M-20 & strings & noob

[imnotarobot]

hi everyone
very new to this forum. i am sure there must be a way to search threads for the guild m-20 - but i cannot figure out how (m-20 is too short a search term). so apologies in advance for starting a new one.
i am very much a guitar beginner - played some electric guitar in my teens, abandoned it when stardom didnt happen, and only recently started practicing again on an old acoustic a friend lent me. i could remember a couple of chords from back then, but apart from that, i am a total noob.
i have been wanting to buy a guitar for myself for a while now, tried some in the local shops, listened to lots of recordings of different guitars online - and fell in love with the guild m-20.
i am super excited today, b/c i am about to pick up a used m-20 (reissue). i think i would like to restring it, and am wondering if anyone could give me (noob) some advice re what strings would be a good match? i realise this must be very subjective, but i wouldnt know where to start except phosphor / bronze?
ps - how do you tell whether it is time to restring an instrument?
many thanks in advance!

 

[GGJaguar]

Welcome to LTG and congrats on your M-20! I think phosphor bronze are a good place to start as it came from the factory with that type of string. From there you can try 80/20, monel and others. And string type can sound a bit different between brands, too. If you play the guitar a lot, you'll know when it's time to change strings. They will begin to sound dull and may not stay in tune as well. When I was playing regularly in an acoustic group (and practiced every day), I needed to change strings every 3-4 weeks. But my hand are dry. Sweaty hands kill strings faster.

Oh, and here's a neat trick for searching this site. Go to google.com and type in:
site:letstalkguild.com M-20 strings

And we love pix so please post some photos of your new M-20 and tell us how you like it!

 

[Stuball48]

Welcome and love that username. Lots of great folks here who share their information, freely.
I am a prime example of ignorance being educated so come back often and share your thoughts.

 

[Guildedagain]

Tiny guitar, tiny strings?

Guild M-20 what strings?

As I'm counting down to the arrival of my M-20 (last tracking check showed it in Greensboro, NC and on schedule for a 7/29 delivery), knowing the strings on it are probably original (1965) I'll take it in to the shop on Thursday. I use D'Addario extra light pbs on all my guitars, can any of you...

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[Westerly Wood]

I think a set of D'Addario EJ16 would work nice and worth a go. They are super affordable.

 

[mavuser]

John Pearse 11's (550-SL) are perfect for M-20

 

[walrus]

Welcome!

walrus

 

[Westerly Wood]

John Pearse 11's (550-SL) are perfect for M-20

I have tried these JP strings and they are super bright. They play great too. they are quite popular on the string forums etc sites...really high reviews.

 

[imnotarobot]

thank you everyone for the warm welcome & the plentiful replies!
it was a proper daytrip picking up the m-20, got home tired & late, but could not detach myself from it for many hours. id say the m-20 has been played a lot, i am at least its 3rd owner, and the guy i picked it up from is a professional musician. the satin finish (that i only i know from internet pictures), is closer to a muted gloss, and the neck has darkened to a coffee black, it almost looks like a burst where it meets the headstock.
the guitar has some smaller scratches & dents, but as far as i can tell everything critical is in good condition. i liked the guy who sold me the guitar if that matters (i think it does). i think the sound is phenomenal, but i dont have much to compare it to. internet recordings really only tell you this much.
the first owner removed the pickguard. i like what that does in terms of looks, but unsure about functionality. the guitar sounds best to me without a pick, but still, wondering whether i should take it to a shop to have a new one installed. might do this anyway to have it checked or setup, though that doesnt really feel necessary? it plays really well, as far as me total beginner can tell. loving it. below some pics (it looks much darker in reality, chocolate like. my camera thinks differently)

ps - there is a humidifier installed in the case, i have never used sth like that. do i just soak this in water? humidity in my apartment is between 50-60%. for the time being i would much prefer to keep the guitar outside the case..

 

[GGJaguar]

That's some nice looking mahogany! Leave the pg off unless you start to see scratches on the top. You can always put one on later. If you're sure the humidity is 50-60%, you should be fine to leave it out of the case. Have fun!

 

[Guildedagain]

really high reviews.

lol

 

[mavuser]

i would not use that case humidifier. have heard a couple stories about that sponge falling out and nothing good comes from that. just get a humidifier that hangs between the strings if u need one

 

[Westerly Wood]

I have always only used Kyser Lifeguards to keep my Guilds properly humidified. You just fit them in the soundhole when not playing. I leave them out on stands all year long. I live in a rather dry part of the country.

 

[GGJaguar]

I have always only used Kyser Lifeguards to keep my Guilds properly humidified.

I used them and they worked well. Unfortunately, they also react with gloss nitrocellulose finishes (even though they say it's safe for nitro) so I had to stop using them. They don't seem to be a problem with satin nitro and definitely are not a problem with polyurethane finishes.