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#1
12-13-2018, 08:54 PM
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Anyone here choose a Martin J40 over a Dread?
Curious to know if anyone here opted for a J40 instead of a dread and if so why?
A friend had one that I played quite a bit years ago and loved the big sound, and it lent itself well to alternate tunings ie. Dropped D, Double Dropped D, DADGAD... At the time I hadn't a lot of experience with dreads as typically I'm a 000 guy... Currently I'm looking at getting a dread but this one has popped up on my radar and I'm just wondering how they would compare and in what situations may they be preferable to a dread? 
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#2
12-13-2018, 08:58 PM
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Not exactly a J-40 but my JDP II shares the same J-14 fret body.
I bought it after watching /hearing this clip; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6pLqcsB8ek Not disappointed, it just does everything well.  Would I choose a rosewood J-40 over a Martin rosewood dread? Based on how much I've enjoyed this guitar, yes... but hey, that's just me.
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Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird Last edited by Brucebubs; 12-13-2018 at 09:06 PM.
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#3
12-13-2018, 09:40 PM
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I've never pitted one against the other for purchase. The question is pretty wide open by not narrowing the dread choices. I would pick many Authentics and a few other dreads over the J40. I would also select a great J40 over 80% of dreads, from any builder as it is a great guitar. It would really come down to two specific guitars and choosing the one that met my needs more than the other.
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#4
12-13-2018, 11:44 PM
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I own both and I find the J-40 more versatile primarily due to its balance and the shape is a bit easier to play. I’m about to sell my D-18 because the J-40 is for me more versatile. I have one other dread I’m keeping though.
Here is my J40 recently retrofitted by Bryan Kimsey, compared to his own D18:
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martin D-28A '37 | D-18 | SCGC H13 | gibson SJ-200 taylor 814ce | 855 | GS Mini H.V. | goodall RP14 | Halcyon SJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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#6
12-14-2018, 09:41 AM
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Yup. I had a D-28, got a J-40 and eventually the D-28 went by the wayside after playing a distant "second fiddle" for a while. The comments about being more versatile are right on, plus if you dig in with a flat pick it has all the horsepower you would ever want at a bluegrass jam. J-40 is one of the best-kept secrets in the Standard line, IMO.
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#7
12-17-2018, 04:38 AM
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When I went to purchase my first (and only) Martin, I thought I’d end up with a D or possibly an OM/000. I spent a blissful hour or two surrounded by a selection of guitars which included a D28, D18, HD28, D35, OM28, etc, alternating playing between them all. But all the while there was this second-hand (2007) J-40 on one of the stands, and every time I picked it up, it just had that extra something over and above the others. Even used, It was out of my price range, but I just couldn’t get it out of my head... It ended up taking about a month for my price range to increase to accommodate, and the guitar came home with me. Never regretted it, and it even gave my friend’s D45 a good run for its money.
I think the biggest thing holding back the J-40 is it’s just not as iconic as the Ds and OMs, but if that’s not an issue for you then I highly recommend it.
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#9
12-17-2018, 08:00 AM
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I have a friend who did. Wonderful guitar to play. He wanted the bigger bass sound. Got that without the discomfort and the muddy sound that a dread can have. If you want a big sound and comfort and to only own 1 guitar, I recommend checking out a J-40.
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#10
12-17-2018, 08:22 AM
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I have a j40 and got it based on my experience with my Martin j15 (all mahogany). Both have great balance, tone and fit better suited for my fingerstyle than a dreadnaught. Got them years ago from elderly. The only mod to mine is a slight increase in string spacing at the nut to 1.5” E to E (center to center). In my experience, these sound great in standard and open tunings (open D, open G, open C, drop D, slack tunings) and switch back and forth with no problems. The Martin j is basically a deep version of the Martin 0000 or M. Great guitars imo.
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#11
12-17-2018, 08:55 AM
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I have a J-40, got it as it complements my Gibson dreads which I prefer to Martins. I like that even, balanced tone, and I find it an oustanding finerpicker and also for flatpicking Not a great stummer though, but thats what the Gibsons are for.
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The Big Fat Lady 02' Gibson J-150 The Squares 11' Hummingbird TV, 08' Dove The Slopeys 11' Gibson SJ (Aaron Lewis) The Pickers 43' Gibson LG-2, 09' Furch OM 32SM (custom) , 02' Martin J-40 The Beater 99' Cort Earth 100 What we do on weekends: http://www.reverbnation.com/doubleshotprague
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#12
12-17-2018, 12:39 PM
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It might be worth your while to also check out a Martin M-36 which is a jumbo shape with a slightly shallower body. Great guitars and very versatile.
Blues
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