M-20 Owners, Still Satisfied?

[Wellington]

Man I've been wanting a small body short scale for a long time and I'm at the point where I'm seriously considering selling my LL16 and doing some extra side jobs to try and save enough money for an M-20 or used L-00 Walnut. The problem is Ive never played an M-20, just watched every video I can find on YouTube, and guys like Trevor Menear (sp?) make this guitar sound out of this world.

I'm wondering who owns one here and how you like it now? I mostly play folky singer songwriter stuff. I have a fairly soft singing voice.
Well suited?
I'm infatuated with my Guild D-40 Traditional.

 

[jedzep]

Are you interested in vintage or Oxnard?

 

[Wellington]

I'd say Oxnard first as it would be for more finger picking stuff, I'm a little wary about the 1 5/8 nut on the vintage ones

 

[jedzep]

I sadly parted with my two early 60's M-20s, unable to scrunch my fingers into that 1 5/8" nut box. The one Oxnard went out the door, despite it's sweet tone and very comfortable feel, because I do very little finger picking and like a little more volume and percussive quality. I've owned L00's for a long time, never a walnut combo. They are less 'folkie' and fill a room a bit better. There's a qualitative reason why you'll pay a thousand bucks more for the small bod Gibson, in my experience with 0s and 00s.

If you like the demo samples, and relate your style to what you hear, I'd take a chance. They respond well to different string experimentation.

On the other hand...

 

[cactusflower]

Man I've been wanting a small body short scale for a long time and I'm at the point where I'm seriously considering selling my LL16 and doing some extra side jobs to try and save enough money for an M-20 or used L-00 Walnut. The problem is Ive never played an M-20, just watched every video I can find on YouTube, and guys like Trevor Menear (sp?) make this guitar sound out of this world.

I'm wondering who owns one here and how you like it now? I mostly play folky singer songwriter stuff. I have a fairly soft singing voice.
Well suited?
I'm infatuated with my Guild D-40 Traditional.

I have a '63 M20 and I am obsessed with it. I don't have a soft voice but I do the folky singer-songwriter thing and definitely think this guitar would be well suited for that with a softer voice.

I will never ever ever sell this guitar, I love it so much. The tone is dark and kind of woodsy, like compared to other guitars I have, the low strings kind of sound like they have a cold - in a good way. It's absolutely perfect for the folky singer songwriter thing.

That being said, I do gig full-time and bring it to gigs where I'm also doing covers, so I enjoy playing it on all genres of music. But it is best geared toward folk for sure.

Also, one was listed yesterday on eBay for WAY cheaper than I bought mine. So maybe check it out? Are we allowed to post those links here? I'm trying it. Please no one ban me if this isn't allowed, I just got here and still trying to learn the rules

Vintage Guild M-20 Acoustic Guitar | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Guild M-20 Acoustic Guitar at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[fronobulax]

I have a '63 M20 and I am obsessed with it. I don't have a soft voice but I do the folky singer-songwriter thing and definitely think this guitar would be well suited for that with a softer voice.

I will never ever ever sell this guitar, I love it so much. The tone is dark and kind of woodsy, like compared to other guitars I have, the low strings kind of sound like they have a cold - in a good way. It's absolutely perfect for the folky singer songwriter thing.

That being said, I do gig full-time and bring it to gigs where I'm also doing covers, so I enjoy playing it on all genres of music. But it is best geared toward folk for sure.

Also, one was listed yesterday on eBay for WAY cheaper than I bought mine. So maybe check it out? Are we allowed to post those links here? I'm trying it. Please no one ban me if this isn't allowed, I just got here and still trying to learn the rules

Vintage Guild M-20 Acoustic Guitar | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Guild M-20 Acoustic Guitar at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Welcome. As long as you are not the seller you can post online listings at https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?forums/online-offerings.143/

 

[jedzep]

Thanks for the link, CF. I miss mine and need to find one with a wider version of the typical narrow nut, so when I see one, I ask.

 

[jeffcoop]

There are vintage M20s with nuts wider than the typical 1 5/8". My '64 is 1 11/16". It also sounds amazing on folky stuff. I'm hoping to take it into the studio this fall.

 

[jgmaute]

I loved my M-20 great size and sound but couldn’t do the 1 5/8 width nut/neck. I sadly sold it to a forum member years ago and it’s very happy in New Zealand.

 

[adorshki]

I have a '63 M20 and I am obsessed with it. I don't have a soft voice but I do the folky singer-songwriter thing and definitely think this guitar would be well suited for that with a softer voice.

I will never ever ever sell this guitar, I love it so much. The tone is dark and kind of woodsy, like compared to other guitars I have, the low strings kind of sound like they have a cold - in a good way. It's absolutely perfect for the folky singer songwriter thing.

That being said, I do gig full-time and bring it to gigs where I'm also doing covers, so I enjoy playing it on all genres of music. But it is best geared toward folk for sure.

Welcome Cactusflower! Nice introduction and interesting username. Related to your location? (knowing someone's location comes in handy occasionally) Did you know about Neil Young using producer Danny Lanois' M20 on a record a few years back? ("IIRC")

Moderator @fronobulax answered your question re links with his usual concise brevity. Don't worry, he's actually a good egg when he's got a snifter of single malt handy. Watch out sometimes before coffee, though.

We like pics 'round here.