Thank you so much for this video! I have the m120 and I play it as often as I can, more than my other, more expensive guitars. I bought it because i wanted a small body sized acoustic to go on holidays with but in the end its extreme playability, it’s versatile tone (at least to my hears) made it my number 1. I discovered Nick Drake thanks to this video (and I immediately fell in love with his music). Thank you!!! Cheers from France
I’ve been hooked on the mahogany tops for a long time, but that 140 sure sounds good. None of the other “big” guitar makers have anything even near this quality for $700.
Great video Cooper. I've been looking at the 120s and 140s for a while now. Also, I'm a big fan of your playing. Every time I watch one of your videos I immediately I feel the need to pick up one my guitars and start practicing/playing. Thank you.
Man, you could play a french baguette and you'd still manage to make it sound fantastic. Thanks so much for the review. Always extremely helpful to us mere mortals. 👍
Wow ! Love the honesty about set-up & difficulties playing . Things NEVER admitted to on other channels. I’m assuming too, that mics were unprocessed after ? Anyway good demo, good playing & you got my interest for the m-140 . Sprightlier tone ( other a bit dark for me). I’ll remember the Alamo !
Screwing up or not, you're an excellent guitarist. I've been a lifelong fan of all mahogany guitars. Cedar ranks right up there. And yes, I could tell you were enjoying the mahogany one more.
Sounds good and nice comparison. You folks already sold me on the AD22E all mahogany. I liked the the 140 as I think it matches my voice better when singing. Although I did like the warmth of the 120.
I'm no snob. MIC guitars are well made and affordable. To play with friends or on the couch, it's great. I love the spruce top one. Thanks Cooper for this delightful review! 🎶🎶🎶
Wow, as a old guy from the UK, I'm totally amazed that you have heard of Nick Drake. He was my idol in about 1970 when I was 17 yrs old. I keep sending links to his songs to any musician I come across from the USA, hoping they will see just what a talent he was. River Man is my all time favourite. What's yours Cooper??
Hello Al, I'm from the US and appear to be the same age as you. I have the Guild M-120L (lefty). I heard of the Nick Drake reference to the guitar but didn't look him up until now. Why? Because of your enthusiastic mention of him in the comments. So I looked him up on youtube. Wow, I can't believe I never heard of him back in the day. What a shame he died so young.
I have the Guild M-140, and I like mine. I had a complete action setup and I think that is what makes the difference. Both are really bang for your buck guitars no matter what you prefer, spruce top vs. mahogany top.
Thank you Cooper. Great video and great playing. I’ve watched this video twice and the one you and Chris did comparing the M120 and the OM version. I was very impressed and found a used M120( sorry, couldn’t afford new). I purchased the M120 and have been playing it about a week now. A great and fun little guitar. No, it doesn’t sound as good as my Martin 0015 but this sure is a sweet little player. I love that compressed mahogany sound, and this small size is so easy to play up and down the neck. For this size guitar I think the mahogany top shines over the spruce. I didn’t have much luck with Guild the past 10 years but this is a keeper. Thank you again for a great video
Nice review, Cooper. It looked like the M-140 was less comfortable to play than the M-120, and I appreciate your explanation of the action height. After trying out the Breedlove Organic Concert that I gave to my son in law (along with a Taylor Academy 12e to thin out the 2020 collection), I had to add the great deal on a Jeff Bridges signature model, which has the same tone woods, but the semi gloss finish seems to be more gloss, and not yet sounding as warm and open as the first. It'll get there, and so will I. Thanks and May Day is a Happy Lei Day in Hawaii. (Aloha shirt Friday with Stetson for school.) My case rack is still full, but I'm sure I can find a new home for the Academy 12 mahogany neck... Likely a grandkid. 😊
The mahogany sounds richer and more mellow than the spruce. However, they are both excellent. I have a cedar top Takamine and spruce top. I love the cedar.
