GSWJ - JP Reviews Guild's A20 Bob Marley Guitar

[@Bushradical]

Lube the nut, check for pinching, check the bridge plate for anything weird ( I don't know what.....but you never know) stretch the hell out of the strings...

[@adamhill1216]

How do I stretch strings?

[@jasonmcclure8782]

I have learned that when I get unexplained intonation and tuning issues (especially on a newer factory built guitar), I check for shims underneath the saddle. Factory builders often err on the side of over setting the neck so as it settles in, it doesn't need a neck reset. Unfortunately, this means that the mass produced standard saddle heights that they have to choose from aren't tall enough to compensate so they often resort to cheap plastic (sometimes wood) shims that shift, flex, and squeeze depending on the string tension and gravity. The fix is to pull the saddle and the shims and make a taller saddle with your preferred material. You don't want to go too high either, so keep it reasonable.

[@Bushradical]

Hey J.P.........the other day I went to buy a Martin D-28. I played 2 of them ( one was a good one) I also played a D-35 and a D-18. This store had 100's of guitars so I played as many as I thought were interesting.......Long story short every guitar in the store was blown away by an Alvarez md60bg and a LL16 yamaha. Those two guitars SMOKED everything else in the store. I bought them both in a cash deal out the door for $1500 US .......The good D-28 was $3,200 ........ I saved $1700 and got two guitars that were explosive!!!

[@LegsON]

How exactly were mentioned Martins worse? What did they lack?

[@andreafeliziani8501]

2:54 "you can tell that this guitar is like .. so poorly made, I can't help it, it just is ..." 7:55 "I mean it's well built, it's not poorly built by any means .." A little contradictory, don't you think?

[@jimmyj4811]

I caught that too...

[@christopheryack580]

I recently played this guitar at a Sam Ash. I thought it was one of the easiest playing guitars in the shop and sounded really good. I was very surprised by it. Had no issues keeping it in tune. I'm likely going to buy one. I will definitley play the guitar from the box or just buy the display version as I know I like that one. Upgrading the tuning keys seems a likely upgrade. I bought a Michael Kelly Prelude port that is having issues staying in tune (plastic nut, bridge nad cheap tuners)...I will be upgrading all of those soon. I beleive those three items are why many cheap Chinese build guitars have problems...but they are all easily upgraded. Sometimes a little work goes a long way.

[@miamistomp]

Interesting. I have one and it had no problems I have some really nice guitars ( Gibson J45, Martin D16, Gibson WM) You got a bad one- $199 new at MF Must be a 2nd for Canada use only

[@bobfreitag9176]

Hello Brother from another mother, thanks so much for reviewing this A-20 Guild. I have been tempted to try one of these when they are on sale. Now, after seeing your review, you have answered any questions I would have about it. So, I can scratch this off my list to try. Thanks again saving me the trouble of trying it. I should have my Fender Paramount PM-1 nest week. Looking forward to trying that. Bob

[@MESOGEIOS1]

Good morning sir from Greece. According to my knowledge, I think that you are very strict in your judgment about this instrument. I've had it for a year and I haven't had any problems like the ones you mentioned. It's definitely worth mentioning that I've found bad construction even on an expensive guitar and I returned it immediately. This guitar is definitely a mass-produced instrument, whatever that means, please. so you can put new strings and try it again. Sorry about that but that's what I believe and see in this guitar. And a small correction if you'll allow me, the guitar has a bone nut and saddle and its price is 399 dollars and not 500. Thank you and may God bless you

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

I'd like to have seen you give the strings a couple of good stretches then see if would hold tune.

[@pawwalton2157]

I think that the problems with this guitar is related to the setup. Also a good set of Grover machine heads. Needs a properly compensated bone saddle with nut slots lowered to fix intonation problems.

[@GianoOudeis72]

Sicuramente la tua analisi è giusta ma Cormier ha specificato che non ci spenderebbe soldi per una chitarra di questo prezzo. Perchè spenderci dei soldi per aggiustarla e farla suonare meglio e non spendere di più per una chitarra che costa di più ma che vale anche tanto di più? Meglio comprarne una più costosa e che non ha di questi problemi.

