Official Luthiers Forum!

My father recently showed my his first guitar

It is in desprate need of repairs, so I think we will make it a family project. I wanted to see if we could identify it first to help in the repairs. The two dots on the bridge are wood screws. I'm guessing that's been added.
Any info is greatly appreciated.

Devin

Guild M-20, from the logo and truss-rod cover I'd guess mid-'60s.
All-mahogany, spruce braces, possibly Braz fretboard and bridge. A smudge larger than a 0 Martin. I restored a '65 years ago, and owned a couple more. They all sounded great, very light and well constructed.
Listen to Nick Drake, that was his main guitar.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

Excellent! thank you for the response.

Devin

Not doubting Laurent, but you may want to check the serial number against this chart for confirmation.

http://www.guildguitars.com/resources/guild_dating.php

Cheers

Kim

Thanks for the link Kim. Unfortunately, the guitar does not have the serial number (sticker) any longer. My father actually found the guitar in its case, some 35+ years ago, in a trash can. I have managed to locate a 1964 M-20 on youtube that looks very similar, except it has a pick guard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l54BXuy7Krc

Devin

I have a cardboard template of the M-20 original pickguard, in case you want to make one.

_________________
Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

Definately.

Thanks,
Devin

My Dad brought the guitar over and I found a serial number on the back of the headstock. Using the link Kim mentioned, I can put the date at 1962. Laurent was spot on. (thanks again)
After inspection, several repairs are needed. What is a good book/video/resource to help me with these repairs?
bridge replacement
headstock veneer
frets
dent (fibers broken)
worn edges
runs in clear coat finish
http://www.devincox.com/images/picture%20001.jpg
http://www.devincox.com/images/picture%20002.jpg
http://www.devincox.com/images/picture%20003.jpg
http://www.devincox.com/images/picture%20004.jpg
http://www.devincox.com/images/picture%20005.jpg
http://www.devincox.com/images/picture%20006.jpg
http://www.devincox.com/images/picture%20007.jpg
http://www.devincox.com/images/picture%20008.jpg
http://www.devincox.com/images/picture%20009.jpg
http://www.devincox.com/images/picture%20010.jpg

Thank you,
Devin

Devin, if you're asking, this is not a job for you.

Those M-20s are very nice, and relatively rare, vintage guitars.
Practice on beaters first, old imports, Harmony, Sears, whatever you can pick off you local pawn-shop, eBay, Craig's list etc… Then, when you have built your confidence and have made enough mistakes, perhaps tackle better instruments.

Have a look at Frank Ford's site, http://www.frets.com/, for a start. It will give you an idea of what's involved in common restoration projects. Mr. Ford makes it look easy, it's not.

It is hard to see on your pics, but it seems the guitar has been refinished at some point. The bridge needs to come off, and there is perhaps damage to the bridgeplate from the bolts and pins. The rest is cosmetic, again hard to see. I'd be surprised if a guitar of that vintage does not need a neck reset.

_________________
Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

The M20 is about a $500 guitar in the blue book. Still it is vintage and you should follow Laurent's advice. Practice on a few beaters . Fixin is harder than buildin . If you have a mentor near you that you can use to help guide you on the restoration , that would be a big help.

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Perhaps the $500 Blue Book value is for used reissues and not vintage ones.
I've seen mint or almost mint late '50s to mid-'60s M-20s sell for around $2000 on eBay, and beaters of the same era usually sell for half this.

Nick Drake fans and wannabes seek this guitar.

_________________
Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

Easy enough decision to make. Guess I'll build some first and look for some beaters.
Thanks guys,
Devin

Devin,
I am a newbee at guitar building, but I have been repairing antique furniture for years. I have seen what improper repairs can do to a piece of furniture. Leave the repairs to an expierenced luthier. If I had something like that, I would not hesitate to put a thousand or more dollars into a first rate restoration. What a treasure! You have been given excellent advice by John and Laurent, who know what they are talking about. Have it restored, and post some pics when it's done. This is exciting stuff. I only wish my father had been a guitar player and left me something like that. But he did teach me the woodworking skills that I use building guitars, and I know he would be impressed to see what I am doing now, if he were still alive. IF you can't find someone to do the repairs, post an inquiry on the forum for one. There are lots of people who can do this kind of work.
Good Luck,
Mike R

At least it looks better than mine

I can see why mine doesn't have the sticker anymore. (:
Devin

Mike, while I totally respect your advice, I will be restoring it myself for sure. I will acquire the practice needed and once ready, I will patiently start on my fathers guild. I already acquired two guitars to practice each repair. Once I get it perfect on a junk guitar , I will proceed with caution. I am prepared to wait years if need be.

Devin

Funny how things have changed. When I was learning repair in the late 70's, this is exactly the type of instrument they would have given to the new guy to learn on....

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It's not the miles ahead, it's the stone in your shoe


In Markham,Virginia

I got the bridge off with little to no wood loss. An iron, some steam and my chisel and it was a snap. The biggest help was seeing it done in Dan Erlewines video on bridge repair. The bridge plate is shot though so I'm gonna pull it off and make a slightly larger version to fit in its place.



Devin