Guild M-120 vs. M-140 | Which is the Best Concert-Sized Acoustic?

[@paulv.7279]

Thank you so much for this video! I have the m120 and I play it as often as I can, more than my other, more expensive guitars. I bought it because i wanted a small body sized acoustic to go on holidays with but in the end its extreme playability, it’s versatile tone (at least to my hears) made it my number 1. I discovered Nick Drake thanks to this video (and I immediately fell in love with his music). Thank you!!! Cheers from France

[@TheRycooder]

The 120 had SUCH an AMAZING TONE....WOW Richer, deep and the clarity was was awesome. LOVE it. Plus the fact you're playing as usual was beautiful!

[@jimmextorf7785]

Great video Cooper. I've been looking at the 120s and 140s for a while now. Also, I'm a big fan of your playing. Every time I watch one of your videos I immediately I feel the need to pick up one my guitars and start practicing/playing. Thank you.

[@lowellcalavera6045]

I’ve been hooked on the mahogany tops for a long time, but that 140 sure sounds good. None of the other “big” guitar makers have anything even near this quality for $700.

[@DG-mv6zw]

Man, you could play a french baguette and you'd still manage to make it sound fantastic. Thanks so much for the review. Always extremely helpful to us mere mortals. 👍

[@paulv8453]

Beautiful playing Cooper. It’s my mission in life to learn Topanga. I loved the sound of the all mahogany. Very nice!

[@ukestudio3002]

Wow ! Love the honesty about set-up & difficulties playing . Things NEVER admitted to on other channels. I’m assuming too, that mics were unprocessed after ? Anyway good demo, good playing & you got my interest for the m-140 . Sprightlier tone ( other a bit dark for me). I’ll remember the Alamo !

[@TheJamesOPhillips]

I have the Guild M-140, and I like mine. I had a complete action setup and I think that is what makes the difference. Both are really bang for your buck guitars no matter what you prefer, spruce top vs. mahogany top.

[@gailreineke7186]

Screwing up or not, you're an excellent guitarist. I've been a lifelong fan of all mahogany guitars. Cedar ranks right up there. And yes, I could tell you were enjoying the mahogany one more.

[@texhaines9957]

Sounds good and nice comparison. You folks already sold me on the AD22E all mahogany. I liked the the 140 as I think it matches my voice better when singing. Although I did like the warmth of the 120.

[@paulgregory1896]

Wonderfully honest review and interesting look at these guitars. Thanks man.

[@sunvalleydrivemusic]

Such a great and honest review. Thanks!

[@pttrent123]

After only having acoustic, I now have only electric and need to get an acoustic, thanks for the demo, great playing!

[@nicolen.9642]

I'm no snob. MIC guitars are well made and affordable. To play with friends or on the couch, it's great. I love the spruce top one. Thanks Cooper for this delightful review! 🎶🎶🎶

[@leelossi1257]

both are great guitars! especially love the m120! You are such a wonderful guitar player....and modest. Thanks Cooper

[@AlSnoopsReid]

Wow, as a old guy from the UK, I'm totally amazed that you have heard of Nick Drake. He was my idol in about 1970 when I was 17 yrs old. I keep sending links to his songs to any musician I come across from the USA, hoping they will see just what a talent he was. River Man is my all time favourite. What's yours Cooper??

[@williamcatalano1762]

River Man is amazing and my favorite of his too.

[@mikedovsky]

Hello Al, I'm from the US and appear to be the same age as you. I have the Guild M-120L (lefty). I heard of the Nick Drake reference to the guitar but didn't look him up until now. Why? Because of your enthusiastic mention of him in the comments. So I looked him up on youtube. Wow, I can't believe I never heard of him back in the day. What a shame he died so young.

[@donklink4571]

I am moving toward an all hog guitar after hearing this demo. Thanks Cooper you play so well.

[@charlesbranch4120]

Nice review, Cooper. It looked like the M-140 was less comfortable to play than the M-120, and I appreciate your explanation of the action height. After trying out the Breedlove Organic Concert that I gave to my son in law (along with a Taylor Academy 12e to thin out the 2020 collection), I had to add the great deal on a Jeff Bridges signature model, which has the same tone woods, but the semi gloss finish seems to be more gloss, and not yet sounding as warm and open as the first. It'll get there, and so will I. Thanks and May Day is a Happy Lei Day in Hawaii. (Aloha shirt Friday with Stetson for school.) My case rack is still full, but I'm sure I can find a new home for the Academy 12 mahogany neck... Likely a grandkid. 😊

[@gailreineke7186]

The mahogany sounds richer and more mellow than the spruce. However, they are both excellent. I have a cedar top Takamine and spruce top. I love the cedar.

[@lorigilmore5521]

I love the sound of the mahogany. Wonderful.