Thanks for demoing these two Cooper. I have developed a love of smaller guitars in the past few years. I have been considering one of these guitars as a possible addition to my collection. I have to say I think I like sound of the M120 the best. It really has a warm, round sound. I really like the song you did the demo with. I'm curious what it was. Very nice playing as always! I look forward to more Guild offerings.
I have both, the M-129 and the M-140. They are excellent small body guitars, well suited to relaxing on the sofa or intimate performance. High quality, good price, try them out and you will like one or both.
☑️👍all Hog _all the way ‼️🤩😝 I chose my M-120 over the M-140 not only cause it's much warmer tones but the all African Hog was stunningly beautiful verigated wood esthetic that Guild simply won't put on the Sitka top because they choose more evenly grained wood for the traditional pairing style 👌
You cannot go wrong with a Guild guitar. I have an F-250 Jumbo and absolutely love the guitar. I also have a Taylor 224 Deluxe K, that's a beautiful guitar but sound wise and playability, I grab the Jumbo every time...
Ti ringrazio molto per la tua ottima spiegazione sulle due chitarre , adesso ho le idee più chiare e per me la M 120 è la preferita e sicuramente è quella che acquisterò ! P.s. bello il brano che hai suonato ! Sicuramente è anche merito del chitarrista...sei bravissimo 👍
Unfortunately, from my point of view - as an owner of 3 made in USA Guilds - all their imports have a 16" fretboard radius instead of the more comfortable 12" fretboard radius found on all their US acoustic models. Of course most acoustics (except for US made Guilds, standard series Gibsons, and oddly enough Eastmans, have a less rounded fretboard - usually 16", or 15").
Interesting how our tastes differ. I have the M-120L and a reimagined Martin 00-18L each with the 16" fretboard radius which I prefer over a 12" fretboard radius. Different strokes for differnt folks.
The mic didn't move--the spruce-topped sound MUCH quieter; mahogany had a much broader range with remarkable bass response for the size of the guitar. The spruce sounded anemic. I did not change any settings on this end. What gives?
I'm a left handed player. For a concert size good but affordable, for me anyway. The Guild m120 or Alamos also reviewed Taylor Academy 12? I've been playing about7 months playing a Fender cc60s. Guitar shops are few and far between around here so trying either out is an iffy proposition. Thoughts? Both sound good to me. Thanks. And this video is great as always.
II'm a left handed player as well. I purchased my Guild M-120L in May 2022. The store where I purchased it from did a nice setup on it. And I would say to order it from a local store so they can do the setup and make adjustments if needed. I played an Academy 12 and the sound IMHO was not nearly as good as the Guild. The Guild body is solid African Mahogany (the neck is 3 piece Mahogany). The Academy is layered not solid wood. The Academy feels more like a beginner guitar. The guild feels & plays like a real guitar. The concert size guitar is great for finger style and some flat picking. I waited a month and a half for my Guild after I placed my order. The Guild fit and finish was perfect, I could not find a single flaw. The gig back is also very high quality. The sound is balanced and I would say mellow as it is a concert size guitar. As you know, if you are looking for an under $1000.00 left handed concert sized guitar, there are not many choices out there. I keep the M-120 on a stand ready to play when the mood hits.
My only concert size guitar is my Fender Malibu Player. I like it, but the sound is lacking something. It doesn't have the depth that my dreadnaught size Oscar Schmidt has or the soul that my Ovation has. Honestly, what I'd really like to do is install the Hyvibe effects system in it. A little reverb or chorus makes it sound a lot better, and it would be nice to have that without pedals or an amp. I'd settle for the Tonewood Amp system, but I'd really rather have Hyvibe.
I appreciate your demo videos my friend! your honesty and skill! I can say I am not a fan of those two. Is probably more because I have Taylor guitars, enough said.
The 120 sounded way more present and lively. The 140 sounded muted, lacked any increased "sprucey" definition i was expecting. That could be down to your comfort and ability to execute on over the other. A pretty glaring difference. Really goes to show, there's nothing quite like picking up a good acoustic that's really dialed in