Guild M-20 Concert Acoustic Guitar - Natural Finish Reviews

Just received my new M20 today, and as the other reviews indicate, this guitar is fantastic out of the box. Extremely playable with the factory setup. Don't let the body size fool you, this guitar sounds incredible finger picked or strummed - and that's coming from someone who is usually only a dreadnought player. This is a keeper. Guild is onto something in Oxnard, this compliments the D20 and D40 Traditional we have in the family now, both of which are also excellent guitars.

For those interested, my M20 has more of a natural brown color to it rather than the reddish hue of my D20. Both are Oxnard guitars, with the D20 being a 2022. Curious if the stain has changed, but I prefer the color they appear to be using now on these all mahogany guitars if this is typical.

Over the past year I gradually realized that I wanted to switch from a dreadnought to a concert-body guitar for a variety of reasons: a more focused sound, less bass response (than a dreadnought), a more efficient instrument to play standing, and less feedback issues when playing live. I had researched several guitars from the main brands that met one or more of these criteria, and I'm sure that any of them would have been a good choice, but this Guild felt like the strongest choice among them.

It's got a great playable neck, a nice mellow warmth from the all-mahogany body, stays in tune well, and punches above its size. I keep my acoustics in D standard and that choice really accentuates the lower-mids of this guitar in a pleasant way.

I had a Baggs Anthem installed and opted for the full PLEK setup from Sweetwater--I wanted to have this thing street legal and ready to gig with as soon as I got it. I'm glad that I did--I can't explain the particulars of the PLEK setup but it came to me feeling 'broken in' and very comfortable. I'm still getting used to the Baggs Anthem but it's a great system and a slight tweak of the mic gain got it right into the ballpark (the set up of the Anthem by Sweetwater was great).

My sales rep, Ed, is always great and helped me out a lot with this. This guitar is precisely what I was looking for!

Everything about this guitar is exactly as advertised and actually better IMO. Beyond build quality and playability, which is outstanding, is that it just has some special character that just begs you to play it. Embodies the soul of Guild history. It's a joy.

Sweetwater is the absolute best in all aspects. Amazing everything. Thank you so much

Very nice mahogany guitar! And the great set up out of the box is appreciated. Thanks Guild and Sweetwater.

This geeter looks/sound/feels fantastic. The Guild M20 is a killer concert guitar with big tone and big feel.

I have never been happier with any other guitar I have owned over the last 50+ years. Build is immaculate. The neck is a bit on the slim side - appropriate to an instrument of this size. Yes, it is small (between a Martin O and OO, I think) but does not at all sound boxy. So comfortable to hold and play. A sweet, very resonant, dark mahogany tone - just what I was looking for! The thin nitro-cellulose satin finish lets the top really sing. Beautiful fretboard, well set up. Excellent fretwork.

Really wonderful to play fingerstyle. 1.75" nut, 2.25" at bridge - lots of room for your digits. 24.75" scale is my preference. Yes, this might make some lower tunings a bit iffy (that's physics) but I haven't really noticed this so far; I still have other guitars with long necks for that. Honestly, there is no one guitar that can do it all no matter what some folks say. But this one does all I have asked of it. A good strummer, too.

I don't think it would be possible to buy a guitar with much less visual bling. Unadorned except for pearloid dots on the fretboard, Western-ish pickguard, and simple, mother-of-pearl logo on the headstock. No fancy binding or purfling, very simple rosette. But the wood itself - naked under that satin finish - is rich and lush. A handsome guitar. There is something about it all that says "Stop looking - come and play me." Like it better be a player, to be so plain. And then you do play and you fall in love.

Thank you, Guild. And thank you, Sweetwater.

Really wanted an all solid Mahogany acoustic for a while now. It was between the M-20 and the Martin 000-15M for me. After endless research and video reviews I went with the M-20. It was set up perfect right out of the box. It plays and sounds exactly the way I expected it to. Could not be any more pleased with my purchase.