[@seanhopkins3758]

I vote for the M120. The low end was missing from the M140. Plus the all hog look is exceptional!!!

[@FlorenciaE]

Beautiful playing ❤️❤️❤️

[@fredviancos2948]

looking for a comparison or review on the Inspired by Gibson Epiphones

[@mikec6947]

Hey, Cooper. Great demo. What is that song you were playing. It sounds so familiar, from somewhere deep in my past (like before you were born)😀.

[@123logmeon]

I like the m120… a CV nice warm, full tone and a very balanced sound.. seriously considering one.. good review!

[@bryantdunn7984]

I really liked the warmth of the all Mahogany.

[@williamzimmer4382]

I have both, the M-129 and the M-140. They are excellent small body guitars, well suited to relaxing on the sofa or intimate performance. High quality, good price, try them out and you will like one or both.

[@DL-yc4pm]

Very sweet sounding guitars. I prefer the m120, but gotta keep fresh strings on her.

[@pertjacanape]

A lovely song and soothing play.

[@TWC6724]

Gosh, I’m loving the hear all mahogany guitars!

[@davidrichardson25]

You cannot go wrong with a Guild guitar. I have an F-250 Jumbo and absolutely love the guitar. I also have a Taylor 224 Deluxe K, that's a beautiful guitar but sound wise and playability, I grab the Jumbo every time...

[@yogarich]

Thanks for demoing these two Cooper. I have developed a love of smaller guitars in the past few years. I have been considering one of these guitars as a possible addition to my collection. I have to say I think I like sound of the M120 the best. It really has a warm, round sound. I really like the song you did the demo with. I'm curious what it was. Very nice playing as always! I look forward to more Guild offerings.

[@anthonyb2334]

Thank you Cooper. Great video and great playing. I’ve watched this video twice and the one you and Chris did comparing the M120 and the OM version. I was very impressed and found a used M120( sorry, couldn’t afford new). I purchased the M120 and have been playing it about a week now. A great and fun little guitar. No, it doesn’t sound as good as my Martin 0015 but this sure is a sweet little player. I love that compressed mahogany sound, and this small size is so easy to play up and down the neck. For this size guitar I think the mahogany top shines over the spruce. I didn’t have much luck with Guild the past 10 years but this is a keeper. Thank you again for a great video

[@magnate5]

do you have the 12 or 14 fret Martin? Martin 0015M or 0015SM?

[@anthonyb2334]

@@magnate5 I have a 0015m 14 fret AND a 00015sm 12 fret. The 00015sm is my favorite of all my guitars

[@CharlotteHoogenboom]

I really like the mahogany top better. It was loud and warm in a way that made my ears happy.

[@barrios4458]

Nice tune ,is there a sheet or tab available?

[@HiggaionSelah_EWFMG]

☑️👍all Hog _all the way ‼️🤩😝 I chose my M-120 over the M-140 not only cause it's much warmer tones but the all African Hog was stunningly beautiful verigated wood esthetic that Guild simply won't put on the Sitka top because they choose more evenly grained wood for the traditional pairing style 👌

[@bulldaagg]

i def want to see more about Guild.. an forgotten name. and remember, music ain't bout perfection :) play more full out chords

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Nice playing dude

[@timnewman1172]

Is Guild going to make an American version of the OM-120? As awesome as the M-20 is, an OM version would be incredible!

[@lowellcalavera6045]

😂 I’ve actually been hoping for the same thing.

[@johng1339]

The mic didn't move--the spruce-topped sound MUCH quieter; mahogany had a much broader range with remarkable bass response for the size of the guitar. The spruce sounded anemic. I did not change any settings on this end. What gives?

[@bailey123198]

On the M-120, does Alamo Music install pick-ups if requested by purchaser? (Enjoyed your playing and explanations on setup influence on sound !)

[@duanerykhus9425]

Thank you :)

[@bobaldo2339]

Unfortunately, from my point of view - as an owner of 3 made in USA Guilds - all their imports have a 16" fretboard radius instead of the more comfortable 12" fretboard radius found on all their US acoustic models. Of course most acoustics (except for US made Guilds, standard series Gibsons, and oddly enough Eastmans, have a less rounded fretboard - usually 16", or 15").

[@mikedovsky]

Interesting how our tastes differ. I have the M-120L and a reimagined Martin 00-18L each with the 16" fretboard radius which I prefer over a 12" fretboard radius. Different strokes for differnt folks.

[@christopheraaron8299]

My only concert size guitar is my Fender Malibu Player. I like it, but the sound is lacking something. It doesn't have the depth that my dreadnaught size Oscar Schmidt has or the soul that my Ovation has. Honestly, what I'd really like to do is install the Hyvibe effects system in it. A little reverb or chorus makes it sound a lot better, and it would be nice to have that without pedals or an amp. I'd settle for the Tonewood Amp system, but I'd really rather have Hyvibe.

