Loar LH-300 or Godin 5th Avenue?

[memiller]

Looking for a low price acoustic archtop. It's come down to the Loar LH-300 or the Godin 5th Avenue.

The solid top and lower price of the Loar are calling to me, but at the same time I'm leery of the construction quality. I don't mind that the Godin has a laminate top, and since I've played one I know the construction is solid.

How is the construction on the Loars? Is it comparable to the Godin?

[tapeworm]

Tough call because I have played both and really like both. If you only concern with the Loar is the quality then I would say go with the Loar. The 2 that I have played seemed to be top quality to me and with a good setup they are every bit as good as the two 5th Ave's that I owned. Of course I could have just gotten lucky and played two that were gems, but that was my experience.

[memiller]

Nice to hear from someone that's played a couple of both. How would you compare the neck shapes? The Godin's was kind of odd to me, but I liked it. Definitely not what I was expecting.

[Elias Graves]

My only knowledge of the Loars was reading the reports from the guy on the jazz guitar forum who sent three back before he got one he liked.
I must have played dozens of 5th Avenues before I bought mine and I found each one as good as the last. The consistency they achieve should be the subject of research.
The only thing I can fault it on is the bridge. A new ebony bridge with bone saddle, properly fitted, tranformed that guitar from good to great. I can't speak highly enough of em.
It gets played as much as my Gibson.


EG

[Blue4Now]

My Godin ( I have the single P90 kingpin) is elegant in its simplicity and anbsolutely spectacular in every way. I play it as much if not more than my Gretsch and 335.

[LowWatt]

Originally Posted by memiller

How would you compare the neck shapes? The Godin's was kind of odd to me, but I liked it. Definitely not what I was expecting.

That's what gets me. I just can't get with the super flat radius and wide neck. I wish I could, because everything else about those Godins is a steal.

[jbraun002]

I've played a number of both in stores, but not owned either one. When next winter comes round I'll probably buy something in that market because I hate the feeling I'm putting my Heritage at risk while venturing into cold temps. Here's my experience with each:

I love the V-neck on the Loars. Felt great to me. However, the Godin's neck felt good too (more electric). I also like the purely acoustic tone on the Loar guitars.

The Godin seemed easier to play (generally), and to configure.

The Godins seemed more consistent in quality (but hey, I've only tried 3-4 guitars from each brand - not exactly a huge sample).

Neither has a built in pickup (I just looked at the purely acoustic versions), so it's nice that the Godin has a version with one for an insubstantial markup.

Anyhow, best of luck. I really liked the V-neck on the Loar, but I have a feeling I would have bought the Godin if I had been moved to purchase either.

[TNO]

I owned a 5th Ave but couldn't get used to the neck shape. Played a Loar in a store and it was just all-around awesome.

[memiller]

Originally Posted by jbraun002

I've played a number of both in stores, but not owned either one. When next winter comes round I'll probably buy something in that market because I hate the feeling I'm putting my Heritage at risk while venturing into cold temps. Here's my experience with each:

I love the V-neck on the Loars. Felt great to me. However, the Godin's neck felt good too (more electric). I also like the purely acoustic tone on the Loar guitars.

The Godin seemed easier to play (generally), and to configure.

The Godins seemed more consistent in quality (but hey, I've only tried 3-4 guitars from each brand - not exactly a huge sample).

Neither has a built in pickup (I just looked at the purely acoustic versions), so it's nice that the Godin has a version with one for an insubstantial markup.

Anyhow, best of luck. I really liked the V-neck on the Loar, but I have a feeling I would have bought the Godin if I had been moved to purchase either.

The weather here in north Texas can wreak havoc on anything and the Godin's laminate top might hold up a bit better in that regard. The TRIC case helps seal the deal for me. Seems like an ideal guitar for gigging. The Godin wins.

I'll just have to wait a while and get the Loar next.

[slicepaperdavid]

Love my Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin, lifetime keeper

[spiral]

I have played both, including the Gretsch G100 (near equivalent to the 5th Ave) and own the Loar LH-700.

The 5th Avenue doesn't even come close to the sound of the Loar. The Loar is a carved solid top guitar with parallel bracing and ebony fretboard. It nails the sound of an L5 and one-ups the playability. There is far more textural detail and woody tone in the Loar. Laminates in general (Dale Ungers guitars excluded) tend to sound more acoustically flat with less depth to the sound. This isn't to knock laminates: the Gretsch G100 has a wonderfully focused and loud acoustic sound.

If the 5th Avenue and LH-300 were the two choices in front of me, it would be the Loar every time.