The Guild M-20: The Best Small Body All-Mahogany Guitar?!

[@rogerdalecoble]

I just got one of these guys recently. It weighs nothing. Unique great tone. Most impressive to me is how perfect the intonation is up the neck. Also volume is balanced no matter what position I play.

[@julieplaysguitar1]

Beautiful guitar! Always enjoy listening to you play, Cooper. You made this Guild shine!

[@johnwashburn3793]

I had to listen again. I laughed. I cried. So much joy! Congratulations to you and your bride! Happy new year.

[@pauljohnson3584]

I adore my M-20. It is the best guitar purchase I've ever made.

[@bobgreen8142]

Same. I've only had mine for a few months, and I've been playing for over 50 years on various guitars, and this is the one (along with an Epiphone I've owned for 45 years) that I will never part with. One of the biggest revelations to me came about three years ago when I got my first smaller-bodied guitar - I don't think I could go back to dreadnoughts again.

[@gior87]

I would love a comparison with the Martin 00-15M

[@yogarich]

Beautiful sounding guitar. Stellar demo Cooper. Very melodic and just what that guitar wants to play.

[@nellatrab]

I have a burst one from the Fender USA guys, it is not the greatest sounding guitar but is fun. The Martin 000-15M is much louder and resonate. Amazing how many M-20's have been sold because people think Drake recorded with it. ...You might wanna tell your mom 😁 After Nick Drake appeared seated with a Guild M-20 on the cover of his 1971 album, Bryter Layter, the instrument became closely associated with the singer-songwriter and his particular approach to the six-string and his tuning's. But as it happens, the instrument wasn’t his-it (as well as the dandyish footwear in the foreground) belonged to Nigel Waymouth, the photographer who shot the album cover...According to a close friend Robert Kirby, Drake played/recorded with either a 66 Martin D-28 and a Levin LT-18 Goliath had a solid European spruce top with solid maple back and sides, made in Sweden his first acoustic. Nick only posed with the Guild M20 on the cover, but it was NOT used to record any songs on the album, he used a Martin D28 acoustic guitar. He also recorded Five Leaves Left with the Martin D28.This guitar was given to Rodney Drake after Nick's death and it was eventually sold to an American collector. He owned a Yamaha, but was never used in any studio recordings and he never sold the D28 in exchange for a 000-18 as rumor has it. The "one photograph" of Nick playing on stage is him with that Martin D28, and is the only known picture of him performing live. ...but some of the his recorded songs were released after his death are known to be on the Levin and D-28. BTW no one really knows much about Nicks tuning's...and he always used dead John Pearse Cathedral brand strings. The M-20 on the cover of Bryter Later now belongs to Nick Laird Clowes and the original owner was Eric Clapton.

[@ninoduck9673]

You're talking a bit of nonsense. There are many stories going around about the guitars that Nick Drake would have used. Richard Thompson, who was good friends with Nick, has said that the only guitar he ever saw and heard Nick play was a Guild M20. Yes, the guitar on the cover of Bryter Later belonged to the photographer, but this does not mean that Nick did not record the songs with an M20. We simply don't know.

[@kevinfitzgerald4561]

Excellent information thanks for sharing - I always thought he played the Guild on his albums

[@7dc379]

The M-20 truly is an exceptional guitar. The body size is single 0, Almost identical in size to Martin 0-18, noticbly smaller than Martin 00-15M. The Guild M-25 with built in electronics seems to be the same size body and neck as the M-20, but to me it seems like it feels different and plays different, sounds different. I'd enjoy seeing your take on the M-20 as compared to M-25.

[@duanegreaves2232]

I used to have an M25 after years of playing a Martin DX1. I couldn't get on with the tone. The sound wasn't full enough even with a Mahogany body. I can hear the similar tone. I will say that they do play great.

