FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

Along with the Grand J-35E, the Grand J40-12E was one of four models introduced in 2009 using Martin's new "grand jumbo" body design. The Grand J40-12E 12-string was meant to compete head-to-head with Guild's classic F-512 12-string acoustic. The guitar featured asymetric string spacing for easier fretting and D-TAR Wave Length Multi-Source electronics. While it proved to be an easy-to-play yet formidable sounding guitar, it was not very popular (only 173 built in 2009) and the Grand J was discontinued after the 2010 model year. Since acquiring one, Michael Nesmith has been a playing his Grand J40-12E for live performances.

 Body:  Hollow; solid 2-piece Sitka spruce top, solid 2-piece Indian rosewood back and solid Indian rosewood sides; 8-ply bound top, 6-ply bound back

 Finish:  Natural, polyurethane

 Neck:  1-piece mahogany, set-in; triple bound rosewood headstock overlay with mother-of-pearl logo

 Fingerboard:  Ebony, single bound; mother-of-pearl diamond and square inlays

 Number of Frets:  20

 Pickguard:  Delmar, tortoise

 Bridge:  Ebony with Tusq saddle

 Nut:  Bone

 Tuners:  Schaller Mini, gold

 Pickups:  D-TAR Wave Length Multi-Source

 Controls:  Volume, Blend

 Scale Length:  25 1/2 inches

 Neck Width at Nut:  1 13/16 inches

 Body Width at Lower Bout:  17 inches

 Body Depth:  4 3/4 inches

 Weight:  5.8 lb