hello, the godin sounds good acoustic for playing at home, f holed archtops are always going to be quieter that a big jumbo or dreadnaught but it sounds good to me. I would play live with the pick up though not using a mic. hope that helps.
A lot of people are saying these old Gibsons are like ferraris and such..but you do realize, and as he said, that when these caem out, they were the budget guitars themselves. its not like laying in a basement 50-60 years made them sound any better. They may have been built well, but Godin makes great guitars too, and I think you can't just be blind and think that, because of a Gibson logo, the guitar is perfect. Nice guitars, but give the others a chance!
I think they were priced exactly as their model named stated like whiteej21 said Which was not cheap, the ones that are still around and in good condition are unreal.
GIVSON 'HAVE MILK' Vs. TOKAI 'LOVE ROCK'! CELEBRATING IT'S WHOPPERING 30TH 'PLATINUM ANNIVERSARY!!! (1981-2011) Still going strong after allllll these long experiental years of learnings, and such!
To add a bit of perspective - both guitars are plywood which means age will have less effect on tone than a solid wood. Both were built and sold at low end price points to 'student' markets which means plastic nuts and no guarantee the bridge will sit on the arch perfectly, (easy fix) and both were built by reputable firms - this may not always be true of asian built guitars - yet - competing for the same market. Old Gibsons will always fetch & impress more even if they don't sound better.
Will an electric player on 10 gauges feel comfortable moving straight to the Godin's 12's or should I restring down to 10/11 if I get it and will changing down to 10's mean it needs adjusting (truss/intonation etc?)
hello, I am not a guitar tech so can not really help with that sort of thing, there is a great guy at grizly guitars in london called Leon who is very good at making guitars sound sweet, google him and tell him i sent you.
Top tip raise your action. When the action is too low it kills the tone and volume. The Gibson strings snap on the top frets taking energy out of the string. If it was set up correctly it would be the best sounding.
Great playing man! I was wondering if the 5th Avenue handles gain well? I've never had the time to try one out but say if you were to plug it into a rock amp like a marshall and pushed the gain a little, how would it sound??? Thanks a lot
@GuitarHickNick Hi, I've bought the Godin last year, and personally, I love it for most genres. I've tried a bit of gain (and a lot of overdrive too) on it, and actually, it handles gain quite well. I don't have a Marshall, but I'm pretty sure it would sound good. The guitar has a nice bluesrock sound to it once you find the right combination of effects. I wouldn't recommend the high overdrive, though. That just sounds wrong.
The Godin is an amazing guitar for a pretty good price (Only about 50 lawns to cut over the summer). I tried one at the Birmingham Guitar Center. I've decided that it will be my next guitar.
One important aspect of the Gibson's price is that it's wood is 50 years old, so it probably will have a little bit better of a sound. Another thing is that it is an antique. However, if you were to want a good guitar, not a decoration, then you would want the Godin.
Can't help it but i like the Godin more than the Gibson. Now, the Gibson is worth a lot more cause its history, but stil. That Godin has something special that i really like.
Anyway. Nice playing an comparison. Sorry for the crappy english and greatings from good old tiny Belgium.
@Hyronimus89 I dont know, I would have to say that I have not played on the Godin, but I have played on the Gibson and find that the neck is the smoothest of most guitars I have played. The vintage 120/125 models seems to have a really really sweet playability, which I would have to say feels even better then more expensive modern Gibson guitars. I will give the Godin a shot, but a few days ago I played on that old vintage Gibson and could not believe how smooth it was.
nothing wrong with the godin its better than adequate,,,just for not much extra cash can get the gibson and theyre not especially rare or expensive,alot of ppl dont know an es125 with a cutaway is esentialy an es 165 just lil less fancy,Id play the godin live so wouldnt have to bang around the gibson, but then again I own a 1961 es125t,thin non cutaway and have used it live many times,its just a good workhorse gtr i think that is why godin copied it
i searched berkley square but only found diferent things.... could you send me chords to dominoe8@ymail.com i would apreciate it... sounds good, like halloween
Great comparison! One of the best to really show the simularity and differences of two guitars. Acoustically I like the Godin Better, but plugged in the Gibson sounds better with a sweet hollowed articulation. The Godin is a little mid-range honky. Honestly it could be the pickup and electronics as I'm sure that is a budget area for Godin. Can I ask what type of strings you are using? Acoustic or electric?
