The Trini Lopez Standard is a signature electric guitar made by Gibson from 1964 to 1970 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Named after the renowned American musician Trini Lopez, this guitar is a symbol of style, and exceptional sound quality. Its design may be familiar to Gibson aficionados but with a a few unique features and appointments, all while retaining Gibson’s renowned build quality and playability. In the vintage guitar market, collectors and players alike have seen the Trini Lopez slowly rise in popularity in recent years. The model has now become a modern favorite among guitarists of various genres as well as vintage collectors.

Introduced in 1964, the Gibson Trini Lopez was designed to capture the essence of the era’s emerging rock ‘n’ roll and blues scenes. Trini Lopez himself, a talented artist known for hits like “If I Had a Hammer” and “Lemon Tree,” collaborated closely with Gibson to create an instrument that met his artistic demands. The result was a guitar that both looked and sounded phenomenal.

The Trini Lopez features a double-cutaway, semi-hollow body construction. This design allows for excellent resonance and a warm, rich tone that’s well-suited for all types of music. The body is typically made of laminated maple with a mahogany neck, contributing to the guitar’s balanced sound and comfortable playability.

While it closely resembles an ES-335, perhaps the most differentiating aspect of the Trini Lopez Standard is its unique headstock design, a shape reminiscent of a Gibson Firebird headstock, which was introduced only a year earlier in 1963. It also features diamond-shaped sound holes unlike the “f-holes” seen on ES-335 adjacent models. Embellished with a custom rosewood “Trini Lopez” signature trapeze tailpiece and diamond-shaped inlays on the fingerboard to top it all off, these appointments together give the model a sense of elegance and individual style that sets it apart from similar Gibson models and has made it a favorite among both collectors and players.

In terms of electronics, the Trini Lopez comes equipped with Gibson’s high-quality humbucking pickups. Early models featured the “Patent Number” humbuckers, which came shortly after the now legendary “Patent Applied For” design. These pickups are known for their warm, full-bodied tone that players quickly caught on to.

Later versions of the guitar incorporated “T-Top” humbuckers, as did almost all other Gibson electrics from the mid-late 60’s. This versatility allowed the Trini Lopez guitar to excel in a wide range of musical genres, anything from rock, pop, blues, r&b, jazz and beyond. In 1965, the Trini Lopez got the narrow nut treatment, as did most other solidbody and semi-hollow Gibson electrics of that era. A first-year ’64 will have a 1 11/16th” nut width, while any example built post-1965 will have a narrower 1 5/8″ nut width.

While they are commonly seen in Gibson’s famous Cherry Red finish, there are other known examples of the Trini Lopez Standard that feature a rare custom-ordered finish such as Black, Sunburst, Sparkling Burgundy, or as seen above, the elusive Pelham Blue. These models are seldom seen and on the top of many collectors’ lists.

Do you have a Gibson Trini Lopez model you’d like to sell? Let us know! We’re always looking to buy vintage Gibson guitars, and you can contact us here for more info.

Throughout its history, the Trini Lopez guitar has been favored by many prominent musicians. Notable artists like Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and Noel Gallagher of Oasis have been seen wielding this iconic instrument on stage. Its timeless design and exceptional tonal qualities continue to attract musicians of all backgrounds and generations.

Over the years, the Trini Lopez guitar has undergone various iterations and reissues, such as this 2023 Gibson Made To Measure ’64 Trini Lopez, custom ordered by us here at IVG from the Gibson Custom Shop. This one is complete with Murphy Lab light aging in a custom Charcoal Sparkle finish. Now that’s something you certainly don’t see everyday!

The legacy of the Gibson Trini Lopez guitar extends far beyond its physical presence. It represents an era of musical innovation and artistic collaboration. It’s a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of the Gibson team to always be looking forward, and the artistic vision of Trini Lopez himself. The Trini Lopez Standard is a true icon in the world of vintage musical instruments. Its familiar design, rich history, and exceptional sound have made it a cherished favorite in today’s world. You don’t have to be a seasoned professional or world renowned musician to appreciate the qualities of these guitars. The Trini Lopez guitar continues to inspire and captivate players, making it an enduring symbol of 1960’s electric guitars and why they’re so special.