The M series guitars were not originally made as a larger extension of the O-OO-OOO series. The origin of these guitars is based on Martin’s unsuccessful attempt to make archtop guitars. They were made in three sizes, C, R and F. The F had a 16 sixteen inch lower bout and became the basis for the M guitars. Matt Umanov Guitars in Greenwich Village, NYC, took an old archtop which needed repair and replaced the original top with a flat spruce top. Dave Bromberg was an early, if not the original player of that guitar. As people took note of it, more F sized arch tops were acquired and converted. Martin took notice of this success and began making their own M-36 and M-38 guitars. Many of the early ones had oval holes, Steve Earle owns another one of these early conversions, and when Martin made a signature guitar for him had them make it as a M-21. There is a nice discussion of this guitar by Earle on his KZfaq Channel, and a nice written article on Matt Umanov’s web page (he is still in business, but the store is not there anymore). One idea about the M is that it represents Umanov’s contribution to this guitar (M for Matt). They are great guitars.

J40 takes it for me. Deeper body and headstock logo. ..though if money were no object..id have both.

I bought a J-40 a few months ago. It's the most resonant guitar I've ever played, and also balanced and loud. It has a solid bass, but doesn't get boomy. Harmonics and sustain are incredible. I play it almost exclusively fingerstyle in classical position, so the dread depth and larger 0000 size doesn't bother me at all. I like it a lot better than the M-36s I tried. Although Martin recommends medium strings, it shipped with titanium core lights. The factory tag said the guitar was strung with Titanium Core MTCN160 strings, (the MTCN meaning Martin Titanium Core Nickel). I've since tried Martin Luxe Kovars, Martin Lifespan 80/20s, D'Addario Nickel Bronze, D'Addario XS, Stringjoy Foxwoods, DR Sunbeams and DR Dragon Skins, all light gauge. I like the DRs the best by far. The Sunbeams are a round core string and feel a little softer, but the Dragon Skins are coated and last a little longer. They both sound fantastic on this guitar, at least to my ear. I can't say enough good things about the J-40. I've had two Goodall Concert Jumbos, a Collings OM2HC, a Martin D-28, two Breedloves that I still own, and two upper-end Taylors that I also still own. The J-40 is number 1, and it really isn't close.

I liked the M-36. To me the J-40 sounded a little overwhelming and the M-36 is an extremely versatile guitar. I play a 000-28 and a D-18 and use the acoustic authentic light gauge strings on both. Love ‘em.

The J40 sounds like it’s been on steroids and been pumping iron. WOW incredible guitar.

I’ve searched, bought and sold, tested and returned, reviewed and deliberated over more guitars than I’d like to admit to. To me the M36 is like all Martins distilled into one. It’s the Goldilocks for stage or sofa, standing or sitting, strumming or finger picking. It’s both articulate and has that Rosewood rumble and growl. Playability to match any Taylor I’ve tried but with the soul stirring tone of a Martin. IMHO this M (0000) shape should be available with all of the options afforded to the rest of the Standard Martin series, including tone-woods, a cutaway version and built in electronics. Even so the stock M36 would still probably be the most versatile, and the Goldilocks of them all.

just got the j40 last month. amazed by the sound of this guitar ❤❤❤

M-36 for me, primarily because of the shallower depth and my bad right shoulder.

If I recall from a recent Martin video, they are sending x40+ models out with Luxe strings. I have a Custom Shop 0000-28e 12-fret with Engelmann Spruce top, flamed maple binding on the neck, headstock, and body with a special rosebud inlay on the pickguard. Great sounding guitar. Thanks for the comparison. Thanks, Chris and Cooper

Cooper's introduction always cracks me up 🤣 The resonance on the J-40 was mega! The M-36 sounded 'dull' in comparison: possibly the strings are the biggest contributing factor here? Great work boys 👍🏻

Beautiful looking guitars . Great sounding too

I played maybe this exact J40 - but couldn’t tell if I’d love it because of the strings. Went home with a D-42 and couldn’t be happier (with the guitar and my buying experience with these guys, shoutout to Blake) but either of these two guitars are on my “next” queue - will definitely need to hear with more traditional alloys.