[@jimmyj4811]

Try new strings, check the nut slots and adjust the intonation by filing the saddle... I just bought a new one for $199.

[@jimmyj4811]

I just received mine today, and the intonation is spot-on, and it stays in tune. Very happy!

[@laurietice2612]

So how do you like it so far? I see it is on sale right now at Musician's Friend for $199. Are you having trouble keeping it in tune? I am a beginning and don't want to get a guitar that I really struggle with.

[@genegambardella6393]

Hey JP, what do you mean by temper. “ it doesn’t temper well “. What does that mean? Thanks

[@pauliuspilypas4759]

Been watching your videos for a while now. Please Recommend me a acoustic guitar in range of 1000-2000 eur. Looking to buy something nice. Right now I'm kind of thinking about epiphone excellente. Are there any other options worth considering? Interesting content, keep up ! :)

[@bobfreitag9176]

JP, I am sure you have heard this many times before., but I am always so impressed with the ear you have for pitch. You obviously have absolute pitch, it’s very rare, but you have it…….I on the other hand need a tuner, or I am up a creek. Too many years in the steel mill with these ears. Bob

[@Mrsaittout]

I want to buy my first GUILD! I don’t want pay over $1000 for the first, Is it a good choice to discover the Guild sound and quality? I play usually the Taylor guitar. I’m in love with Taylor’s guitar! 😊

[@andreasrausch5552]

5:38 It's so funny! I couldn't stop laughing.😂😂😂 You made my day. So glad I've found your channel, JP.

[@ptboy1030]

Would upgrading the tuners help?

[@darringodden7225]

If I could play a guitar like this man I would settle for this guitar. Because no matter how bad he said it was I loved it. So to sum up give me a small percentage of his ability and I would be tickled pink.

[@Ok-Mardy]

I can tell this was a hard review for you JP thanks anyways! Keep up the good work!♡

[@BobPerrone]

I'm really not surprised how bad that is. 500 bucks with a padded gig bag and "signature " instrument meaning money paid to the estate...gottcut corners. I had what turned out to be a really beautiful slope dreadnought from the Memoir series which I traded for something nicer, but I did love it.

[@bighutch73]

I bought this guitar on a whim after playing it in a store. Given it had a set up from the store but it sounds great, is easy to play and ive had no tuning issues..guess it was just a bad one

[@herschelrector8218]

Is this an example of the 80:20 rule? (the 20 percent)

[@fentsch]

John have you ever heard or played a Gruene DG-40 made in Texas would love to hear your review

[@chrisgreenwood4713]

Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

[@CalIMeBad]

Any insight as to which guitar to pick up? I'm a noob, who is wanting to purchase an Epiphone version of the J-45 or Hummingbird. I plan to play mostly things such as blues/country. Think Zach Bryan, but I also want to be able to do country such as Riley Green. Which tool is better for the job?

[@begraz]

JP have you ever reviewed any Collings guitars or mandolins?

[@dragonclaw88]

new sub here...ive got alot of great videos to watch now! thank you...I LIVE WAY DOWN SOUTH IN TEXAS...I DID A SEARCH ON YOUR VIDEOS BUT DIDNT SHOW A VIDEO ON HUMIDITY...ANY CHANCE YOU COULD MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT HOW YOU HUMIDIFY YOUR GUITARS AND MAYBE A GOOD BETTER BEST WAY TO HUMIDIFY? MAYBE A CHEAP ALTERNATIVE IF POSSIBLE??

[@patricklundquist9869]

I just remembered one more thing. You said the guitar has been in the studio 3-4 months. Over that period the strings might have developed a permanent bend at the nut so keep wanting to settle back into the position they are used to. The main thing I have learned from this video is that you can make any guitar sound good.

[@Al-yf7tm]

Guildy as charged!

