M-40 discontinued
- Thread starter GGJaguar
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Br1ck
Senior Member
Certainly a numbers game. Can't make what you can't sell.
That's a shame. I'm usually not a small body guitar guy, but I like mine.
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Hmm, it could be that the M20 outsold the M40, and Guild didn't see a reason to continue to offer both.
My own experience with spruce-topped Guilds of this size (2012 F20 Standard from New Hartford, 2010 or so GAD-F20 (the first GAD series from China), and 1964 F20 from Hoboken, suggests that aged and well played wood really helps open up the sound, which other wise can be boxy. I guess I'm not surprised the M40 didn't sell well. I guess I remain surprised by the continued absence of an OM40 and an OM50 (both of which should be called F30s, dammit).
My own experience with spruce-topped Guilds of this size (2012 F20 Standard from New Hartford, 2010 or so GAD-F20 (the first GAD series from China), and 1964 F20 from Hoboken, suggests that aged and well played wood really helps open up the sound, which other wise can be boxy. I guess I'm not surprised the M40 didn't sell well. I guess I remain surprised by the continued absence of an OM40 and an OM50 (both of which should be called F30s, dammit).
ReevesRd
Senior Member
I agree with you, Sandy. It's a shame. I enjoy playing mine.
There are 20 brand-new M-40s listed on Reverb.
There are 20 brand-new M-40s listed on Reverb.
GGJaguar
Reverential Member
I agree. I wonder what would have happened (other than a price increase) if they offered the M-40/F-20 with a rosewood body. Rosewood seems to help reduce the boxy sound.
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
Maybe if they hadn’t changed the name so that nobody knew what the hell it was.
GGJaguar
Reverential Member
Boneman
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Looks like they ousted the M25 too, same guitar with California burst? If in the market, here’s a decent discounted price on a brand new M40 out of Canada:
reverb.com
Guild USA M-40 2023 Natural | Reverb
Handmade in the USASolid Sitka Spruce topSolid Mahogany back/sidesComfortable Concert Shape and SizeGreat Resonance and ProjectionSatin Finish - NaturalD'Addario EXP16 Coated Phosphor Bronze Light (.012 .053)Guild Deluxe Humidified Vinyl Covered Wooden CaseFormerly known as the F-20, this s...
reverb.com
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Interesting thought. The most astounding small guitar I've ever played--a Collings Baby 2H (which is even smaller than an M40, and is also not mine, though that doesn't affect the sound) has a rosewood back and sides, and it has hardly any boxiness--it you listen hard for it, you might detect a trace, but mostly it sounds sweet. Small, as in there's not a lot of lower register, but not boxy. Some of that no doubt is due to it being a aCollings (much pricier than an M40), but some may be due to the rosewood. I've never played a mahogany Collings Baby--I wonder if they're boxier than their rosewood siblings.
ReevesRd
Senior Member
I wouldn't refer to the sound as being boxy. The M-40 has a full range of nuance and responsiveness. I think some focus on the more forward midrange tone and refer to this tone as being boxy. It is a small concert-body guitar.
mavuser
Enlightened Member
people use the wrong strings thats why it sounds boxy. if your feet are a size 8 would you buy a size 13 shoe? I'm not sure why people think the strings on a dread or a jumbo are the same strings that belong on an F-20. But there's a lot of things out there I'm not sure of.
Criminal that they changed the name to M-40 and M-25. got what they asked for
Criminal that they changed the name to M-40 and M-25. got what they asked for
What strings do you recommend, Eric? I have EJ16s on mine right now, and I think they sound pretty good.
mavuser
Enlightened Member
for my F-20 I have found the John Pearse 11's (550 SL set) to be very perfect. I never even tried another set on that guitar.
on my M-20 I switch between those JP 11's and Martin Retro Monel 11's right now. I may try a set of Martin Retro 10's on my current M-20. But i've owned many M-20's, and found the Martin Retro 11's to be a great fit. Also, the John Pearse strings need to be changed much more often than the Martin Retros
Thanks! I have a set of Monel 12s that I'll try on mine.
mavuser
Enlightened Member
i think 12's can sound amazing on these guitars, depending on playing style. but many people are just strumming away trying to drive that top like it is an F-50. At that point you are overdriving the top, and the sound is clipping like a bass amp. that is the boxy-ness
Edit: I actually posted this before I saw Sandy's above post #16. Sandy that may work for you, but I found the Monel's to have a higher tension. So u may be better off with the D'addario 12's.
it sounds like you are happy with it as is. If anything changes i'd try a set of 11's.
Edit: I actually posted this before I saw Sandy's above post #16. Sandy that may work for you, but I found the Monel's to have a higher tension. So u may be better off with the D'addario 12's.
it sounds like you are happy with it as is. If anything changes i'd try a set of 11's.
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
I use my goto D'Addario EJ-13 Custom Light 11-52, 80/20 on my F-20.
WaltW
Member
The 11-52 is what I have on my Rosewood Gibson Nick Lucas (1991Custom Shop)preproduction. It's similar size to the M20/40 Guild. I played an M20 at the local Guitar Center and liked the sound. Also played a Taylor 322CE which is Mahogany top, back and sides with a
24 7/8 scale. Both very comfortable to play.
ReevesRd
Senior Member
I also have 11-52 Custom Light on my M-40.