Godin 5th Ave TL Kingpin P90 OC

Godin 5th Ave TL Kingpin P90 OC: Technical Evaluation

The Godin 5th Ave TL Kingpin P90 OC positions itself in a specialized segment of hollowbody electric guitars, manufactured in Canada and priced at $1,522. Its specifications show a deliberate focus on classic build techniques and vintage-inspired electronics, while retaining unique material choices and an understated aesthetic.

Body and Materials

The body and top are both constructed from Canadian wild cherry, giving the instrument a distinctive tonal base. This wood is not as common as maple or mahogany in archtop designs but tends to be lightweight, with a balanced resonance profile. The high-gloss Ozark Cream finish offers a look that straddles vintage and contemporary styles. Chrome hardware complements this finish, with a 3-ply tortoiseshell pickguard for added durability and visual contrast.

• Body and top: Canadian wild cherry
• Finish: Ozark Cream, high-gloss
• Pickguard: 3-ply tortoiseshell
• Hardware: Chrome

Neck Construction and Playability

The neck is made from silver tree maple, a hard, stable wood choice that favors articulate attack and structural integrity. The neck is glued into the body (set-neck construction), which is associated with increased sustain and a smoother transition to the body, benefitting feel and rigidity.

• Neck: Silver Tree Maple (set neck)
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Inlays: White dot

The fingerboard radius is 406 mm (16 inches), which is relatively flat, facilitating easier string bending and comfortable chording further up the neck. The scale length measures 631 mm (24.84 inches), close to several popular short-scale guitars, contributing to a slightly slinkier string feel and potentially warmer tonal response. The nut width is 43.7 mm (1.72 inches), offering ample room for fingerstyle and chordal work. The instrument uses a Graph Tech nut and medium-width frets (21 in total), which suggests low friction and smooth tuning stability.

• Fretboard radius: 406 mm (16")
• Scale: 631 mm (24.84")
• Nut width: 43.7 mm (1.72")
• Nut: Graph Tech
• Frets: 21 medium

Electronics and Controls

The Godin 5th Ave TL Kingpin P90 OC features two Godin Kingpin P90 single-coil pickups, installed in both the neck and bridge positions. The P90 single-coil is prized for its ability to cover a broad sonic range, offering more midrange punch than a traditional bright single-coil, yet not as thick or compressed as a humbucking design. This setup is suited for clean and slightly overdriven tones, with dynamic response for jazz, blues, and roots styles.

• Pickups: 2 Godin Kingpin P90 single-coil (neck and bridge)
• Controls: Volume, tone, 3-way toggle switch

Control layout is straightforward, with single volume and tone knobs plus a three-way toggle switch. This keeps wiring simple and signal path direct, an approach typically chosen for reliability and tonal clarity.

Bridge, Tailpiece, and Stringing

The adjustable bridge is a Tune-O-Matic style made by Graph Tech, equipped with TUSQ roller saddles. TUSQ is a synthetic material engineered to enhance upper harmonic content and tuning stability. Roller saddles further minimize friction, promoting smooth string movement and reducing string breakage, particularly when bending or using vibrato. The guitar uses a traditional trapeze tailpiece, again nodding to classic hollowbody design.

• Bridge: Graph Tech adjustable Tune-O-Matic style with TUSQ roller saddles
• Tailpiece: Trapeze
• Factory strings:.011,.014,.018,.028,.038,.049

The guitar ships with a set of medium-gauge strings, suitable for robust tone and stable tuning under moderate to dynamic playing. It does not include a case or gig bag, which is something to factor in at this price point.

Made in Canada: Construction Focus

Manufacturing takes place in Canada, promising tight quality control. The set-neck joint, selection of rosewood for the fingerboard, and precise fretwork are all features typically associated with this origin. No tremolo system is present, aligning it more with vintage jazz, blues, and roots traditions than genres requiring aggressive pitch modulation.

Summary of Features and Market Positioning

• Body: Canadian wild cherry, set-neck silver tree maple, rosewood fingerboard
• Pickups: Dual P90 single-coils with simple 3-way switching
• Modern appointments: Graph Tech hardware, TUSQ roller saddles, medium frets
• Scale: Shorter 631 mm for comfort and slightly warmer sound
• Aesthetics: Ozark Cream high-gloss, chrome hardware, tortoiseshell pickguard
• No case or gig bag included

The Godin 5th Ave TL Kingpin P90 OC stands out for its tonewood choices and attention to traditional build quality. It should appeal to players who want a classic hollowbody sound combined with modern reliability in materials and construction, without excess complications in the electronic layout. Its price point and country of origin position it alongside several boutique and premium competitors, but its unique blend of woods and hardware make it a distinct choice in the current market.