I am extremely impressed by this guitar. The setup was great straight out of the box. The slightly shorter scale length along with the setup make it a joy to play. The tone is warm and well balanced. This guitar works well for both finger picking and flat picking. As for the craftsmanship, it is flawless, it is extremely well made. I have other guitars, however this one has quickly become a favorite. Josh was very helpful with this purchase, I would highly recommend this guitar and Sweetwater.

They say dynamite comes in small packages and after strumming the very first chord on the M-20 I can see why. The sound out of this O size monster is mind-boggling. I own a Guild D55 but also needed a smaller travel size guitar to tote around to worship sessions and while on the road. Truly amazed at wood grain and quality. Not sure if these get graded but I would vouch to say this would be somewhere in the AAA to AAAA range. The grain on mine is absolutely gorgeous and the fit and finish are of boutique quality. The Nut and Saddle are carved perfectly and the strings are not buried too far in nut just about 3 quarters which is perfect. The intonation is spot on right out of the box. This thing is a finger pickers dream but also has very warm compressed and balanced tone. I have found my little companion for life. I have great suspicion this guitar could be a collector's item in the future. The price is well worth the quality and craftsmanship of this little surprise. I love its modest and stripped down but classy and old style looks. Guild has definitely brought the Mojo back with this instrument. If you are on the fence or even looking at Martin's do yourself a favor and consider this guitar as you will be in shock and awe!!!

I've been looking for a while for a good acoustic guitar, having played electrics almost my whole life. In my searches I kept coming back to this guitar. I've had it about a month now and I have to say it just keeps sounding better and better. It's beautiful to look at and is very easy to play even for someone whose fingers are used to light gauge electric strings. I love it.

I took my time while shopping for an acoustic guitar, and I eventually narrowed my choices to the Guild M20 and some Martin acoustics (00-15m, 000-17). They were each great guitars, but I'm really impressed with the quality and tone of the M20. I have been playing it constantly since I received it, and that is a sign that it's a keeper. I still can't put down my Fender American Fat Strat Texas Special that I bought in 2001, and I feel that the Guild will have a similar feeling when I'm playing it in 20 years. Just like the Fender, I feel that this will go in the "not for sale" collection.

I am new to guitar and just learning. This guitar is great. So easy to play and it sounds amazing. Sweetwater never disappoints either. Brian was there for any questions that I had and offer an expert opinion. I will definitely do business with Sweetwater again in the future.

I looked thoroughly at a wide variety of guitar brands, including but not limited to Martin and Taylor, and sizes before settling on the Guild M-20. I made sure to play many guitars in quiet areas where I could really evaluate the sounds. This guitar really stood out and just continues to amaze me as time goes by. Most important to me, it has a unique one of a kind sound. Just sublime. Then it has a great playing neck with a 1.75" nut for better finger placement yet still very reachable. To top it off it looks great. This guitar is just a fantastic instrument worth every penny.

I've owned many guitars over the years from Martin, Gibson, Taylor and Guild. One of my first really nice guitars was a Guild F30 (which was sadly damaged beyond repair), and a Martin 00-17. I've always loved small bodied guitars and heard nothing but good things about these new Guild M-20's, and have been curious about them ever since they switched production back to the US.

This guitar is simply wonderfully. The build is excellent, there are no imperfections. The guitar has a very comfortable feel and easy playing neck. Despite it's size, it's got plenty of volume (it's not going to compete with my D-35, but it's not supposed to) and would be great accompanying instrument for singer/songwriters or solo performers. I'm very happy with this purchase and think that this guitar is a steal at this current price.

Describing the sound of an instrument is so subjective, and there are many clips online of this guitar being played, so I won't say much more about that. It's interesting that this guitar has become known as the Nick Drake guitar, as Drake famously held one on the cover of his Bryter Layter album. It seems that most people haven't really researched it though, because the story goes that the M-20 was the photographer's guitar, not Drake's, and Drake only posed with it because it was available and suggested by the photographer. Moreover, accounts from Drake's engineer John Wood and producer Joe Boyd indicate that Drake's main studio guitar was a Martin dreadnought copy. It's so strange that a guitar the artist never played on record has become so heavily associated with the artist.

