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Unexpected NGD .... Martin J-40.

EuroAussie

By EuroAussie
in Gibson Acoustic

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EuroAussie

EuroAussie

Posted
Posted

One of those days. Was downtown today and had an hour to kill before my favourite Thai noodle joint opened for the lunchtime trade. Reminded me nearby was a guitar shop which normally stocks a few mid level Martins. Its the place where I bought my 00-15.

 

I went in there not expecting much, half hour to kill and there I see hanging on a wall was what looked like a 40 series Martin, which intrigued me.

 

You see, it wasn't a dread or small bodied Martin, it was the Jumbo model, which Ive never come across.

 

Ive always been fond of 40's series Martins, always loved their high end shimmer, something about them that you dont seem to hear in the 28 seris models, so I had to try out it.

 

Was blown away after first pluck. Very rich, deep, complex tone, but for a rosewood Martin not muddy at all and most importantly very, very balanced, which Im assuming is coming from the J body style. Loved fingerpicking it and what I was hearing back. Its a 2003 model, had that lovelly already well played in tone, very broken in.

 

Its actually a unique size in man ways, feels about the size of a Gibson slope, but has a narrow lower bout for very comfortable feel. The nut was 1 11/16 but must have had wide string spacing as I really found it very easy to fingerpick on.

 

Strumming it had the signature Martin tone with a lot of overtone but that lovelly shimmer of the 40's series, but again it was really balanced which is rare for Martin with the larger bodies.

 

I enquired about it and it turns out it was from the guitar shop owners private collection, he needed to sell a couple to raise urgent cash.

 

The price was competitive, I thought it about and said lets do it.

 

So Im very happy as I was looking for a rosewood fingerpicker and to have this in also a 40's Martin package was a double win.

 

The 00-15 will go as Im determined not to grow the stable, but I hardly play it as the LG-2 and Furch OM get premier small bodied couch duties.

 

Very happy to have a 40's Martin, something that was in the back of my mind.

 

Suprised these 'J' series Martins are not more popular, as they offer a tremendous, balanced and rich tone, very versatile.

 

Here's the Martin getting to know its only other stable rosewood cousin, the AJ.

 

So, completely unexpected, was really not looking actively, but hey, I worked hard the last 12 months, I deserve it ! :-)

 

IMG_4712_zps21aec890.jpg

j45nick

j45nick

Posted
Posted

Nice guitar, Mark!

 

I can't find anything on the body dimensions on the Martin website. (width/depth). Sort of looks like a blown-up OOO.

EuroAussie

EuroAussie

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Nice guitar, Mark!

 

I can't find anything on the body dimensions on the Martin website. (width/depth). Sort of looks like a blown-up OOO.

 

This is all I could find Nick, but blown up 000 is actually a good description. It feels more like playig a small bodied guitar than a large one, but the volume, sustain and projection is massive. I bought it mainly wiht fingerpicking in mind and the tone is rich and deep, good mids also for a Martin !

 

http://www.martinguitar.com/series/item/192-j-40.html

 

I believe the lower bout is 16 inches, but havent measured it.

zombywoof

zombywoof

Posted
Posted

Congrats!

 

Funny but I was down at my favorite purveyor of musical goodies this morning and they were talking about this Martin. The owner is planning to be at a one day guitar show next weekend and is hoping to dig one up to give it a try. Who knows, if he likes it and can get it at the right price one might come home with him. I had to remind him though his job is to pick me out a good Gibson L-00 and snag it for no more than $2K.

EuroAussie

EuroAussie

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Let me know how he goes, would be curious how much he can snag one for. Been reading reviews of this guitar and its been nothing but positive. Seems like its a hidden gem in the Martin line up, certainly grabbed me instantly.

 

Congrats!

 

Funny but I was down at my favorite purveyor of musical goodies this morning and they were talking about this Martin. The owner is planning to be at a one day guitar show next weekend and is hoping to dig one up to give it a try. Who knows, if he likes it and can get it at the right price one might come home with him. I had to remind him though his job is to pick me out a good Gibson L-00 and snag it for no more than $2K.

