of the real problems going on with that country and the American/Western standard of living. Encouraging domestic or foreign companies by buying products they sell/produce at the expense of child labor or substandard labor (granted, those people's standards aren't mine) is NOT the correct way to solve the problem. Originally Posted by ejwhite09
Back to the subject, I like the point made about the quality of the instrument. However, to read the online provided reviews made on some of the Godin products, you'd think they were a little light or delicate. But, that may also be the inexperience of the player (I'd assume many of which have never picked up anything that wasn't built like a brick such as solid bodies or some cheaper dreadnought acoustics).
~DB
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i am a beginer jazz guitar player and need an archtop and the 5th ave jazz is got an amazing tone but too expensive . does godins uptown gt have the same tone as the jazz & what are the differences between these two archtops?
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Specs for the two are here: http://www.godinguitars.com/godin5thaveseriesp.htm I have played the Kingpin II Cw for a few years now and it's one of my favorites. They are available for under $1000 new, and used prices vary quite a bit, but good deals are out there.
Last edited by RoyaleT; 07-06-2014 at 06:37 AM.
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If you can live without a cutaway and 2 pickups the 5th Ave Kingpin is the best ratio of quality to price in a hollow body. The Kingpin with the single P90 is an excellent guitar, or you could do what I did and take a 5th Ave acoustic and add a floating humbucker. Ether way, buying used it's well under $500.
Last edited by Doctor Jeff; 07-07-2014 at 03:17 PM.
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To me actually Godin 5th ave acoustic is a good option, you can install any pickup on it... and actually do whatever you want (or Kingpin if original P90 fits your requirements)
and acoustically it has surprisingly quite good balanced tone for laminated guitar.
And most probably this tone will not suffer much after upgrades.
Just a few days ago I tried a few acoustic archtops (or expected to have some acoustic quality) in a shop - including Godin, The Loar 600, top Peeless, and some vintages...
And only Gibson ES125 1952 had really good singing and really acoustic tone (though pretty low)... and fantastically comfortable to play - probably adjusted previously.
(There was L-7 1935 also but I think there was something wrong in it, mabe broken, or badly restored)
all the others -
maybe it is my ears, or my picking way -
but this cheap Godin - though laminated - sounds at least the same as Loars etc. - and it is much more better built and playable... yues Loars are louder have more harmonics, but so... thin, unbalances...
I just do not get why to pay more...
I wish that Godin would make solid top acoustic archtop with really individual acoustic tone... I am sure they could manage it under usd1000 and it could be a hit... why don't they do it?Last edited by Jonah; 07-07-2014 at 04:18 AM.
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Well thats what I though when I bought my Godin, until I sold it because it. I then payed the £500 more to get the real deal and never looked back. Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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What did you get? If it is not a secret?Well thats what I though when I bought my Godin, until I sold it because it. I then payed the £500 more to get the real deal and never looked back.
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A Fender American Strat. I was using the Godin Freeway? Their strat copy essentially.
Looks like a strat but
1. Doesn't sound like one, sounds more like a Levinson Blade which is to say flat (imo)
2. You couldn't bend the strings without pinching the one above, which I tried to remedy but saw no immediate solution to.
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Oh ... ok.. I am not competent about this stuff.
I know that a good intrument costs money, I use very subtle acoustic instruments - but in jazz it is a bit more staight ahead to me, not so delicate... attack and sound is tougher not so graduated.
so often I just do not understand why it should cost 2000-3000 dollars and more... what is so special about it?
I can understand a classical guitar, a lute at such a price, they should have many nuances in sound, very subtle work...
but jazz guitar - especially electric...
well I know a process for carved solid top archtop is not easy - ok, but then give me a guitar with real acoustic tone for these money with all nuances...
do not kill it with pickguard, bolts and extra- finishing...Last edited by Jonah; 07-07-2014 at 07:30 AM.
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A considerable amount of that "sound" you are chancing comes from the player. Someone just pointed this out in another thread. A good player can get a good sound out of a "cheap" instrument.
End of the day, I would say you need to make a decision of whether you want to spend your music life chasing someone else's sound or are you going to pony up and start developing your personal style. The guitar is a part of this, but what is more important is sitting down and playing.
None of my guitars is worth more than about $800. And I get miles of use out of them. And frankly, I could give two left testicles if I sound like Lenny Benson Pass Mongomery the third... I sound like me.
End of the day, the world is full of absolutely amazing guitars under $2,000. Or even $1,000 for that matter! I can think of at least twenty guitars I would buy before I would spend $20k on an L-5...
Okay, off that soap box and onto another...
Picking a guitar or any other instrument is an extremely personal thing. It should take time! My advice when you are ready to shell out any money for a guitar is to start looking for ones in your price range that are near and you can play as a test drive. Play as many as you can get your hands on. Sleep on your decision. If is a used instrument, consider any modding you may want/have to do. Make sure you send it off first thing for a professional setup.
There are three things that make any guitar sound better:
1. Setup
2. Setup
3. Setup
Once you do have it in your hands, you need to play it... A lot. It's like a new girl friend; She won't open up to you until you learn how to treat her.
~Danny
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A considerable amount of that "sound" you are chancing comes from the player. Someone just pointed this out in another thread. A good player can get a good sound out of a "cheap" instrument....
of course good player can sound great on lousy instrument - I posted here once a classical sample when Taneev played untuned piano, and after him Horowitz plays the same piano and it sounds in tune..
But I do not speak about 'that sound' - just an acoustic quality of an instrument, it is more or less conventional...
PS
By the way most acoustic demos of Godin 5th in internet are played with very poor picking technique
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$1900 is about what I paid for my Gretsch 6120 Nashville.
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Point being? Originally Posted by zigzag
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FYI, ultimately, prices are determined by consumers. Just so you know how that works: if no one is willing to pay the Originally Posted by Jonah
" ... why it should cost 2000-3000 dollars and more..." then the price will go down; If there are plenty of customers willing to pay that price " ... a rough cost of $1,900 ", the price will maintain, or even go up. That's capitalism. Things cost what consumers are willing to pay ... not what you think is fair or reasonable.
I would think a successful company like Godin can predict pretty well what consumers are willing to pay. If Godin is wrong, the price will go down or the guitar will be discontinued.
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