D-20 owners?

[GuildyAsHell]

After years as a small body acoustic enthusiast, I want to get a dread. The D-20 in Vintage Sunburst checks almost all my preference boxes both aesthetically and sonically, at least from what I can tell from pics, reviews, and videos. The only thing I’d prefer is a “Gibson” scale length. I have some left wrist issues and small hands so the lesser tension is appealing, but I’m sure with the right strings and proper setup I can deal with the scale. I imagine a few of you own, or have played this model, so what are your opinions on it? I’m primarily a strummer who also sings. Though I struggle to do both well at the same time.

 

[GuildyAsHell]

Crickets?

 

[RBpicker]

I love my D20. I’ve been playing for 60+ years and this guitar is so satisfying. Big, rich, beautiful tone. For accompanying vocals it is wonderful. My other dread is a J45 and I don’t feel any difference in the effort it takes to play the Guild, and I’m not a big guy. I have them both tuned down a half step to accommodate my voice, and actually use 11s on the Guild with no noticeable loss of tone or volume.

The workmanship is very good overall. Just a great American-built classic.

When the D40s become available, I’ll probably add one of those as well...so easy to play and I love the nut width.

give it a try.
Roger

 

[jedzep]

Regardless, did you know that medium 13's tuned down D-D in standard tuning drops the string tension to around 30 pounds less than 12's at E-E pitch? There's still plenty of torque to drive the top. This brought new life to my old working hands, and when I need to play along in concert key I just slap a capo on. The extra 2 singing keys are helpful, too.

 

[chazmo]

GaH, just remember it's a fairly new model, and not analogous to a recent-day D-25. Not a whole lot of LTG owners.

Closest comparison might be to an early '70s D-25 when they were flat back, solid, all-mahogany... Also, the neck construction, FWIW, is different.

But there you have RBPicker's report.

The good news is you can probably find one to try in a music store, if there are any near you.

 

[ParadiseSeeker]

The workmanship is very good overall. Just a great American-built classic.

The new D-20 may be an American-built classic, but it comes with a bolt-on neck, not a traditional dovetail.

 

[chazmo]

Actually, I think (not sure) that it's a mortise and tenon joint rather than traditional dovetail... Not a bolt-on.

 

[Wellington]

Actually, I think (not sure) that it's a mortise and tenon joint rather than traditional dovetail... Not a bolt-on.

Correct.

I got to play one last year, it's actually for sale on reverb right now I see, don't know how it hasn't sold, or was beautiful and sounded great, if I was in the market for another dread I'd buy it. I'm hankering for its little short scale brother, the M-20.