Gibson Trini Lopez Standard Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1967)
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Item #4109
Gibson Trini Lopez Standard Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1967), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sparkling burgundy finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
One of Gibson's more interesting 1960's creations, the Trini Lopez models were the last of the early 60's "Artist" models. The Trini Lopez signature models came in two forms, Standard and Deluxe. The Deluxe was essentially a Barney Kessel with custom appointments -- a double-cutaway full hollow body with a single sided headstock and diamond-shaped soundholes and inlay. This Standard is in some ways a more interesting instrument, essentially an ES-335 with similar decoration; much more useful as a Rock'n'Roll guitar. Why the Standard model exists at all is a bit of a mystery; Lopez himself used only the Deluxe model and seems to have little to do with this guitar.
The trapeze tailpiece carries a rosewood and plastic block with "TRINI LOPEZ Model" engraved on it, while the headstock has a plain Gibson decal. These models were introduced just at the end of 1964, and built in quantity from 1965-70. This guitar is from 1967 and is finished in "sparkling burgundy" opaque lacquer instead of the standard cherry stain. This finish was used on a range of Gibson models in 1967-8 but is fairly rare compared to the standard catalog colors. It also carries the older-style "capped" knobs, making for an unusual combination of features.
Unlike Tal Farlow, Johnny Smith, or Barney Kessel (who also had Gibson models named after them), Trini Lopez was not a virtuoso jazz guitarist, but a pop/folk singer with a string of hit records in the just pre-Beatle era. Gibson described him as "�Probably the most exciting young star in the music business�His style is simple, direct without gimmicks or wizardry". Lopez main input into the design seems to have been the "diamond" cosmetics used on both models.
While the Trini Lopez standard is often described as "A 335 with a Firebird headstock' in fact the model pre-dates the introduction of the second-generation non-reverse Firebirds by more than six months; those later 'birds actually have a Trini Lopez headstock in place of the earlier sculpted 'reverse" style! Less than 2,000 total of these striking guitars were made during the six-year production run, with this year (1967) being the peak with 783 shipped. This metallic red finish is quite rare, only used on a very small proportion of this models.
This is a great-playing guitar with a chunkier neck than most '67 era Gibsons, very fine sound and a particularly stylish look! Recently Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters has used this model extensively, and his current signature Gibson is based on it.
Overall length is 43 1/2 in. (110.5 cm.), 16 1/8 in. (41 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.).
A nicely original guitar: tuners restored to original rare solid strip Kluson Deluxe (small marks from previous Shaller-ization visible). Some light finish wear (mostly to back) and one small patched area of finish on the neck back behind the eighth fret. Some general long finish checking but no fade...the deep burgundy metallic finish has retained perfect color (many have faded dramatically). A great-looking and playing guitar, with original HSC. Excellent Condition.
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One of Gibson's more interesting 1960's creations, the Trini Lopez models were the last of the early 60's "Artist" models. The Trini Lopez signature models came in two forms, Standard and Deluxe. The Deluxe was essentially a Barney Kessel with custom appointments -- a double-cutaway full hollow body with a single sided headstock and diamond-shaped soundholes and inlay. This Standard is in some ways a more interesting instrument, essentially an ES-335 with similar decoration; much more useful as a Rock'n'Roll guitar. Why the Standard model exists at all is a bit of a mystery; Lopez himself used only the Deluxe model and seems to have little to do with this guitar.
The trapeze tailpiece carries a rosewood and plastic block with "TRINI LOPEZ Model" engraved on it, while the headstock has a plain Gibson decal. These models were introduced just at the end of 1964, and built in quantity from 1965-70. This guitar is from 1967 and is finished in "sparkling burgundy" opaque lacquer instead of the standard cherry stain. This finish was used on a range of Gibson models in 1967-8 but is fairly rare compared to the standard catalog colors. It also carries the older-style "capped" knobs, making for an unusual combination of features.
Unlike Tal Farlow, Johnny Smith, or Barney Kessel (who also had Gibson models named after them), Trini Lopez was not a virtuoso jazz guitarist, but a pop/folk singer with a string of hit records in the just pre-Beatle era. Gibson described him as "�Probably the most exciting young star in the music business�His style is simple, direct without gimmicks or wizardry". Lopez main input into the design seems to have been the "diamond" cosmetics used on both models.
While the Trini Lopez standard is often described as "A 335 with a Firebird headstock' in fact the model pre-dates the introduction of the second-generation non-reverse Firebirds by more than six months; those later 'birds actually have a Trini Lopez headstock in place of the earlier sculpted 'reverse" style! Less than 2,000 total of these striking guitars were made during the six-year production run, with this year (1967) being the peak with 783 shipped. This metallic red finish is quite rare, only used on a very small proportion of this models.
This is a great-playing guitar with a chunkier neck than most '67 era Gibsons, very fine sound and a particularly stylish look! Recently Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters has used this model extensively, and his current signature Gibson is based on it.
Overall length is 43 1/2 in. (110.5 cm.), 16 1/8 in. (41 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.).
A nicely original guitar: tuners restored to original rare solid strip Kluson Deluxe (small marks from previous Shaller-ization visible). Some light finish wear (mostly to back) and one small patched area of finish on the neck back behind the eighth fret. Some general long finish checking but no fade...the deep burgundy metallic finish has retained perfect color (many have faded dramatically). A great-looking and playing guitar, with original HSC. Excellent Condition.
