The Guild M-40E Standard concert acoustic-electric guitar carries forward a proud legacy of American craftsmanship, offering rich tone and timeless aesthetics in a compact, highly playable package. Handcrafted in Guild’s Oxnard, California, factory, it pairs a solid Sitka spruce top with solid African mahogany back and sides for exceptional balance and warmth. A C-shaped mahogany neck and smooth Indian rosewood fingerboard make for effortless fretting and expressive playing, while the integrated LR Baggs Element VTC electronics ensure studio-quality tone in any setting. Pairing time-honored construction with modern performance, the M-40E is an ideal companion for singer-songwriters, fingerstyle players and anyone seeking a versatile acoustic-electric with vintage soul.
Solid Sitka Spruce and African Mahogany for Warm, Balanced Tone
The M-40E’s tone begins with a solid Sitka spruce top, chosen for its clarity, dynamic response and sparkling high end. Paired with solid African mahogany back and sides, it yields a warm, balanced voice with rich overtones and a natural compression that flatters both strumming and fingerstyle playing. The concert-sized body keeps projection focused and intimate, making it ideal for recording or solo performance. Forward-shifted scalloped Adirondack spruce bracing further enhances resonance and sustain, bringing added liveliness and nuance to every note. Whether played softly or driven harder, the M-40E responds with the articulate, woody tone that defines Guild’s most cherished small-body acoustics.
Comfortable Mahogany Neck and Smooth Indian Rosewood Fingerboard
Playability is where the M-40E truly shines. Its mahogany neck features a comfortable C-shaped profile that feels substantial yet effortless across its 24.75" scale. The shorter scale offers a slightly slinkier string tension, making complex chords and expressive bends more accessible. An Indian rosewood fingerboard adds warmth and smoothness under the fingers, while pearloid dot inlays provide classic understated elegance. With a 12" radius and 1-34" nut width, it’s a familiar platform that supports everything from fast flatpicking runs to delicate fingerstyle passages and jazzy chord comping.
LR Baggs Electronics for Natural Amplified Tone
The M-40E comes equipped with the acclaimed LR Baggs Element VTC system, delivering transparent, organic tone that captures the true acoustic voice of the instrument. The undersaddle transducer responds to the guitar’s entire dynamic range, from gentle fingerpicking to assertive strumming, while minimizing feedback and unwanted coloration. Straightforward, soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls keep your setup streamlined without cluttering the guitar’s aesthetic. Whether running through an acoustic amp or direct to a PA, the Element VTC preserves every nuance of the M-40E’s natural warmth—making it a professional, performance-ready companion straight out of the case.
Timeless Appointments and Premium Guild Hardware
Visually, the M-40E embodies Guild’s refined Americana heritage. The gloss nitrocellulose finish highlights the depth and grain of the tonewoods, complemented by white body binding and a tortoiseshell pickguard. Nickel open-gear tuners with cream oval buttons lend classic character while ensuring rock-solid tuning stability. An Indian rosewood bridge with a compensated bone saddle enhances intonation and sustain, while the matching bone nut improves tonal consistency across strings. Finishing touches like the pearloid Guild Peak headstock inlay and black keystone truss rod cover bring subtle sophistication. Every detail is carefully executed to balance authenticity, durability and enduring style.
A True Guild Classic, Reimagined for Modern Players
The Guild M-40E Standard Concert acoustic-electric guitar captures the soul of Guild’s early small-body acoustics, refined for today’s versatile musicians. With its solid tonewoods, gloss nitro finish and professional-grade electronics, it delivers a level of tone, feel and craftsmanship that rewards a lifetime of playing. A deluxe humidified hardshell case and certificate of authenticity come included, underscoring its premium quality. For artists who value musical honesty and timeless design, the M-40E offers a direct connection between inspiration and sound—built to last, made to create and ready to perform anywhere your music takes you.