M-40 discontinued

[marius]

Looks like they ousted the M25 too, same guitar with California burst?

Not the same guitar. The M-25 is a M-20 with add-ons (binding and California burst)

 

[chazmo]

Perhaps the M-40/F-20 will reappear as a member of the new Standards. Hard to say if there's any motivation for that.

Also, it's hard to know what "discontinued" means. As in, why? I think the Westerly series cannibalize here by offering similar models at lower price points. But, I'm just guessing. I do agree it's likely that these M-40 guitars just didn't sell. And, frankly, while the name is confusing, at best, it's particularly frustrating to see "-40" model names which have no bearing size-wise to the rest of the product line. Not to mention "M-40" vs. "F-20" Whatever, I guess.

 

[plaidseason]

Perhaps the M-40/F-20 will reappear as a member of the new Standards. Hard to say if there's any motivation for that.

Also, it's hard to know what "discontinued" means. As in, why? I think the Westerly series cannibalize here by offering similar models at lower price points. But, I'm just guessing. I do agree it's likely that these M-40 guitars just didn't sell. And, frankly, while the name is confusing, at best, it's particularly frustrating to see "-40" model names which have no bearing size-wise to the rest of the product line. Not to mention "M-40" vs. "F-20" Whatever, I guess.

I think you're on point with respect to the Westerly series. I don't think we'll be seeing USA made arch backs anytime soon. That will remain covered by the imports.

Personally, I prefer the sound of the Westerly series M240 to the USA M20 and M40. This might be the one time I buy an import exploiting the Westerly name. If I get one, I'll be sure to take a picture of it outside the old factory.

 

[mavuser]

I think they tried to turn the F-20 into like a high end thing they could put a higher price tag on, and create some separation between that and the M-20, so went with "40" to make it sound like a significant upgrade, and same with the "M-25," and both backfired. because people looking for those guitars are looking for the genuine "economy/troubadour" vibe, and price point. That is why the regular M-20 sells so well. If they just had the regular M-20 and a regular F-20 (called F-20), it would have sold better than all of the limited and blinged out variants. my 1970 F-20 is glorious

 

[midnightright]

I think you're on point with respect to the Westerly series. I don't think we'll be seeing USA made arch backs anytime soon. That will remain covered by the imports.

Personally, I prefer the sound of the Westerly series M240 to the USA M20 and M40. This might be the one time I buy an import exploiting the Westerly name. If I get one, I'll be sure to take a picture of it outside the old factory.

I remember I'd had an '81 F-20 in SB that was long scale & arched back. What a thing of beauty! I'd like to get my hands on an M240 again just to see if my first impressions (on how good it was) were false? Let's hope they come up with something new that's smaller bodied, and spruce mahogany/or rosewood. That would be a dream. . .