Case Question for a 1960s M-20

[WC_Guitarist]

Hello Guilders,

It's been a while, but I am currently looking at a lovely M-20 from the mid-60s.
Unfortunately, it does not include a hard case, just an after market gig bag.

What would be an appropriate hard case that will fit without having to force, or be so big the guitar is swimming around, for this sweet little baby?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jedzep]

I could be wrong (again), but shouldn't Guild's current M-20 case be just right, if they'll sell you one? Go to their site, give them a call, and check the dimensions.

M-20 Vintage Sunburst | Guild Guitars

Guild’s iconic M-20 was the first guitar off the production line in 1967, when the company relocated to Westerly, RI.

guildguitars.com

 

[WC_Guitarist]

I could be wrong (again), but shouldn't Guild's current M-20 case be just right, if they'll sell you one? Go to their site, give them a call, and check the dimensions.

M-20 Vintage Sunburst | Guild Guitars

Guild’s iconic M-20 was the first guitar off the production line in 1967, when the company relocated to Westerly, RI.

guildguitars.com

Gosh, that would make my life easy! I'll see what I can find out and of course, report back.

 

[WC_Guitarist]

So interestingly if you read the fine print it says "may also fit" historic models. I think I'm gonna need more detailed intel.

Deluxe Humidified Archtop Wood Case

shop.guildguitars.com

 

[jedzep]

Good luck. I owned a couple early M20s and loved them, but those freekin' narrow nuts caused traffic jams with my square-ish fingers.

 

[jedzep]

Be patient. Guild geeks here will have extra info.

 

[WC_Guitarist]

Good luck. I owned a couple early M20s and loved them, but those freekin' narrow nuts caused traffic jams with my square-ish fingers.

I'm a small woman with small hands. I'm used to playing a Yamaha which also has a skinny-ish neck. The M-20 feels easy for me to play. No crowding issues. But I can see how the diminutive overall proportions of the guitar would be more of a challenge for a person with large hands. I've been looking for something smaller to add to my herd. This thing really ticks a lot of boxes! I've got it at home on a three day inspection before I have to make a decision. So far (all one and a half hours), so good. But I am going to want a case for it if when I pull the trigger.

 

[WC_Guitarist]

Be patient. Guild geeks here will have extra info.

Yes, luckily all the Guild guitar information in the known universe can be found right here, in this singularly spectacular place. :0)

 

[twocorgis]

Waiting on @mavuser to chime in, but I think the current M20 case will fit a vintage model. I think Guardian also has one that will fit.

 

[BradHK]

So interestingly if you read the fine print it says "may also fit" historic models. I think I'm gonna need more detailed intel.

Deluxe Humidified Archtop Wood Case

shop.guildguitars.com

The dimensions of the new M20 are on Guilds website (Link below). Since you have the vintage one in hand you could measure and compare. If they match you know the new Guild case should fit yours.

M-20 Natural | Guild Guitars

Each M-20 comes with a hand-signed, numbered certificate of authenticity, and ships with a hardshell case.

guildguitars.com

 

[mavuser]

the new/current M-20 case will fit Hoboken M-20's and F-20's. The Guardian case fits, but I added a small block under the neck heel to make it snug. The Guild case should be a perfect fit, so I would go for that. If you had a Martin also, and wanted to share one case between the two guitars, then i'd get the Guardian.

There are vintage versions of the Guild M-20 and F-20 that are long scale and deeper bodied...that either "borderline, or do not" fit in the current case.
But anything from the 1960's should be fine.

 

[WC_Guitarist]

the new/current M-20 case will fit Hoboken M-20's and F-20's. The Guardian case fits, but I added a small block under the neck heel to make it snug. The Guild case should be a perfect fit, so I would go for that. If you had a Martin also, and wanted to share one case between the two guitars, then i'd get the Guardian.

There are vintage versions of the Guild M-20 and F-20 that are long scale and deeper bodied...that either "borderline, or do not" fit in the current case.
But anything from the 1960's should be fine.

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the info. The M-20 is such a great little guitar! I had no idea. :0) I was always very distracted by the big flashy dreads and the sexy maple jumbos. They are lovely but much too big for me to play comfortably.

 

[mavuser]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the info. The M-20 is such a great little guitar! I had no idea. :0) I was always very distracted by the big flashy dreads and the sexy maple jumbos. They are lovely but much too big for me to play comfortably.

sure thing! I like the M-20/F-20 because standing up with a strap, they play just like an electric. Can't beat it!