[@timelwell7002]

What a lovely guitar. Thanks for a great review, Cooper! Only yesterday I tried the very similar Guild M25 in Andertons, Guildford, UK (the nearest guitar store to my home). The M25 fitted me like a glove. The tone sparkled. My only criticism was that IMO the quality control wasn't too great because there was some fret buzzing in places - but my guitar tech could sort that out, no problem. I think I need to compare and contrast the M20 with the M120 - for which I'll need to take a trip to GAK in Brighton. And then, depending upon my bank balance, I hope to buy one or other of these. BTW the paino equivalent of this guitar - in terms of having a 'Woody' tone - is the Broadwood Barless piano, which was only made in the late 1890s and early 1900s, before WW1. I once had one of these as an upright, and I currently have a semi-concert grand (7'4" in length) which I have yet to renovate. (I tune and restore pianos for a living). I very much doubt if any of these ever crossed the Atlantic to the US or to Canada, and they're pretty rare in the UK, but if you love the tone of the M20 and you want that in a piano, then the Broadwood Barless is for you.

[@bobgreen8142]

I've got one of these and I absolutely love it. The sound, the feel, everything about it is wonderful. Even when the strings age and die a little it takes on a lovely, intimate character.

[@virtuallyd3ad]

Would you recommend this guitar for smaller hands ?

[@bobgreen8142]

@kate my hands are relatively small and it's very comfortable for me. At the same time, the string spacing is ideal for fingerpicking.

[@danielgannon9502]

Light as a feather...and it sounds so warm for such a little guy!

[@bobgreen8142]

Yeah, no weight in it at all! I have an M-120 as well which is much heavier, although still pretty light.

[@stevebrisson3236]

I've got a 74 guild d25m. Dreadnought, round back. Had it about nine years, had a refret done a couple years ago. I'd match it's playability and sound to almost anything.

[@knut9829]

oh beautiul guitar, and it is always such a joy to hear you play cooper. i know this has been asked before, but a side by side comparison w/ the m-120 would be so interesting. yes i listened to the other review, multiple times, with headphones, and they sound so similar. i feel as if the m-20 sounds like the finish makes it look: a little softer in comparison. but that could very well be my eyes deceiving me. anyway, thanks for the music.

[@rwinrock]

Just got my Guild M-20 today, and I share your enthusiasm. I would have liked to compare to the Martin 000-15SM, but this one is not available presently (Germany)

[@johncrane6673]

A comparison with the M25e would be perfect. Cooper makes the M20 really special!

[@kerricorser4562]

Love listening to you play, Cooper. Sweet lil guitar. I bought the D1212 guild westerly. They're so beautiful.

[@mmmk2441]

I have one of these and the tone is unparalleled. I have never played a guitar with such a warm tone and intimate feel. Either played with fingernails/tips or a nice fat jazz pick, you cannot go wrong.

[@virtuallyd3ad]

Would you recommend this guitar for small hands?

[@vocalion9519]

As an owner of the M120, I would have loved to see a side-by-side comparison with the M20. I have pulled down and played a couple of M20s, and was hoping to be more impressed by the M20 in comparison to mine. I’ll chalk that up to dead strings and small sample size on the M20s I’ve come across.

[@anthonyb2334]

I too have an M120. It’s a beautiful small guitar and I wish I could have compared it to the M20. Have a Martin 0015 as well, but the Martin blows away the M120. I would be interested how the M20 compares. Cheers

[@ignacio4480h]

I played both, no comparisson. Big difference

[@hellmoth]

Love this post so. Great shout for Nick Drake and so impressed with the guitar that I bought one. I'm a happy man.

[@seanhallahan14]

great glowing review! Well done. Thank you.

[@anitakelling6419]

I have a Guild M-25e. I absolutely love it. Nobody ever reviews that guitar. If you ever get one in, I would love to hear your thoughts.

[@astropop3870]

Happy you and your family love Nick’s music.

[@LinasPetrauskas]

Why on earth is there no comparison of guild m20 vs martin 00-15m or 0-15m

[@rexrathtar3893]

Good video and I appreciated how you got all the info across that I wanted to hear in the first few minutes. I'm going to have to bear one of these in mind. Enjoyed the mellow playing as well by Cooper.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I owned a 1959 M20 Ghost Label. My cousin bought it new and gifted it to me, virtually mint, not played in 55 yrs. A fantastic guitar with one major design flaw... 1 5/8 ths nut with, unplayable. I eventually offed it to a relative with needles for fingers. If it had a proper adult 1 3/4 " nut (I prefer 1 13/16ths- 1 7/8ths) it would be the perfect guitar.. even better than my 1939 Martin 00-17 with a 1 3/4" nut.

