Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin vs Gibson ES 125
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- čas přidán 23. 05. 2021
- In this episode of the jazz guitar tone wars I compare my old '59 ES 125 to my new Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin.
The Godin 5th Avenue is a "budget" starter jazz guitar made in Canada. The ES-125 was originally marked and designed as a budget jazz guitar which originally retailed for $125.
In this episode of jazz guitar tone wars I compare the sounds of both guitars so that you can see what you think.
What are your thoughts about the tone of each jazz guitar?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Robert Godin created the 5th ave because his first guitar he ever had was an archtop. He wanted to recreate that tone in his guitar line. Man! Mission accomplished. As good as.
With price being thrown in determining the judgement - Godin is the clear winner, it's sound is just as beautiful as its price.
And...the original selling price of the Gibson, $125 in 1959, has the same value as $1,311 as of January 2024.
@@RickMcCargar Ya. . .good luck finding one for under 1800usd. I'm saving for a Howard Roberts fusion....1K more but, better bang for the buck in the end.
The Gibson is slightly warmer but the Godin has phenomenal articulation. I don’t think I could justify spending those 4 figures when the Godin is basically $600-700.
Absolutly, it's just a prestige thing!!...would have been nice to have a more complete specs comparaison!!...
@@mainsblanches8793
I want to start by making it clear that I love the Godin Kingpin and it is definitely an outstanding value.
However, I don’t think it can be just a “prestige thing” since Gibson isn’t still offering the ES-125, and we aren’t comparing two brand new guitars. When buying the Gibson you are paying a premium because you are buying a piece of history that deserves to be preserved for future generations.
@@charlesbolton8471
Comparing apples to oranges.
The Gibson is much nicer sounding. The Godin looks nice
I like the Godin but the 125 is the better guitar. I have 1957 I paid $1000 for and it's freaking awesome.
A 1959 Gibson es 125 should range from $18 to $2700 if priced fairly on today's market. Then you can find an es 120 for around $1800. Once u get into an es 150 then you are looking at around 4 k
I bought my 1959 ES-125 in 1979 for $125. No one wanted them back then. So, I'm emotionally attached to my Gibson. If I were starting out fresh today I'd go with the Godin. It sounds better, and being new you wouldn't have to deal with the issues that come with a delicate antique guitar. I own Seagull and Art & Lutherie acoustics - both Godin brands - and love them both. Godin offers a lot of guitar for the price. That they're environmentally responsible (most wood they use is harvested from fallen trees in a forest they own) is icing on the cake.
I pick the Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin because that's the one I own and it's a great guitar, regardless of the price. It doesn't sound significantly different than the Gibson ES 125.
Definitely Godin. They make really fine guitars at an affordable price. By the way, your clean, straight up playing is much appreciated. You really allow the instruments to shine.
Thank you very much!
agreed, made in canada...not CCP run prc... hade one for ~10 yrs... i love it
I too really appreciate your clean playing!!
@@nikkileonard6125 Thank you!
Agreed. I never played my ES125 distorted nor pushed the amp. I loved everything from the clean, *almost* full on jangly treble, to the warm jazz sounding rolled off treble, and everything in between on my Gibson plywood topped work horse. I played the entire neck... it stayed in tune with the Bigsby that was installed by the 2nd previous owner (it came with the original hardware in the original case).
The Godin 5th Avenue is gorgeous looking and from the many demos I've seen, it plays everything I used to play and more (I never played open tunings; only drop D for finger style picking... my father listened to Chet and Jerry Reed, respectively and together, from as early as I can recall).
Wonderful demo!
When listening to the two guitars blindfolded, it is not possible to distinguish them. Thanks for sharing.
Both great sounds and quite different. Great comparison video. Thanks!