[@CameraLaw]

Good, honest reviewing. Acoustics tend to cost a lot. You’ve done a great service by supporting lower priced guitars like the Fender Newporter and the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson and Masterbuilt series. I’m going to wager you’ll find a Chinese Guild that is of equal value. This just wasn’t that one. Fair enough.

[@m.b.8536]

Happy that I found this honest review. It saved me from buying it.

[@bikeman1x11]

all the others are pretty good- guy may have gotten a bad one should have returned it

[@m.b.8536]

@bikeman1x11 I took the Epiphone Frontier Masterbilt. Man what a guitar. He reviewed that guitar next to the custom shop Frontier (hand made in the USA) and he was amazed how damn good both versions are.

[@bikeman1x11]

@@m.b.8536 the marley one is on sale for $199 occaisonally at musiciansfriend- well worth that price

[@laurietice2612]

How does this guitar compare to the Yamaha FG800? Which would be a better guitar/buy for a beginner?

[@JPCormier]

The Yamaha. 1000%. This guild is a raging piece of crap.

[@laurietice2612]

@@JPCormier thanks for your input. My friend has the Guild and loves it. But my neighbor likes his FG800 alot too.

[@Ell.Phoenix]

little late to the party, but here's my 2 cents... although I would certainly never call the A20 a piece of crap (I love mine) I am a huge fan of Yamaha guitars and would vouch for them anytime. I've never actually played an FG800, but I have a Red Label F53 and it is an amazing acoustic guitar. If you are looking for a good acoustic-electric, the AC3M DLX cutaway plays like a dream plugged/unplugged.

[@gregweber3387]

I love Bob Marley's music and saw this guitar on Sweetwater for $399 US and it included a gig bag. Thanks for an honest review. It's too bad as I really wanted to hear some good things about this guitar. I think anyone looking for a guitar in this price range, spend a couple of dollars more and get an Epiphone Hummingbird Studio or Dove Studio (both list for $449). The reviews I've seen for both of those guitars on KZbin tend to be far more positive.

[@abates226]

I miss the excitement we usually see when you grab ahold of a guitar that ‘works.’ I recently retrieved an old beater Epiphone that my nephew had. I replaced it with a Yamaha ‘beater’ that was 10X the guitar. I missed that old Epiphone. Not a great guitar, but it ‘works’ great and is easy to play. Good enough for my couch. This time of year is hell to keep humidity in the house, so the old plywood Epiphone can stay handy without making me too nervous, hehe.

[@raimondo3178]

I think that replacing the machine heads with better ones is likely to do the trick.

[@endoffate5475]

Prolly have something to do with the nut/nut slots not being cut properly.

[@patricklundquist9869]

I've had tuning issues caused by a bad string that was slowly unwinding at the nut end. As the bass string goes flat the other strings pull sharp. Tune the bass string back up and the other strings go flat. Also binding at the nut slots, but you know all of that already. Intonation is bridge location and since that is off, don't waste any time or money on the guitar. I threw an embarrassing amount of money into chasing down those problems in a mint condition 40 year old S. Yairi solid mahogany and spruce dreadnought I got for the bargain price of $600. Neck reset, new tuners, new nut, new bridge and saddle. Sure, the intonation is perfect now and it plays like a dream but while the neck was off it was easy to see the sides were laminate, not solid mahogany after all. It sounds about as good as an average Yamaha. I put it on consignment over a year ago for what I originally paid for it and nobody is going to give me a break. Not even a little bit. Money burned. Lesson learned.

[@gwailouh01]

Thank you for this review. Based on your review and a couple of others, shout out to Hayes Tech/Life Post Stroke, I pulled the plug and got the RK-328D for my step-daughter. Lovely guitar. When you were playing, when you were picking, the tone seemed ok but when you were strumming it seemed jangly and never harmonious. Noticed also that the installation of the tuners was not very good (screw holes not aligned and on crooked. Also, the treble side stings don't seem to have much break at the nut. Anyways, stellar review as always. 👍

[@crawdadwatson]

Can you do a video on Gallagher's all TN wood guitar?