I have a mid-1960s M-20 (I bought it new!) that has seen better days. I started looking at other brands, but my brother advised me, "Hey, everyone has a Taylor or a Martin. Go for a Guild."
So I bought this from Sweetwater.
It's like renewing acquaintances with an old friend. Same body dimensions and heft as the original, and the sound is not exactly the same but very nice. Lighter color than the original. The main difference is that the neck is a bit wider, but that's just fine for my aging and meaty fingers.
The case is beautiful, and Sweetwater is wonderful. Very happy. Hope this one lasts me another 50 years.

This little guitar packs more of a punch than you think. I have played other parlor sized guitars and they all seem to have that boxed, muffled output because of their small size but not this one. This one has a wonderful resonance to it that seems to ring forever. It has a unique kind of sound, not like a O size Martin just something all its own, maybe due to the thinness of the soundboard along with the thin finish, I don't know, all I do know is this is the most alive concert size guitar I have played. I'm looking forward to years of music withit.

Had a small body USA made Guild years ago that I had to sell. When I saw this new Model USA Guild , I had to try one.

Lucky to find one in my area to try out. Couldn't put it down. This guitar is comfortable to play, nice tone & loud for it's size. Fast comfortable neck. Well made , priced right. Excellent case with built in humidifier. All guitar cases should have that. Store only had the Natural color (was my preference anyway) , no electronics. Had Fishman Matrix electronics installed (again, my preference) & the M-20 came home with me. This guitar is right up there with other USA made brands. Had it a week & did 3 gigs with it already. Happy ! !

I was looking for a small-bodied solid mahogany acoustic guitar that could translate the feel and warmth of a vintage tenor ukulele to the 6-string format. This Guild M-20 fit the bill and beat the competition for several reasons. Martin's 00-15M is a nice instrument, but is larger in scale than I was looking for, as the ability to play at home in an easychair is important to me. Smaller, more comparable vintage Martin 0-15's are too expensive and precious, though the scale of the M-20 is closer to the 0-15, or perhaps Martin's "retro" acoustic electric, or even their spruce-top "whisky sunset" model, which I wasn't crazy about the phony "aged" looks of, given their high prices. I found the Taylor GS mini to be uncomfortable. Well, I played 'em all, and found that I liked the wider 3/4" nut spacing of the M-20 best for the fingerpicking I'm accustomed to. I also liked the modesty of the dark satin finish. I found the price to be more fair, and found a friendly local dealer. ;) But most importantly, it had THE SOUND! The Guild M-20 is warmer, mellower, woodier and well-suited for fingerpicking. It is not as bright, metallic, or piano-like in tone as any of the alternatives. In my case, its distinct mahogany tone was just what I was looking for! The videos online are a fair and accurate representation, but I suggest trying one for yourself.

I purchased the Guild M-20 from Sweetwater about a month ago. I was a little hesitant about ordering a guitar online-- especially one at this price range-- but the experience has been flawless. Aaron, my sales engineer, was extremely helpful and professional. Unlike other sites, Sweetwater provided a high-res photo of every angle of the guitar. Several guitars actually, that I could then choose from. And what a beauty it is!

This was the first guitar I have bought that I would consider "high end". I know its all relative, but I add this just to get a sense where I'm coming from. For instance, did you know some guitars don't come with the end pin in place? I didn't, and found it in the case compartment. BTW- this guitar does not have a strap pin where the neck meets the body-- if you need a strap it will need to be the kind that fastens to the headstock.

The finish and understated look of the guitar is just awesome. No fancy bindings and bling, just tastefully austere, which fits my style. I was thinking about the M-120 for a while, but I just couldn't get over the glossy finish. That and the desire to buy an authentic American guitar.

