One big difference is the narrow and low-profile nature of the M20 neck. These guitars were marketed as "student" models so they are optimized for small hands. Officially, they are listed as 1 11/16" at the nut, but you'll find that they are narrower than that in practice. This is a plus for some and a negative for others (like me).
I have a 1951 Martin 00-17 that feels much more comfortable for me. Too bad because I really loved the M20 I used to own. But it was very tiring and painful to play it for very long. This has to do with the arthritis I have in my fretting hand. Your experience may be quite different.
The original Hoboken M20s are the best. The Waverly, RI ones are good, too. The recent re-issues are a very different guitar - much more heavily built.
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Roger
Several Martins, 2 Guilds, a couple of kits and a Tilton (ever heard of those?),
some ukes and a 1920s Vega tenor banjo
Neil deGrasse Tyson — 'The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.'
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