Gibson Trini Lopez Standard
By Chris Swope
Perhaps Gibson’s most curious choice of artist for a signature model guitar to come out of the sixties was that of Trini Lopez. Trini, a latino/folk star who was probably never a guitar hero to anyone, garnered not one but two signature models; the Trini Lopez Standard and the Trini Lopez Deluxe. The Deluxe that Trini is most associated with was a full depth double-cutaway similar to the Barney Kessel model but with a six on a side headstock and a diamond motif inlay and diamond “f “ holes.
The Standard took those appointments and applied them to Gibson’s classic ES 335. The headstock shape is that of a Reverse Firebird and the model came with a trapeze tailpiece which had a wooden insert with Trini’s name engraved on it.
Trini never seemed to embrace the Standard, preferring to play the Deluxe instead. However, in recent years many in the know have sought out these guitars and they’ve been a favorite of many artists, most notably Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, but also Noel Gallagher of Oasis and my personal favorite, Pete Droge. And me, too. I bought a 68 a million years ago and, regrettably, I sold it. With few exeptions, and mine was no exception, these original guitars had 1&9/16” nut width, a bit scrawny for most of us.
Gibson took note of Dave Grohl’s championing of the Trini Standard and in ‘07 came out with the hugely successful Dave Grohl model, a stopbar, big neck version of the original.
On the heels of that success Gibson re-introduced the Trini Lopez Standard, this time with the wider 1&11/16” nut width and offered it in both Trapeze and Stopbar models. While the Trini appointments give this 335 style guitar a somewhat unique look, the tuning stability of the six-in-line headstock shape, with it’s straight string pull, is a plus in the playability department. And the tone? It’s pure 335.