Trying out strings is part of the charm of a new guitar. Looking for that perfect match for your ears and playing style. I loved the sound of Tony Rice Retros with a flat pick, yet it was too hard for me to get them to ring out on a dreadnought with my particular type of fingerstyle (classical three fingers, no thumb pick).

Great gutters both I really like the Martin retro Monel strings.

I like both of these guitars. I would probably go M-36 because it would be loud enough for my needs I have a variety of strings on my guitars. Retros on my mahogany models except the CEO 7 I replace with what came on it because it sounds fantastic. I also use Elixir Nanoweb, John Pierce and clear tone I bought on a deal.

Hi, I really like your videos and have been watching every one of them from the moment I discovered your channel. I play an old Guild GAD-30 now but my dream guitar is a Martin M-18 with adirondack top, 1 3/4 inch nut and vintage style tuners. I have read some books and searched online for the M model and it turns out that the M model was Martin's reaction to 1960s luthiers Marc Silber and Matt Umanov converting old Martin F-7 and F-9 archtops to flattops. The F-models had a 16 inch wide lower bout and the body shape was similar to a 000/OM guitar. Still this piece of history does not explain why they call it M...

I used to have a J40 and still have a M36. I like the Sound of the M36 more. Like they said the M36 has a snappier tone. The J40 to my ears had a bit undefined tone. The M36 is perfekt for me when I’m out playing live because it can do it all. I also love my D18 and my Guild D55 - but if I should keep only one it would be the M36.

I bought my J40-M in 1990 Just had the neck reset and frets done. This guitar is big and resonant.

Can’t comment on the M-36, I haven’t had a chance to try one, but I have an MC-28 that I’ve been playing for the last 38 years. I can’t imagine ever giving it up! It’s balanced and projects well without being boomy. It responds to finger picking but it doesn’t collapse if I get aggressive with the flat pick. It’s the closest thing to an “everything” guitar that I’ve ever found. If the M-36 is anything like my guitar it’s a winner for sure.

You guys are absolutely correct, those are very underappreciated instruments, and for the life of me, I don’t know why. If anyone was ever a Gibson and Martin fan, and was looking for an instrument to combine both brands together, these are it. They work for just about anything, and our perhaps the most diverse tool a guitarist could own in the Acoustic world.

I bought my J40 in Canada 14 months ago and it is fabulous. I upgraded the top to Adirondack spruce with the VTS and that takes it up several tonal notches. WOW!! I believe the D'addario XS 13-56 strings also takes it up more notches. It doesn't get better than this.

open back tuners on the J40 are recent. Mine is about 10 years old and has Martin branded gotoh sealed units. great for fingerpicking and flatpicking. Eventually chose it over the M36 but really could easily have gone with the 36. Both were rare as left handed version here in the UK, so I got it from Martin direct. Arrived from the US in perfect condition, in tune! I've now had a chance to play both in life, and, honestly, I think they sound very alike. at least from behind. I never heard a J40 played by anyone else, so I can't say how different they might sound from in front.

I was told by a sales guy that I needed a dreadnaught acoustic based on what I was going to play so I bought a cheap one while I looked for a good quality guitar. Being only 5' 9" I found them uncomfortable to play sitting down and they slid about. I played hundreds of guitars until the music store I was dealing with for many years ordered an M36 in for me to try out. It was perfect, I love it, I use D'Addario 11's on it and tune it down a semi tone, seems quite common, and it sounds beautiful. Would highly recommend at least giving them a try.

I was super interested in a M36. In the end I bought another dread (non Martin HD28 basically, an Atkin.) M36 looks great though and so does the J40. Would love to play them sometime.

Geez. Those are big boy guitars with a big boy sound. Stunning.

Boys, don't forget to do your podcast homework! I preferred the sound of the J40, but the ear always (always!) likes louder, so maybe not a totally fair comparison. J40 just a little bling for me, though they are both beautiful guitars.

I like the shallower j-40.

Have you tried the Tommy Emmanuel PB Martin strings? I really like them on the 000 and OM bodies.

I purchased a Martin custom in 1988, model-J-40M! Mine has snowflake inlays. I still love it, but if I ever get another it would be an M-36 or 38.

