Gibson Trini Lopez Standard Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1966), ser. #800680, original black hard shell case.

Gibson Trini Lopez Standard Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1966), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 800680, cherry lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.

This is a nice clean example of one of our favorite '60s Gibsons, the Trini Lopez Standard. This mid-late 1960s model adds a sassy cosmetic edge to the common 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 from a series run repeatedly between 1966 and 1969 but the older-style capped knobs usually indicate assembly in 1966. The hardware is chrome-plated except the nuts on the pickguard bracket are still nickel. The chrome Tune-O-Matic bridge has Nylon saddles. The pickups are the same Patent Number Humbuckers used by the ES-335 family, with the standard wiring rig. 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 485 examples in 1966 compared to over 1000 ES-335's in cherry finish alone. The entire production run in the 1960s was just under 2,000 examples and this is a nice clean survivor. 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 nice clean, original guitar, appearing not all that much used over the last 60 years and well cared for. The only alteration was at some point the chrome pickup covers were removed, which was a "thing" folks used to do. We inspected both original pre-"T-Top" Parent # pickups and found no issues, then carefully soldered the original covers back on largely by re-flowing the original solder. They still sound great with a particularly lively bridge pickup.

The all-original lacquer finish is very clean with a beautiful deep cherry hue, appearing just lightly faded on the top. Other than minor scuffing, tiny dings and handling marks overall the guitar shows hardly any play wear. All hardware is original and stock, the chrome very well preserved.

The original frets and the fingerboard show some very light wear in the lower positions. This guitar is an excellent player, one of the nicer "Trinis" 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. The original hang tag with the matching serial number and Tune-O-Matic bridge instruction sheet are still in the pocket. Overall Excellent Condition.