Years ago I had a 1956 Gibson ES 125, which this guitar is clearly based on. It played like a dream. Then for a while I switched from Jazz to Rockabilly, selling the ES 125 to get a 1961 Gretsch Double Anniversary (which I still have). But I always missed that ES 125 and regretted selling it. Having gotten into Jazz again recently, I decided to get one of these, as the average price of 3500 pounds for an ES 125 is now beyond my price range. Best decision I made. This guitar is like the return of an old friend. It does exactly what that old 125 did back then, and looks as cool. My 'test' piece for this guitar in the shop was the Barney Kessel intro to 'Cry Me A River'. The sound and tone was all there! I no longer mourn the sale of my old ES 125, and cannot recommend this guitar enough.
You have a good ear, my friend, and it's a great question - that is a case of the dreaded "tube rattle,' caused by internal tube components reacting to specific frequencies being played. I'd never even heard of it until I rewatched this video. I consulted a local repair shop (geniuses, I might add. Audio Elements of Atlanta, GA), and they determined the issue for me and advised me on a remedy,, which was to find equivalent tubes in what's called a "big bottle" style (the glass housing is actually larger than the normal audio tube) and then use silicon dampening rings on them to defeat this ugly effect. It worked!
@@TwoHandsandAFace Ah-Hah! ... I should have known that but it's be a while for me with tubes. Really sounded like a cup ratting on a saucer, but that didn't fit the video vibe.
I have a blonde Fifth Avenue. I substituted ebony knobs and pick guard for the stock items. The guitar looks and sounds fabulous. As you say Steve, it takes pedals well and I’ve used it for blues, indie tunes and jazz. Lots of successful gigs under its belt. Definitely worth considering at a very reasonable price point. And the acoustic sound is fine for home playing. Nothing not to like in my opinion.
That guitar is not really comparable to a vintage Gibson. It is a laminated pressed top and back. I have repaired one where the braces had cracked and come loose. They were glued in with epoxy on the ends which was forcing the top into its arched shape. There's basically nothing inside of it. Must be pretty cheap to manufacture. Having said all that it is a very nice guitar to play and it does sound great through the pickup. The neck is particularly comfortable and easy to play.
I have one of these guitars, and used to have a 1956 Gibson ES 125. There isn't a lot of difference at all, I find! I believe the old 125's were laminated too.
Hi, I heard in some reviews a big amount of noise due to p90 pickup. It's needed a noise gate for this when gtr is plugged in? There are weak points on this gtr? It's just perfect?
Of course, there's bound to be a little noise on any pickup that isn't a humbucker, but I've gigged with on many an occasion without a gate. Noise is negligible. Is it perfect? I believe that within it's own category (a budget archtop), it is. Great questions! Thanks!
Years ago I had a 1956 Gibson ES 125, which this guitar is clearly based on. It played like a dream. Then for a while I switched from Jazz to Rockabilly, selling the ES 125 to get a 1961 Gretsch Double Anniversary (which I still have). But I always missed that ES 125 and regretted selling it. Having gotten into Jazz again recently, I decided to get one of these, as the average price of 3500 pounds for an ES 125 is now beyond my price range. Best decision I made. This guitar is like the return of an old friend. It does exactly what that old 125 did back then, and looks as cool. My 'test' piece for this guitar in the shop was the Barney Kessel intro to 'Cry Me A River'. The sound and tone was all there! I no longer mourn the sale of my old ES 125, and cannot recommend this guitar enough.
A plectrum guitar is a 4 string guitar version of a plectrum banjo.
Good point, good info, my friend. But eventually, archtop sixers also became known as plectrum guitars - perhaps improperly
Hi Steve, thanks I am seriously considering this - thank Godin they make lefties.
BTW what is that ringing (example at 6:16)?
You have a good ear, my friend, and it's a great question - that is a case of the dreaded "tube rattle,' caused by internal tube components reacting to specific frequencies being played. I'd never even heard of it until I rewatched this video. I consulted a local repair shop (geniuses, I might add. Audio Elements of Atlanta, GA), and they determined the issue for me and advised me on a remedy,, which was to find equivalent tubes in what's called a "big bottle" style (the glass housing is actually larger than the normal audio tube) and then use silicon dampening rings on them to defeat this ugly effect. It worked!
@@TwoHandsandAFace Ah-Hah! ... I should have known that but it's be a while for me with tubes. Really sounded like a cup ratting on a saucer, but that didn't fit the video vibe.
My Godin lefty 5th Ave arrived today. Gonna go open the box now.
@@bobh2185good analogy
@@bobh2185 Hope you love it!
Love the intro!
I have a blonde Fifth Avenue. I substituted ebony knobs and pick guard for the stock items. The guitar looks and sounds fabulous. As you say Steve, it takes pedals well and I’ve used it for blues, indie tunes and jazz. Lots of successful gigs under its belt. Definitely worth considering at a very reasonable price point. And the acoustic sound is fine for home playing. Nothing not to like in my opinion.
Double that, Steve! Your aesthetic changes sound pretty - would love to see it
That guitar is not really comparable to a vintage Gibson. It is a laminated pressed top and back. I have repaired one where the braces had cracked and come loose. They were glued in with epoxy on the ends which was forcing the top into its arched shape. There's basically nothing inside of it. Must be pretty cheap to manufacture. Having said all that it is a very nice guitar to play and it does sound great through the pickup. The neck is particularly comfortable and easy to play.
😮
Guitars are meant to have nothing but air inside.
That’s how you get an excellent tone.
@@devangmetha TBF there's not much tone to one of these as acoustics. The tone comes from the p90 pickup.
@
Check.
This is probably the humbucker, same as the Kingpin HB.
I have one of these guitars, and used to have a 1956 Gibson ES 125. There isn't a lot of difference at all, I find! I believe the old 125's were laminated too.
Like the feeling of the neck! It's closer to acoustical guitars)
Agree - it's got the right girth
Hi, I heard in some reviews a big amount of noise due to p90 pickup. It's needed a noise gate for this when gtr is plugged in? There are weak points on this gtr? It's just perfect?
Of course, there's bound to be a little noise on any pickup that isn't a humbucker, but I've gigged with on many an occasion without a gate. Noise is negligible. Is it perfect? I believe that within it's own category (a budget archtop), it is. Great questions! Thanks!
I know thGodin %th Ave is made of Wild Canadian Cherry - but is it all solid?
No, it's all laminate.
I love mine,
As do I!
More playing, less talking would have helped...
Hear ya. But what can I say? I'm a chatty bastard... Go give one a try!
Why are teethmarks on your guitar not cool?
Well... I guess they could be...
🤣