Gibson Trini Lopez Standard Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 346514, cherry lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is a nice early example of one of our favorite '60s Gibsons, the Trini Lopez Standard. This 1965 model is a rare variation with a somewhat wider nut than most, something found only on the first production examples making this a more desirable instrument to many players. The vast majority of "Trinis" date from later 1965 through 1969 and have nuts measuring in from 1 5/8" down to as slim as 1 1/2"; this one comes in at just under 1 11/16" and has a noticeably different feel than most, more "old school" Gibson and a bit flatter back-to-front as well.
The Trini Lopez Standard adds a sassy cosmetic edge to the cherry red ES-335 formula, and over the last few decades has emerged from relative obscurity to be considered a slightly offbeat classic. The diamond shaped f-holes and fingerboard 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 actually slightly predates the non-reverse Firebird guitars it shares that design with, so really the later Firebirds have a "Trini head".
This example carries a serial number confirming the 1965 date. The hardware is a mix of nickel and chrome-plated as is typical of this transition year; the pickup covers and tailpiece are chrome while the Tune-o-Matic bridge and the pickguard bracket are still nickel. The bridge has Nylon saddles. The pickups are the same Patent Number Humbuckers used by the ES-335 family, with the standard Gibson wiring rig topped by the older-style capped knobs that lasted into 1967. For some reason this one has a "Custom" engraved truss rod cover that appears original.
"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 favored by Foo Fighter Dave Grohl. The Trini Lopez Standard shipped only 321 examples in 1965, only a small proportion of which would have the wider nut. The entire production run in the 1960s was just under 2,000 examples compared to many thousand Es-335s in cherry finish alone. 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; this is the only wider-nut example we have had and a real honey.
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 21/32 in. (27 mm.).
This is a nicely all original guitar, appearing somewhat used over the last 60 years but generally clean and well cared for. The original lacquer finish is well preserved overall with a beautiful bright cherry hue, just lightly faded at most. The finish shows typical checking, scuffing, dings and handling marks overall only minor play wear. The face of the headstock has the most wear, with a few long scratches by the tuners and some chipping to the edges, particularly on the bass side. The back of the neck is mostly clean with checking and a couple of tiny feelable dinks.
All the hardware is original and stock, the mixed plating complement generally well preserved the nickel bridge showing the most wear. Both original Humbucking pickups sound great with a particularly lively bridge unit. The original frets have been neatly crowned, they and the fingerboard show hardly any subsequent wear. This guitar is an excellent player, with its slightly more spacious nut the most generally player friendly Trini we have had. It lives in the original longer universal version of the 1960s Gibson black, yellow-lined hard shell case which also fits an EB-2 bass and ES-335 12 string. Overall Excellent - Condition.
