Designed by C.F. Martin IV with valuable input from players, this jumbo-size model combines the Grand Auditorium body profile with the dreadnought body depth. Features rosewood back and sides, scalloped bracing, abalone pearl rosette, bound ebony fingerboard, abalone hexagon position markers, a bound headstock with Style 45 'C.F. Martin' abalone pearl letters, and gold enclosed tuning machines. Include deluxe Martin hardshell case.
Solid Sitka spruce top
East Indian rosewood sides and back
Mahogany neck
Ebony fingerboard
Ebony bridge
Scalloped bracing
Abalone pearl rosette
Abalone hexagon position markers
Gotoh gold-plated tuners
25-2/5" scale
20 frets
Neck width at nut 1-11/16"
Includes case
Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage
Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling
and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a
complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.
Gold Coverage Includes:
Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks
Normal wear and tear
Power surges
Dust, internal heat and humidity
Other plan features include:
For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks)
For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax.
Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement
Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold
Plans are renewable on new gear
*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details
Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.
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I bought my brand new Martin J-40 from Custom Guitars Friend back in spring of 2003.It arrived on time, in perfect condition, set up to play immediately out of the box. I've owned 27 other high end guitars of every imaginable shape, style and price, and wood. But none of them matched the balance, tone, beauty, quality, or clarity of this J-40. It is easier to play and hold than a Dred, with much more balance of the mids and singing trebles and rich chunky lows....all three totally balanced for any music you play. It's looks are stunning with the finest woods I have ever seen on any guitar in the world...but it's the sound, and the rich buttery tone that reminds me of Heaven, because it just seems too good to be true. Get one, you won't regret it. And as always Custom Guitars Friend is a class act. I did not hesitate to buy this expensive guitar from MF as I knew they would take care of me if something happened to be wrong with it.They always do. Mine was delivered in perfect condition. So you have nothing to lose. This J-40 is a once in a lifetime guitar, with a once in a lifetime tone and look. It blew my Dreds away with its rich and powerful base, and yet still it was able to deliver the most delicate and sweet notes ever heard this side of Heaven. The Martin J-40 is simply amazing, and better than any, and every, other Martin I have ever owned or played in shops for over 30 years. Do yourself a favor. Get yourself a piece of heaven while you can. Because that is just what this Martin J-40 is. Heaven.
Martin Standard Series J-40 Jumbo Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
.I have always wanted a D45....the beauty, the sound...Having had several D35's, the Graham Nash 000-28, and several other lesser guitars, I was ready to step up to the ultimate. When I got the chance to have a nice D45, I happened to play the J40 as well, as one of the guys at Tall Toad music said "You might just like this one better". The J40 was incredible!!!!! It has the balanced sound of an OM model, mixed with the depth and volume of the D series. In addition, it had the beautiful inlaid Martin signature headstock of the D40's series, and all at much less than the dreadnaught 40's. I'm a singer/songwriter, and I could not be more pleased with the sound and style of a guitar. No need to upgrade here!!!!
Martin Standard Series J-40 Jumbo Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
.I've only owned my J-40 for a week, but I've been playing a long time and know acoustic guitars pretty well. I currently own Taylor and Guild acoustics as well as another Martin. In the store, I compared the J-40 head-to-head against a Taylor GS7, Gibson J-200, J-45, and Hummingbird, a Guild D-55, and Martin D-28, HD-35, and HD-28V. The Martin J-40 was the standout of the bunch, which speaks volumes to me. I love the tone of Martin dreadnoughts, but the J-40 has their big, rich bass without the boominess and with much better treble high frequency response - in short, it has a much more balanced sound, in my opinion. It's also just as loud as the dreadnoughts. The string spacing at the bridge is a little tight for fingerpicking, in my opinion, making this primarily a strummer's and flatpicker's guitar; however, it does sound outstanding played fingerstyle. How to describe the sound? Full, deep, rich, balanced; but beyond that adjectives fail me. It sounds beautiful to my ear, better than all the other amazing guitars I compared it with. I think it's the most underrated and least known of Martin's line, but possibly the best. I'll have this guitar for life and eventually pass it down to my daughter.
For my taste, the J-40 has just the right amount of ornamentation; a little bling, but not overdone. I would have preferred a factory-installed pickup system, but I can have that added easily enough. I don't understand why Martin doesn't include strap buttons on their guitars, but that's almost too minor to mention.
In a word, perfect. I've been over my J-40 very carefully, and I can find no flaw in it, anywhere.
It's pricey, but not unreasonably so considering the quality, features, and tone, as well as the fact that it's American-made.
