The Godin 5th Avenue brings you back to a time when the archtop acoustic guitar reigned supreme. With the soul of a 1950's archtop, the 5th Avenue is a true vintage spirit of yesterday with today's level of modern playability. With more projection & volume in the low/mids than traditional archtop acoustic guitars, the dynamically rich tone of the 5th Avenue makes this sophisticated instrument a dream to play, but not a nightmare to pay for. The Godin 5th Avenue now makes the affordable North American archtop guitar a reality! From Alt-Country, Delta Blues, Slide, Jazz to Rock, the 5th Avenue can really deliver.
Made from Canadian Wild Cherry, the body of the 5th Avenue features a molded arched top and back, as well as an adjustable bridge, classic f-holes, contoured high-gloss headstock, floating pickguard and cream binding. Also, the rustic beauty of its Custom Polished Finish creates a gorgeous satin sheen reminiscent of the French polish of the 19th century.
Case sold separately.
Check the drop-down menu to the right to select colors and/or other options.
Top: Canadian Wild Cherry
Back & Sides: Canadian Wild cherry with cream binding
Neck: Silver Leaf maple with contoured high-gloss black headstock
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Adjustable Tusq Bridge by Graphtech
Finish: Custom Polished Finish
Radius: 16" (406mm)
Scale: 24.84" (630mm)
Nut width: 1.72" (43.7mm)
Case sold separately
Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage
Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling
and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a
complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.
Gold Coverage Includes:
Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks
Normal wear and tear
Power surges
Dust, internal heat and humidity
Other plan features include:
For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks)
For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax.
Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement
Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold
Plans are renewable on new gear
*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details
Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.
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I am a great fan of archtop guitars- I own three- and I have long been a fan of Godin guitars, who produce instruments of exceptional quality and value. When I saw that my local music store had the new Godin archtop in stock, I immediately started doing a mental inventory of my collection, figuring out what I could sell to buy this instrument. But playing it changed my mind. It's not at all of what I think of as an archtop guitar- though it may be just what you're looking for.A little background. Flat top guitars have a resonating surface made form a thin layer of cedar or spruce or some other light wood. They're designed to vibrate as easily as possible. Traditional archtops, on the other hand, have a top carved from a much denser wood- traditionally maple. Whereas the classic flat top guitar sound is big and boomy, and designed to produce a big sound that ranges from bass to high treble, the traditional archtop sound is more percussive, and more midrangey. It's designed to punch through an orchestra in its rhythm role.This guitar may look like an archtop, but it sounds very much like a flat top guitar- and I think that was intentional. Archtop guitars are becoming more and more popular with the rock and alternative crowd- something that I think goes back to Elvis Costello's "Monkey to Man" video. If the typical modern player picked up a traditional archtop he or she would probably find it unplayable- .013 gauge strings and a high action are a far cry from the low action and skinny strings most players favor.So Godin has produced something with a very traditional look- think Mother Maybelle Carter for the black version- with the light action and even sound of a flat top- ad they're done a very good job of it. The instrument I tried had the quality you'd expect of a Godin, along with a good balanced tone and a very easy playing neck. If you're looking for something a bit out of the ordinary for that band you're fronting, you might give this one a try. If you're looking for that traditional archtop sound, the Loar LH-300 is a better choice.
Godin 5th Avenue Archtop Acoustic Guitar Cognac Burst
.I really just want to address all the reviews saying they would put this guitar up against a Martin or Taylor. These people have obviously never owned a Martin or Taylor. The godin is a great cheap arch top but at the end of the day it is still that, a cheap arch top. The guitar is a bit flimsy, the sound is not as full as a higher quality arch top, it does have tuning issues that can be resolved easy enough with a pro setup. Please reviewers, stop making outragous claims and speaking with hyperboles. That said, I own the guitar and like it, just not as much as my higher end gear
Godin 5th Avenue Archtop Acoustic Guitar Cognac Burst
.It is necessary to remember this is not a flattop guitar. This is an entirely different kind of beast with a different voice and temperment. The slightly less bass and treble gives it a sweet, inherently jazzy voice that will allow you to appreciate the subtle nuances of every note in a chord, rather than just hearing a wall of sound as you would from a flattop.
This guitar is a dream when flatpicking or fingerpicking. Be sure to use to sharper-pointed pick when using one to really improve the sound. Fingerpicking on this guitar is almost like playing a classical guitar (which I own two of and actively pursue), and I just love playing Bach, Tarrega, and Carcassi on this guitar. Moreover, this guitar is good for fingerstyle blues, and jazz. My choppy 7 chords sound like nothing else on this guitar. Basically, my point is this guitar is unbelievably versatile and you can play virtually anything on it.
