OM-120 On The Way

[Big.Al]

I haven’t posted here’s much in the last couple of years, but since I have another Guild on the way, I think it’s time to jump back in.

I play dreads but for the last few months I’ve been thinking about downsizing to an orchestra sized guitar. I’m partial to all-mahogany guitars so when I saw a used example of an OM-120 up for sale at a good price at a GC in Oregon, I took a chance and ordered it. If I don’t like it, I should just be out the shipping charges.

I’m in the Midwest so somehow 2 Day air will take 4 days. ??? Friday should be NGD. I plan to report back then.

In the meantime, has anyone here played one of these?

 

[GuildyAsHell]

I had a Westerly Collection one until recently. It was a great guitar but I couldn’t get comfortable with the nut width. The tone and build quality were very nice.

 

[Big.Al]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I hear you about the nut width. I had a Westerly Collection D-140 for a couple of years and although I liked the feel of the neck, I though the string spacing was a bit too wide. As an experiment, I installed a leftover 1-11/16" nut I from my parts bin. I installed it biased a little toward the treble side. It didn't quite fill the full width of the nut slot, but it actually didn't look too bad. The string spacing was a lot more comfortable for me. Before I sold the D-140, I reinstalled the original size nut, so I still have the narrower one in case I need it.

Oh . . . and delivery update . . . Second Day Air will take two days, not four. NGD expected tomorrow!

 

[Slammey]

I haven’t posted here’s much in the last couple of years, but since I have another Guild on the way, I think it’s time to jump back in.

I play dreads but for the last few months I’ve been thinking about downsizing to an orchestra sized guitar. I’m partial to all-mahogany guitars so when I saw a used example of an OM-120 up for sale at a good price at a GC in Oregon, I took a chance and ordered it. If I don’t like it, I should just be out the shipping charges.

I’m in the Midwest so somehow 2 Day air will take 4 days. ??? Friday should be NGD. I plan to report back then.

In the meantime, has anyone here played one of these?

My wife got me one for Christmas from Sweetwater and when it arrived, I found that the neck was overset, which was very disappointing. I sent it back and they sent a new one that was set up nicely from the factory. I did have to lower the nut slots a bit and file off a few fret ends, but other than that it was great. The fit and finish was top notch. At first I didn't like the 1 3/4 nut, but the neck profile is very comfortable, and after playing it for a while, I've come to like it very much. The extra string spacing is great for finger style and when using a capo on the higher frets. It sounds great strummed or finger picked. The mahogany construction makes for a nice warm sound; loud for a small bodied instrument but not overpowering. This is my first Guild, and I have been so impressed that I have been thinking about getting a Guild dreadnought as well.

 

[Big.Al]

Well, the guitar is on a big brown truck traveling around the small city where I live. I will say that the UPS website feature to track the truck on a map can sure absorb a guy’s time on NGD.

The guitar was only rated in “good” condition by GC, so now I’m starting to wonder just how bad it is, despite getting a good in-hand report from a guy at the store. I can live with a few chips and scratches, or fix them and do other routine maintenance repairs, but I’m not ready to take on any structural stuff right now. No major worries though I guess, as they have a pretty liberal return policy.

 

[Big.Al]

Update/NGD: No photo to share but it looks just like a typical OM-120

The guitar showed up in its original first generation Westerly Collection lightweight rigid polyfoam case. It was somewhat poorly packaged but unharmed. It has the usual superficial pick and shirt button scratches from normal use that could be buffed out and a couple of tiny chips on the binding but no major issues. Fret wear is minimal. It sounds and looks quite good after a cleaning and fresh strings, but not quite as deep voiced as a dread. I will eventually want to bring the action down a bit, but there’s plenty of saddle left for adjustment.

GC’s price on this one was significantly lower than what I’ve seen for used examples on eBay or Reverb so I’m quite pleased with the deal.