Martin Standard Series J-40 Jumbo Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
.The Martin J40 evidences Martin's uncompromising attention to quality. My Martin J40 is 26 years old and still plays and sounds as great as the day I bought it.
I have owned and played this guitar since its manufacture by Martin in 1985. It is the finest acoustic steel string guitar I've ever played, and I've been playing guitar for over 50 years. The sound and playability of the J40 are unsurpassed. I recommend it without reservation or equivocation.
Great attention to detail, as usual, by Martin.
The guitar has held its value over the 26 years that I've owned it.
Martin Standard Series J-40 Jumbo Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
.I have come to love the higher end Taylor guitars, too. And I'll never forget that one lovely afternoon I spent with a beautiful Collings in Nashville... My she was sweet.
For about 20 years i owed cheap guitars. Then I saved my pennies with the goal of finally owning a quality instrument. At the time, Martins, Gibsons, and Ovation were the only acoustic makers I knew of that the "pros" played. It was in 1990 that I bought my J40. This was after playing just about about every single quality dreadnought for sale in town over the course of 2 years, literally hundreds of guitars. And that was a lot of fun. Then I got to play a J40, which I had never heard of before. That was it. I still have it and still love it. Every time I am in a music store I play the good wood that's available, and have many times temporarily fallen in love, only to realize my folly when I get back home to my true love, the J40. It did have neck binding issues twice in the first few years, both times repaired under warranty. Of course I have several other guitars, but none compare in quality of tone, balance, and warmth. It's my honey.
Beautiful book matched rosewood back, fantastic Sitka spruce top, perfection in the finish. It did have neck binding issues that were repaired under warranty almost 20 years ago and still holding up. Magnificent sound,action and playability.
Quality has a cost and I never minded what I paid.
Martin Standard Series J-40 Jumbo Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
.I'd been looking for 3 years for the right guitar as I was willing to spend some serious cash and did'nt want to buy something only to find something better the next day.I tried em all,production and custom, and played a lot of nice rigs.My j 40 was on sale at half price and I only took it down off the wall on a lark cause I'd never heard of one and was curious.1st strum and my knees buckled.The salesman saw that and escorted me like the zombie I'd instantlly become into the sound room to have a little quality time with the guitar.Might have been the 15 years hanging on the wall being played on and around in a climate controlled environment,basically ripening on the vine,but I really don't think you could reproduce that sound at any price.
Martin Standard Series J-40 Jumbo Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
.My Martin J-40 came to me as a trade for one of the sweetest finger-picking guitars I have ever owned that was made by James Goodall. My style is much more rhythmic, percussive really, and while the Goodall was amazing it was not the guitar for my specific style.
When the Martin J-40 arrived I was immediately impressed by the "fit and finish" and overall feel of this comfortable jumbo body instrument. Then I started to play it and the smile on my face has never left. I had finally found the 6-string soul mate I was searching for.
No disrespect intended with the following statement but as I played rhythmically, harder and harder the guitar NEVER flattened out but simply increased in volume looked up at me and, I swear it said; "Is that all you got white boy!?"
I promise, if you are a percussive rhythm guitarist that you will not be disappointed by this amazing instrument.
Martin Standard Series J-40 Jumbo Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
.I have owned my J40 since 1986. I am primarily a finger-picker, and the neck is perfect for this style of playing. It allows for longer reach with certain bar chords and faster runs. The dreadnought depth of the body allows it to go from sweet melodies to the hardest driving bluegrass, and volume that competes with the banjo. If you could only have one acoustic that meets the standards of a wide variety of playing styles, this one is it.
Martin Standard Series J-40 Jumbo Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
.I have owned my J-40 for five years and it is the go to acoustic for me. Flat picking and strumming is its calling. Mine has a perfect fit and finish and being a luthier myself I am impressed with a large company crafting a guitar of this quality for the price. I love the tone of the J-40 the most. It has an almost haunting sound. The neck is one of the most playable that I have seen. It is so very comfortable to play too. It just seems to fit "right". I believe the Jumbo sound is superior to the dreadnaught's. If you can spare the change go with the J-40.
Martin Standard Series J-40 Jumbo Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
.While searching for the one and only guitar I've played lots of guitars lately. Believe me in Denmark they cost a fortune! So no time for doing any mistakes... I wanted a perfect allround guitar and found it! I tried Gibson SJ200, Martin HD28 etc. Until i found the J40... A jumbo but not as big as SJ200. This guitar is...Perfect! In my mind i was looking for Gibson but just try this guitar and i'm convinced you'll pick this one too! The sound is FANTASTIC!!!
Martin Standard Series J-40 Jumbo Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
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