Itching for a new Guitar...

roadbiker · #1 03-10-2022, 04:19 PM

I have some nice guitars, but can you ever have too many? So now I want my next one, but we're doing some things around the house and I have to watch what I'm spending or the wife may give me grief. I really like what I have read about the Epiphone Masterbilt Excellente, but I have a Guild D-50 and that pretty much covers me for the dreadnought, big guitar. But everything I have read and seen about it is very impressive. On the other hand, I would really like to have a mahogany guitar. That would add a tone that I currently don't have. If I were to go that route, I'd probably be looking at either a Martin 000-15SM or a Guild M-20. I think both are excellent guitars, the Guild being a little more price. You can understand my dilemma. Opinions welcome...

Jamolay · #2 03-10-2022, 04:23 PM

Guild M-20 USA Excellent! $1249-/best shipped
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=642128

Just sayin’

blews · #3 03-10-2022, 04:33 PM

Recent thread - can't go wrong with either....I love my Guild.....enjoy....!!!

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=641993

Bob from Brooklyn · #4 03-10-2022, 04:34 PM

You can't go wrong with either. The Guilds are a tad smaller. Are you able to go out and play them?

rollypolly · #5 03-10-2022, 07:35 PM

I’d go with either the 000-15sm or m-20. Or maybe look into a custom OM-15, Guild M-40; or maybe a Gibson. I’m in the same boat , got too many guitars but seem to keep adding more, I tend to prefer US made , slowly working up to boutique or single luthier.

Wellington · #6 03-10-2022, 08:59 PM

I would be torn between the Guild M-20 and the Martin 00-15m personally, pretty well the same size, Guild having a short scale. I think you'd be happy with either brand, the 000-15SM I think it going to be bigger sounding, being a bigger guitar with the 12 fret, but everything I've watched from that Guild is phenomenal.

OldHickory · #7 03-10-2022, 09:30 PM

Consider the Yairi HD models. Seriously, they play and sound amazing.

TBman · #8 03-10-2022, 09:32 PM

I always thought the Martin 15 all hog series were really what an all hog guitar should sound like. I have an all hog Guild D-120 (all solid wood) and it sounds more like a Taylor than anything else. I think the satin finish of the Martin adds a more "woody" tone to the guitar.

zoopeda · #9 03-10-2022, 09:33 PM

Ooh, tough one. I have a soft spot for that particular martin but have never played the guild. Post some photos of whichever one you end up with. Lucky duck!

roadbiker · #10 03-11-2022, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooklyn Bob

You can't go wrong with either. The Guilds are a tad smaller. Are you able to go out and play them?

It's hard to find a Guild dealer in the Atlanta area that actually has them, regrettably...

roadbiker · #11 03-11-2022, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollypolly

I’d go with either the 000-15sm or m-20. Or maybe look into a custom OM-15, Guild M-40; or maybe a Gibson. I’m in the same boat , got too many guitars but seem to keep adding more, I tend to prefer US made , slowly working up to boutique or single luthier.

I prefer "Made in USA" too, but I must admit that the Epiphone Masterbilt that I have is a very nice guitar. It sounds and plays fantastic, and since I leave it hanging on the wall, it gets a lot of play time. So I am intrigued by the Epiphone Masterbilt Excellente. It gets great reviews, including from JP Cormier. And it's only a little over $1,000. https://youtu.be/nsX4tx2WPmQ

But I also keep going back to a mahogany guitar...

Lillis · #12 03-11-2022, 06:42 AM

I'm really liking my new Guild M20 and don't plan to ever part with it. It's a perfect small guitar for me. Having said that,I seriously regret selling my 00015SM and plan to have another someday. Can't go wrong with either just depends which one fits your needs/wants more. Have fun!

Bob from Brooklyn · #13 03-11-2022, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lillis

I'm really liking my new Guild M20 and don't plan to ever part with it. It's a perfect small guitar for me. Having said that,I seriously regret selling my 00015SM and plan to have another someday. Can't go wrong with either just depends which one fits your needs/wants more. Have fun!

You would be a good person to contrast the two then.

Wellington · #14 03-11-2022, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadbiker

I prefer "Made in USA" too, but I must admit that the Epiphone Masterbilt that I have is a very nice guitar. It sounds and plays fantastic, and since I leave it hanging on the wall, it gets a lot of play time. So I am intrigued by the Epiphone Masterbilt Excellente. It gets great reviews, including from JP Cormier. And it's only a little over $1,000. https://youtu.be/nsX4tx2WPmQ

But I also keep going back to a mahogany guitar...

Keep in mind pretty well all guitars get a great review by Cormier! But I've also heard good things about this guitar.

Picking Moose · #15 03-11-2022, 08:34 AM

I was able to test the Epiphone Masterbuild guitars (3 models) in a shop a while back and was quite disappointed.
I own 2 Epiphone guitars and both are great instruments so there's no deny that Epiphone can and do make great instruments yet those Masterbuilt guitars,
to my ears at least, had no sparkle and sounded cheaper than the price tag suggested.