The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 09-30-2017, 07:52 AM
KenL's Avatar
KenL KenL is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: High Rockies
Posts: 4,289
Default Guild M-20 (Made in USA)

My search for a small-bodied, all-hog, short-scale 12-fret continues, and I've been looking at the Guild M-20. It looks like it checks all the boxes except one- it's not a 12-fretter, but that is not a deal-breaker.

I know these were made in Westerly originally, and the GAD version was made in China. If you have one of those, I'd be interested in hearing about it.

But if you've got the new one, please tell me about it. I'm a big fan of Guild guitars, and would really like to buy something made in America.

I would specifically like to know about the neck, how it feels.

Thanks.
__________________
2002 Martin OM-18V
2012 Collings CJ Mh SS SB
2013 Taylor 516 Custom
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-30-2017, 08:52 AM
mjudd mjudd is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Kansas
Posts: 380
Default

To be technically accurate, they were ORIGINALLY made at the very first Guild factory in NYC, then in New Jersey before Westerly. (My '56 has the New York Label). Great guitar.

Mines obviously not new, but the neck is smallish. It fits me perfectly, but if you have larger hands, it may not suit you.
__________________
1956 Guild F-20
1979 Martin D-18 12-string
1983 Ovation Custom Legend
1986 Squire Fat Strat (Korean)
2004 Gibson Les Paul Classic
2007 Fender Standard Stratocaster (Mexican Strat)
2010 Guild F-47rc (Purchased in 2012)
2013 Home-made Stratocasters (x2)
2017 Martin GPCRSG
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-30-2017, 08:55 AM
KenL's Avatar
KenL KenL is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: High Rockies
Posts: 4,289
Default

Thanks, mjudd. My experience with Guild begins with the Westerly builds, don't know much about the earlier days.
__________________
2002 Martin OM-18V
2012 Collings CJ Mh SS SB
2013 Taylor 516 Custom
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-30-2017, 09:02 AM
mjudd mjudd is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Kansas
Posts: 380
Default

They have a fascinating history, a brief version of which can be found on Wikipedia. Hans Moust, who posts here and on the letstalkguild forum, wrote the book (literally) on Guilds, including the company's history.

The short version is that the company began building guitars in '53 (I think) with a collection of former Epiphone employees who suddenly found themselves out of work when Gibson bought epiphone and closed the factory with no warning to its employees.

They built in a New York City warehouse from then until late '56, then in early '57 began in a facility in Hoboken, NJ. From there they moved to Westerly, I think sometime in the late 60s
__________________
1956 Guild F-20
1979 Martin D-18 12-string
1983 Ovation Custom Legend
1986 Squire Fat Strat (Korean)
2004 Gibson Les Paul Classic
2007 Fender Standard Stratocaster (Mexican Strat)
2010 Guild F-47rc (Purchased in 2012)
2013 Home-made Stratocasters (x2)
2017 Martin GPCRSG
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-30-2017, 09:03 AM
Athens Athens is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Tellico Village, TN
Posts: 1,878
Default Guild M20

My understanding is that the current M 20 has a wider neck.

Last edited by Kerbie; 03-09-2018 at 09:18 AM. Reason: Removed details
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-30-2017, 09:04 AM
Quebec Picker Quebec Picker is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 252
Default

I have an OM-120, latest version, "Westerly" line, made in China

It's the OM version, so slightly bigger than the M, with longer scale. But I love it. I believe the neck is the same as the M-120. The neck was a big selling point for me. Thick, chunky. Feels substantial in the hand. That and the 1 3/4" nut make it my most comfy neck.

It sounds terrific as well. Loud, projects well. Terrific for bluesy fingerstyle stuff.

I tried both a M-120 and an OM-120 and greatly preferred the OM. I was not moved by the M, but was moved enough to happily purchase the OM. Thought it sounded better.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-30-2017, 09:15 AM
McGee McGee is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 231
Default

I had a m120 gad that had great tone. They varied quite a bit from guitar to guitar so I had to play a few to get the tone that I liked. It was so small, loud,
and comfortable to play. I could play it laying back in my recliner with my dog stuffed in there with me. The pre- "Westerly Collection" model had very narrow spacing at the nut and saddle. This became a problem when I started to play finger style only so I sold it. If it had the 1 3/4 nut and 2 1/4 saddle like the new gad or American made M20, I would still have it. I am currently gas free but the notion of a M20 passes through my head from time to time.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-30-2017, 10:22 AM
Mad Rose Mad Rose is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 456
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by McGee View Post
I had a m120 gad that had great tone. They varied quite a bit from guitar to guitar so I had to play a few to get the tone that I liked. It was so small, loud and comfortable to play. If it had the 1 3/4 nut and 2 1/4 saddle like the new gad or American made M20....
I also have a GAD-M20 & have the same problem. Nut spacing's just too tight for fingerstyle play. Even though I made a new nut w/ slightly wider spacing, it's still too cramped. Beautiful looking guitar with a decent sound, but as others' have said: 'the finish is a bit too thick'...! For someone w/ smallish hands, it would probably be OK?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-30-2017, 10:22 AM
KenL's Avatar
KenL KenL is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: High Rockies
Posts: 4,289
Default

"The neck was a big selling point for me. Thick, chunky. Feels substantial in the hand."


