Ray Whitley's original Gibson J-200

In 1937 the Gibson J-200 was born. Ray Whitley was a country and western singer and radio and movie cowboy at the same time as Gene Autry. In 37, he went to Gibson guitars with an idea for a custom guitar with certain features he wanted. This became the legendary J-200, the favourite model among many musicians since then and the acoustic guitar that really put Gibson on the map. Ray Whitley owned the first one, though a few designs changes were made to it afterwards. It is now on display in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.