Martin J40

[ROblows]

Anybody play one? What do you think of it?

[Jimmy D.]

Rob..

I've played a couple, and my impression is that it's a sweet-sounding and versitile guitar. Maybe a little on the warm/dark side of the spectrum - but that's just a generalization... I mean, a deeper bodied guitar with EIR back/sides will tend toward 'warm'..

I found the J40/jumbo shape to be more comfortable to play than a dred, and I think that's due to the waist being more narrow. I'm a believer in physically 'being there' when I buy guitars, since I find that even among the top builders there is considerable variation between guitars - even within the same model. But I know many folks who do just fine, and are completely happy with purchases on-line (friends tell me - "you can always return it!" - but man, that sounds like a great big hassle to me!)

So I'd say to get out and try a few if you have the chance. But if you're looking for a jumbo with rosewood b/s, by a quality builder - you probably can't go wrong.

Good luck,
Jim

[ROblows]

Originally Posted by Jimmy D.

I'm a believer in physically 'being there' when I buy guitars, since I find that even among the top builders there is considerable variation between guitars - even within the same model.

Oh, I would definately play before buying. I've got the chance to get a used one at a fairly decent price, but it's a bit of a hassle to get there, so I was wondering if it was worth going out of my way or not. I'm looking for somethig versitile (fingerstyle and strumming) that records well. As an extreme over-generalization, dreds tend to be better strummers and OM's tend to be better fingerpickers. I'm just wondering if this might be a good compromise between the two. They call it a "jumbo", but the body doesn't seem to be nearly as big as the Gibson jumbos I'm used to (which are generally good strummers, but not good fingerpickers).

[Jimmy D.]

ROb,

My impression is that this model is exactly how you put it - the J is a great compromise between the dred and the OM. I liked the flatpicked sound - the ones I've tried had some 'punch' to the lows. But it/they also seemed to have a 'sweeter' mid and high (than my experience with the D28, for example). I found the middle to have a real present quality when finger picking. A very pleasant sustain - not annoying at all..

Hope you found a good one!

Take care,
Jim

[ROblows]

Originally Posted by Jimmy D.

My impression is that this model is exactly how you put it - the J is a great compromise between the dred and the OM.

In that case, I'll probably go check it out. Thanks, Jim.