Great comparison! One of the best to really show the simularity and differences of two guitars. Acoustically I like the Godin Better, but plugged in the Gibson sounds better with a sweet hollowed articulation. The Godin is a little mid-range honky. Honestly it could be the pickup and electronics as I'm sure that is a budget area for Godin. Can I ask what type of strings you are using? Acoustic or electric?
Excellent! I have the Kingpin and have played the 125 and I agree. The Godin neck is more suitable for me, but that is a personal preference. I found the Godin to be deeper and louder as did you. Dollar for dollar I don't think the Godin can be beat. Thanks.
i gotta say even though the 5th ave is louder, the gibson seemed to have a sweeter tone. itd be interesting to see how the godin sounds in 50-60 years
My first week with the 5th avenue and its sings man ! ... I m more folksy bluesy guy and despite the action which is bit needed some adjustment the box is so loud to me and fair to just strum ..your video really helped a lot beside your very generous e mail ...thnx mate ... !
Hi, The Gibson is not as loud as a regular acoustic. Nor is the godin really, its hard to say what they are close sounding to as they are achtops. maybe as loud as a small parlour but don't hold me to that.
I had a ES125 and hated it, I much prefer the tone of the the ES175, although a lot dearer, as for £1400, this istop money at say Vintage and Rare Guitars, you can get them much cheaper, they are still relatively cheap compared with other Gibson's of the same era because(hoping not to cause offence)they are not very popular, I would personally go for the Godin, I think the electrified tone is nicer, IMHO.
hey, im really not sure whether to get the godin or a gibson ES-120 (the thin one with only one f hole) that i saw for sale in ok conditions.. they are both around the same price.
obviously the gibson is more tempting but its really scratched up and stuff. would you say that its worth buying the gibson and try to fix it up (who knows how much it would cost) or just buy the godin.. cuz its really hard to tell the difference in sound and feel over a youtube video.. what would you get?
Hello mate, if the gibson is in working payable order, go for it. The Godin will be around for a while and finding a old gibo archtop thats the right price and plays well (i.e, straight neck, good electronics etc) does not happen all that often.
Hey! Thanks so much for the comparison. I've been wondering about the two of these, as I've got the Godin 5th Avenue (modified with a floating Kent Armstrong P-90), and think it looks very much like the Gibson. Very useful review, thanks so much!
I was looking for a comparison for the two .. with such style of playing . now my questions are -did you use the same Strings set on both guitars ? -unplugged I felt the Godin bit dim .. -how did you see the actions on playing with both ? which one is easier - how close the strings to the finger board ? sorry for filling ye with questions but I m really thinking to have one of those two guitars so I ll be grateful to you if you answers these Qs thank you very much for the great video !
Hi, Glad you like the comparison - I've got flatwound 12's on the Godin and gauge 10 D'Addario Strings on the Gibson. Both guitars have low playable actions but i feel the gibson is slightly easier to play as the necks more comfortable. Cheers
Comment removed
Gajaz1 6 days ago
Volume-wise, is Godin as loud as a regular acoustic guitar?
Thanks for the review!
LankyCyril 1 month ago
@LankyCyril
hello, the godin sounds good acoustic for playing at home, f holed archtops are always going to be quieter that a big jumbo or dreadnaught but it sounds good to me. I would play live with the pick up though not using a mic. hope that helps.
wehappyfewmusic 1 month ago
A lot of people are saying these old Gibsons are like ferraris and such..but you do realize, and as he said, that when these caem out, they were the budget guitars themselves. its not like laying in a basement 50-60 years made them sound any better. They may have been built well, but Godin makes great guitars too, and I think you can't just be blind and think that, because of a Gibson logo, the guitar is perfect. Nice guitars, but give the others a chance!
em613 1 month ago
It's pronounced Go-Dan
Djarra 2 months ago
Gibson likes to use Mahogany for their Guitar bodies. Not sure if thats what used on this one, but possibly.
93Sixstrings 2 months ago
I think they were priced exactly as their model named stated like whiteej21 said Which was not cheap, the ones that are still around and in good condition are unreal.
ingeniousblues 3 months ago
"the gibsons made of some kind of wood" haha
MISFITROBBY138 3 months ago
Nice review thanks!
moondoggie999 3 months ago
GIVSON 'HAVE MILK' Vs. TOKAI 'LOVE ROCK'! CELEBRATING IT'S WHOPPERING 30TH 'PLATINUM ANNIVERSARY!!! (1981-2011) Still going strong after allllll these long experiental years of learnings, and such!
daonfpe 3 months ago
Like comparing a Ferrari to a Fiat 500...
chooseyourblues 3 months ago
how much does it cost? it looks a bit expensive :(
rod3067 3 months ago
I want tabs too please.