[@tjyootoob]

Hey Cooper. Great reviews. Isn’t the M-2 known as the Nick Drake guitar?

[@sallybowles2781]

is it possible to add a pickup to these guitars? what pickup would be best?

[@richardharding9975]

I'm a left handed player. For a concert size good but affordable, for me anyway. The Guild m120 or Alamos also reviewed Taylor Academy 12? I've been playing about7 months playing a Fender cc60s. Guitar shops are few and far between around here so trying either out is an iffy proposition. Thoughts? Both sound good to me. Thanks. And this video is great as always.

[@mikedovsky]

II'm a left handed player as well. I purchased my Guild M-120L in May 2022. The store where I purchased it from did a nice setup on it. And I would say to order it from a local store so they can do the setup and make adjustments if needed. I played an Academy 12 and the sound IMHO was not nearly as good as the Guild. The Guild body is solid African Mahogany (the neck is 3 piece Mahogany). The Academy is layered not solid wood. The Academy feels more like a beginner guitar. The guild feels & plays like a real guitar. The concert size guitar is great for finger style and some flat picking. I waited a month and a half for my Guild after I placed my order. The Guild fit and finish was perfect, I could not find a single flaw. The gig back is also very high quality. The sound is balanced and I would say mellow as it is a concert size guitar. As you know, if you are looking for an under $1000.00 left handed concert sized guitar, there are not many choices out there. I keep the M-120 on a stand ready to play when the mood hits.

[@mikedovsky]

@@richardharding9975 You're welcome.

[@Thomas-fh5wg]

Heard alot more sound from the mahogany I really couldn't tell what the 140 sounded like. The 120 sounded great for a small guitar.

[@Umbe-U]

Ti ringrazio molto per la tua ottima spiegazione sulle due chitarre , adesso ho le idee più chiare e per me la M 120 è la preferita e sicuramente è quella che acquisterò ! P.s. bello il brano che hai suonato ! Sicuramente è anche merito del chitarrista...sei bravissimo 👍

[@terencephilipstrydom4838]

The mahogany solid top wins! Way more volume and clarity and warmth!

[@ThePonDePon]

It's funny how you post this video right when guild Became a big dot on my radar

[@dartht.3736]

Is that sound hole bigger on the 120? It looks huge!

[@badscrew4023]

I preferred the 120!

[@johnchaumont6234]

Gee, mate! You would make a cardboard guitar sound great! I liked the sound of the M120 better. Thanks for your review.

[@tomsilk1235]

Curious as to why a comparison is done when the setup is not the same on both guitars? How can anyone judge?

[@sisterursuline]

Set up isn’t going to fundamentally change tone the way comparing different tonewoods will.

[@Sjobeck7]

The OM 120 is the best!

[@SeaDrive300]

You, once again, neglected to include the link to the podcast, Cooper. What's wrong with you? ;-)

[@marco_cee_]

What tune is this? 🤔

[@sdb6757]

I think the M-240e Troubadour sounds comparable at a much better price.

[@ianshadrick1414]

Love that 120!

[@davidgonzales2940]

Sorry should be m120 dark brown

[@jacobbockover1628]

They are cheep buy 2. I prefer the mohagany but i see the scoopy tone of the spruce has its place

[@climber7565]

I appreciate your demo videos my friend! your honesty and skill! I can say I am not a fan of those two. Is probably more because I have Taylor guitars, enough said.

[@knightlydude777]

Whats the name of the song?

[@AlamoMusic]

It's a song I wrote called "Topanga." - Cooper

[@riccardo5281]

@@AlamoMusic Any tabs for it? Or a lesson, better still? *-*

[@williamknell864]

The 120 sounded way more present and lively. The 140 sounded muted, lacked any increased "sprucey" definition i was expecting. That could be down to your comfort and ability to execute on over the other. A pretty glaring difference. Really goes to show, there's nothing quite like picking up a good acoustic that's really dialed in

[@SuperEdge67]

The hog top sounds richer, fuller and thicker.

[@franciscoramoncleriguesrov7187]

I play only parlor guitars ,only have parlors, my hand small… this models are beatyful aspect y sound

[@WyMustIGo]

You did not record them at the same level and with the same EQ

[@TheGuitarsquatch]

There's something about small body all hogs

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I have an original M-20 Ghost label in near mint condition. . Excellent guitar, narrow nut makes it all but unplayable.

[@chickenlickin3820]

i'm on the other side of planet earth what can i do?

[@lioneloddo]

start digging...

[@johnwashburn3793]

You sound great to me. Slalom.

[@bjwzwart]

Are these made in china?

[@b.j.surfdog3724]

No.....you can blame the guitar for "Poor Performance" , especially if the action is too high and a poor to non-existant setup from the factory.