Not only does it sound good in whatever musical style you prefer, but it's a dream to play, and look at. Everyone I have shown this guitar to so far are very impressed by the appearance and performance. I just can't believe the craftsmanship of this guitar; I can't praise this guitar enough. I got my guitar essentially new at an unbelivably low price that would make you all jealous, but would have gladly paid the list price for the same guitar I received, or more.
All in all, you will be blown away by this guitar as long as you don't make the mistake of compairing it too heavily to a flattop guitar, and remember it is going to sound different. It just screams "intimate acoustic setting" in some of the sweetest tones you can imagine.
Godin 5th Avenue Archtop Acoustic Guitar Cognac Burst
.I wanted something reminiscent of the old Kay and Silvertone pawnshop guitars of my youth. Buying this was a good compromise. It has decent tone, a little more twangy than a flattop. It's very nice looking - the cherry really finishes nicely without the need for paint or heavy lacquering.
Doesn't require constant tuning, but it does go out of tune if you let it sit for a day. My only real complaint is the lack of a case. I can understand not being able to include one at this price point, but at least provide a link to purchase one. ALL instruments sold on this site should have links to relevant accessories (cords, straps, cases, etc.) right there on the page. You guys need to get on the ball - you're missing opportunities for additional sales.
Godin 5th Avenue Archtop Acoustic Guitar Cognac Burst
.I've owned many, many guitars in search of a decent archtop guitar. I tried a lot of Epiphone's, probably upwards of a baker's dozen, all were defective in some way and returned. I even tried to give up my dream of finding a decent "budget" archtop (realizing I wouldn't be able to find one for under a grand) and went for a handful of Gibson Les Paul's. Bad idea... Maybe since their woods were seized, they're quality has stumbled a bit. Lots of string rattling in the nuts, problems with the G string especially, just a mess! So, long story short, I tried one of these Godin 5th Ave archtops. This guitar can be played comfortably up and down the neck with ease. The tone breaks up a bit with really heavy strumming though. The neck feels kind of Gibson-ish to me, but the frets are more comfortable. I've heard this model was based on Gibson archtops from the 1920's and 30's (along with Kay's from the 1950's). Action was low and perfect and the saddle is glued? in place, so there's no worry about having to re-position it when changing strings. Tuning seems to be very stable. All in all, the best value for an archtop... and made in North America to boot. Well done, Mr. Godin!
Godin 5th Avenue Archtop Acoustic Guitar Cognac Burst
.This is not really an arch top tuners are poor goes out of tune easily Sound is very thin I left it in my car unlocked hopping someone would steal it came back an hour later and someone left another 5th ave. on my front seat. save your money buy a loar or even a gretsch
Godin 5th Avenue Archtop Acoustic Guitar Cognac Burst
.This guitar really surprised me. I was getting back to my roots with the "F" Hole design since I began on a very old F-hole Gretch. The 5th avenue plays and sounds great. A litter thinner sound than traditional flat top but it's a great tone for the folk and appalachian music I play. This has rejuvinated my playing. The neck is smooth and action is wonderful.
Godin 5th Avenue Archtop Acoustic Guitar Cognac Burst
.Unbeliveable indeed. A dream to play. Every string sings like a bird. The tone is crisp and there is an amzing amount of deffinition between the highs and lows. I would put this guitar up against any Taylor or Martin on the market today. "Godin Guitars" The best kept secrect in North America!
Godin 5th Avenue Archtop Acoustic Guitar Cognac Burst
.When I first got this guitat I was disapointed. It seemed that it had very little heft to it. Like it might be "cheaply" made. I was so wrong. At first the guitar had little projection of its voice and tone. BUT! After a few hours of playing, as if by magic this guitar started to sing. Suddenly in the middle of a song I was playing, the volume of the guitar seemed to double. Now when I play this guitar, anytime, the guitar radiates a powerful clear tone that cuts thru everything and steps right to the front of the stage. From high to lows every string can clearly be herd and has a crisp clear tone. I would put my Godin up against any Martin or Taylor for playability and tone. One of the best and biggest surprises of my life has been this guitar.
Godin 5th Avenue Archtop Acoustic Guitar Cognac Burst
.I bought this thing while I was deployed. I played one in a music shop before I left and had to have it. Four months later I come home and it's the first box I go to after tuning it up I fell in love with it. I have played it in small jams sessions and it's unique tone always catches attention. Personally I like the thicker neck it makes bar chords easier to play after an injury to my left hand that will never really be 100%. I love this guitar and I would suggest it to anyone who likes to play jazz, blues and folk.
Godin 5th Avenue Archtop Acoustic Guitar Cognac Burst
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