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nadles · May 17th, 2012, 07:29 AM

I picked up my new Kingpin today. It is a beautiful looking guitar and the photograph does not do it justice. On the weekend I'll take a pic of the back in natural light it is beautifully book matched with lovely grain.

It's also a joy to play. nice feel, very low action, no buzz.The tone is wonderful both acoustically and amplified. I'm really liking the P90. surprisingly there is virtually no hum from the pickup. I've been playing it through my tweed Deluxe and its a match made in heaven. It sounds great clean but also sings with some overdrive.

I was lucky, It was the last Cognac burst model the Australian distributor had. The next shipment is not due until the end of July. I was impressed that I placed the order on Tuesday afternoon and the guitar arrived at the store the next day after a 1000km trip from the distributor in Sydney.

Now that's service.

freddyfingers · May 17th, 2012, 07:52 AM

Good deal! I have often considered one of these, but they are rarely found to try. The only one I tried had the action so high, it was awful to play, except for slide, which worked well. The store wouldn't lower the action for me that day, so I walked away. What else were you considering before you got this? Just curious if you followed the same path I did. I started looking for gibson's es 125, that led to this.

cybermgk · May 17th, 2012, 07:52 AM

Really, really like that finish

nadles · May 17th, 2012, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freddyfingers

Good deal! I have often considered one of these, but they are rarely found to try. The only one I tried had the action so high, it was awful to play, except for slide, which worked well. The store wouldn't lower the action for me that day, so I walked away. What else were you considering before you got this? Just curious if you followed the same path I did. I started looking for gibson's es 125, that led to this.

These are difficult to find here as well. I only found two stockists in Melbourne. I tried a black one on Saturday, played beautifully, low action, but I just couldn't bond with the colour. I wanted the Cognac burst.

It was an unplanned purchase. I was hoping to get one later in the year , but when i tried it on Saturday my wife was with me and said "why don't you get it" and who am I to say no.

The price of the Gibson 125 is way too much here, so I'd set my aim lower and was originally looking at the Washburn HB15, but couldn't find the non cutaway model. It was some recommendations here on Gretsch talk that originally got me interested in the Kingpin - then reviews and you tube to hear it in action..

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybermgk

Really, really like that finish

Thanks - the flash photo doesn't do it justice. I'll take some better pics in daylight. I showed it to some workmates and they all really liked the finish. Two of the girls described it as the most beautiful guitar they'd ever seen. I don't think they'd seen an archtop before so fell fro the finish and the design.

nadles · May 17th, 2012, 08:17 AM

As an added bonus, the shop I got it from had an old price listed on the internet so I got an additional $120 AUD off the price.

freddyfingers · May 17th, 2012, 08:25 AM

Es 125 here, in good condition are pretty expensive as well. Especially if you want the cutaway and dual pickups. The regular 125, one pick up, like yours, I have seen anywhere from 800 to 2100, and have seen them sell at all those price levels. But the TDC, rarely is below 1500, and at that price has usually had a neck reset, of other butchering, new tail piece, tuners rotted, i have even seen some hand painted. Thats what got me towards the godin, I have yet to play the kingpin2. Do you play any slide? Let me know how it works out for you.

ReverberatingDream · May 17th, 2012, 09:41 AM

That's stunning, nadles. Congratulations. After listening to the Minor Swing Blues clip you posted, I understand completely why you got this beauty. Verrrry nice!

dazzajl · May 17th, 2012, 10:34 AM

you were definitely right to hold out for that colour, it really is beautiful.

catfish72 · May 17th, 2012, 10:52 AM

Very nice.

fender62custom · May 17th, 2012, 04:13 PM

She's a beauty!! congrats!!

BlueNoise · May 17th, 2012, 10:29 PM

Here's a good Kingpin/125 comparison:

You Tube

fletch · May 17th, 2012, 10:39 PM

Colour me jealous!

That's one fine looking guitar!

telespank · May 17th, 2012, 10:45 PM

That finish really is nice. It looks like it was made in the 40's.

nadles · May 18th, 2012, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freddyfingers

Es 125 here, in good condition are pretty expensive as well. Especially if you want the cutaway and dual pickups. The regular 125, one pick up, like yours, I have seen anywhere from 800 to 2100, and have seen them sell at all those price levels. But the TDC, rarely is below 1500, and at that price has usually had a neck reset, of other butchering, new tail piece, tuners rotted, i have even seen some hand painted. Thats what got me towards the godin, I have yet to play the kingpin2. Do you play any slide? Let me know how it works out for you.

I do play some slide. I'll give it a try over the weekend and let you know how it sounds.

nadles · May 18th, 2012, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReverberatingDream

That's stunning, nadles. Congratulations. After listening to the Minor Swing Blues clip you posted, I understand completely why you got this beauty. Verrrry nice!

Thanks. The tone of the guitar in the Minor Swing clip is exactly how this sounds through the tweed deluxe.

nadles · May 18th, 2012, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fender62custom

She's a beauty!! congrats!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fletch

Colour me jealous!

That's one fine looking guitar!

Quote:

Originally Posted by telespank

That finish really is nice. It looks like it was made in the 40's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazzajl

you were definitely right to hold out for that colour, it really is beautiful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by catfish72

Very nice.

Thanks All. Yes i love the Cognac burst. If there hadn't been one available i would have waited till the next shipment in late July.

I'm not sure what the finish is but the neck feels like its oiled. it feels similar to Danish oil. The Godin site says that its a polished finish reminiscent of french polishing. Whatever it is if feels nice and makes a nice change from poly.

freddyfingers · May 18th, 2012, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueNoise

Here's a good Kingpin/125 comparison:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Q3vFKz3QM

For a guy taking the time to educate the world on these guitars, I am impressed with his knowledge of the woods used. He states that the godin is Wild Cherry, and the Gibson is, and I quote, "Some type of wood".

BlueNoise · May 18th, 2012, 09:23 PM

That was a classic youtube moment, freddyfingers. If you flub, just keep going! Overall, it's still a good intro to the 2 guitars. The Godin compares favorably to the 125, but without the Gibson price tag. It's a great little jazz/blues guitar for the money.

nadles · May 18th, 2012, 09:41 PM

I'm continuing to bond with the Godin.

The tone control is very effective in shaping the guitar's sound. It appears far more sensitive than the tone pots on my other guitars. With the tone on full, the guitar is bright almost like a bridge pickup. As you dial the tone down you get very nice jazz tones. Very versatile for a single pickup guitar.

The weather today is miserable so no daylight pics. if it clears I'll get a photo of the back to show the grain pattern.

freddyfingers · May 18th, 2012, 10:17 PM

No problem, Just curious as to the slide sounds.