[@BaktaBak3]

Can you do a comparison of the M-20 vs the Martin 00-15m ?

[@pachacamacs]

Just bought one today. The store had the M20 vintage sunburst and the M25E too, so I was able to compare them and I didn't think they would sound that different. The plain M20 sounded much fuller and warmer than the other two... maybe it's the (absence of) finish, or maybe this particular guitar was better than average, I don't know. The only small downside is the fretboard radius (I think it"s 12"). I prefer it flatter, because it feels roomier for fingerstyle.

[@lorigilmore5521]

Congratulations on your marriage Cooper. Good on ya!

[@johnwashburn3793]

Amazing playing Coop! Happy new year. I have considered this for a while.

[@dietmarschuller3963]

What’s the better choice? The M-20 or the M-25E?

[@aggunia57]

Nice review. What string gauge and type of string sounds best on this guitar?

[@Metody89]

After your review I first bought M-120, then M-20 :D

[@BaktaBak3]

It is a great guitar. Very nice sound, plain on looks , but elegant at the same time, comfortable, size is in between a 0 and a 00. Stays in tune. Comes with a very nice hard shell case that has a built in humidifier. All guitar cases should have that ! These guitars are kinda hard to come by so if this is something you want. So....if one is available.........go for it. Does not come with electronics. You can always add the electronics if that's something you like. I /we do NOT endorse/or are paid to like/review guitars. Just musicians who gig out , try instruments in stores, and may have what is reviewed.

[@anthonyb2334]

Excellent video. I have an M120, and it is a fun and gorgeous guitar. My Martin 0015 blows it away, but I would expect the M20 would be a closer comparison. Thank you again. Great video

[@Arzenteart]

Just had my 1962 M-20 repaired and sounds like clouds

[@rostiz1386]

How about bossa Nova with this guitar...?

[@WordSpiritLife]

Cooper…. Dang. You killing me bro. Thanks for that finger style jam.

[@jjmuni]

To me it is an Eastman 00SS 12 fret, stunning wood choice but the guild is fine as well.

[@compucorder64]

It sounds really really good. But for more of that all-rounder guitar, I'm waiting for Guild USA to do an OM.

[@ulyssestinoco3719]

I have a taylor gs mini with .13s on it. With the guild, would a similar gauge work?

[@kenm6016]

I would be interested in your thoughts on a comparison with the much less expensive Orangewood Oliver, Jr.

[@texhaines9957]

Thanks Cooper

[@johnlord1399]

Nice review, Cooper!

[@yelddoswell9292]

I wonder if they have a left handed model??

[@BassFuryV]

Any thoughts on how this compares with the Martin 00-15M? I'm torn between the two!

[@dangitbobby0001]

00-15

[@huntercarcione7861]

So I have a OM-120 and I do love it but I was looking to see if there was an American made version but the closest thing is the m-20. Any one this it’s worth upgrading to or is it just not gonna be quite the same as am OM? (I do a lot of strumming)

[@Jam-m7m]

This or the Taylor ad22e or the Martin 00-15m

[@maineguitarists]

i have one of these absolutely love it. I need to tighten the truss rod a little however but am confused by the rod under the cover plate. It doesn't take a regular allen or hex. It looks like it takes a wrench but how would one fit? thanks, tom

[@maineguitarists]

Sorry to bother you. Love your review. I bought mine it was a display model and fell in love with it. I play a few open tunings and it was not only rich sounding and projected wonderful but playability is awesome. Well made USA guitar. I just read i need a quarter inch nut driver.

[@onthegoathill]

For the record, the instrument Drake is holding on the cover of Bryter Later belonged to the photographer, as did the pair of shoes next to Drake. The guitar is not on the record. That being said, I own an M-20 and it completely rules. I haven’t even looked at my J45 since I bought the Guild.