I prefer the appointments of the J40 but would probably go with the M36 because of the body depth

I bought my M36 when I was 18 in 1981. Man I love this guitar. Now after four decades it sounds better and better. I have tried out a new M36 that I saw in a Shop in Hamburg. A brand new one. Nothing like my own. That fourty years really count. I have D28 too. great guitar but when the M36 is a lady, the D28 is a ordinary loud girl. Love both types. Back than the M36 had a not adjustable square trust rod build in. That thing became loose. So I have someone build in an adjustable trustrod, to be operated through the soundhole. Other than thst that think works like it did fourty years ago, but sound better.

I bought a 000x1 and got lucky enough to find it was an American made, before the production was moved to Mexico what a great sounding guitar. if the 0000 are any better you guys might be putting me in debt. lol cheers

Agree with Chris that it’s a bit surprising that Martin would put Luxe or Retro on a RW B&S model in favour of PB. Having said that, I have the Luxe Kovar on my D-18 and they are chef’s kiss 😘!

So when are you guys gonna let us hear the M36? Like to hear the same licks again 'cept on the 36? How about it? They're not the same wallet size are they? Where is this demo going from a sales point of view? Please explain.

I am fortunate to own a 1995 J-40 purchased new in 1995 for 1700 new. I have a couple of dozen other guitars but the J40 is the top of the heap as far as sound goes. I have no intention of selling it but the going rate for a used J40 of its vintage is around 4000.00.

M stands for quad O body, 0000. The J stands for jumbo, it’s an M body with wider deeper sides. Gibsons have the jumbo J, the J-40 is Martins Jumbo guitar.

I have and love an M-36. After some of these comments, I want to try a J-40. This feels expensive.

Why not mention the M38 which I bought in 1984 and still love to bits.

The J40 was always off my radar cuz I prefer parlor size. My LGS just got in a J40. The angle of the big booty on it lines my arm up perfect for the sound hole. It really plays alot smaller than it looks. Sounds fantastic big and balanced sound. Taking it home Monday!

Do any manufacturers make an acoustic guitar of a M36/000 style with a 1 7/8”” nut width. I have arthritic fingers that make it challenging for me now to make clean chords. This is a physical impairment, not a technique issue, as prior to the arthritis I had no issues forming chord shapes. I am wondering if a wider string spacing would help solve this issue.

I've dreampt of an M-36 for a long time. I'd like to hear a comparison of the M-36's bass response compared to a D-28. I'm a fingerstyle guy, but hate to give up the deep bass thump

I really wish Martin would catalog both of these instruments in Style 18 or even Style 15.

I've tried Titanium's on my rosewood and on my sinker mahogany. I really like them on the sinker, but didn't like them on the rosewood.

If someone bought an M-36 from your shop would you be able to add a pick up? What types do you offer... trying to hold out for realease of Hi-fi duet ... want an M-36 so bad!

Is the J45 close to the same size as a Taylor GS?

Do either of these come with electronics?

Is the J available in 28 trim, at a lower price point?

Quad-O. Wasn't that a character in Total Recall?

How do these 0000 guitars size up to a J-185?

Just picked up a J15-12. Anyone got any experience of these? This one’s got a 3 piece back.

Nothing beats the lifespan 2.0

The 40 sounds like dreadnought to me. The 36 to me has a "gibsony" tone to my ear. I like it. Unique.

I prefer the M36.

It's also not a fair comparison to have Cooper demo a guitar. IT WILL NOT SOUND LIKE THAT WHEN YOU PLAY IT!! lol

Are all 0000 guitars 25.4 scale? I get the J-40 nomenclature, But… shouldn’t it be an OM(M)-36? I ride or die with Martin guitars, but man, ‘just because’ isn’t an answer I like. 😆 Ps. Don’t get me started on the 15’s.

Whoops I meant the "J-40"

M36 was more friendly

j 40 sounded noticeably better even on my lap top.

The M- 36 just sounds better.

Quick Draw😂😂 🎸

I dunno - M-36 trys to do everything, kinda achieves it, but it loses unique character of some more popular Martin models. Just my take through a cellphone

You spent as much time talking about the string difference as it would take to change the strings so they'd match for a guitar comparison video. ??

Poor Cooper always OVER Enunciating his name every video now. 😆

Unfortunately Martin slowly but surely approaching a Taylor-style super confusing naming system…..👎🏻