J-1854Me

J-1854Me

Posted
Posted

Cool, Mark -- nice buy! The -40 series Martins (along with the 18s and 21s) are about the only ones that 'call my name', as it were. (I just haven't found the one with the neck that does it for me.)

 

I've learned some time ago, though, to not say "never" to any guitar, or to discount a model or make or scale length or wood combo that I had previously no or little regard for.

 

When it happens, it happens -- what can you do? [rolleyes]

 

My recollection is that Martin's J models were on the scene for (maybe?) a dozen or so years, but did not seem to last -- don't know if they discontinued them for a spell or alltogether, but they did seem to emulate the Gibson jumbo design, slightly. The balance you describe is likely a function of that body shape.

 

I'll be interested to hear your impressions over the coming weeks and months of your new/used Martin.

 

Fred

flatbaroque

flatbaroque

Posted
Posted

Nice one buddy.

 

 

Geez , I'm in the wrong job. I went mad the other day when out for lunch and bought the other fellas a box of buns

 

haha...BBG you extravagant bastard. I bet they were Jumbo buns too!

 

EA nice pick up mate. I've played an M-36 a couple of times and was really impressed. I guess it's kind of similar.

BluesKing777

BluesKing777

Posted
Posted

Congratulations!

 

 

I too played an M36 at the shop and it was very nice. I think the Stefan Grossman Martin model (HJ38) is a similar guitar to yours.

 

 

Tracks needed.....

 

 

BluesKing777.

Dave F

Dave F

Posted
Posted

Nice looking guitar. I have an M size on order (same size, a little shallower). Hope I like it as much as you are liking yours.

duluthdan

duluthdan

Posted
Posted

That'll be great for finger=picking. Nice. Gonna dump a pickup in it? Looks like a nice stack o Sunbeams there too - gonna try a set on the Martin?

Tarrr

Tarrr

Posted
Posted

Dave F, I really like Maurys chart. Confirms the J40 and M36/38 are the same 0000 body, they both have forward shifted bracing. The J40 is dreadnaught depth vs slim depth of the M36/38. I've owned a bunch of CFMs over the years, the M36 and 000-17SM are my favorites ever.

 

Finding a good used J40 is kinda rare because they are keepers, you did well EA.

bobouz

bobouz

Posted
Posted

Great find!

 

George Gruhn is a big fan of the OOOO body,

and has ordered many custom models per his specs.

 

He currently has 16 guitars in stock in this size,

as well as a brand new J-40.

EuroAussie

EuroAussie

Posted
  • Author
Posted

 

 

I noticed as well that you've got the lifetime supply of Sunbeams. Do Martins require Martin strings?

 

FMA

 

Actually the Sunbeams were my 'go to' strings on mahgoany guitars, but I switched to Pyramids couple years ago. I use these now only for the J-150 and obviously have a life time supply left over. I always buy in bulk from the US as its much cheper for us Eurotypes.

 

Im tring to figure what strings are on the Martin, the sales guys coudnt be sure. He reckons its might be Martin SP Longlifes, defintely PB's. Im thinking they could be Elixirs, but dont feel as slippery as Elixirs. Anyway, they sound really good on this guitar, as I said not a hint of muddiness, when strummed the tone is very lush, while fingerpicked its rich and defined, but still with strong cut through and sparkle when used the nail. Its a really, really well balanced guitar.

ParlourMan

ParlourMan

Posted
Posted

Happy pickin EA. Lucky you.

 

But, what everyone needs to know is what does it TASTE like ?

 

Go on. Give it a lick ! You know you wants to

 

Roast beef and gravy with seasonal veg and a hint of butternut squash & sweet potato mash.

E-minor7

E-minor7

Posted
Posted

Wow - Don't know this model, but the M-36 and 38's I played were impressing. A slightly deeper box sounds promising.

 

Really dig those hexagons - they add a lot of personality.

 

Stay Happy There

 

 

 

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