Great playing, I know which I'd rather take to a gig and not have to have a panic attack everything I went to the bar. Godin make outstanding instruments, true innovators, Gibson are stuck in 1959
Bravo; cette comparaison est très intéressante.Le son de la Gibson est magnifique Mais la Godin est aussi très belle, peut-être un peu moins brillante mais elle est moins âgée alors je pense beaucoup de bien de cette Godin.
I'm getting this guitar. I took lessons from Allan Hanlon during college on that Gibson. Had and sold an acoustic/electric Godin but now I can get this amazing reasonably priced guitar from them for my jazz /country dream retirement gift. Thanks for the demo, you sold me. 🎸
Thanks for your comment! The Godin is OK but the Gibson is a far better guitar and worth the extra $$$ in my opinion.
"There will never be another you" sounded stunning on the Godin! I've just bought my first jazz box, an Eastman Pisano AR380CE. I'm very pleased with it thus far.
Thank you and congratulations!
I’ve had a 5th ave for years, with the cut away and bridge pick up also, sounds like a freakin’ beast! In love with that guitar from the moment I first lay hands on it.
Glad to hear that Dude.
I got mine in Tobacco Burst about 3 weeks ago…..I LOVE IT!
I just bought one with the P90's & Cut away, someone said get the Humbucker version as the P90s hum.. lol... I get it tomorrow, I'm hoping I made the right choice.. If not, can always swap out a lower output Humbucker in the bridge I suppose.. : )
@@Sherman1862 I mean, all comes down to your preference in the end, but those P90s are half the reason I love that guitar so much! They got such a thick full sound, and if you crank ‘em they sound like a truck! I’d go P90 > humbucker any day personally. 😊
@@the.bloodless.one1312 That's awesome!!! I ordered the 2x P90 version/cutaway.. Then saw a review where the female player, from Austria, really great jazz guitarist here on CZcams, she said go humbucker!!!! So I sort of freaked and thought about canceling my order, replacing with the humbucker version.. But then I said F* it.. I'll go P90 as I don't own a guitar with P90s.. And I think it just looks better, and will be more historically vintage accurate too.. : ) I actually bought iit on AMZN for $800 on Sale, when I looked again the next day it was like $930 I think, so I'm thinking that it was "meant to be" as The Guitar Gods where smiling upon my decision.. I'll get it tomorrow, ordered it Sunday!!!! : ) Thank you so much for your "Feedback".. ; ) lol : ) Keep on Rockin'!!!
Both sound really nice. I think that when it comes to guitars with the right amp Set ups it’s really a matter of preference and budget. Jazz musicians years ago didn’t have the selection of instruments we have today. It always makes me wonder if they did what would they be playing? Maybe not the guitars we see them with? I think a lot of the old school ideas on what guitars you have to use to get good jazz tones are debunked for the most part. Gibsons do have good tone, but there are many guitars out there today that you can get that are the same or maybe better.
Thank you, good points! I do agree that setups and amp plays a big part.
I was looking away when you began and I was surprised to see that you had moved to the second guitar!
Plugged in there isn't a huge difference between the two, the Gibson has a bit more body due to the larger body, but the difference is really subtle. The Godin is a great guitar for its price.
Thanks for this!
No problem!
Great review and nice playing! I have no problem choosing the Godin!
Thanks!
Great video, thanks!
No problem!
Great playing Jamie, Love the Godin tone, Godin guitars are really well made guitar's and are reasonably priced
Thank you! I agree
THANKS, JAMIE! Um abraço do BRAZIL!
No problemo!
Nice work! Both sound really nice. 😉👍
Thanks!
I prefer the Godin 5th Av Kingpin with a little warmer, rounder tone. Admitted bias; I own one, and play it almost daily. It plays and sounds like a guitar that shound cost 3x as much. The Classic ES125 I
is no slouch either but a bit thinner tone more befitting a period rhythm instrument vs one used for melody lines.
