Understanding M20s

[viclennard]

Hi. New member so be gentle!

I'm considering buying an M20. The serial number appears to be: C206309. I can't match that to any records I've found.

Can anyone shed any light on this? And does anyone exactly what years the M20 was manufactured and where?

Many thanks for your help! Vic

 

[Boneman]

That sounds like a 2020 made in Oxnard, CA, and they have all the specs here:

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

Oh and Welcome to LTG!

 

[mavuser]

M-20 started in the mid 1950's, at Guild's Hoboken factory. I believe M-20's were built during every decade after that, other than the 1980's (maybe a couple in the 80's however??)
None were made in the Corona, Tacoma, or New Hartford factories, to my knowledge.

some M-20's (generally from the second half of 1970's) have a long scale neck, and 1+11/16" nut width.

Most other M-20's (pre 2015) are short scale with 1+5/8" nut width. A handful of M-20's (from 1964) are short scale with 1+11/16" nut width. The Oxnard M-20 (post 2015) is short scale with a 1+3/4" nut width.

the ones (most of them) with the 1+5/8" nut width really plays and sounds like a small bodied folk guitar. it is great for slide, for sure. The ones with more real estate on the neck width and/or scale length, have the same small body charm, if you play delicately...but can be pushed way beyond that category, if you want to make some real noise.

the long scale one is a totally different beast, for sure (same for F-20).

hope this is of some help! both the M-20 and F-20 are great guitars for playing standing up with a strap (plugged or unplugged). It feels like you are playing an electric.

 

[viclennard]

Many thanks. I already own a 1995 F-20 which, as you say, is brilliant for playing standing up!

 

[stevendv]

That's a hugely helpful summary, Mavuser, as I've also been looking into the M-20 lately, but have only been thinking of ones from the 1960s with short scale and (often) with the 1 11/16" nut (though I'm sure there must be some 1 5/8"s in there, as that's the width of my '68 F-30). While I knew that F-30s had during some periods been made with standard scale length I didn't know that was also true of the M-20.

 

[mavuser]

I only know of 2 from the 1960's that have the 1+11/16" nut width. both were from 1964. I'm sure there are others, but I have seen dozens with the 1+5/8" nut width (from the 60's).

I own a 1962 M-20 (with 1+5/8" nut). It was refinished in 2015 by Tom Jacobs, a master luthier that worked at the Guild Westerly factory in late 70's/early 80's. He is especially known for his finish work with nitrocelluose, and this one came out amazing. It also has a K+K pickup. Would be open to selling it if someone is seriously interested. I've been selling off acoustics, playing primarily electric these days. and I seem to prefer the slightly flatter fretboard on my F-20. The M-20 is a real gem though.