"Original" M20 vs. Reissue

[plaidseason]

I'm becoming slightly obsessed with acquiring a small mahogany body guitar (an M20 or yes, even a Martin 00-15). With this in mind, does anyone have any experience with, or opinion on the differences between the traditional M20s and the 90s reissues?

Any insight is, as always, most appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[drowlins]

I love my '64 M-20 even though it's not a looker. I have read reviews on the reissue (harmony central) that wern't all that glowing. Plus mine has had 43 years to open up!

 

[plaidseason]

Thanks.

I'm never too keen on the Harmony Central reviews - it's always "this is the best guitar I've ever owned" or the exact opposite. I've seen both good and bad reviews of the reissues, but none has been all that informative.

 

[Jeff]

obsessed with acquiring a small mahogany body guitar (an M20 or yes, even a Martin 00-15).

If you're talking about that little Martin 00 they sell for around $700 new, I thought the one I saw was a good buy. Sweet little guitar, I took my F 20 in & played it in the same room. Martin fingerboard was wider & easier to play clean, I still came home feeling happy with what I have. Thank you very much since after having mine repaired, I have rea,l close to a thousand invested .

I've never seen an M 20 recent or otherwise but seems to me the later reissues have bigger headstocks, longer scale lengths & maybe a wider fingerboard.

To my way if thinking the overall length would be an inch maybe two longer. Not a big deal but seems contrary to the small guitar objective.
Odds of finding a reissue not needing work might be better & they often come with nice correct cases.

F 20's with the spruce top originally listed for $5.00 or $10.00 more than M 20's