It’s a win-win situation here! Godin did right by finding the correct sound and playability. Remember that the 125’s were entry-level guitars yet made with high manufacturing standards by Gibson. Godins at around $500-$700 falls into the same category. At the end of the day, if you want a true iconic piece of history, then go for a 50’s- early 60’s 125… if that doesn’t appeal to you then Godin puts you in the game and in the pocket! Personally I’m going for a mid/late 50’s 125 because of my love of the rockabilly “ sun sessions “ feel…
Those Godins are very beautiful.
Jamie,
Thanks for doing this comparison. I recently purchased the Godin Kingpin II, so it was nice to here this comparison. I thought both guitars sounded great, but the Gibson did seem to have a jazzier tone. The Godin was just a little brighter. Maybe if it had a set of flatwounds it would mellow out the tone on the Kingpin.
I agree. The Godin has a high output pickup so I would definitely get something softer for jazz.
I enjoyed your playing with both guitars!!
Thanks!
Thank you for this. I honestly think that they are very similar. Bottom line, is … often “the bottom line” for musicians. I did a similar test between a Taylor acoustic made in the USA vs one made in Mexico…I bought the one made in Mexico, because as far as value for money goes the Mexican one is great. Sometimes we have to watch out for “over branding” of some instruments: are you paying for the name?. I have a Godin (electric nylon string) with a 2 inch neck (which takes some getting used to) and it performs flawlessly. One must not also forget the mellow sound of nylon string guitars for jazz…they are a definite natural companion. Enjoy the the Victoria Day long weekend.
Thanks for your comment. I want a nylon, those Godin multiacs are good guitars.
They both sound great. Your style works very well with the P-90s.
Thank you!
Mate your playing and sound is awesome
Very kind of you to say, thanks!
great video! i find your playing very creative.
Very kind of you. Thanks!
They’re extremely close. The Godin is a bit “thinner” sounding, but overall both are a winner. If you want a fuller sounding Godin, they have a P Rail model.
Thanks for this tone comparison. Which of these do you prefer to play? I haven't had the privilege to play either but I'm looking for this type of simple jazz archtop for my next guitar.
Gibson es 125
Great video and great playing. I would have loved to hear both guitars acoustically
Thank you! They are really not great acoustically but the Godin is certainly louder but also harsher
I have a Godin and several Gibsons. Love them both, but play the Godin more because it's more comfortable. Great video!
Thanks!
I love the single coil sound!!
The Godin is a pretty cool Substitue when not wanting to break out a priceless vintage to a situation
What we hear essentially is the tone of the Polytone amplifier, which is great for that jazz sound. I suspect that if you'd use any P90 and Es125 build style, you won't hear a great difference. The amp is so important.
What will be different will be the playability and how you bond with the guitar, which no You Tube video will ever be able to tell YOU.
Informative video because that's exactly what it shows
Completely agree!
it feels like you've bonded more with the Gibson. Maybe you've had it longer the the Godin, but you seem more natural on the Gibson which makes it sound a bit better IMO.
Interesting how you can tell that just from the video! The Gibson was my first archtop. I got the Godin a few weeks ago in a trade.
I got that vibe too. Nice ear.
I love my Godin. Even tho I'm not even a jazz player. Just like the look and the feel of this guitar so much. Plus I got it dirt cheap.
Não canso de ouvir você tocando música brasileira
I've recently owned a 63 ES125 and now a 5th Avenue Kingpin. The ES125 had a good mellow tone and Gibson on the headstock but that was just about it. The Godin has a greater tonal range and response, maybe due to its lighter build, Godin pickup and maple neck (The tonal range is not explored in this video). The Godin neck is also more comfortable for me. The '63 ES125 is slim , with a slightly V shaped profile (the earlier ones are more chunky) but I prefer the C profile and flatter, Martin style, fingerboard of the Godin. The Godin has 'budget' compromises, such as a multi piece, bolted on and glued, maple neck. I don't see this as an issue, as I'm not sure it affects tone significantly and if it does, it might be in a good way. What I'm sure of is that the Kingpin is remarkable value, very good quality and a great sounding and playing instrument.