[@bikeman1x11]

i watched a review and thought this sounded clearer than a $4k martin

[@MelodyMaker]

Very odd. If the strings are locked...perhaps there's a seating problem. JP.....get Chris to change out the strings and bridge pins while shining his light and mirror on the underside of the bridge for debris. Chris would be as curious as the rest of us.

[@stringsattached67]

One look at the way those strings are on the tuner's tells me why it won't stay in tune.

[@bradgalloway81]

Plz give a review and fair shot to the new 50sJ45 faded series Gibson just came out with. I bought one it blows away any j45 I have played. And blows away to me my HD28 Martin. It shocked me to the core! It sells 2500 US dollars.

[@tedr.]

Change the tuners?

[@robertdavis5495]

I played this guitar at my local guitar center and was shocked because all my other Guilds are really grest for the price. But hopefully it’s putting some food on the Market family table????

[@cohenj45]

I owned a Guild D-35 in the late 70's that had the same problem with tuning and intonation. It was a nice-sounding dreadnaught, but ultimately I got rid of it because I couldn't perform with it. Thanks for the honest review.

[@LegsON]

Did you try to just replace tuning machines?..

[@coolhandluke2310]

Change the strings may help.

[@abeellis4470]

I liked your video. Once I saw the spec’s when it it came out I had a feeling it would be, unfortunately, what you have found.

[@shaddyhacker]

Can you do a Yamaha FG800 review?

[@paulkline3011]

I can review it. I have one and it is a phenomenal guitar. I really don't know how they do it. I have a Yamaha FGX3 also and I can barely tell a difference in the two guitars. I got both guitars setup at the same time and I play both guitars equally. They both play and feel practically identical. JP really should review an FG800.

[@rickflanagan1971]

I’m suggesting ratio tuners….for a different guitar all together. Haha thanx JP

[@barryervin8536]

My local Sam Ash store has these on sale for $250. Personally I wouldn't pay that much for any guitar with those cheap old style tuners. The open gear part of them doesn't bother me, but the spindles not being clamped into the headstock and just wobbling around is a no-no for me.

[@Hikaru109Ichijyo]

Maybe this is a start of a new series, like batman begins / chronicles of the dark knight etc but gotta say chris hit that one out of the park last theory . . . honest reviews, where JP gets a random guitar manufacturer and reviews their acoustics . . . I know some friends who are die hard gibson fans drop 4K+ USD on their electrics that can't stay in tune for more than one song (pop song length say 2-3 mins), like major cents, talking US nickles and dimes, even dang quarters and fitty cent pieces. And then go out and buy another gibson with same issues (my back up guitar). Then I have the epiphone inspired by gibson version for like 700 USD and that stays in tune for days. And when it goes out of tune its like a few cents. That said when I go along to play guitars, sometimes I'll find "the one" gibson, and its got the tone, stays in tune, neck is great, weight is right, balances on strap, no neck dive etc . . . but usually its accounted for or my friends don't want it (its not book matched or that pick up cover looks patina'd and the other one is new etc . .. ) and tell me to get it since I said it's really good one, but money gots to go somewhere else, namely the sidekick featured in the bark knight reference of last theory

[@Ell.Phoenix]

My Marley A20 is the complete opposite of what's described in this review, the action was perfect right out of the box and after the strings settled, it has stayed in tune consistently. This guitar feels and sounds better than some of the higher end $1K+ guitars I've played. Seems the dude got a dud.

[@NicholasANappiNick]

Sounds good looks good but perfect pitch is a curse 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@Ell.Phoenix]

quick update... This guitar is still performing great for me. I changed the strings a couple of weeks ago to Elixir 80/20 nanoweb strings, treated the fret board, and after a couple of stretch adjustments, it's a total cannon and hasn't needed re-tuning since then (I play it at least a few times a week). Love this guitar.

[@jcsmith9518]

Thanks again JP for the honest review. I've had guitars like that before I came to my senses. Q: I'm sure you must of played it in store before paying retail, why did you buy it? For the review perhaps?

[@bramavery9450]

He said it was purchased online.

