Gibson Trini Lopez Standard Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1967)
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Gibson Trini Lopez Standard Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1967), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 390579, cherry lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
One of our favorite '60s Gibsons, the Trini Lopez Standard adds a slightly sassy cosmetic edge to the more common cherry red ES-335 formula! The diamond shaped f-holes and position markers give the guitar a rakish air, while the single-sided headstock contributes a certain extra pizzazz. A snazzy engraved rosewood-and-plastic tailpiece insert carries the "Trini Lopez Model" designation, with a couple of extra diamonds. While these guitars are usually referred to as having a "Firebird Style" headstock, this model in fact slightly predates the non-reverse Firebird guitars it shares that design with, so really the later Firebirds have a "Trini head".
This example has a serial number and features typical for 1967, although the remains of the little engraved Gibson-logo flourish on the pickguard is usually considered specific to 1968. The hardware is chrome-plated (except for the pickguard bracket, still nickel). The chrome Tune-O-Matic bridge has Nylon saddles. The pickups are the same chrome-plated Patent Number Humbuckers used by the ES-335 family, with the standard wiring rig topped with the "witch hat" amp-style plastic knobs that Gibson debuted this year. The round-backed neck has the narrow nut width typical of this period but noticeably more girth back-to-front than some; it actually gets much chunkier approaching the body.
"Mr. Lemon Tree" himself seems to have never played this model, preferring the "Trini Lopez Deluxe" which was based on the fully hollow Barney Kessel model. In recent years this once sometimes derided Gibson has become a much sought after instrument, especially as favored by Foo Fighter Dave Grohl. While not unusually rare, the Trini Lopez Standard shipped only 783 examples in 1967 (the peak production year) compared to over 3100 ES-335's in cherry finish alone. The entire production run in the 1960s was just under 2,000 examples. Then as now, Trini Lopez Standard remains the most colorful and distinctive of Gibson's semi-hollow-body family, a visually striking guitar as well as a typically fine playing instrument.
Overall length is 43 1/2 in. (110.5 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9/16 in. (40 mm.).
This is a very clean and nicely original guitar, having had a well-done refret but appearing well cared for and apparently not too much used. The all-original finish is very clean with a lightly faded cherry hue, showing shoe broad checking and minor dings, dents and some very light belt buckle scuffing to the back. Other than this minor wear the guitar is quite clean. All hardware is original and stock, the chrome very well preserved; the nickel pickguard bracket shows more tarnish, which is why Gibson went to chrome in the first place.
The newer frets are a bit taller than the originals and show hardly any wear; the nut is newer as well. The original nut and old wire are in the case pocket. This guitar is an excellent player, particularly if one prefers a taller fret (which could be taken lower if desired). This is simply of the nicest "Trinis" we have had, in the original yellow-lined hard shell case with the hang tag and a couple of instruction sheets still in the pocket. Excellent Condition.
One of our favorite '60s Gibsons, the Trini Lopez Standard adds a slightly sassy cosmetic edge to the more common cherry red ES-335 formula! The diamond shaped f-holes and position markers give the guitar a rakish air, while the single-sided headstock contributes a certain extra pizzazz. A snazzy engraved rosewood-and-plastic tailpiece insert carries the "Trini Lopez Model" designation, with a couple of extra diamonds. While these guitars are usually referred to as having a "Firebird Style" headstock, this model in fact slightly predates the non-reverse Firebird guitars it shares that design with, so really the later Firebirds have a "Trini head".
This example has a serial number and features typical for 1967, although the remains of the little engraved Gibson-logo flourish on the pickguard is usually considered specific to 1968. The hardware is chrome-plated (except for the pickguard bracket, still nickel). The chrome Tune-O-Matic bridge has Nylon saddles. The pickups are the same chrome-plated Patent Number Humbuckers used by the ES-335 family, with the standard wiring rig topped with the "witch hat" amp-style plastic knobs that Gibson debuted this year. The round-backed neck has the narrow nut width typical of this period but noticeably more girth back-to-front than some; it actually gets much chunkier approaching the body.
"Mr. Lemon Tree" himself seems to have never played this model, preferring the "Trini Lopez Deluxe" which was based on the fully hollow Barney Kessel model. In recent years this once sometimes derided Gibson has become a much sought after instrument, especially as favored by Foo Fighter Dave Grohl. While not unusually rare, the Trini Lopez Standard shipped only 783 examples in 1967 (the peak production year) compared to over 3100 ES-335's in cherry finish alone. The entire production run in the 1960s was just under 2,000 examples. Then as now, Trini Lopez Standard remains the most colorful and distinctive of Gibson's semi-hollow-body family, a visually striking guitar as well as a typically fine playing instrument.
Overall length is 43 1/2 in. (110.5 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9/16 in. (40 mm.).
This is a very clean and nicely original guitar, having had a well-done refret but appearing well cared for and apparently not too much used. The all-original finish is very clean with a lightly faded cherry hue, showing shoe broad checking and minor dings, dents and some very light belt buckle scuffing to the back. Other than this minor wear the guitar is quite clean. All hardware is original and stock, the chrome very well preserved; the nickel pickguard bracket shows more tarnish, which is why Gibson went to chrome in the first place.
The newer frets are a bit taller than the originals and show hardly any wear; the nut is newer as well. The original nut and old wire are in the case pocket. This guitar is an excellent player, particularly if one prefers a taller fret (which could be taken lower if desired). This is simply of the nicest "Trinis" we have had, in the original yellow-lined hard shell case with the hang tag and a couple of instruction sheets still in the pocket. Excellent Condition.