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Godin 5th Avenue CW Kingpin II P90 Cognac Burst SF - No Bag/Case Included *Authorized Dealer*
The Godin 5th Avenue CW Kingpin II has been in the Godin lineup for several years, and remains a perennial favorite for good reason: The Godin Kingpin II combines the style of old-world arch top guitars with modern playability, electronics, and a great price. Constructed of all Canadian Cherry, the Kingpin is bright, lively and brings a fresh new sound that makes this more than just another jazz box.
This is a Godin "SF" Factory Second guitar, which means a small cosmetic defect was found during inspection (see photo). Usually these blemishes are difficult to find except under close inspection. SF guitars carry a full factory warranty and you save some money. Photos are of the actual guitar.
Hand crafted in Princeville, Quebec, the Kingpin is solidly built with an emphasis on both functionality and understated elegance and features:
- Canadian Cherry top, back and sides
- 24.8" scale maple neck
- 16" radius Rosewood Fretboard
- 1.72" width nut, Graphtech
- Two Godin P90 pickups
- Cognac Burst Finish with cream binding
- Adjustable compensated TUSQ graphite bridge
- TUSQ nut
- Floating pickguard
- 2-way adjustable truss rod
- Schaller-type strap lock buttons
- Weighs approx. 5 pounds
- Made in Canada
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cherry is a sustainable and locally domestically available material, and Godin has made good use of it for many years. While not a "classic" tonewood, it's been used by Godin to make great sounding acoustic and hollow-body guitars. Plus it has a lovely grain pattern and under its Cognac Burst finish gives the Kingpin and elegant look.
As a tonewood, Cherry projects a lot of volume with full bass, bright snappy highs and plenty of sustain. Cherry is tonally very similar to maple, but we think it has a little better bass response, a more complex top end, and is less "dry" than maple. The neck pickup is warm with lots of bottom end, but does not get too wooly like some P-90's. The neck + bridge combination shouts rockabilly, and is really the sweet spot for the Kingpin. The sound is reminiscent of early George Harrison/Gretsch but fuller and less anemic. The bridge pickup has plenty of bite, and like most P90's has a thick but edgy overdrive sound. And because the body is hollow not semi-hollow, just turn towards the amp for a little feedback on demand (Anyone remember Ted Nugent and his hollow body Gibson Byrdlands?). While obviously not a shred machine, the neck is easy to navigate and plays well in the upper frets too. Strung from the factory with 12's, its the action may seem a little too rugged for some. But we find that a set of 11's will make it play like butter. For jazzers, flat wound 11's or 12's are the ticket
Overall this is fun and lively guitar that has capabilities beyond it's conservative looks. While it's perfectly suited to Jazz or more mellow styles of music, the P90 pickups give it the punch and edge to be a great roots or rockabilly machine. With a very reasonable street price, the Godin 5th Avenue is a great addition to any guitar collection.
We are an authorized Godin dealer and this is a new guitar with all tags, tools, paperwork and certificates. We have a wide selection of Godin-family guitars stock at all times, and please feel free to browse our other listings, or contact us for delivery time and availability on other Godin models.