❌ SOLD ❌ C. F. Martin Grand J-12 40e Twelve String Jumbo Acoustic, 2011

This C. F. Martin Grand J-12 40e Special is a close cousin of the fantastic 2005 Martin J-40 posted recently. The Grand J-12 40e is a 12-string guitar, using a slightly larger version of the J body, with ’40’ level Abalone decorations and a DTAR multi-source pickup system.

The Grand J body is somewhat bigger than a the standard J, and has a remarkably full bottom end and midrange presence delivered without hesitation. The top end is as bright and sparkly as you would expect from a Sitka Spruce top. This is a twelve string, so there is a lot of sound coming out of the guitar, but the frequencies aren’t clashing – they are sonorous, not noisy.

This Martin Grand J-12 40e dates to 2011 and was built at the Martin plant in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. This model was built only from 2009 to 2011 so this is one of the final examples.  Martin tells us that 231 J12-40e models were made. 

This guitar pairs a Sitka Spruce top with Indian Rosewood for the back, sides and headplate, and as typical, Mahogany for the neck with an Ebony bridge and bound Ebony fingerboard. The neck uses a modified low oval profile, and is exceptionally comfortable. I would venture to say that in selecting this profile, Martin appears to be taking a hint from Taylor 12’s.

The J-40 is a fairly ‘classy’ guitar, yet with some restraint; on this guitar, a snowflake position marker set is done in Abalone, with a single Abalone ring in the rosette to match. The C F Martin logo on the headstock is also Abalone. The tuners are stock Martin and gold-plated.

This guitar is in good shape with light play wear and light fret wear. It has actually been played, and sounds like it. Its voice is definitely developing, and a player could easily get lost in it for long periods of time.

The original Geib-style case is included.