NGD - Guild M120.

Mr Grumpy

Mr Grumpy

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So, I went to buy a strat, didn't see one that I really liked and ended up getting a mini Martin acoustic instead; I hadn't done any research, but I just liked it.

Took it home then after two days returned it to the shop; it was ugly, especially the neck, didn't play well, was a bit cramped to chord on and didn't sound good. It was comfortable to play, it was nice having a little acoustic around, the preamp/tuner was very good - just felt it was pricey for what it was.

Did some research and decided upon a Guild M120 from a shop in Seoul I know that I've bought from before with good results.

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It cost US$100 more than the Martin and doesn't have electronics, but comes with a really tough but light foam case - first signs are good.
 
It has a beautiful honey gloss finish that looks great. First look around the guitar doesn't show any problems, just prettiness from a young lady born June 2017 and set up well - tuned up nicely from half a step down and the intonation is there too. Tuners look and feel good. Just a much better looking guitar than the Martin, imho.

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It's all solid mahogany with a bone nut and bone compensated saddle. Not sure if the colour comes across in the pictures, but looks better than I'd imagined!

Here's a clip that shows the colours well (although I reckon mine looks even better...):

 
I really love mine, it's a fantastic and well built guitar! I hope yours performs for you as well as mine does for me...
 
First playing impressions are positive: much more room on the fretboard, feels wider fret to fret and string to string than the Martin; the tuners are great (as were the Martin tuners, functionally, but these look great too); nut is cut better than the Martin, rosewood board and bridge are muuuuuuuch more to my liking than the functional but ugly and unwoodlike bakelite on the Martin (nothing wrong with that material, but I want to oil a neck from time to time). Feels bigger on my lap than the Martin did, but comfortable and just looks sexy all the time.

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The neck is quite wide which does help basic chord shapes, and notes are ringing out very nicely with strumming. I kinda expected this guitar to be a picking guitar, which maybe it is, but the strumming sounds, now that I've played some more, are very musical and pretty big - pleasantly surprised there.
 
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Sp8ctre said:
I really love mine, it's a fantastic and well built guitar! I hope yours performs for you as well as mine does for me...
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They are great, aren't they - not sure why folks are buying the GSmini and small Martins when these are around? I suppose it just depends on your needs and tastes - this M120 certainly has a very distinct midrangey quality to it; I like it, but it doesn't give a rainbow of colours like a dreadnought would, and it's not as loud as a GSmini, and not as big guitar sounding as the Martin dreadnaught junior (which was another one I considered, similar price with electornics too although an average gigbag only included).
 
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Mr Grumpy said:
They are great, aren't they - not sure why folks are buying the GSmini and small Martins when these are around? I suppose it just depends on your needs and tastes - this M120 certainly has a very distinct midrangey quality to it; I like it, but it doesn't give a rainbow of colours like a dreadnought would, and it's not as loud as a GSmini, and not as big guitar sounding as the Martin dreadnaught junior (which was another one I considered, similar price with electornics too although an average gigbag only included).
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True it's not as big and boomy, but parlor size guitars were not meant to be earth sahttering load or bass heavy.

What is does give is a very nice crisp clear tone all it's own...and just look at how beautiful it is!
 
Congrats GRUMP ----she is a looker
acoustics are a hard critter to deal with IMHO----it has taken decades of trial and error for me to find one that I didnt sell/trade off.........so many SEEm good in the store but after a few days ........meh....

I have 1 acoustic......I accept it--- I like it ---- it lounges unsoiled in its case 360 days a year......its 40+ years old ----its "retired" for the most part lol
but I HAVE ONE.
 
eSGEe said:
so many SEEm good in the store but after a few days ........meh....
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Yeah, I feel that way about many geetars, but this one is gonna be played, we will get old together, they'll be battle scars and rot, but we'll still love each other!

(I've just been lying on my bed, touching her...)
 
RVA said:
It is beautiful!
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jtcnj said:
Congrats thats a beauty!
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Thank you, Gentlemen. I must admit, even though I've probably had around 10 acoustics (including stuff I've bought for the wife), and this one is miles above (in beauty, playability and sound) anything I've had other than an Ibanez AW400 which was lovely, but uncomfortable being a dreadnought.

RVA said:
However, I have opted to impose a waiting period on my congratulations for your new gear - say, 30 days (standard applicable return period)?
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Haha, very sensible, but this one will be played daily; this one is gonna take my playing to the low (very low...) intermediate level, playing with friends, lessons - this is the one!

jtcnj said:
Hope the honeymoon never ends.
I've been meaning to spend some acoustic time; this has me inspired to do so!
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Yeah, acoustic time is good even though it can be long and far between.


Edit to add, I am trying to do some fingerpicking, just very easy rhythms off G, C and D by plucking the low E and a root of the major chord together then starting off a little run, maybe ending in a thumb strum then into another chord, and this guitar sounds as good as anything I've played - I should imagine a good player would great tunes out of this.
 
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Congrats, Grumpy!

Guild is one of those guitar makers that is just plain good. They make a very respectable guitar and you should be very happy with it.

Now, you've got me tempted...
 
^ thanks, JG. What acoustic are you playing at the moment?

smitty_p said:
Guild is one of those guitar makers that is just plain good. They make a very respectable guitar and you should be very happy with it.
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I never knew anything about them before, but I could imagine them becoming a favoured brand very quickly if this one is anything to go by. Guitars are not cheap here, and this one cost me $710 delivered including pro setup (it seems very well set up, as the Cort was that I got from the same shop - and this really makes a difference; I was probably harsh on the Martin because it was so badly set up; not the guitars fault!), tuner, strings, bits 'bobs, so it should be good - and it is. It's better than I'd hoped. I can't find a fault on the quality, fit and finish, anything yet. I love the mother of pearl in the neck, not bloody plastic that you get on a $1500 Gibson SG standard... :mad: The neck joins, the traditional tuners, the body joins, the inside bracing, you can see it has been done by craftsman (ok, with modern manufacturing help!) to a high standard. I should imagine the American made M20 that Spectre is gazzing for must be really amazing.
 
Hackmaster said:
Saw an all mahogany GS Mini in the local trader recently for $325. Really thinking about jumping on it.
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Thank you, and didn't realize Taylor made them to that spec, should be very nice.

Kerry Brown said:
Very nice and definitely more character than the Martin. I really like the vintage style open back tuners.
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Not as spectacular as your new acoustic, Kerry, but a fun little guitar that I hope to improve on. We will see, but it feels like a little guitar that could hang around for years or decades and get better and better. I really like the case too; so light, but strong - you could put it in a plane hold, no problem.
 
Mr Grumpy said:
Not as spectacular as your new acoustic, Kerry, but a fun little guitar that I hope to improve on. We will see, but it feels like a little guitar that could hang around for years or decades and get better and better. I really like the case too; so light, but strong - you could put it in a plane hold, no problem.
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As nice as the Larrivee is it is not something that will get a lot of use. My Taylor GS Mini fills that duty very nicely. It is smaller, plays easier, sounds great, and is way less valuable if it gets damaged. You need the right tool for the job. That Guild looks like it is a tool that will serve you well.
 
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