1958 Guild M-20 0-Size Guitar

Overview: Who doesn't like an M-20? From the moment this guy walked in the shop, everyone who saw it was smitten. Jose and Jacobi, in particular, kept picking it up and playing it before we even started work on it. Aside from being a (slightly) more affordable take on a '50s Martin 0-15, these guitars also do their own thing deliciously-well. The necks are Gibson-like in feel and the sound is a lot like the aforementioned 0-15 and 0-17 models, save that they have a woodier sound to them with less midrange scoop than a Martin. So -- maybe like a blend between an LG-2 and 0-15?

Because of that and also because of the cozy, small body, these (along with their F-20 stablemates) are among my favorite "small guitars" you can buy. They're not "blow your socks off" at first strum but they're practical, sturdy and will flit into a lot of styles really easily.

Plus, you know, they look great. This one's clean and it has all the cool '50s features -- the "open book" headstock shape, old-style logo, earlier label in the soundhole, more-interesting pickguard, and "back over the heel" design that the company also adapted onto some of their hollowbody electrics from the time.

Repairs included: Jacobi gave it a level/dress of the frets and adjusted the saddle and setup. There are a couple of old repairs to center-seam separation cracks on the top and back that are holding pat. It's playing bang-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 3 lbs 8 oz
• Scale length: 24 11/16"
• Nut width: 1 19/32"
• Neck shape: medium C
• Board radius: ~8"
• Depth at first fret: 0.89"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.94"
• Body width: 13 5/8"
• Body depth: 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: 54w-12 lights
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium

Condition notes: It appears to be all-original save bridge pins and a newer bone saddle. There are light scratches and scuffs here and there and mild weather-checking but overall it's in excellent shape. I think it may have been refretted at some point. The saddle is also on the low side but it's been here a while and it's the middle of summer and the action hasn't changed (we climate control here but it still gets a little more humid in summer than in other seasons in the shop).

It comes with: It's got a good hard case.

Consignor tag: AXBD