new build Guild D-20

I decided to get a new one these rather than take the risk of buying second hand.

It's all mahogany construction, made in Oxnard, USA. I don't know much about guitars but I previously had a Martin D-16 which I gave to a girlfriend(now since departed).

I would say it compares very well with the similar price Martin. The Martin sounded a bit brighter but this could be down to the Guild's all mahogany build.

THE D-20 has a warm, rich tone which was somewhat lacking in the Martin(although this was a very competent guitar), it sounded a bit metallic in comparison.

I appreciate the fact that Guild uses natural materials on the bridge and saddle like proper wood and bone rather than the synthetic materials used in Martin's of this price range. I am assuming this must make a difference to the sound - a bit like wearing cotton rather than nylon

It does not have much in the way of bling apart from the vintage style open tuners. It is surprisingly light.

Any criticisms? - The string spacing appears to be narrower than the Martin making it slightly more difficult to play, I also had concerns about the upheaval caused by Guild's factory location change to Oxnard but at first glance this appears unjustified because the fit and finish appears very good.

I would recommend it as a very versatile, good value guitar particularly if you are paying US prices(rather than British).

Welcome aboard.

Enjoy the D-20.

I'm with you on just about everything you said. I also had a D 20 when they were 1st being made. I really liked that guitar a lot. A good bang for the buck I would say. I had to sell it to fund another unforeseen expense (I hate when that happens) but I'll get another at some point. I have 3 other Oxnard built models as well and each of them are a real joy to play. Any concern I may have had about Oxnard built guitars has left my head and now it's even emptier than usual.

tje1, congrats on the new D20. I lived with one for a few months
but found I preferred the tone of a somewhat similar guitar, an all-hog flat-back Corona-era D25.
Also had a Martin D16, the RGT variant, was my go-to guitar for a time, but sold it to get another Guild :emmersed:

I used to have a Guild D50 that had narrow string spacing. The nut had plenty of room on the outsides of the 6 and 1 strings. I took it to a luthier and she installed a new nut with wider string spacing. It was much easier to play.

Jim

Congratulations on your new D-20. It's a fine choice and I'm sure it will bring many years of enjoyment

Thank you for the replies. My only other criticism is that it does not seem particularly loud for a dreadnought particularly with finger picking, but this was not what I was looking for and it may be because it is new and the strings are stiff.