Guild M-20 VSB USA

Size:
Super compact, smaller than a Martin 0015 by some way.

Finish and Function:
The sunburst is beautiful. Just classic. The finish is very matte, thin, discrete, fairly durable... but I t will look even better with some wear on it! The neck is fantastic. Overall playability is great, short scale length makes for easy fretting. Frets are well finished. Inlays are simple and in Pearl (a bit mother of toilet seat but good enough), there is a minor gap by one of my inlays but it is minor. Tuning machines are adequate non branded but “Grover” made I suspect I replaced them with Grover V97-18GAE (direct fit). Finish under pick guard was good so no visible difference after careful removal. Will handle very dropped tunings like CGCGCD etc no problem. Superb for finger-picking and light strumming but up for anything.

Sound:
It sounds wonderfully dry, warm and woody. Great with fresh or dead strings. Has that classic North American sound (twang) that quality US made guitars have. Not overly boxy like many small guitars, just the “right” amount. Very resonant with good sustain and volume. Great mids, strong fundamentals but also good bass and not too bright treble, well balanced. The intonation at the 12th fret is slightly out on the Low E, should be resolved with set up (budget for this or live with it). Will likely record very well.

Accessories:
Beautiful fitted Hard Case with integrated humidifier. Small. Black textured leather exterior with chrome fittings. Plush dark green interior. The usual storage area under the neck. Leaflets, certificates of authenticity etc.

Negatives:
Intonation out on Low E, plastic bridge pins. That’s it!

Modification:
I removed the pick guard. I swapped the tuning machines out for Grover 18:1 gold and Ebony vintage machines V97-18GAE and it looks amazing, they were a direct swap out, fit perfectly. The stock bridge pins are plastic and these will be swapped out for Ebony and brass pins. The saddle and nut will be swapped out for black tusq. Then she will be complete. Unique, dark, luxurious. If I ever have a re-fret I’ll use gold evo fret wire. I may add an LR Baggs Element as Guild no longer make the M20E.

Conclusion:
Positives massively outweigh the negatives. A great guitar and for £1635 good value. This is a must for All mahogany fans. A close competitor to the Martin 15 series but the 0-15s that were available a few years ago are no longer being annually commissioned and though otherwise similar, the 00-15 is a bigger guitar than the M20. Just do what I did and buy both! Or buy either, you would be happy with either, the Martin is perhaps more refined but the guild maybe has more character. I used to think I would only ever play Spruce/BrazillianRW but now I can’t get enough of these all mahogany builds the are great value. Just do it… life’s too short.