 

[portsider]

That's cool. I had an M20 years ago that was badly damaged in an auto wreck. Sweet Guitar. I've been eying the M120s but I've pretty much drifted to the 12 string camp.
I hope the guitar gives you good use.

 

[Rayk]

I haven’t posted here’s much in the last couple of years, but since I have another Guild on the way, I think it’s time to jump back in.

I play dreads but for the last few months I’ve been thinking about downsizing to an orchestra sized guitar. I’m partial to all-mahogany guitars so when I saw a used example of an OM-120 up for sale at a good price at a GC in Oregon, I took a chance and ordered it. If I don’t like it, I should just be out the shipping charges.

I’m in the Midwest so somehow 2 Day air will take 4 days. ??? Friday should be NGD. I plan to report back then.

In the meantime, has anyone here played one of these?

Yup , this my second one sold the first one . Bought this as my camping guitar.

great tone and sustain sling nice overtones.
I replaced the pins .
No OM’s will get the deep dread sound at least from what I’ve heard . Lol

but these guitars will grow on you as snuggle up with its smaller body it becomes more personal feeling when you play . I love OM’s lol
Sounds like you got a keeper congrats ! post pics if and when you can .

Noodle Song

just a noodle for fun with goofs.

soundcloud.app.goo.gl

 

[Big.Al]

snip . . . .
post pics if and when you can .

Noodle Song

just a noodle for fun with goofs.

soundcloud.app.goo.gl

Sorry for the slow reply. I attached a photo. It looks pretty much like every other OM-120.

If you look closely, you'll see a strip of black urethane foam under the strings behind the nut. I find that with the canoe paddle sized headstocks on Guilds, there can be a lot of chime-like ringing going on up there, especially when doing palm muting. The strip of foam quiets it down.

I also noticed some harsh overtones on the B string when fretted on the 2nd or 3rd frets. I installed some black brass bridge pins to add some mass at the bridge. The problem got much better. Yes, I know that metal bridge pins are controversial. I have had mixed results with them (mostly not good) but in this case, they worked out okay. (I had a Larrivee L-03 a few years back that had a pretty harsh sounding B string and the brass pins cured that one too.)

The guitar is nice and comfortable. I love the feel of the neck. The tone is good, with a fairly deep voice for a smaller guitar. I think I'll keep it.

The polyfoam case is okay, but I'd rather have a hard-shell case of some sort. I've found that the big Guild headstocks can make finding a case more challenging. (For dreads I just buy a 12-string case.) Does anybody know what OM-size case might have enough "headroom" for a Guild OM?

 

[Rayk]

Sorry for the slow reply. I attached a photo. It looks pretty much like every other OM-120.

If you look closely, you'll see a strip of black urethane foam under the strings behind the nut. I find that with the canoe paddle sized headstocks on Guilds, there can be a lot of chime-like ringing going on up there, especially when doing palm muting. The strip of foam quiets it down.

I also noticed some harsh overtones on the B string when fretted on the 2nd or 3rd frets. I installed some black brass bridge pins to add some mass at the bridge. The problem got much better. Yes, I know that metal bridge pins are controversial. I have had mixed results with them (mostly not good) but in this case, they worked out okay. (I had a Larrivee L-03 a few years back that had a pretty harsh sounding B string and the brass pins cured that one too.)

The guitar is nice and comfortable. I love the feel of the neck. The tone is good, with a fairly deep voice for a smaller guitar. I think I'll keep it.

The polyfoam case is okay, but I'd rather have a hard-shell case of some sort. I've found that the big Guild headstocks can make finding a case more challenging. (For dreads I just buy a 12-string case.) Does anybody know what OM-size case might have enough "headroom" for a Guild OM?

Just check over all length that get ya there .
I actually like the case bought another one . I think it’s pretty tough especially like for out side camp fires camping etc .

I don’t have any runaway overtones on this or my first one do no rain needed but thank you you might have have me something to check on another guitar . Lol

I can see how the OM 120 fits in other cases I have and get back to ya tomorrow.