MrSilverDany 4 months ago
Thank you for posting this video. I'm considering buying a Godin. It was very helpful
xontm03 9 months ago
So, just to be clear, are you saying that the Gibson is made of "some type of wood"? =^)
Thanks for doing this, it's very interesting. Tough to find these two guitars in this same place to do this on our own.
keykendrick 9 months ago
To add a bit of perspective - both guitars are plywood which means age will have less effect on tone than a solid wood. Both were built and sold at low end price points to 'student' markets which means plastic nuts and no guarantee the bridge will sit on the arch perfectly, (easy fix) and both were built by reputable firms - this may not always be true of asian built guitars - yet - competing for the same market. Old Gibsons will always fetch & impress more even if they don't sound better.
RustyfFender 9 months ago
Thanks for posting this, very informative and a nice thing for you to do.
keykendrick 9 months ago
Will an electric player on 10 gauges feel comfortable moving straight to the Godin's 12's or should I restring down to 10/11 if I get it and will changing down to 10's mean it needs adjusting (truss/intonation etc?)
YoungUnicorn 10 months ago
@YoungUnicorn
hello, I am not a guitar tech so can not really help with that sort of thing, there is a great guy at grizly guitars in london called Leon who is very good at making guitars sound sweet, google him and tell him i sent you.
thanks for watching
wehappyfewmusic 10 months ago
@YoungUnicorn What you could do is swap out the Godin strings for a set of good 10's try a set of DR Zebras.
Djarra 2 months ago
Top tip raise your action. When the action is too low it kills the tone and volume. The Gibson strings snap on the top frets taking energy out of the string. If it was set up correctly it would be the best sounding.
jimmypinch 10 months ago
the gibson is made out of "some type of wood".
made me lol
DCooper720 11 months ago
Great playing man! I was wondering if the 5th Avenue handles gain well? I've never had the time to try one out but say if you were to plug it into a rock amp like a marshall and pushed the gain a little, how would it sound??? Thanks a lot
GuitarHickNick 11 months ago
@GuitarHickNick Hi, I've bought the Godin last year, and personally, I love it for most genres. I've tried a bit of gain (and a lot of overdrive too) on it, and actually, it handles gain quite well. I don't have a Marshall, but I'm pretty sure it would sound good. The guitar has a nice bluesrock sound to it once you find the right combination of effects. I wouldn't recommend the high overdrive, though. That just sounds wrong.
Wouterspillebeen 9 months ago
I think the Godin is a great archtop for the money. It sounds great. I am thinking of buying one of the 5th ave models. Thanks for the demo. TB
tberrardy 11 months ago
how did you found out the year of construction of the godin???
JPZeppelin1 1 year ago
Godin is an amazing value. I didnt hear in the vid but I someone commented that you have flats on one and rounds on another?
fenderlead1 1 year ago
honestly i would get Gibson Es125 over the other one ANY DAY.
soyellowsoviolent 1 year ago 6
very shagadelic baby
sbogiam61 1 year ago
The Godin is an amazing guitar for a pretty good price (Only about 50 lawns to cut over the summer). I tried one at the Birmingham Guitar Center. I've decided that it will be my next guitar.
One important aspect of the Gibson's price is that it's wood is 50 years old, so it probably will have a little bit better of a sound. Another thing is that it is an antique. However, if you were to want a good guitar, not a decoration, then you would want the Godin.
JFAcoustic 1 year ago
can you send me the tab to? sounds like fun to play!
SkateStef 1 year ago
@SkateStef Hi, Cam's done a quick video lesson on how to play the tune for you - It's the video response above. Hope it helps!
wehappyfewmusic 1 year ago
Gibson sounds waaaayyy bluesier
Rodztar13 1 year ago
Gibson sounds waaaayyy blusier
Rodztar13 1 year ago
Did you use the same strings on both?
MrWadestar 1 year ago
What is the name of this song? .. Please send me tabs ... This is really fantastic!