The M-20 is really small, lightweight and comfortable to play. I was looking for the ultimate couch guitar and I think I have found it. I know tone is subjective, but it brings a smile to my face every time I strum it. Perfect for the music I tend to noodle around with: Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Elliott Smith, etc. String action straight out of the box was good for me-- low action, very easy to play, no noticeable buzzing. My wife, who is just beginning to play guitar, finds it much easier to play than the old Ovation we have sitting around.

Simply a stellar guitar, that makes playing music more enjoyable. If you are waffling between the M-120 and M-20, I would go for M-20 if you can swing (the not insignificant) extra cost. If you are looking at a Martin 00-15 or similar, I think this guitar more than holds its own. I highly recommend it.

I'm a mahogany fan and this was my first all 'hog guitar. All I can say is that I'm blown away by the sound that comes out of this thing. It is clear and punchy from lows to highs. The body is so comfortable to hold and the finish is great! Definitely recommend to those looking for a break from their dreadnaught.

Just a sweet little player. It sounds great and I just don't think you'll find a better deal on an American made acoustic guitar. I've always had a soft spot for Guild and now, under the Cordoba umbrella, the brand is back to making really nice, straightforward players.

Of course, Jim Watson was easy to work with as always. I've never had a bad experience with Sweetwater.

Absolutely the best deal in a USA made guitar. Sweet , full, rich mahogany sound. Inch and 3/4 nut with 2 1/4inch saddle spacing makes for great finger style. Shallow body makes for great sofa noodling. Bone nut and saddle! Surprisingly loud living room filling gusto. Frets and intonation spot on. Neck finish not the greatest (we are talking inexpensive here) but still slick and fast. As always, Sweetwater set up best in the industry (I should know, # 4 from them). I will add bone bridge pins, but I do that with all my acoustics even those with ebonies. Great serious starter guitar (having an easy playing, great sounding instrument makes practicing a joy) or a must have mahogany for your budget minded collection.

The Guild M-20 is one of the most comfortable guitars I've ever played. I have small hands so I prefer smaller guitars and short scale basses. This guitar really feels like a higher end instrument. I rarely buy new gear, but I made an exception with the M-20. They could charge double the asking price and it would be worth it. I love how simple and unadorned it is. The tone is also unique. It doesn't have the low end heft of a dreadnought, but that's to be expected. The M-20 sounds balanced and full. It also has a lovely chime, without sounding tinny or strident. It's perfect for finger style and light to moderate strumming. I knocked off half a star due to the lack of a strap pin on the neck. I had one installed for less than $20, but it would have been nice to have one from the factory. Other than that, the guitar is perfect!

I have owned and played many guitars and am lucky enough to own some gems. This one is special if you are a singer who loves the sound of acoustic guitar but struggles with it competing with your vocal tone. This guitar PERFECTLY complements a mid range vocal and delivers a rootsy woodsey quality that many players will appreciate. This is not an Alex DeGrassi resonant Taylor-type of solo acoustic performance type of guitar. Its possible that this could be your only guitar, but not probable. It great and wonderful, but its just not super versatile. But man, it is super wonderful experience top play it- 1 3/4 nut and wonderful playability makes it irresistible to anyone who love a woody pure tone. Try it out.

I just got a M20 delivered today. This guitar blew me away when I started playing it. It is loud for its size. The bass is so smooth. Perfect mids and highs. One of the best sounding guitars I have played. Am giving it 4 stars because the set up is horrible. The neck is perfectly flat. The strings at the nut are so high. The action is way too high at the 12th fret. Every review I read or saw stated how easy this guitar is to play. Not so much. It will need a set up. Which will cost some money.

Saw this guitar online and fell in love with it. I was worried about the guitar being too small (I'm used to dreadnaughts), but it's size is perfect. This guitar is very well made and is surprisingly loud. I've never been happier with a new guitar. The case that it came with is also high quality and has a built in humidifier. Reason I did not give 5 stars, I realized after purchasing it that the neck is slightly warped where it meets the body. Other than that, the guitar is a thing of beauty.