Godin 5th Ave CW Kingpin II HB

Godin 5th Ave CW Kingpin II HB review

The Godin 5th Ave CW Kingpin II HB is a cutaway archtop built around a Canadian wild cherry top and back, with two Godin Custom humbuckers for amplified playing. Its Cognac Burst finish has a semi-gloss sheen, and the overall design suits players drawn to traditional jazz and blues instruments. At a listed price of $1,035, it offers a distinctive archtop format without stepping into the most expensive end of the category.

Player feedback is mostly enthusiastic about the instrument's appearance, balance, and musical range. Several owners describe it as comfortable to hold and enjoyable for jazz, while others use it for blues, rock, and unplugged practice. Reports are not uniformly positive, however. One owner encountered tuner and pickup vibration problems, and another found the neck's fretboard radius and small frets difficult to adapt to. Those experiences make a hands-on inspection worthwhile when possible.

Construction and specifications

The body and top are made from Canadian wild cherry, paired with a silver leaf maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard. The guitar has 21 frets and a Graph Tech nut. Published scale information differs slightly: one specification lists 630 mm, while the detailed specification gives 631 mm, or 24.84 inches. The fingerboard radius is 16 inches, and the nut measures 44 mm wide. That relatively broad nut may appeal to players who want room across the strings, but the flat radius and fret size are personal-fit considerations.

One reviewer praised the neck's smooth feel and said the action was comfortable, with well-finished frets. Another specifically liked the neck width but struggled with the combination of the 16-inch radius and small frets. These accounts are not contradictory so much as a reminder that neck comfort depends on hand size, technique, and playing habits. If those details matter to you, try the guitar in person rather than relying on measurements alone.

Hardware includes an adjustable Graph Tech Tusq bridge and a separate tailpiece. The tuning machines have different gear ratios for bass and treble strings, listed as 18:1 and 26:1 respectively. The guitar has no tremolo. It is sold without a case or gig bag, so include protection in your budget if you need to transport it regularly.

Pickups and sound

Two Godin Custom humbuckers, one at the neck and one at the bridge, provide the amplified signal. Controls consist of one volume knob, one tone knob, and a three-way pickup selector. That straightforward layout is easy to understand, with no elaborate switching system to learn. One owner rated the pickups favorably, though not perfectly, and described the guitar as useful for jazz and rock, including playing with distortion.

Unplugged impressions vary. Several players report a pleasing, woody acoustic voice and say the guitar works well without an amplifier. One owner found the sound substantial and particularly enjoyable for jazz. Another felt it lacked the acoustic punch of a different guitar. An archtop with a cutaway will not satisfy every player seeking strong acoustic projection, so expectations should be guided by the instrument's format. For amplified use, reviewers generally appreciate its character, with some noting that its sound becomes more compelling through an amplifier.

Setup and ownership notes

Some buyers received an instrument that needed little more than tuning before playing, with no reported fret buzz. There are also reports of an unexpected string gauge. The listed string set is nickel-wound jazz strings in.012 to.052 gauges, with a wound G string, but one buyer says the guitar arrived with regular.010 strings instead. Changing gauge can require a neck adjustment, so check the strings and setup on arrival before planning a performance or recording session.

One owner also reported a damaged high E tuning machine and a vibration traced to the neck pickup sitting close to the body. A small rubber shim stopped the noise in that case. The same buyer noticed a cracking sound from the pickguard when pressing it, though it did not occur during playing. These are individual reports, not proof that every guitar has these faults, but they are practical points to inspect. Check that each tuner turns smoothly, listen for unwanted rattles across the bass strings, and test the pickup selector and controls.

Verdict

The Godin 5th Ave CW Kingpin II HB makes a strong case for players looking for a Canadian wild cherry archtop with a cutaway and dual humbuckers. Owners praise its finish, balanced feel, and suitability for jazz and blues, while some also enjoy it unplugged or in rock settings. Its broad nut, flat fingerboard radius, and smaller frets will not suit every player, and reported setup issues mean a careful inspection is sensible. If the neck feels right in your hands and the individual guitar checks out, it offers a characterful option at its listed price.