JenikSebera 1 year ago
@JenikSebera
The song is called Berkley Square
its on our acoustic ablum Empty Boxes avalible from CDBaby and Amazon and Itunes,
I will send you tabs in a few weeks I am away from home for a while.
thanks for listening.
wehappyfewmusic 1 year ago
@wehappyfewmusic
Thank you very much. :)))
JenikSebera 1 year ago
Can't help it but i like the Godin more than the Gibson. Now, the Gibson is worth a lot more cause its history, but stil. That Godin has something special that i really like.
Anyway. Nice playing an comparison. Sorry for the crappy english and greatings from good old tiny Belgium.
Hyronimus89 1 year ago
@Hyronimus89 I dont know, I would have to say that I have not played on the Godin, but I have played on the Gibson and find that the neck is the smoothest of most guitars I have played. The vintage 120/125 models seems to have a really really sweet playability, which I would have to say feels even better then more expensive modern Gibson guitars. I will give the Godin a shot, but a few days ago I played on that old vintage Gibson and could not believe how smooth it was.
mikelunz 1 year ago
someone buy my gibson es125!!! it is a 48' or '49... just like that one but missing the pickguard....PLEASE BUY IT!
coldandhomeless 1 year ago
nothing wrong with the godin its better than adequate,,,just for not much extra cash can get the gibson and theyre not especially rare or expensive,alot of ppl dont know an es125 with a cutaway is esentialy an es 165 just lil less fancy,Id play the godin live so wouldnt have to bang around the gibson, but then again I own a 1961 es125t,thin non cutaway and have used it live many times,its just a good workhorse gtr i think that is why godin copied it
fraterlucifer888 1 year ago
i searched berkley square but only found diferent things.... could you send me chords to dominoe8@ymail.com i would apreciate it... sounds good, like halloween
MIchigan4x4 1 year ago
@MIchigan4x4 just emailed you the chords!
wehappyfewmusic 1 year ago
Hey I have this Godin and is amazing!!
And your Gibson is exellent too, I think is vintage (have many years).
Greetings,
((^.~))
~TheTinorbison~
TheTinorbison 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Great comparison! One of the best to really show the simularity and differences of two guitars. Acoustically I like the Godin Better, but plugged in the Gibson sounds better with a sweet hollowed articulation. The Godin is a little mid-range honky. Honestly it could be the pickup and electronics as I'm sure that is a budget area for Godin. Can I ask what type of strings you are using? Acoustic or electric?
bluescrusher 1 year ago
Great comparison! One of the best to really show the simularity and differences of two guitars. Acoustically I like the Godin Better, but plugged in the Gibson sounds better with a sweet hollowed articulation. The Godin is a little mid-range honky. Honestly it could be the pickup and electronics as I'm sure that is a budget area for Godin. Can I ask what type of strings you are using? Acoustic or electric?
bluescrusher 1 year ago
@bluescrusher Thanks Man - I've got 10's on the Gibson and flat wounds on the Godin as I use them for different things. Both are electric sets.
wehappyfewmusic 1 year ago
@bluescrusher I agree.
fenderosa 1 year ago
Very nice.
I just got a godin kingpin this month.
Could you please help me with what strings are suitable for this guitar.
Cheers!
fayyazkc81 1 year ago
Nice demo, especailly as a previous owner of a ES125.
ColinPRS 1 year ago
OOOHHHHH man, I love the sound of the Godin. But then again that is why I own one.
My the way I agree, I really like your song. Mind giving me the second and third chords or tabs? wouldnt mind adding it to my vocabulary. Cheers
dkrhymes 1 year ago
@dkrhymes
There is a video of the song in my videos, its called Berkley Square
I could send you the chords if you send me your email,
cheers
wehappyfewmusic 1 year ago
nice review dude
JaimeBiosensor 1 year ago
Excellent! I have the Kingpin and have played the 125 and I agree. The Godin neck is more suitable for me, but that is a personal preference. I found the Godin to be deeper and louder as did you. Dollar for dollar I don't think the Godin can be beat. Thanks.
rdoctbr 1 year ago
i gotta say even though the 5th ave is louder, the gibson seemed to have a sweeter tone. itd be interesting to see how the godin sounds in 50-60 years
TheBrowndawg 1 year ago
i want to get a godin what song is that it was cool
BGainey100 2 years ago
@BGainey100
cheers mate the song is my own,
I am gonna put up a full version of it soon.
