Couch guitar

**es34569** · 04-09-2013, 10:43 AM

I've been searching for a "couch guitar" and have heard a lot of positive comments about the Godin line. I really like the looks of their Kingpin acoustic archtop, but have not read many comments about it. I have not been able to find one locally to try out. Aside from its looks, is the tone rich enough (for lack of a better word) for a cherry laminate or would it be a disappointment with a thin and tinny voice? Is this instrument more suitable in the pup version?
Chuck

**ah.clem** · 04-09-2013, 11:03 AM

I use a 5th Ave as both my "couch guitar" and the guitar I take to my lessons. It is the acoustic version; I play fingerstyle, and I find it to have a really nice sound. On the occasions that I use a pick, it has (IMO) plenty of volume and a nice sound. Same when I hear someone else play it. I would think that the Kingpin version would sound pretty much the same, unamped. The fit and finish is very good for the money. I did swap out the original bridge for a Rosewood and bone bridge from StewMac, but that was just a personal preference. The original bridge sounded fine, I was just experimenting. Just my opinion.

Hopefully, Mr. B will jump in here as he really likes his Kingpin and he has a lot more playing experience than I have.

**mr. beaumont** · 04-09-2013, 11:13 AM

I have a Kingpin, single pickup. The plugged in sound is great, very "vintage" jazz tone.

Unplugged, it doesn't sound like much...a little more oomph than say a comparably priced Epiphone or Ibanez, but it's still not a tone machine, kinda "plunky."

You can hear quite a bit of the acoustic tone in this video I made some time back...

**Eddie Lang** · 04-09-2013, 05:21 PM

I have the one without pickup. I bought it to have a guitar that I can take somewhere and be worry-free. Could be school, the beach or a trip. I don't really use it at home. This being said, if I was not fortunate enough to have the great guitars that I have, this could do the job and keep me playing.

It took me a while to find strings that would tame its brightness. Even TI Plectrums sounded bright! I think that I finally settled on D'Addario flats and I just won't ever change the strings again...

**Doctor Jeff** · 04-09-2013, 05:27 PM

Nice playing! I agree the Kingpin isn't too loud but does have a pleasant sound unplugged. The small body and light weight make it great for carrying around or couch playing.

Every time I have played the acoustic 5th Ave. I have noticed how much louder it is than the electric version, probably mainly as a result of the bronze strings. I like the D'Daddario flat-top bronzes, a good compromise between bright and mellow (and eliminating the dread finger noise when using a piezo pickup).

TH · 04-09-2013, 05:55 PM

Not a couch guitar but the next best thing... chair guitar

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 04-09-2013, 06:08 PM

^Hah!

If you're not set on an archtop, what about a "parlour" flattop guitar? Nice, small size.

**DC Ron** · 04-09-2013, 06:57 PM

Nice playing mr beaumont! To me, the most important quality in a couch guitar is that it has to be "used" enough to be left out of its case and positioned next to the couch. Have unfortunately had a few that I intended for the couch that ended up in the case because they were too pristine. I'd like to have a 5th avenue; used of course.

**Eddie Lang** · 04-09-2013, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

^Hah!

If you're not set on an archtop, what about a "parlour" flattop guitar? Nice, small size.

BDLH is right about this. A 5th Ave is nice, but it is still a 16" guitar. If you want to go for a flat top, something the same size as Martin's single-O or double-O are nice, at 13-1/2" and 14-1/8".

In the same price range as Godin, Chinese made Blueridge flat tops are a good value. If you can afford north of 1K, a vintage 0-15 can be had between $1,200 and $2,000. They are very nice guitars and, with their all mahogany construction, they can turn out to be excellent jazz guitars.

If you want an archtop and like vintage, 1930s and '40s small body Epiphones sound great and they remain underrated as far as market value. The small Olympics are a more expensive, thanks to David Rawlings for boosting their fame, but other models like the Zenith (13", then 14" in 1934 before going to 16" in 1958) and the Blackstone (14", then 15" in '34, and 16" in '37) are still very affordable and can be found for $800 to $1,200.

**ah.clem** · 04-09-2013, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff

I like the D'Daddario flat-top bronzes, a good compromise between bright and mellow (and eliminating the dread finger noise when using a piezo pickup).

I switched to DA chrome flats and lost the bright ping, finally settled in on TI Jazz flats. I really enjoy the sound with the flats, sounds really mellow to me playing finger style.

**es34569** · 04-10-2013, 08:21 AM

Thanks for all the input and ideas. They are greatly appreciated. This forum is a wealth of great info.
Chuck

**BigMikeinNJ** · 04-10-2013, 09:09 AM

Glad someone already said parlor guitar. As soon as I saw the title of the thread that's what popped into my noggin. Got my first, a 1906 Martin, and never looked back. The Martin was hanging on a wall in my neighbors garage in San Francisco, he bought it at a garage sale in the 70s for his then little girl to play. It'd been on that garage wall in foggy old San Francisco all that time. It took a little convincing to get him to sell it to me but I told him I'd take the gamble on what the repairs would cost. He paid $7.00 for it. I put what I figured I would have to $400.00 into a neck set, repairing a few cracks and getting a decent case for it. It was a real boomer, think about it Brazilian rosewood that had been finished over 100 years ago. A real little tone cannon and so easy to play !! I took it to convalescent home gigs and it stood up well against our piano players' pounding the keys.

Have a look around. Yunzhi, Washburn and any number of manufacturers make NEW ones, or go the vintage route. Here's a shot of a Bay State made one I had a custom fingerboard and headstock plate installed on. It was sweeter playing than it looks.
Couch guitar-p101012h-jpg

**mr. beaumont** · 04-10-2013, 10:51 AM

I should mention, my couch guitar is a cheap classical...a La Patrie...for jazz, it's bassier, mellow tone is just great...

But anyway, a nylon string is well worth investigating...Parlor's are cool and all, but I never could get on with the tone...for flat tops and jazz, I need something a little bigger...

**SamBooka** · 04-10-2013, 11:05 AM

You know Jeff I think legally you are only allowed to own one Canadian guitar.

**Anandbhat** · 04-10-2013, 11:18 AM

My Taylor GS mini makes a great couch guitar!

**mr. beaumont** · 04-10-2013, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by SamBooka

You know Jeff I think legally you are only allowed to own one Canadian guitar.

Uh oh...I'm in trouble...I've got three and I'm eyeing a fourth.

**GNAPPI** · 04-10-2013, 10:23 PM

My couch guitar is a Korean made Harmony 335 clone bought used for ~$150.

Its home is snuggled on the couch plugged into a Fender Champion 110 at all times (divorced so I can do that) waiting for me like a faithful dog :-) It's been totally upgraded with everything that can be replaced... and is one of my fave guitars.

I have a number of other guitars that I play, but they're less convenient to grab, so they spend more time in their cases.