GUILD

One could argue that, within the Guild line, the M, or “Concert” body models have historically been overlooked, particularly relative to the more popular dreadnought and super jumbo models. Perhaps the most famous association with the M body would be Nick Drake, who favored the all-mahogany M-20.  Yet, as the landscape of acoustic guitar music has become increasingly varied in recent decades, the overall appreciation for the voice of smaller guitars, like that of this M-40 Troubadour, has only grown.  Obviously, the compact body size is very attractive for players who may need a smaller guitar to better fit their frame; and, such tidy proportions are certainly appealing when it comes to travel or casual “couch guitar” applications.  Yet, the popularity of smaller guitars like the M-40 (formerly the F-20) is also strongly linked to their unique acoustic presence and the association of this presence with music of the Folk era.  

As a general rule, the combination of a shallow body depth and an overall diminutive soundboard template yields a voice that is immediate, balanced, and very focused—and, indeed, this rule holds true in the case of this Guild.  So, while guitars like the M-40 can certainly function as even-keel strummers, their heart seemingly lies in more nuanced applications like fingerstyle and melodic picking, or accompaniment for certain vocal registers.  In the hands of Guild, who, like Martin, is known to infuse their instruments with a hearty and firm note foundation, the combination of spruce and mahogany found in the M-40 translates to a drier, punchy, and more direct voice that is expressed with an expectedly high degree of top end shimmer. Even so, thanks in part to its forward-shifted scalloped x-bracing, the voice of this M-40 has a pleasing degree of breadth that is tinged with enough bloom in the bass. Subsequently, one is encouraged to reconsider any immediate urge to categorize this guitar as uniformly bright.  With its understated looks, its fairly uncommon body size, and its all-solid wood construction, this Guild M-40 is most definitely a standout value at the entry way to American-made, small-bodied acoustic guitars.

Condition

This guitar shows little evidence of use, and has no structural or cosmetic issues to note.  EXCELLENT+ to NEAR MINT condition.

• ”Concert”/14-Fret 0 Body Size
• Sitka Spruce Top
• Forward Shifted Scalloped X-Bracing
• Solid African Mahogany Back and Sides
• White Top Binding
• 3-ply Black/White Top Purfling
• Multi- Ply Single-Ring Rosette
• Satin Natural Body Finish
• Mahogany Neck
• C-Shape Neck Profile
• Indian Rosewood Fingerboard
• Pearloid Dot Fingeboard Inlays
• Black Headstock Veneer
• Inlaid Pearloid Guild Block “Peak” Logo
• Satin Neck Finish
• Rosewood Rectangular Bridge with Drop-In Saddle
• Guild Deluxe Open Gear Tuners with Cream Oval Buttons
• Faux Tortoiseshell Pickguard
• Bone Nut
• Bone Saddle
• 12” Fingerboard Radius
• 1 3/4” Nut Width
• 24.75” Scale Length
• Original Arched Top Hardshell HumiCase