I hear the acoustic resonance more on the Godin. It could be the more narrow body. A jazz purest will go with Gibson. I will take the Godin. Gibson is the better of the two, but that 5th ave is a killer for the money.
Love those Godin guitars
I have the same Godin but in matt Black finish. Strangely, compared to most others who responded, I found the Gibson slightly more pleasing. I play my Godin through an AER Compact 60 III. I'm considering buying a Universal Audio Golden Reverberator Reverb.
Great video Jamie!!! The Godin is certainly a good option for the money. Both guitars sound great with that setup. Personally I prefer Gibson's play-ability,richness and "soul".
Thanks for sharing your opinion!
Godin are absolutely easy to play, have 'soul', and sound so rich
Couldn't tell difference on a blind test...very nice...I have a 1950 125 and it's my go to....
They’re very different in person!
This is great! I found a 125 in a pawn shop that had apparently seen crimes against humanity lol. I'm restoring it and looking forward to posting a vid when it's through (just electronics left). Thanks so much for making this video (and you sound GREAT, too btw). Cheers
Even beat to HELL I paid $400 for it in Jan of 2022. I'll have about 650 all said.
Thank you for the kind words. Sounds like you got a killer deal!! I hope you keep it.
I like the Godin, I also really like the Epiphone Century 1966 re-issue. You can get those for around $500 USD.
I haven’t tried the epiphone but I bet it’s good!
solid comparison, it's ply vs ply... the gibson has age going for it... if you're it makes sense to grab the gibson but if you just need a player the godin is a great choice
Really nice playing.
They sound very similar in the video. Could you tell a big difference in the room between the two?
If money wasn't an issue and I found an old Gibson in great structural shape, I'd prefer it for aesthetic reasons. I love the feel of an old nitro finish, and the history in vintage instruments.
It would be interesting to have an unplugged comparison.
Thanks, yes there is more difference in reality than is conveyed on the video. 125s are great guitars, but they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There's also the potential maintenance work on old guitars (frets, neck, tuners), so it's best to look at them in person I think.
Almost identical...so i go for the Godin...it will compliment my Japanese Tokai tele...
Muy bueno el video!👏👏👏👏 que amplificador sugeris para este tipo de guitarra?
¡Gracias Señor! No recomiendo esta guitarra pero para este video usé una Polytone Megabrute
Nice to see you playing a little Tango/milonga there at first 👍🏼
You seem to glide along smoother on the Gibson. Maybe because the guitar is broken in? For a player, there is way more to a guitar than how it sounds. It's about the feel, the action, the flow along the neck. There's a psychological, emotional connection between player and beast. I'm thinking that you (and most anyone) would pick up the Gibson first. If for nothing else, it's legendary status. Just to see what it's like. But clearly there is a very comfortable feel about a Gibson neck. That being said, I bet your skills on an old Sears n'Roebuck toy guitar would still sound pretty sweet. Then again, a Godin with a nice setup can certainly make a great partner. I hear great things about a Godin, but haven't yet had the pleasure to play one.
They sound the same to me. I had this model Godin and sold it. I may buy another one. They sound great and play just fine. Light as a feather.
I’ve had two but never settled on them
It’s hard to tell the different both have a sweet sound.
The tones from the single P90s were quite similar, however you seemed far more comfortable with the ES125 allowing for smoother play.
I bet 1K that is because he recorded the jazzy excerpt first on the Godin, and knew it better once on the Gibson.
G'day Jamie,
With good pick-ups, almost any guitar can sound pretty good. I have played Gibsons, and love them. However, my semi-acoustic, made by the great luthier, Merv Cargill in Victoria, Australia, is based on the Birdland, and I reckon it will match any guitar on the market, in sound and appearance.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers.,
Keith
Thanks, sounds like a great guitar!
I'd love to see that guitar and you playing it. Why not go ahead and put out a video?
