Do any of you own a Martin J-40?

[Bear Davis]

I have a J-40 and she is a permanent resident in my music room. The neck is as comfortable as they come (low oval with high performance taper I believe) and it doesn't feel as cumbersome as a Dread.

You can hear what my J-40 sounds like fingerstyle in the first part of this video. When the other instruments start kicking in its harder to get a feel for it.

What I personally love about my J-40 is that it handles alternate tunings sooooo well. Even tunings with drop C or B it still has power.

I am not a fan of the M-36 or most other 0000 Martins I have played. Most of them have sounded pretty blah in comparison.

I also have a J-41 that I LOVE but that's a different animal all together...

[lowrider]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Best description for the J-14 fret I heard was,

'The panache of an OM, the balance of a 000 and the engine of a Dreadnought.'

That pretty much nails it, Bruce.

One thing though, even though the J-40 shouldn't be called a Jumbo; probably a Jumbo Junior or a Mini Jumbo at 16 inches across, there's a Youtube video comparing Jumbo's with the J-40 included and to my ears, it blows all the others out of the picture.

[cliff_the_stiff]

Originally Posted by Bear Davis

I have a J-40 and she is a permanent resident in my music room. The neck is as comfortable as they come (low oval with high performance taper I believe) and it doesn't feel as cumbersome as a Dread.

You can hear what my J-40 sounds like fingerstyle in the first part of this video. When the other instruments start kicking in its harder to get a feel for it.

What I personally love about my J-40 is that it handles alternate tunings sooooo well. Even tunings with drop C or B it still has power.

I am not a fan of the M-36 or most other 0000 Martins I have played. Most of them have sounded pretty blah in comparison.

I also have a J-41 that I LOVE but that's a different animal all together...

That’s really beautiful Bear.

[Stevien]

Loved the video, Bear! Well done! And the J-40 as well! And I agree that the J-40 is one of Martin's best kept secrets! It's about as versatile as they come! I also believe that the J-40 is the only model Martin improved upon during their "reimagining" phase. The 1 3/4"nut & modified low oval sealed it in!
Steve

[lowrider]

That was beautiful, Bear.

Beautiful song

Beautiful playing

Beautiful guitar

If Martin ever decides to promote the J-40, they should use that song in the ads.

[boneuphtoner]

What a gorgeous piece Bear - such wonderful playing

[MickZ]

Fantastic work, Bear! And that guitar is killer.

[llew]

That is an amazing song Bear...really well written and well played. Thanks for sharing!

[MickZ]

Originally Posted by lowrider

I love my J body guitars;



Who's got it better than me........Nobody!

Amen, brother! Those guitars are beautiful. And thanks for keeping the economy humming by putting that stimulus money to work! The only problem is . . . now I'm GASsing for a J-40 after this thread!

[Bear Davis]

Holy smokes!

Thanks so much!

You are all way too kind!!

[aeisen93]

Is the Martin J-40 bigger than a Grand Auditorium Taylor?

[FingahPickah]

Originally Posted by aeisen93

I would like to try out a Martin J-40. I don't usually hear that much about this model... When I hear Martin I think "D" series or OM / OOO. Do any of you own a J-40? I like how the bling does not go around the whole body and is only around the soundhole.

If you own a J-40, post pics!

Thanks!

https://www.martinguitar.com/guitars...d-series/j-40/

I have a killer sounding D-40 (from 2000) - just enough bling, not too much.

[aeisen93]

I'm highly considering this guitar (some day!). It looks and sounds amazing. Just the perfect amount of bling.

[Earl49]

Originally Posted by aeisen93

Is the Martin J-40 bigger than a Grand Auditorium Taylor?

Essentially no. Both have a 16” lower bout and similar body depth. Both fit fine into any dreadnought case. J-40 is kinda like a D-28 with a narrow waist.

[aeisen93]

I really want one of these. I like how it has some bling, but is not to "blingy" like the D-45... Just looks amazing and from the videos I've watched it sounds amazing too. Anyway, I recently bought a new car, so the guitar purchase will have to wait.