Godin 5th Ave Kingpin P90 DLX VB

Godin 5th Ave Kingpin P90 DLX VB: Technical Bench Test

The Godin 5th Ave Kingpin P90 DLX VB is a single-cutaway hollow body electric guitar made in Quebec, Canada, with a vintage-inspired look and carefully sourced tonewoods. This analysis breaks down its construction, specifications, and feature set to assess its technical merit and position among modern hollow body electrics in a similar price bracket.

Body and Materials: Emphasis on Canadian Wild Cherry

The core structure of the 5th Ave Kingpin P90 DLX VB revolves around its body and top, both crafted from Canadian wild cherry. This wood selection is somewhat uncommon in electric guitars, especially in hollow body designs, where maple and mahogany tend to dominate. Canadian wild cherry is selected for its balanced tonal qualities, generally producing a pronounced midrange with a crisp top end.

The top is not carved separately but matched to the body with the same wood. A high-gloss vintage burst finish highlights the grain and reinforces the guitar's traditional jazz box aesthetics. All body elements are expertly coated, offering not only a classic appearance but also practical protection for the wood.

Neck and Playability: Silver Tree Maple and Rosewood Fingerboard

The neck is made from silver-leaf maple, a variety specifically used for its stability and resistance to warping compared to softer maple types. This is paired with a rosewood fingerboard that offers a smooth, dense surface under the fingers. The fingerboard radius is 16 inches (406 mm), resulting in a relatively flat playing surface suitable for easy chordal work and single-note runs, especially along the higher registers.

The neck is set into the body, a choice that typically offers greater sustain and resonance than bolt-on varieties. The 21 medium frets are well-suited to both rhythm and lead playing, and the nut width of 43.7 mm strikes a balance between fingerstyle and chordal comfort. The adjustable nut is made from Graph Tech material, which is engineered to reduce friction for stable tuning and precise string response.

Hardware and Electronics: Classic P90 Performance

The guitar features a single Godin Kingpin P90 single coil pickup in the neck position. P90 pickups are lauded for their blend of clarity and grit, often described as sitting between a typical single coil and a humbucker regarding output and tonal response. This configuration is technically favored for jazz, blues, and early rock sounds, making it a strong fit for the guitar's hollow body design.

There are straightforward controls: one volume knob and one tone knob. This simplicity avoids overcomplication and keeps the signal path pure, maximizing the responsiveness of the single coil pickup. The hardware is chrome finished, and the machine heads are of the open-gear type, which allow for straightforward maintenance and a classic visual touch.

Strings are D'Addario EXL115 nickel wound, a medium gauge set known for balanced tension and bright tone, making them compatible with a single pickup hollow body setup. Tremolo is not present on this instrument, in keeping with its jazz and vintage design intent.

Fit, Finish, and Usability for Gigging Players

The 5th Ave Kingpin P90 DLX VB ships with a padded gig bag, ensuring a degree of portability and basic protection for musicians on the move. It does not include a hard case as standard, which may be a downside for players seeking maximum security during transport. The finish and fretwork are factory-standard for Godin and are known to be precise, though this test is not based on in-hand assessment but on material details and specifications alone.

The scale length of 631 mm places it within the Gibson ES-175 family rather than the notably longer scale designs favored by some other jazz boxes. This, combined with the moderate nut width, should make for an accessible instrument for most hand sizes.

Design and Canadian Craftsmanship

All production is centered in Quebec, Canada, where Godin's workshops are known for combining modern CNC machinery with hand-applied finishing touches. The guitar's design language is clearly aligned with classic 1940s and 1950s hollow body archtops, making it a technically faithful option for traditionalists while benefiting from several material innovations not found on vintage instruments, such as the use of silver-leaf maple and a Graph Tech adjustable nut.

Conclusion: Technical Summary

• Tonewoods: Canadian wild cherry and silver-leaf maple, maximizing mid and upper-frequency presence.
• Electronics: Single Godin Kingpin P90 single coil in neck position, one volume and one tone control, pure signal path.
• Playability: 16" fingerboard radius, 21 medium frets, and 43.7 mm nut width lend comfort and versatility.
• Included Accessories: Padded gig bag only, no case.
• Origin: Built in Quebec, Canada with high attention to material choice and functional assembly.

On a specification basis, the Godin 5th Ave Kingpin P90 DLX VB delivers an authentic hollow body experience with modern improvements in tuning and durability, focused around a single P90 pickup for expressive clean and overdriven tones. It is best suited for players seeking vintage aesthetics and targeted tonal versatility without complex electronics or hardware.