Martin J-1
Overview
Brand name:
Product:
- acoustic guitars
Series name:
Dates of manufacture:
1997 to 2001
MARTIN began making the J-1 in 1997 as part of the Martin 1-Series. The J-1 blended the Jumbo body size with the features and appointments of Martin's popular D-1 guitar. The J-1 was constructed with a solid Sitka spruce top, laminated mahogany sides, a solid mahogany back and mahogany neck. The 20 fret neck joined the body at the 14th fret. It came in a natural satin finish with Honey Gold toner on top. Optional gloss finish was available at additional charge.
Specifications (21)
General
| Finish colors | natural finish |
| Finish effects | satin finish |
| Made in | USA |
| Binding | tortoiseshell binding |
| Number of strings | 6 strings |
| Scale length | 25.4 inches scale-length |
Body
| Body back material | mahogany body back |
| Body top material | sitka spruce body top |
| Pickguard material | tortoiseshell pickguard |
| Soundhole rosette | 3-stripe rosette |
| Soundhole | round soundhole |
Neck
| Body fret | Neck joins body at 14th fret |
| Neck joint | set neck |
| Neck material | mahogany neck |
| Neck width | 1.69 inches wide at nut |
| Number of frets | 20 fret |
| Tuner layout | three-each-side |
Hardware
| Bridge pins | white with black dot pins |
| Bridge | rosewood bridge |
Fretboard
| Fingerboard material | rosewood fingerboard |
| Fingerboard position markers | dot fingerboard position markers |
Prices (18)
| Date | Price | Condition | Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | $1499.00 | worn | ||
| 1997 | $1099 | new | guitar-list | list price |
| 2016 | $500.00 | good | got this nice playing guitar at a pawn shop from a friend. | |
| 2016 | $1200.00 | excellent | Bobby | got it used from a guy that needed money came with a martin hard case velvet |
| 2013 | £750 | good | Wendy | full sound with deep mellow tones. |
| 1998 | $1100 | new | Alain | It's been in the case since 2000, want to sell it. How much can I get. It still looks brand new and come with a hard case. |
| 2017 | $600 | good | Rickie Nelson | 1st Martin. Big well balanced tone. |
| 2017 | €1099 | good | fab | |
| 2018 | $900.00 | good | great sound. good as a d 28 | |
| 2018 | $700.00 | good | great sound. next to a Martin d 18 | |
| 2017 | $700.00 | good | great sound | |
| 2017 | $700.00 | good | ray | great sound easy to hold. I usually use a strap almost as good as my d 28 |
| 2018 | $700.00 | good | ray | great sound. like a d 28. almost |
| 1998 | $1000 | new | Danny scanlon | bought it on new years evel |
| 2017 | kr2400 | good | ||
| 1999 | $1500 | excellent | Fred Vlachos | is this agood price |
| 2018 | £900 | excellent | Jim | Loved the sound so rich |
| 1900 | $700 | good | Shorty | 2023 Ebay purchase. 1997 J1 Clean well maintained guitar. Came with a roadworn Martin green lined hard case. I usually play a Sigma DM-5, which is my go-to acoustic. I break out the Martin when I want a brighter tone with more volume. My guitar buddies always try to buy the Martin. ;) |
Reviews (1)
MARTIN J-1 (1 SERIES) reviewed by Rickie Nelson
Rickie Nelson
Bought a used one a month ago. Pretty impressed so far. It is loud. It's crisp, but has a lot of base and a satisfying sustain. I probably should have done more comparison shopping, but my 68 Gibson Southern Jumbo needed a friend. Very different than the Gibson. I just figured I couldnt go wrong with a Martin, and other reviews were very good. I think its a good deal for the money. I paid $600.
4 Comments
Martin J-1
Submitted by Taylor (not verified) on
I have a J-1 mfg in 1999 which I believe was the first year they made them, not 2001 which I think was the last year of production. Approximately 1,100 were made in total.
year
Submitted by Dave W (not verified) on
My J-1 was bought new in 1997
1999 Martin J-1
Submitted by Russ Mason (not verified) on
I traded a 1955 000-18 for a 2003 J-40. It was very pretty, but the Indian rosewood lacked brightness. I sold it and found a 1999 J-1 on eBay. This guitar is perfect for me, especially with medium tension Santa Cruz strings. It just sings.
I believe that large body guitars sound better in mahogany or maybe walnut. Small guitars are usually bright, so rosewood b/s add warmth. I have a 000 with rosewood, and it's just fine.
C. F. Martin made a grave error by ceasing production on this Plain Jane instrument. It is simply spectacular, and I thank my lucky stars for finding one in perfect shape. It's the best guitar I've ever played, bar none.
J1 Left Handed
Submitted by John Evans. Shr... (not verified) on
I bought mine in Hanks in Denmark St in London in early 2000 and I've loved it ever since. Still cosmetically pretty well as good as new and sounds even better. Went on "playing in" for several years. Much admired by other players. Thank you Martin guitars!