Gibson Greatest Hits Collection J-45 Standard – Bluebonnet

Greatest Hitsville

Wildwoodians, Gibson's new Greatest Hits Collection is the greatest thing to happen to greatest hits since the Eagles released Their Greatest Hits! That may seem like a bold statement, but after you take a look at some of the spectacular creations in the Collection, we think you'll agree that they belong in the same rarified air as Don Felder and Co. Basically, the concept behind the Greatest Hits Collection is simple: the team at Gibson commissioned a bunch of Made to Measure models based on iconic-looking Gibsons of yore that might have otherwise slipped through the cracks, Gibsons that should have been but weren't, and entirely new ideas straight from the imagination.

As you might guess, the folks who work at Gibson love Gibsons as much as we do, and the Made to Measure models they came up with for the Greatest Hits Collection are some of the coolest Custom Shop Gibsons we've ever seen thanks to the depth of their love and appreciation they have for Gibson's history and future. So, you might find Gibsons with modifications that were common (or uncommon) back in the day, fresh new colors and configurations, and new spins on classic Gibson models. We invite you to look through the tracklist we've curated for you and find your favorite of the Greatest Hits. We're sure that once you do, it will be stuck in your head for a long time!

A Thoroughbred With a Workhorse's Spirit

Wildwoodians, we are pleased to showcase the J-45 Standard, an acoustic thoroughbred with a workhorse's spirit. Though they borrow the looks of the J-45s of yore, the J-45 Standard sports a modern neck profile for players that desire fast feel. These guitars capture all of the J-45's most appealing characteristics--versatility, dynamic response, and elegant good looks--in a modern package.

They pair a solid Sitka spruce with solid mahogany back and sides, and together those two premium tonewoods produce a beautifully balanced midrange-forward sound that works wonderfully in a wide variety of musical contexts. Gibson's luthiers attach the solid-wood body to the mahogany neck with a compound dovetail neck joint to maximize resonance and sustain.

Speaking of resonance, the J-45 Standard sports a nitrocellulose lacquer finish that allows the wood to breathe like a vintage instrument. As a result, these J-45 Standards sing out loud and proud!

They are also quite comfortable to play thanks to their modern Slim Taper neck profile, which is just right: small enough to play like lightning, but large enough to feel substantial. It also has a 12" radius to allow for easy chording and bending up and down the fretboard. Said comfy neck also has a 24.75" scale length, which means less tension on the strings. This results in a slinkier handfeel, greater responsiveness, and a touch of extra warmth.

As a result of these clever appointments, the J-45 Standard is capable of handling business in all kinds of situations. It's responsive enough to be a fingerstyle monster, but it is also a superlative strummer. It works great in a band mix, but it's also a marvelous tool for solo performance. Whatever your musical proclivities may be, the J-45 Standard will surely inspire you to reach new heights on your musical journey.