 

[WC_Guitarist]

sure thing! I like the M-20/F-20 because standing up with a strap, they play just like an electric. Can't beat it!

You literally read my mind! I was playing it yesterday afternoon, noting rather ecstatically, how fast the neck is on this little guitar. I can get from the first fret up to the ninth and back like lightening. So excited about this one. I wasn't even thinking about getting one of these. Now, I can't stop thinking about it. LOL. It was pure random luck and happenstance, or possibly guitar destiny.

 

[WC_Guitarist]

I received a reply from Guild regarding the case for the vintage M-20. I'll share it here in case anyone else is in the same boat.

Thank you for reaching out!

While the Current M-20 Dimensions are still fairly close to those of the Vintage Models, they are not identical. (I added the bold/color here to highlight)

In order to ensure proper fitment with this case, I would suggest comparing the internal dimensions with those of you M-20:

• Internal Overall Length: 40.5" - Vintage M-20 = 39"
• Internal Body Length: 18.5" - Vintage M-20 = 18"
• Internal Lower Bout Width: 13.75" - Vintage M-20 = 13 7/8" at the widest part - ever so slightly wider than the case dimension but the case dimensions may not be that precisely measured. TBD???
• Internal Upper Bout Width: 10.5" - Vintage M-20 = 10 1/4 aka 10.25"
• Internal Body Depth: 4" - Vintage M-20 = 4" (lower bout depth where guitar is fattest)

Weeeelllll..... I dunno. The vintage model is a tiny bit smaller, except across the lower bout where it appears it is a tiny bit wider. I'm thinking probably yes, most likely, it would fit, but perhaps not. I'm going to look at some good quality gig bags as an alternative. Has anyone here actually tried to put a vintage M-20 in a current production case? What happened?

Thx.

 

[twocorgis]

I received a reply from Guild regarding the case for the vintage M-20. I'll share it here in case anyone else is in the same boat.

Thank you for reaching out!

While the Current M-20 Dimensions are still fairly close to those of the Vintage Models, they are not identical. (I added the bold/color here to highlight)

In order to ensure proper fitment with this case, I would suggest comparing the internal dimensions with those of you M-20:

• Internal Overall Length: 40.5" - Vintage M-20 = 39"
• Internal Body Length: 18.5" - Vintage M-20 = 18"
• Internal Lower Bout Width: 13.75" - Vintage M-20 = 13 7/8" at the widest part - ever so slightly wider than the case dimension but the case dimensions may not be that precisely measured. TBD???
• Internal Upper Bout Width: 10.5" - Vintage M-20 = 10 1/4 aka 10.25"
• Internal Body Depth: 4" - Vintage M-20 = 4" (lower bout depth where guitar is fattest)

Weeeelllll..... I dunno. The vintage model is a tiny bit smaller, except across the lower bout where it appears it is a tiny bit wider. I'm thinking probably yes, most likely, it would fit, but perhaps not. I'm going to look at some good quality gig bags as an alternative. Has anyone here actually tried to put a vintage M-20 in a current production case? What happened?

Thx.

My M40 (same size as an M20) fits perfectly in Guild's "concert" size gig bag.

Deluxe Acoustic Gig Bag In Black

shop.guildguitars.com

I still think you'd be fine ordering the hard shell case though, even if they're not the best quality (and they're not).

 

[WC_Guitarist]

My M40 (same size as an M20) fits perfectly in Guild's "concert" size gig bag.

Deluxe Acoustic Gig Bag In Black

shop.guildguitars.com

I still think you'd be fine ordering the hard shell case though, even if they're not the best quality (and they're not).

I had no idea the quality isn't good for the hard shell cases. Thanks for the heads up. I'll probably just get a good gig bag and be done. Something I can try on first.
Thank you for the input.

 

[twocorgis]

I had no idea the quality isn't good for the hard shell cases. Thanks for the heads up. I'll probably just get a good gig bag and be done. Something I can try on first.
Thank you for the input.

The gig bag is probably better quality relative to other gig bags than the OHSC is relative to other hard cases. I ended up getting one for free when ProAudioStar sent the wrong case when I ordered the "Orchestra/Dreadnought" size. They told me to just keep it. Sometimes, ProAudioStar has great prices on them, but they don't at the moment. I ended up getting mine for $29 with free shipping!