[@jcsmith9518]

@@bramavery9450 He has always warned to play it before you pay it. Thanks you for your reply and play on.

[@thereyougowithbryan6014]

I played this for all of 60 seconds at the local Guitar Center. It was so bad I had to put it down right away. I've been playing for 53 years and I can tell almost on the first strum. Save your money and buy a good guitar used.

[@denneberg]

What a pity. Maybe it’s Marleys spirit tuning the guitar while you play it. Gaga. Liked the look of the bag.

[@ambu6478]

Thanks! I almost bought one.

[@ryanbloom1738]

Try out the Guild D40 Triditional I own one it's a cannon J.P. The USA dove tail nitro guitars kill it.

[@garryherron9081]

Hi GARRY ME SAYING (BOB WILLS WAS ONE OF THE KIND TO) Yes he played on a D-45 Martin 1941,Hum the sound. Pre War Martin Nice. O.K. WE LOVE YOU BUY FOR NOW.🤠🥴

[@grinningfool34]

Why did you buy it ? Did you not try it out first ? You have dozens of fantastic guitars, I can’t understand why you would buy a bad one.

[@cajunqueen5125]

He mentioned at the start, shipped in from online retailer RedOneMusic.

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

Because he's a content creator, he bought it for review

[@jamesmacdon9351]

I have an ‘04 GAD 50…great guitar…but I prefer my Yamaha LL16 (2018).

[@garypannone7755]

To bad because it sounds so nice.

[@30smsuperstrat]

Hilarious review. First, a claim of perfect pitch🫥🤥. Then, a claim that a guitar can not be tuned🤨. All the while saying the guitar sounds good😵‍💫.

[@soniah4821]

The tuners look very cheap. I would replace them, it might help. Thanks JP.

[@GianoOudeis72]

BUON NATALE

[@michaelmartin4797]

199 today at musicians friend 4/24/2024

[@VicSounds3]

It seams like a fender sponsored video haha

[@acousticaddiction7719]

The guild f-240e jumbo is a much better guitar for slightly more money.

[@guanobucks]

As you have shown we are at a time where $1000 can get you dozens of great guitars…I unfortunately see lots of $500 - $800 guitars that are all blah….and not worth a quarter of the others….a beginner needs to have something that can be tuned

[@Dantoob1]

No Redemption Song for Guild's A20. Could You Be Loved? Doubtful.

[@lhvent]

I have heard the same thing about this guitar. Yamaha is a better bang for the buck. There is another shop in Missouri that got a bunch of these in and sent them right back.

[@dvanolya]

Was it the Acoustic Shoppe in Springfield, Missouri?

[@lhvent]

@@dvanolya yes

[@coolhandluke2310]

Try some electric lettuce. Secret ingredient 😂😂😂

[@MrKingomalley]

Well. You braged about the masterbilt texan. I've had one and was reeeally dissapointed, felt like plastic the hole thing, not worth half its price as far as sound goes. Maybe your guild example got poor intonation, i bet 5-10% of all the mic guitars comes with intonation off. If it sounds good, exchange it for another one.

[@stewartmackey6195]

That was hard to watch , but thanks for trying .

[@dalesearcy5734]

I played one of these guitars when they first came out. I was very disappointed with it. Boxy and quiet. So many other, better guitars in this price range. Good marketing but not so good guitar.

[@dalesearcy5734]

@JP_Cormier who are you?

[@Salvo-g7m]

Do something nice Smash the guitar in the flor and front of you camera.. please

[@richfiryn]

That's not a campfire thrasher, that's a campfire starter. Next.........

[@patrickevelyn8028]

You probably just got a bad one...

[@JimWalkerMusic]

JP I was of the thought you could make any guitar sound good. That one not so much. Sounds plastic to me... like dude said. Campfire starter...

[@Wobbz9413]

Just goes to prove people will still buy crap guitars!

[@dl7509]

I got one used and it's awesome for the momey . You got a dud jp

[@herschelrector8218]

Do not know what you mean by contact "via telegram."