1965 Guild M-20 0-Size Guitar

The serial number on this guy (AH-1957) is a little inconclusive when looking it up on the Guild charts but suggests a 1965 manufacture date. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a year or two later, however, as there are no numbers logged for the next few years on this model.

That said, these little old all-mahogany Guilds make great couch-potato (or stage and session) guitars. They're small, they sound full for their size, they have nice and quick necks (sort-of like same-period Gibsons), they're short scale so they're easy on the fingers, and they look great, too.

People think of these as sort-of an alternate to the Martin 0-15/0-17 models, but I think of them more as their own thing. The Martins are similar but tend to have slightly more bass, a more velvet mids, and a rounder high-end. These Guild models sound like something between a Martin 0-15/0-17 sound mixed with an LG-2 vibe. They're definitely a little woodier and midsier and so they sit beautifully in a mix without tweaking.

Post-repairs, this one is playing bang-on and ready to go.

Repairs included: a neck reset, fret level/dress, new saddle, cleaning, setup.

Weight: 3 lbs 7 oz

Scale length: 24 5/8"

Nut width: 1 5/8"

Neck shape: slim-medium C/hair of D

Board radius: 10"

Body width: 13 3/4"

Body depth: 4 1/4"

Top wood: solid mahogany

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: x

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 52w, 40w, 30w, 22w, 16, 12 custom set

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium

Condition notes: it's all-original save a new saddle and new bone nut. The headstock veneer will not stay down on the treble side of the headstock but it's not obvious unless you're look at it from that angle. I've pictured that. The finish is in overall really clean shape and is the normal satin for the time. It does have the usual light weather-check and crazing like you'd expect and a little edge wear here and there. There are two, old, smaller, repaired side cracks near the endpin area that I've also pictured. They're out of sight, though, as they're on the treble side of the lower bout.

It comes with: a ratty old chip case for storage purposes.