I present to you the Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin- chock full of acoustic archtoppy goodness - and the new Kingpin model sports a soapbar pickup at the neck. Extremely strong quality reviews (I played a straight acoustic one for a few minutes and was impressed) and it lists for ~$800 or so.
It looks so damn sexy and like it could do everything from strumming to jazz to rockabilly.
Must. not. pull. out. credit card…
Never played a Godin guitar, but I have their A8 mandolin (in the natural finish), and can testify that it’s a very nicely made instrument.
Very nice. Luckily, I’ve got a nice archtop (L5) and a semi-hollow (335) so I was able to resist. This is the type of guitar that makes me want to sell an old Strat or something.
Interesting aside, I referred a guy for a bass session I was unable to make, and by way of thanks, he gave me this interesting bass. One of the neatest basses I’ve ever owned. Lucite body, resin fingerboard, a single Bartolini PU. Sounds and plays far nicer than I would have expected. If you ever wanted a cheap, quality fretless or slap bass, I can recommend this very highly. I’ve since used it on a session and a jazz date (after setting it up and swapping the strings for some flat-wounds) and received nothing but the highest compliments on the tone. One odd thing is the short scale length, it’s about 25", almost more suited to a guitarist than a full time bassist.
What the heck kinda bass is that? And with the short scale, it almost sounds like its a piccolo bass…I don’t have GAS for it, but it looks useful.
And, well - dude, you have an L5. In this case, it would be like me posting a thread about how cool the Mini Cooper is and you share that you already have a, I dunno, Maserati or Bentley or something 
This 5th Avenue is far less refined than an L5* - more gut-bucket like an old Gibson ES-125 (link to pic) but with a bit more of an acoustic bent…
*not that an L5 isn’t versatile - they are amazing, amazing guitars. They’re just top-shelf…
Yeah, piccolo was my first thought upon seeing it, but it takes standard strings with no problem. That said, I might try to throw some thinner strings on it and do some piccolo stuff with it should the situation arise.
I got the L5 years ago in college from my teacher for a steal. Never realized how nice it was or how much it was worth for years afterward and it didn’t get much play. When I started to really revisit jazz (esp. Wes and Joe Pass) I started to realize what I had. It’s fantastic.
On the other hand, let me tell you about two I had and let slip through my fingers (still kick myself EVERY time I think about it):
A 1967 Fender Jazz Bass, originally owned by Larry Graham, still with the rubber coated strings on it. Given as a gift to me by my mentor, a bassist/pianist named Ken Brooks who toured with Sly & the Family Stone in the late 60’s. He got it from Larry around 1970. Left it in the backseat of an unlocked car. Gone. I bet they never knew what they stole…
A 1976 Fender Baritone VI - call it a bari guitar or a tenor bass. It was awesome, again got it from my teacher (an amazing player/teacher/collector in Columbia, MD named Bruce Casteel) and had it for about a year. Wasn’t able to figure out what to use it for, traded it back to him for some useless guitar or another that I can’t recall. I still wish I had that thing…
I hate it when stuff like that happens - wow…but you got a cherry L5 to comfort you! 
Wordman - what’s happening with your custom build you were doing? Haven’t seen any updates from you…
Oy - remember all the warnings you guys gave me about nitro finishes? My guy is just finishing a conversation with a high-end luthier to address an issue with wood pores/grain in African Mahogany. I am supposed to get it in a week or two. I think.
Argh.
Too late!
Among other things, that cognac burst finish just gives me a big chub. What a beautiful cross between a cherry and a tobacco sunburst!
I’m still contemplating what I’d do with one - get the acoustic 5th Avenue and put my own P90 on it? Put a piezo in it? Do both? String it like an acoustic or an electric? Buy two? I’ve only played them unplugged, and all it has done is whetted my appetite.
I have a decision to make one of these days - put a pickup or two in the Seagull that I’ve had and enjoyed for near 15 years (and which has mellowed into a beautiful sounding acoustic instrument) or replace an old buddy and go for the Godin. So far, I procrastinate. I meant to hit Ring before I left town, where they have one of each, and consult with John who is a fantastic guitar tech about what would be best.
And, oh yeah, this is the guitar shop in Jackson’s Point. Not that I’ve been in on this vacation…
Drool - that '75 Tele looks fun, as does that bizarre “Parlour” guitar. And if you can get a good deal on that '65 Blackface Deluxe Reverb, well, your amp needs would be over forever
As for the 5th Ave vs. Seagull, only you will know for sure. I had my Taylor 812c (Rosewood small-bodied Concert sized with cutaway - great guitar, early '90’s Taylor) for almost 15 years when, a couple of years ago, when I was randomly checking out acoustics, I realized that my tastes, needs, what have you had changed and I was really drawn to the mahogany, Big Fundamental thunk of a Gibson J-45 (and mahogany Gibsons in general). I traded the Taylor to get the J-45 and haven’t looked back since.
And as for the 5th Ave pickup vs. not - boy, unless the pickup really impedes unplugged tone, I would totally go for it. But I would be putting it through (at least a somewhat) overdriven amp to get a raunchy, bluesy tone. I could only imagine the slide tones you could get out of it…