[@SiggyMe]

Its ironic how urban myths get started when he actually played a Martin dred.

[@dirtmcgirt75]

I've heard this as well, but then Richard Thompson said "The only guitar i've seen Nick play is a small bodied Guild" and he actually played on some of his records. So what I'm saying is......I dunno.

[@misorodzinak8829]

It seems no one is really sure about that guitar in the photo. Some say he did actually play it and it used to belong to Clapton, some say he only posed with it, some say he even used it live. We'll never know.

[@ricciardinicolas5887]

I don't think it's a myth, I know the m-20 belonged to the photographer but I own one and the sound man... It's the sound of Pink Moon man, it so spot on ! Wonderfull 🙂

[@SeventhHarmonic]

Yeah, let's get the facts straight, please. No one can say for sure one way or another. Otherwise it becomes another piece of internet misinfo. Facts: not his guitar in the shoot, but Richard Thompson quoted as saying he only ever saw Nick record with a small Guild, and finally no one has 100% confirmed what guitar was or was not used on Nick's records.

[@gordonovenshine6968]

Gawd I want one of these so bad.

[@romanimre]

This Guild őr Fender paramount pm1ov,,,?

[@justme-wh5li]

Great guitar .... You mentioned nick drake ...so why not play some?

[@markreams3192]

Good video and great playing as usual. The mic is in front of the fret board. Needs to be moved.

[@bngbraz2]

I bet drop D tuning would sound good on that resonator.

[@HiggaionSelah_EWFMG]

☑️👍just bought one more recently with chesterfield logo in headstock, and it is a wonderful small bodied guitar with tons tone vibe and warmth ; I can highly recommend this guitar to the fingerstyle player 👌 ❗️☻️🙃🤩

[@matthewderosby713]

I really want an M-20. Unfortunately, us lefties can only buy the chinese-made M-120 😢

[@Hexspa]

My nickname happens to be Warm Woody. Maybe this is the guitar for me

[@646oleg]

m40 is great too

[@ricciardinicolas5887]

Oh yes man, I got it, these are wonderfull guitars

[@2musiclover534]

If possible, I'd love to know the actual weight of this little beauty. Thanks.

[@BaktaBak3]

Don't know actual weight... but it's light. Sounds great.

[@2musiclover534]

@@BaktaBak3 Thanks. I ask because my 00 sized mahogany is 3 lbs 2 oz and I really like light weight guitars for some reason. I would love to check out the M20. But if it is much heavier, may save me the effort. Thanks.

[@rwinrock]

155 kg (or 3 lbs 5 oz)

[@rwinrock]

1.55 kg

[@KenSwiatek]

There is a newer version of "The Stand." The guitarist travels with an Guild M-20.

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

Your mic is the reason.

[@jefff5842]

I like the Taylor AD22E better.

[@cbailey089]

i have an AD27E and i love it

[@lhvent]

Great guitar.

[@marchel9322]

Several comments on KZbin (also here) from older people who actually saw Nick Drake play an M-20 in concert. So now it’s time for everybody to stop talking crap about this instrument and the photographer. Enough is enough.

[@sopwithcamelus]

I want a good small body US made guitar sans electronics. This may be it.

[@Invictus13666]

Better than the Martin 000-10?

[@vocalion9519]

The M-20 is more the size of an 0.

[@BaktaBak3]

@@vocalion9519 yes, the M-20 is in between an 0 and 00.

[@Thelionatays]

I paid $949 for a 000-15M like ten years ago brand new. 1500 yeah okay

[@mariodriessen9740]

🧡

[@TheDennzio]

will this guitar handle the whack tunings of Nick Drake?

[@CenterThePendulum]

Restless sooooouuuuullllll….

[@sunyside1547]

I would like to hear this compared to the OM Furch all mahogany which I believe is even more affordable

[@jaro5265]

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

[@mathiasmas]

There should only two concepts to describe the tone of an acoustic guitar and that's: "woody" and "not woody". All the rest is totally irrelevant! 🙂

[@stickytriggers5513]

This guy knows nothing about guitard