Guild M-20, M-120, M-240E Troubadour, and Fender Malibu Classic Comparison - Concert size guitars

Comparison of the USA made Guild M-20E, import Guild M-120, import Fender Malibu Classic, and import Guild M-240E Troubadour guitars. One day I realized I could get my hands on all four guitars and thought it would be a good way to look at a variety of guitars that are nearly identical in size, but made with different materials, or in different countries. Also include details on a variety of gig bags and a case, including the Guild Premium Gig Bag, Fender FAS-620, and Guild Wood Archtop Case.
CONCERT SIZE GUITARS
39 inch overall length
18 inch body length
Lower bout - 13 3/4 inches
Upper bout 10 1/4 inches
Depth at heel - 4 inches
All have maple bridge plates
GUILD M-240E TROUBADOUR with DeArmond Tone Boss Pickup
Laminated Mahogany back and sides with arched back - no back braces
Solid Spruce top. Solid sitka spruce braces
1 11/16" nut width - C Shape mahogany neck
Fingerboard (16” radius) and bridge Pau Ferro,
24 3/4" scale length
Satin Poly finish
Soundhole 3 5/8”
No case - purchased Gator GBE-Classic gig bag
FENDER MALIBU CLASSIC - Fishman undersaddle pickup
Solid Mahogany back and sides
Solid Spruce Top
Mahogany neck with Slim C shape
Pau Ferro Fretboard (16” radius) and bridge
24.1” scale length
Gloss Poly finish
Comes with Fender Deluxe gig bag - FAS-620
GUILD M-120 - No pickup
Solid African Mahogany, Solid Scalloped Sitka Spruce braces
1 3/4" nut C shaped mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard (16” radius) and bridge,
24 3/4" scale length bone nut and saddle
Gloss Poly finish
Comes with Guild Premium gig bag
GUILD M-20E with LR Baggs VTC pickup
Solid African Mahogany top, back, sides, neck Rosewood Bridge and Fingerboard
1 3/4" C shape mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard (12” radius) and bridge,
24 3/4" scale length
Soundhole - 3 11/16"
Satin Nitro
Comes with Guild Hard Case
BRACING DETAILS - Interestingly, all guitars had differences in braces, even the M-20 and M-120
M-20 X Brace 1.5” from soundhole,
2 Tone bars
1 Side Tone bar on each side
Top Plate
3 -Scalloped soundhole braces
Fender Malibu Classic X Brace - 1” from sound hole
1 Tone bar
1 Side tone bar on each side
2 - Soundhole strips
Top plate
M-120 X Brace 1.5” from sound hole
2 Tone bars
1 Side tone bar each side
No Top Plate
Thicker sound hole braces
M-240E
X brace - 1.25 from sound hole
1 Tone Bar
2 Side tone bars each side
1 sound hole strip on bottom
1 Top plate

[@im58woody]

The M20 is definitely the best one to listen to and for sure the best looking one.

[@PaoloFraniTroutandOutdoor]

The fender sound like a toy, the m20 is an incredible guitar but for the price the m120 is really a must have! The m240 is an honest and goodlooking little guitar, sound really good with a setup (it comes with an high action and some daddario strings that sounds like a can, I mounted martin retro light custom on my m240 and now sounds rellay good! And lowered the action...)

[@BaktaBak3]

Great review on all these gems. The Guild M-20 is very nice and would be my pick, however, was very surprised how good the other 3 sounded (especially the Fender Malibu) at a much more affordable price. All would be a wonderful choice for beginners or pro's giggin out.🎸🎸🎸 Thanks for this video ! Very helpful.

[@bobaldo2339]

The made in CA Guilds all have a 12" fretboard radius (which I like, and am used to). The import Guilds all have a 16" (flatter) fretboard radius. Why? I really don't have any idea. The same thing is true of Gibsons. The standard (made in USA) Gibsons also have a 12" radius.

[@freddieblue6351]

The M-20 is a gem.

[@ifredrock]

Nice video. I own a m120e. I love this guitar. It came in a nice hardcase. The strings were a bit to high. I had them adjust by an expert. New its even better.

[@iancandler5446]

I have a guild M120 but it differs from yours in that though the construction and woods used (all solid mahogany) it has a plain logo head stock, a shorter scale length (24”) and came complete with the guild hard case though no built in humidifier. I picked it up brand new here in the uk from a major retailer for £499 approx 7 - 8 yrs ago. The waverly style tuners are superb, i once left it tuned up in its case for over 6 months and when I pulled it out it was still in perfect tune! This guitar is my keeper along with a epiphone zenith Archtop and a cheap little vintage parlour which sounds great for £135 and it doesn’t matter if my carers bash it about a bit as it can be readily replaced. i loved the side by side test including both strumming and finger style.

[@boxcarfigaro1423]

I believe the previous iteration of the 120 models didn't have the Chesterfield inlay. I've been quite happy with the Guild tuners, even on the Troubadour

[@michaelwitten8730]

Very nice video Boxcar Figaro. The Guild M-20 was quite impressive, but they all sound good.

[@im58woody]

I really like Fender gig bags like yours.

[@rmzzz76]

Closed my eyes an listened to them all... I actually prefer the tone of the m120 over the m20, but think the M20 looks nicer. When I watch observing the guitars I like the tone of the m20... Strange.

[@JohnMoseley]

I've played the M-120. It's a beautiful sounding guitar. I do wish it wasn't gloss, though. I tried the Troubador at the same time and quite liked it, but didn't find it that playable. Might have needed a set-up.

[@bertbregdenz2756]

i own troubadour and m120 both are good for the money. perhaps later i replace the m120 with m20. kind regards from berlin 🌻

[@Dani-fo9rh]

i liked the guild m20 the most but all the other guitars are good

[@rook2759]

I have both and in the room, it's no comparison. The M20 is head and shoulders above the M120. The M120 is really boxy.

[@jmmusic9297]

I was surprised by how good the Fender sounded. How was the action on the Fender? How about on the other guitars?

[@123logmeon]

Personally I thought they all lack in tone.. if I chose one, it would be the m-240… none sound ve near as good as my Gibson j45, which I agree costs 4 x the amount of these.. I think the Guilds I have seen have way to muck finish on them, they are pretty but that finish is a tone killer.. I like the all mahogany guilds but they just don’t have good tone I think cuz of the finish.. I have seriously thought of buying one and sanding that finish off..

[@bobaldo2339]

I have a Guild D-20, all hog made in CA satin finish. It is my favorite acoustic.

[@jeromerice3448]

I like the darker tone of the M-20.

[@romysan1]

yeah, the m20 = very nice.

[@KenSwiatek]

Guild makes a $69 case that has better protection for the M-240E. Not as nice as the M-120 one, but ....

[@John-wr6yo]

They all sound like tin

[@G_Demolished]

Call an Otalaryngologist.