That is what I was hoping to hear. I've read that some have slender necks, but this is the first I've heard of a chunky neck. That's what I'm looking for.

Thanks, QP!
__________________
2002 Martin OM-18V
2012 Collings CJ Mh SS SB
2013 Taylor 516 Custom
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-30-2017, 11:25 AM
Quebec Picker Quebec Picker is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 252
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by KenL View Post
I've read that some have slender necks, but this is the first I've heard of a chunky neck. That's what I'm looking for.
I used to have an older GAD-30 that had the slimmest neck I'd ever encountered on an acoustic. It was a great guitar, but I'd always wished it had a thicker neck. The OM-120 is quite similar, but with a thicker neck. It pays to wish for things!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 09-30-2017, 12:21 PM
Archsas Archsas is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 85
Default

I have a GAD M20, and I like it a lot. It's been my only (acoustic) guitar for the past few years, so I've gotten to know it well. It's a comfortable guitar to play. The sound is very good, and much fuller than you might be expecting from such a small guitar; I still prefer the GAD M20 over the 00-15 and 000-15. Lately I've decided I want to sell it, but that's only because I want to change up my sound a little bit. I'm still pretty happy with the sound, which made demoing guitars an interesting process, since I still prefer the M20 to most things I've played. I haven't played the new US version version yet, so I don't know how they compare, but the reviews are all positive; if they really are an updated version of the GAD model, I'm sure they live up to the hype.

The neck on mine has a medium-ish profile that probably trends to thick; I usually prefer thick necks, and it's still comfortable for me. I'm not sure if that's typical, because I remember a lot of reviews complaining about thin necks. Ideally, a wider nut would be nice, but I've managed fine with the 1 1/16."

Last edited by Archsas; 09-30-2017 at 01:54 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-01-2017, 02:23 AM
Dronfield Dronfield is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Dronfield, UK
Posts: 246
Default

Hi

I recently contacted Guild for a comparison between the Westerly M-140 that I own and the USA built M-40.

From their response, I get the impression that spec wise they are similar, but the M-40, other than bring built in the USA, has better hardware and the finish is satin (as opposed to Gloss on the M-140).

I believe the neck specs are similar - both C shape, but the fretboard radius on the M-40 is now 12" as opposed to 16" on the M-140.

Would imagine comparisons between the M-120 and M-20 are the same.

I was also interested in the M-20 because a couple of shops here in the Uk had it on offer, however, despite a couple of really good reviews on the Internet, feedback on the forum was no great - some raising issues re the finish (after a short period of ownership).

As suggested by another poster, I would recommend you looking at the Guild forum - there is an thread re the M-20

Guild put a big emphasis on the Ren Fergusson input with the new US build series models, but I understand that he has now left the company.

Cheers

Rich

Last edited by Kerbie; 03-09-2018 at 09:18 AM. Reason: Removed details
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-01-2017, 04:14 AM
Mahoganymadness Mahoganymadness is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 39
Default

I've got an OM-140 (spruce/hog) and chose it out of many different guitars with similar specs from different brands in its price range (Eastman, Yamaha, Fender, etc.). The Guid Westerly Collection in general I've found has a very vintage tone which I tend to love.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-01-2017, 01:50 PM
AZLiberty AZLiberty is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,908
Default

The new Guilds have a tight 12" fretboard radius which makes them very hard to play (for me).

Which is a shame, because I really want to like them otherwise.
__________________
Larrivee OM-03RE; O-01
Martin D-35; Guild F-212; Tacoma Roadking
Breedlove American Series C20/SR
Rainsong SFTA-FLE; WS3000; CH-PA
Taylor GA3-12, Guild F-212

https://markhorning.bandcamp.com/music
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-01-2017, 04:40 PM
robey robey is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 423
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by KenL View Post
I know these were made in Westerly originally, and the GAD version was made in China. If you have one of those, I'd be interested in hearing about it.
I have a mid 60's M20. What are you wanting to hear about? It has that small body, midrange push that seems typical of mohog tops (my prewar 00 Regal has a similar sound with more honk) and more sustain then you might expect from the wood and size. Not sure of the neck size without pulling it out of the closet, but it's always been easy to play up and down the fretboard. I've used it both for fingerpicking and flatpicking and for a couple years mounted a 50's DeArmond adjustable pole pickup in the hole and played through and 50's Gibson amp. That was a fun sound.

ETA: after re-reading your question, maybe you weren't asking about the original ones...
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:04 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=