@@RickMcCargar G'day Rick, and thank you for your message. I should also have mentioned that I run the Cargill through a Fender Deluxe 112 solid state, and have found it to be the perfect match for the guitar. I'm not very techie, but my son-in-law is, and he could (when he's next here) run up a video. As to photos, that I think I can do. Is there an email address to which I could send some shots?
Appreciate your taking the time,
With kind regards,
Keith
They sound very similar to me. The Godin pickup may be a little stronger? Loved your playing!
Thank you!
The 125 also came in a thin body version.
Of the two, I prefer the Godin.
I have the Acoustic full body version.
When it comes to the tone they are really close to each other in tone.
Good vid. Eo. Thank you. The polytone and your fingers do the job 😉 could you think humbuckers could be interesting in these godin Kingpin? Il really search for a comparison of these 2 configurations in these very good guitar. Especially because i play jazz, but blues and rockabilly too...
Thank you and yes Polytones really colour the sound! I’d much rather have an Eastman or Epiphone with humbuckers than the 5th Ave.
So almost 3 years after your post. I'm looking at purchasing the Godin due to budget. The Gibson to me has a deeper, richer sound that you'd expect from the aged wood of a 70 year old Gibson. However, Godin comes really close and give the Gibson a great run for its money in my mind. Me. well budget dictates and expertise doesn't justify $1000s purchase. Many thanks for the comparison just what I was looking for. Really greatful. Aotearoa (New Zealand) learner at 65 lol.
Thank you. The Godin is ok but not in the same league as the Gibson
@@jamieholroydguitar Agree totally just can't afford the price. Dare to dream though.
Just listened to it again with out watching to be honest you can not say witch is better yes I sure the Gibson feels beautiful with the age who would not have that one .Godin is a beautiful sounding and will age fabulously old guitars are like lovelyd worn in shoes can be so comfortable.it was new once the Gibson and yes a budget jazz guitar.I was listing to a clip and watched and it was the Godin I thought it would have been the Gibson .just ordered a Godin 5th Avenue .
Best dynamics and clean sound on Gibson
I agree
Well played. They sound very similar. The Godin will open up with age. Also of note, the pickups position in relation to the neck. On the Godin, you are playing right on top of the pickup. I'm considering the Godin with 2 P-90s.
Thanks. Check out Eastmans first as they are much better than Godins in my opinion
@@jamieholroydguitar thanks for the reply
Gibsons is warmer but older the Godin sounds beautiful to on record you would never know witch is witch .Originally the Gibson was not designed to be expensive so in real terms the Godin is a great fine guitar .obviously it should be amazing to own the Gibson but the Godin is fine .not scared take it out and play . Gibson a beautiful aged guitar .stunning
I am buying one this week, stunning sound, feel, iyt felt like an olf friend in the Music store. Kingpin II • not so budget anymore • (GOH-DANG) Godin has really impressed everyone recently , me too.
I hope you enjoy your purchase! Unfortunately they never made a lasting impression on me
why not? I haven't bought it yet. just a line about why you are not so impressed.
I prefer the Godin tone more. They are close but a bit different.
Really enjoyed your playing and guitar demo Jamie. They sound so close even through my Sennheiser Pro headphones. The Gibson had a slightly 'airier'' sound (is that a word?) but the Godin had a little more 'punch' I own a Godin 5th Ave and it's surprisingly loud acoustically. I felt your long relationship with the Gibson showed a bit playing wise. I wonder if the Godin made P90 is higher output than the Gibson P90. (eg the brief 'clipping') The alnico magnets may be stronger in the Godin? . How do you find the playing experience with the thicker Gibson neck c.w. the more 'modern' Godin neck? Overall the demo was excellent.
Thanks for the kind words and comment Rob! I prefer the playability of the es 125. The godin neck is too flat for me. The pickups are definitely higher output and it's louder acoustically. The differences are much more evident when you see and play them in person.