wehappyfewmusic 2 years ago
Comment removed
nimnestl 2 years ago
canada vs. usa nice im probably gonna get the godin or the gretsch archtop
ANGRYREDNECKTRUCKER 2 years ago
@ANGRYREDNECKTRUCKER
ha ha, canada win the hockey and the guitar building olympics
funny
wehappyfewmusic 2 years ago
My first week with the 5th avenue and its sings man ! ... I m more folksy bluesy guy and despite the action which is bit needed some adjustment the box is so loud to me and fair to just strum ..your video really helped a lot beside your very generous e mail ...thnx mate ... !
fetermcblues 2 years ago
@fetermcblues
no worrys buddy, hope you like the guitar,
wehappyfewmusic 2 years ago
i choose godin, listen to sylvian luc recent recordin some of the with the godin kingpin and you will hear how good it sound.
when i think about it.
just listen to sylvian luc anyway, one of the best musicians to ever walk on this planet and he also plays all kinds of godin guitars.
meirjosef 2 years ago
is the gibson(acoustic) as loud as an ordinary acoustic guitar?? great vid btw!
Hainrich96 2 years ago
@Hainrich96
Hi, The Gibson is not as loud as a regular acoustic. Nor is the godin really, its hard to say what they are close sounding to as they are achtops. maybe as loud as a small parlour but don't hold me to that.
thanks for watching
wehappyfewmusic 2 years ago
I love godin
meghan3192 2 years ago
Might be the recording, but I think the Godin sounds a little 'boxy'.
GeoffHoare 2 years ago
don't forget, between these 2 guitars, the gibson's wood has aged, while the godin's hasn't had time to really seat itself yet.
fentonjames 2 years ago
Comment removed
GeoffHoare 2 years ago
epiphone should start making reissues of old archtops like these
TheSchoolsux345 2 years ago 4
I had a ES125 and hated it, I much prefer the tone of the the ES175, although a lot dearer, as for £1400, this istop money at say Vintage and Rare Guitars, you can get them much cheaper, they are still relatively cheap compared with other Gibson's of the same era because(hoping not to cause offence)they are not very popular, I would personally go for the Godin, I think the electrified tone is nicer, IMHO.
ColinPRS 2 years ago
hey, im really not sure whether to get the godin or a gibson ES-120 (the thin one with only one f hole) that i saw for sale in ok conditions.. they are both around the same price.
obviously the gibson is more tempting but its really scratched up and stuff. would you say that its worth buying the gibson and try to fix it up (who knows how much it would cost) or just buy the godin.. cuz its really hard to tell the difference in sound and feel over a youtube video.. what would you get?
sasquatch888 2 years ago
Hello mate, if the gibson is in working payable order, go for it. The Godin will be around for a while and finding a old gibo archtop thats the right price and plays well (i.e, straight neck, good electronics etc) does not happen all that often.
Get the gibo before I do.
peace
wehappyfewmusic 2 years ago
What would you say the es-125 goes for? With common machine made junk sold at guitar center for $2k, it must be expensive due it's rarity and all.
mortald 2 years ago
They cost around £1400 in the UK.
wehappyfewmusic 2 years ago
I prefere the godin acoustic, but when amplified, I prefer the Gibson. I got a Godin 5th avenue with a Fishman Archtop Piezo and a Benedetto S-6
Ragpicker81 2 years ago
@Ragpicker81 Can you pls post a recording with ur S-6 pickup? it wud be much appreciated. thanks.
manoah16 2 years ago
Very useful, it is hard to assess the comparison since they're strung so differently. But that does begin to illustrate some of their differences.
amusiathread 2 years ago
I wonder if anyone tried to add Humbuckin
Instead this P-90 ..would that let the Godin
sounds much close to ES 335 ?
fetermcblues 2 years ago
Comment removed
andyroo0516 2 years ago
Hey! Thanks so much for the comparison. I've been wondering about the two of these, as I've got the Godin 5th Avenue (modified with a floating Kent Armstrong P-90), and think it looks very much like the Gibson. Very useful review, thanks so much!
andyroo0516 2 years ago
Nice job, very useful
alihastie 2 years ago
fetermcblues 2 years ago 2
Hi, Glad you like the comparison - I've got flatwound 12's on the Godin and gauge 10 D'Addario Strings on the Gibson. Both guitars have low playable actions but i feel the gibson is slightly easier to play as the necks more comfortable. Cheers
wehappyfewmusic 2 years ago