NGD: Godin 5th Avenue

[garyptaszek]

Picked this up from a buddy at work, I remember wanting one when they first came out, and the price was right so here we are.

It needs some cleaning up as it’d been hanging on the wall for years doing nothing. It also needs a pickup but I’m not 100% sure what. I’ve been looking at Kent Armstrong Jazz pickups but I’m open to suggestions as I don’t play jazz, I just intend to use it as a strumy acoustic.

[Flurko]

The coolest looking pickup for it would be a DeArmond rythm chief, no holes needed as well. Big fan of these, I remember as well wanting one when they came out !

[garyptaszek]

The coolest looking pickup for it would be a DeArmond rythm chief, no holes needed as well. Big fan of these, I remember as well wanting one when they came out !

Not a bad idea. I have no idea how they sound but they certainly look interesting

[BoringPostcards]

They’re great guitars. I believe the original run with no pickup were just called 5th Avenue archtop. The 5th Avenue Kingpins all have pickups.
I wanted one for a long time (the non-pickup version) and now they only make the 5th Avenue Kingpin with one or two pickups.

Enjoy your new beast of an acoustic, Gary. I love the difference in tone with the f-holes, instead of the round sound hole. It’s a very tight and focused sound.
Learn some gypsy punk songs. Gogol Bordello is a good start.

[garyptaszek]

They’re great guitars. I believe the original run with no pickup were just called 5th Avenue archtop. The 5th Avenue Kingpins all have pickups.
I wanted one for a long time (the non-pickup version) and now they only make the 5th Avenue Kingpin with one or two pickups.

Enjoy your new beast of an acoustic, Gary. I love the difference in tone with the f-holes, instead of the round sound hole. It’s a very tight and focused sound.
Learn some gypsy punk songs. Gogol Bordello is a good start.

Ah yes, my mistake. I didn’t realise they don’t make this version anymore.
I’ve not had much of a chance to play it properly, but even with the dusty old strings on it, it sounded very punchy and much louder than I was expecting.



I’ve taken off the hardware and attempted to polish them up a bit with toothpaste, the tuners were especially grimy.
Next I’m gonna give the fretboard and frets a good clean up and then I’ll get it strung up for a proper go.

[garyptaszek]

Just gave the frets a little love.

The nut fell off when I took the strings off, even tho there is substantial evidence of super glue. After closer inspection the nut wasnt making good contact with the end of the board or the headstock due to finish build up.
Gave it a little file to level the finish, and cleared out the corner, much better contact now. Weird that there is finish under the nut but ah well.

[garyptaszek]

Nut glued on and all strung up.
I’ve not had time to play it properly but it’s loud and bright, sounds nice, and plays quite well.

I still need to decide on a pickup solution but for now this will do.
I have seen some arch top piezo pickups but I can’t imagine that’ll sound right for me.
Been looking at this, maybe wired straight to a jack so I don’t have the drill the top?
Kent Armstrong Jazz Pickup

[JSett]

Been looking at this, maybe wired straight to a jack so I don’t have the drill the top?

Have you seen these?

https://www.sandarac.co.uk/luthiery-pro ... umbwheels/

I've seen them mounted underneath the guard on an archtop:

[garyptaszek]

Have you seen these?

https://www.sandarac.co.uk/luthiery-pro ... umbwheels/

I've seen them mounted underneath the guard on an archtop:

Yeah saw one that had a volume and tone control too. But I dunno if I like it… I dunno, you know me.

[JSett]

Yeah saw one that had a volume and tone control too. But I dunno if I like it… I dunno, you know me.

The link is for the vol/tone one

[garyptaszek]

Yeah saw one that had a volume and tone control too. But I dunno if I like it… I dunno, you know me.

The link is for the vol/tone one

That website was like a time capsule.

[JSett]

That website was like a time capsule.

You really want to be slapped back in time for sure? Try this one on for size:

https://www.combo-organ.com/

[garyptaszek]

That website was like a time capsule.

You really want to be slapped back in time for sure? Try this one on for size:

https://www.combo-organ.com/

Good lord

[garyptaszek]

I’m kinda thinking about some DeArmond style pickups from TV Jones, make it like a poor man’s Gretsch. I want to avoid routing anything for the pickups but I’m thinking something like this could work with a larger packer (to raise the pole pieces off the body and avoid routing).


I’ve got 24mm from the top to the underside of the low E string, this could work…

[garyptaszek]

Update.
I’ve ordered a custom made Dogear slug p90 with magnet poles from U.K. winder Toltec. I still need to address the pickup rider situation… but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it (when the pickup arrives).