Both sound great. To my ears, the Gibson has a warmer decay, very classic tone, while the Godin is brighter and sounds, well...newer. As someone else noted, your playing is a touch smoother on the Gibson, perhaps the neck is more comfortable or it's just because it's your own. I dare you to swap the pickups for another comparison
Thanks James, very kind comment! Funny how many people note that Im more at ease on the Gibson. The pick-up on the Godin is a tad hot for me.
Price does not come into it anymore the Godin is a Beautiful guitar at any price just carnt pick a winner watching yet again listening without watching both sound beautiful and warm .fabulous demo to .Gibson is a stunning guitar
Thanks for sharing!
My 5th Ave is an incredibly versatile instrument. It sounds best when cranked up outside or in a hall or even a bar, it also records beautifully. I’d like to know more about the single coil pups as they are some of the best I’ve heard. Anything I ask of it from Jazz to country; yeah country…it covers and does it well!
Gibson ES125 sounds littlebit better dynamically and frequently , its probably because of better wood and deeper design .
Thanks for your comment!
Hard put to make a judgement one way or the other TBH, leaning towards the Godin though, it acquits itself well with dynamic range and projection…..Gibson have the name edge, but I’d be adventurous and go for the Godin……price difference too!
Editing this. I think the Gibson is warmer but it's not a huge difference to my ears. But give the Godin 62 years and see what it sounds like. 😁
Jamie, I prefer sound of the Godin. Sounds really work and jazzy.
Which did you prefer to play? I think the Godin neck is a little wider at the nut and flatter board. Did that make it any easier or more difficult to play?
Thanks Jeff! I definitely prefer the Gibson in terms of playability and sound. Cheers.
OK I think to my ears with this set-up, besides sounding almost identical and equally pleasing, on the 125 the higher notes sound full round and open so to speak. On the Godin of which I have one the higher notes sound slightly "boxy" that is less clarity but still Good! On my set up its not overly midrangy. So who knows. too many variables.
Not much difference. Was a Gibson artist in times past, so I am partial to the Gibson, but when I saw Grey Sergeant play the Godin with Tony Bennett, I had to have one. So I bought one and I love it. It's so comfortable to play.
If it’s a sound comparison you could make a case for the Godin. Really they both sound the same. If it’s a mojo comparison it’s Gibson hands down. Unless you’re on a budget, who wouldn’t love owning and playing a piece of history. So cool.
Thanks for your comment!
If you were to come to this with closed eyes I doubt many could identify the Gibson - on that basis the Godin is a winner.
Thanks for the video! Great playing and presentation. I would love to hear these two acoustically without the pickup. I know that is not necessarily their forte, but I am looking at archtops to play in my folk orchestra since they tend to be good for projection in a rhythm setting, and I wonder if these would be contenders or if the pickup compromises their acoustic projection. I wouldn't mind having a pickup, but it would not be used very often. Godin makes the 5th avenue sans pickups, but I wonder if that would compete volume and tone wise with, say, a L-48 or other archtop boxes. Thanks again!
Thanks for your comment! Pickups take away acoustic projection and the Godin is only 16” too. I’d rather go for an L50 or an Eastman AR610.
Great thank you. I wonder What are the acoustic tone differences
125 is louder!
I own the Kingpin version without the pickup, sounds so good and it gets a lot of play, I have mixed feelings about adding a P90
Godin is clearly the winner. At 3 to 4 times the price (or more) the Gibson sounds essentially the same. Thanks to Robért Godin for making guitars for players and not collectors!!! For a jazz tone I've been using a Peerless New York jazz box and a Hagström HL550. They each have a single floating mini-humbucker pickup. I do miss the tone of a P90 pickup which was in a '56 Gibson ES-225 that was stolen several years ago. I'm now in the process of purchasing a Forshage Orion (chambered) mahogany body with two Lollar P90's... that ought to fix my P90 jones quite well.
