The standard 40 series Martin acoustics offer a combination of vintage and modern premium features in two styles: the jumbo-sized J-40 and the dreadnought, the D-40. Both are priced at $3,350
Features
The J-40 is Martin's popular take on the jumbo. The guitar's back and sides are solid rosewood, and the top is solid sitka spruce. The back stripe is herringbone inlay.
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| Martin D-40 | Martin J-40 |
The guitar features, hand carved, scalloped X-bracing, a tried-and-true design that goes back to the1800s. (However, the guitar does not get the pre-war design, forward-shifted bracing that is one-inch from the soundhole. That feature is reserved for the HD28V, D-18V, D-41 and other high-end models).
The 40 series soundhole is adorned with numerous pieces of abalone around the body and soundhole. The one-piece mahogany neck, 25.4-inch scale, is fitted with an ebony fretboard with abalone hexagonal inlays - very nice. The headstock is embossed with the early 20th century style, vertical C.F. Martin logo, with abalone, instead of the smaller horizontal letters of later guitars. The tuners are gold-coated Gotohs while the bridge is ebony. The J-40 comes with Martin medium SP+ bronze strings.
The J-40 is not as big is not as big or as thick, as a Gibson J-200 jumbo, but the lower bout measures 16-inches. The body has a pinched waist when compared to a dreadnought. This make its more comfortable.
The D-40 has all the same woods, bracing decorative inlays, tuners and neck, but in the dreadnought size. It has a wider waist than the jumbo and a slightly smaller bottom bout.
Construction was perfect on both the J and the D. Nary a drop of excess glue on the inside, and the action was low enough that the mediums did not kill my fingers. These Martin SP+ strings, with the coating to keep them fresh, are as about as good as I have heard from this class of strings.
Both guitars are finished in natural gloss and they come with premium Martin hard cases.
The Audition
The D-40 and the J-40 have similar sonic characteristics - in that they are open, resonant and loud with a good bass that is often lacking in many of today's acoustic guitars, but there are definite differences because of the different shapes.
The J-40 is the more balanced guitar; its pinched waist reduces the bass bloom to be more on par with the treble. The guitar has an intimate tone that fingerstyle pickers will like, but yet is strums nicely as well. Because of the pinched waist, hard strumming over the soundhole creates a more bass heavy, less succinct character that is greatly reduced when playing midway between the bridge and soundhole.
The D-40 is a louder guitar that is more suited to rhythm and bold picking, such as bluegrass and folk. It is more bass heavy than the J-40. Thus, the apparent treble seems reduced in comparison. Still, it is a full spectrum dreadnought capable of filling big rooms, and it does have top end- especially when you play back from the soundhole.
Conclusion
The J-40 and the D-40 represent Martin lineage quite well. Having the same construction and features, the size and intended use should dictate which one suits your taste. If you are a strummer who needs commanding volume with strong bass the D-40 is your choice. Folks picking the blues and other singer/songwriter stylists might like the J-40 with its more comfortable feel. Heck, if you have enough dough, buy them both. Absolutely recommended.
