Martin J-40 Update

[TBear]

About 4 months ago, I bought a used 2018 Martin J-40 that was in excellent condition. Since that time it has become my primary axe, inspire of having a lovely Highly figured Cuban mahagany Tippin dreadnought. Love the tone, playability and look. A number of people have complimented it's time and commented on how loud it is. BTW it records well too. 4 months ago, I did not know these existed. I am a grasser loving old D28s. This does most of what a D28S does (except the strong pounding low E string on a G chord) and does so much more better. Is great finger picking and playing off a instrument in a duet. Love it.

[cliff_the_stiff]

It’s one of the the all time great guitars.
Maybe the best sounding guitar I’ve ever played.

[llew]

They are very nice guitars. I owned a reimagined version for a while. Being a dread guy I thought it lacked the snap of a dread which it somewhat did but it offered a lot in return. Should have kept it? Glad you're enjoying your's!

[Brucebubs]

The concept of adding dreadnought depth to the existing 0000/M body came from Chris Martin IV himself in 1984.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

The concept of adding dreadnought depth to the existing 0000/M body came from Chris Martin IV himself in 1984.

Great bit of recent history.

[lowrider]

First I got the J-17 and life was good. It's the only one ever made and it was everything I could ask for. But then they sent me the first stim check and my wife gave me hers to get a 70th birthday present. What could I do? I got the J-40, and life was really good

I gave the second stim check to my wife, but then they sent me the third stim check! I got the GP-28 on the right. I thought it might push either my GPCRSG or OM-18 out of the house. But it looks like the J-17 and the GP28 are teaming up and trying to push the J-40 out!

I think I'll just keep them all. Yup, life is really good right now!

[FingahPickah]

Originally Posted by TBear

About 4 months ago, I bought a used 2018 Martin J-40 that was in excellent condition. Since that time it has become my primary axe, inspire of having a lovely Highly figured Cuban mahagany Tippin dreadnought. Love the tone, playability and look. A number of people have complimented it's time and commented on how loud it is. BTW it records well too. 4 months ago, I did not know these existed. I am a grasser loving old D28s. This does most of what a D28S does (except the strong pounding low E string on a G chord) and does so much more better. Is great finger picking and playing off a instrument in a duet. Love it.

End of 1999/early 2000 I was in search of a rosewood Martin dread... I came across a D40 (the dread version of the J40) and HAD to have it... I still feel it may be the best sounding sitka/rosewood dread I've ever played.... BIG HD28 sound with just enough bling... I love it.

[Scotso]

I have never played or heard one. I should probably make an effort.

[Brucebubs]

The only mistake Chris Martin made was calling it a 'Jumbo'.

Too many people immediately assume it's a big guitar ... and it isn't.

So in 2009 when Martin built their first true jumbo with 17" lower bout they named it 'Grand Jumbo'.

Here's a Grand Jumbo on the left and a 14-fret J body on the right.... in this case it's a JDP II with slot-head and large sound-hole.

[lowrider]

Originally Posted by Scotso

I have never played or heard one. I should probably make an effort.

They are not easy to find in the store. The J-40 is one of the more expensive Martins and stores just don’t stock them. In general, stores just don’t stock Jumbos, even though as Bruce pointed out, the J-40 isn’t one.

[NotALuth]

My HJ-28 has been my favourite guitar since I bought it 17 years ago. When the opportunity arose recently to add a JDP-II I couldn’t resist!

Here they are together.



Regards,
Clive

[caperrob]

Congratulations!!! I tested a J40 once and it was the best Martin I ever played. If I could afford it, I would own one.