I've read the godin has a thick and very flat neck with small frets which makes difficult for fluid playing. Did you have the same experience?
I would like to hear same song on both please.
Tried closing my eyes. Came to the conclusion that there's not a great difference between the two in terms of tone. Maybe, I'd tilt the balance slightly in favour of the Gibson. With eyes open it would have to be the Gibson (that sombre hue is a very attractive feature). Me,
I own a Godin 5th Avenue 'Composer' - I find it great both from a 'feel' and tone perspective (and appearance). Maybe I'll put a video up one of these days. In the meantime, you could check out the French jazz guitarist Phillipe Catherine (add 'Godin Composer') on CZcams. By the way, nice playing from you again, Jamie.
Got the spelling wrong - it's Philip not Phillippe. And if you do check him out I've just realised that he likes a brighter tone than I go for so his sound is probably not the best with which to make a comparison.
Well I just bought a 5th Ave with humbuckers, so I'm hoping it sounds this good.
Very close tonally ... I heard the Godin being just a bit brighter on the higher strings. I own a Godin semi hollow "Montreal Jazz Multiac" and have loved it from day one. As a suggestion, I wonder if you could do a piece on the elusive "jazz tone". It's that warm silky low mid thing that I'm always trying to dial in without the lower strings being over-bassy. I would love to be able to emulate your tone settings.
Thanks for the kind words. I did a video two weeks ago which just does that. I also did a video about jazz guitars back in January too.
@@jamieholroydguitar Thanks Jamie, will check them out.
They sound very similar and good on my phone! I'd love a 125. Do they sound similar unplugged? How do you have the guitar controls set please? I have an even cheaper 'copy' by Alden - the AD150. It has a sound post and is very quiet acoustically. I've heard about some Gibsons needing a sound post. Do you have any experience of sound posts?Thanks.
Hi, I'd say the 5th Avenue is louder unplugged but both are fundamentally electric guitars. Volume was on full for both with the tones slightly backed off. No experience with sound posts I'm afraid!
@@jamieholroydguitar Thanks Jamie
If it was a blindfold test, one would be hard pressed to tell the difference.
Absolutely exact same sound!!...
Me too.
Well I’m now a proud owner of the Kingpin and am thrilled with it
Not a ton of difference in tone for the money. I think it always comes down to feel and inspiration. Which guitar feels best in your hands, you'll play it more...and does it look and feel inspiring to you?! If so...that's the one. I just missed out on a chance to get an all-solid Heritage H-575 for a hair under $2K and I'm still kicking myself..so I need a christmas present and this may well do it. Thanks for the demo.
You are right! The Godin is ok but a 575 is a superior guitar
Have you had the opportunity to try the Guild T50S (the reissue) ?
I haven’t tried any of the new reissue Guilds
Edge to the Gibson because the single line notes had a bit of bloom to them that I liked that was missing on the Godin. Also on that chord melody type thing you played . . . Not sure how to say it, but it sounded like it knew nighttime in a way the more brash Godin didn't. Like the Gibson understood space and emptiness whereas the Godin just filled it. Still both were very good, much like your playing.
Thank you! I agree
Gibson slightly warmer but the Godin stands its ground.
I liked the Gibson.
Listening to both through my decent monitor speakers, I honestly can't tell much difference. What's your experience in terms of feel and playability ?
Thanks for the comment, goes to show that you're always better off hearing and playing guitars in person if you can. I do prefer the Gibson but I'm also happy with the Godin.
With my cheap computer speakers, they sounded indistinguishable, like another poster said, I looked up, and you were playing the other one!... I own the Godin, and play it almost daily as well... I hate it when someone uses the phrase 'for the money', because it sounds like you are rationalizing your choice, but, for the money, the Godin sounds on par with the Gibson... I hate headstock snobs, and I think the Epiphone headstock (Kalamazoo style) looks spiffy...