1980s Martin J40M vs Reimagined J40

vaibhav.mittal · #1 06-28-2022, 09:29 PM

Hi everyone,

Anyone who has experience in playing these two guitars?

I have a tab on a J40M from 1980s but not sure whether I should consider it or not specially comparing it to new Reimagined J40.

Thanks

Brucebubs · #2 06-28-2022, 09:41 PM

Main difference is nut width - 1 11/16" on early model and 1 3/4" on the newer.

sinistral · #3 06-28-2022, 09:47 PM

I recently bought a 1993 J-40 and it is exceptional. The tone is sweet and cavernous at the same time. I can’t help you in the comparison since I haven’t played a reimagined version. The reimagined version will have forward-shifted bracing and a wider nut, if those features matter to you. It will also be more expensive. In terms of aesthetics, I like the more subdued headstock on the older versions.

Here is a demo that I think really captures the sound of a J-40, albeit with added reverb (listen with headphones or with good speakers):

The J-40 has a lot of natural reverb so it almost wasn’t necessary (although it is consistent with the original version).

vaibhav.mittal · #4 06-28-2022, 11:07 PM

Beautiful playing Sir

You would make any guitar sing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinistral

I recently bought a 1993 J-40 and it is exceptional. The tone is sweet and cavernous at the same time. I can’t help you in the comparison since I haven’t played a reimagined version. The reimagined version will have forward-shifted bracing and a wider nut, if those features matter to you. It will also be more expensive. In terms of aesthetics, I like the more subdued headstock on the older versions.

Here is a demo that I think really captures the sound of a J-40, albeit with added reverb (listen with headphones or with good speakers):

The J-40 has a lot of natural reverb so it almost wasn’t necessary (although it is consistent with the original version).

sinistral · #5 06-29-2022, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaibhav.mittal

Beautiful playing Sir

You would make any guitar sing!

Just to clarify—that’s not me, I wish I could play like that! That video just happens to capture the tone and character of the J-40 very well, to my ears at least.

lowrider · #6 06-29-2022, 04:01 AM

All I can add is that I have a newer one and, as you can hear in Sinistral's video, they are fantastic guitars.

I think mine is a 2019 that I got from Maury in 2020. It must have sat at Maury's for three years with no buyers. They are not easy to sell. If you go to buy the used one, bargain hard because you might be the only one looking at it.

I love the Martin J shape. I have a J-40, a CS J-17, and a GP-28e which is very similar. If Martin were to see the light and issue a J-18 I'd be the first one there to order one.